Study Abroad the Beginning ✈️
Studying Abroad the basics:
Hello lovely travelers!
While In college you have an amazing opportunity right in front of you that you may be missing out on. That is studying abroad. Studying abroad may sound scary because you may go through culture shock, you may not know where you want to go, you don’t have the money and so many more fears bundling up that seem to steer you away from taking that leap to explore the world. Do not worry, I am here to provide you with a few tips on how to pick the perfect program and how to overcome the fears you may be facing!
Tip #1: Know your Major/Minor
This is the first important tip to study abroad as you need to pick the place that offers courses designed for specific majors. Is this trip to fulfill an elective or are you actually there to do say nursing, media studies, sciences, etc. Once you know what you need then you can find a place to study.
Tip #2: Picking the Perfect Place
Now this part may be the hardest of them all since there are so many places to see and so many things to do in such a short amount of time. The very first thing you need to do is think of a place that is of high interest to you. Are you a fan of Anime and want to explore Japan to learn more about it while also taking classes for things you didn’t originally know. How about seeing the Castles in Scotland, maybe you have always wanted to know about the history of such a place. Also again this can be a trip to help your major or minor if you aren’t as flexible with electives. The list goes on but once you have it you should set your mind to it.
Studying abroad can also be for your enjoyment but may also end up helping you solidify the majors/minors you have chosen. Traveling abroad pushed me to declare Global Studies as one of my majors after I returned back home.
For me, I chose my first study abroad to be the B.I.P summer program at Seoul Women’s University in South Korea. This was a place of interest for me since middle school, but it also was a piece of my major in college which is Global Studies as mentioned before. I was always fascinated by the culture, the language, the history and so many more things that I knew this was where I wanted to be. Eventually found myself enjoying the music more than I ever thought i could because I became so exposed to what it really was while being there not just what it was thought to be. This could also be a place for you if this is what your interests are.
After you find the place you now have to contact your college study abroad coordinator and figure out the plan for while you are there. You may chose a month long summer program, a week study trip over a winter or spring break, you may also chose to go big and do a semester abroad which all of these are an experience like no other.
You may be putting off studying abroad because it is too expensive to do so. Never fear, you can apply for scholarships that pay for some of the summer but not all from your school. There are even scholarships online depending on what you study that can help pay for tuition. Here are a few for you to look at if you are ever interested.
CIEE Scholarships and Programs (Link)
And here is a website that gives a few (Link)
Scholarships are great in getting the courage to go out and see the world as often as possible. Another thing to note is studying abroad is cheaper than attending some school as full tuition. For instance, I know my school cost a lot of money to attend but to study abroad last year and this summer I spent $4,000 which is much less than attending my four year institution that is Cedar Crest College. Always consider scholarships so you never miss out on big chances to find things you enjoy doing
Tip #4: How to Prepare for Culture Shock
It’s very hard to prepare for culture shock but there are ways to make it less intense. If you research the country you are planning to stay in, you will be able to cope more with the changes that become present as you stay in the country for long periods of time. Research of the country is enough to ease all stresses of experiencing shock and helps you to really understand what you are going to see throughout the country.
While in Korea, my roommates and I went to a Spa on one of the weekends and culture shock hit us the hardest. No one knew what we were getting into but it may have been a different experience for us individually.
You may think you have seen it all before going but just wait until it is in front of you. You will be shocked but at least it wasn’t as unexpected and it helps open your mind to the different cultures of the world once you overcome the shock, you enjoy the time having learned more about the culture.
This picture is my group of friends enjoying the spa after we dealt with the fact that it was a different experience for all of us.
Tip #5: Make Memories that Last Forever
This is the most important thing to me when studying abroad. You meet so many people from all over and make friends that last a lifetime. You could be traveling with a fellow classmate you have never talked to before; learning more about them and making a new friend to wave to on campus. No feeling compares to enjoying your time in a foreign place with great people. You will see historical sites up close, may find yourself in traditional clothing, getting to experience the food and discovering a new you. The memories never go away and you may find yourself always thinking about the time you study abroad.
The lock on the N. Seoul Tower of me and my friends
You may even find yourself on the brochure of the program!
I hope after reading this you have some inspiration yourself to study abroad 😁