Studying Abroad

It's that time of the year where I now know (well, mostly know) who is going abroad at my university for Spring 2013!!  Yea and super yay because we are totally up in numbers and also where people are going!!

I have students going to:

• Florence, Italy
• Rome, Italy
• Paris, France
• London, UK
• Granada, Spain
• Barcelona, Spain
• Gaborone, Botswana
• Amman, Jordan

We got ears- super cheers!!!  

... I watch too much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now...

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When you study abroad, it is very important to know that there is not a 'set' study abroad experience   I have had people go to the same location, stayed in the same housing, taken the EXACT same classes and come back with COMPLETELY different experiences.  

Why?

Because, we are all individuals.  While I deal with mostly with students who have always lived in the U.S.A. and therefore the same culture, we all have very different life experiences.  You may have grown up in a part of the country that is different from someone else.  You may practice a religion that is different from others.  You may have been raised by your mom and dad, mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, guardian, etc. All of those things make you unique and give you a unique view of the world and how to look at things!

Also, everyone has different expectations for what a semester abroad may bring.  And- often- the expectations are not reflective of what will happen.  Yes, you will go abroad and travel and meet new people and see new things, but what does that MEAN to YOU?

When I advise people about studying abroad, I try to get them think about what they want to get at the end of a study abroad experience.  Do you just want to have a list of places you have been?  Do you want to take classes you can't at home?  Do you want to learn a language?  Do you want to gain some insight into your host culture?

Everything that you may list is perfectly valid.  (Party?  There's places for that)  But, it's important when you are talking with your study abroad adviser to be honest about what you want.  That way, we can help you find a program that meets your needs and overall exceptions.

But, think more about the end goal.  When you are abroad, it is often very hard to see everything that you have accomplished by going abroad and living abroad.  It's helpful to list what you'd like to do/what your goals are.  It's helpful to write how you view yourself and then when you are abroad (and when you come home), write about how you view yourself now.  Sometimes you may not feel a change- other times, the change is big.

Studying abroad requires the ability to ADAPT.  People won't necessarily feel 'shock' when going abroad.  But, you still will adapt.  Your entire way of living a day will change.  Maybe not in what you do, but HOW you do it.

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Now, at the same time, I FULLY expect that students will put themselves out there and learn about their host culture and RECOGNIZE that they are leaving their home.  When you travel abroad NEVER assume something.

For example?  Gestures:

Other things that people assume will be the same is politeness (I'm talking about not IF people are polite, but HOW they are polite.  Many people think a culture is impolite, when it's really about the HOW), when and how you eat, how you shop, how you order food, how to get on public transportation, timing for meetings, how you discuss/argue, etc.

Studying abroad is one of the best things that a student can do!  I'm so proud of everyone that does a study abroad program and I encourage everyone to take advantage, if you can.

(Note: studying abroad is often cheaper than you think if you are flexible about where you go.  Australia, New Zeland, Ireland and the UK- with France close behind are  the most expensive usually, but pretty much everywhere else is quite reasonable. the same as a normal semester costs you or even cheaper!  Plus, many programs offer scholarships and the U.S. Government offers the Gilman Scholarship to those students who get a Pell Grant)