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Important Apps For Study Abroad 📱

Hi everyone! We are all aware that phones are a big part of our lives. That being said you can use it to ensure a safe trip while you are away.

Google Maps: Available on both IOS and Android

Google maps is probably the most useful app to download before traveling anywhere. If you ever find yourself lost you can just type in your location and where you need to be and it provides different routes to get you there. This will keep you on the right track at all times and is a highly recommended download.

A messaging app:

Not everyone is able to get the SIM cards I mentioned in an earlier post. If that is the case and you get limited messaging, a messaging app is a quick and easy fix to that. You can use this to contact others as long as they have it. Even if you make a friend in that country it helps you to avoid the international fees and you can stay in contact. Some apps are WeChat, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk, Line and Viber.

Google Translate: Available on both IOS and Android

Don’t want to find yourself lost in translation? Well google translate can help you there. You may not need google translate everywhere you go but when you do it can get you started on the meaning of the symbols you see everywhere. It may not always be the most accurate but it does help to save you from ordering the wrong food or going the wrong way.

Skype: Good for Android users

Skype is good for those who don’t have FaceTime already built into their phones. Skype provides the service of allowing you to make video calls to anyone in the world as long as you have WiFi. Skype is quick and easy to use and can also help to ease that pesky culture shock.

Rome2Rio: Available on both IOS and Android

Are you looking for the best way to get from point A to point B? Well Rome2Rio is the perfect app for that. It will search any location in the world and help you to find whichever route will be the quickest way to get there. It doesn’t just do bus or trains either, you can also find the fastest method of flight and over water if needed.

XE Currency converter:

The best time to exchange your money in your hands. XE Converter is convenient for when you run out of cash and need to exchange at a bank. It has up to the minute conversion rates and always offers the best time to get more money. You can monitor up to 10 currencies at the same time which can be used if you are going to more then one country on the study abroad trip.

#ccc

Reverse Culture Shock

Now that you have survived Culture Shock you need to prepare for the opposite.

Reverse Culture Shock can be just as bad as culture shock when put into perspective. Just like culture shock, it has a different effect depending on where you are coming back from and how long you were there.

Not everyone feels this but it is again a common feeling to receive when you return home. You will feel the same discomfort you felt when you encountered culture shock but it gets better. There are ways to overcome this as there are ways to overcome culture shock, but people will feel reverse culture shock for a variety of reasons.

The first thing to note is you can’t go back home expecting things to change. You may have went away for a change but everyone back home did not. The problems you left behind are probably still occurring depending on the time frame. Study abroad makes you see life a little different but again you can’t expect your friends or family to have the same transformative experience. This is an issue because your world views and appreciation are no longer how you left them and you may want that to be a change for everything going on. Life doesn't work that way, so you must be prepared for that upon your arrival home.

Another thing you may see is that people don’t really care to listen to your stories even if you want them to listen. You may be excited to tell your family and friends about the time you had but they sometimes are too wrapped up doing other things that they don’t get to listen. This is going to make you feel very sad but to cope with it write down your stories or take pictures and videos for yourself. It is not a dumb thing to do, it helps you to remember the memories that you cannot share. Also if you went on the trip with a friend or made friends, stay in contact with them. They will understand the stories and want to reminisce on them with you. People may not listen, so rely on yourself. Your journals, pictures and videos are the best way to overcome this.

Last in reverse culture shock, is being able to practice customs or languages you learned. Going abroad for longer periods of time you do start to adapt to that country and the language. However, it can all be forgotten when you come home. If you went away to study a language you wouldn't want that to go to waste but you just have no where to actually use them. To keep up with them, you can watch movies that come from that country without subtitles so you don’t forget what words mean. You can also find yourself talking to the friends you made using those techniques. It is small but you can forget easily. Don’t let that happen fight for what you learned and use it where you can. It is a good skill to have when you go for jobs in the future.

Reverse culture shock is an awful thing to experience upon returning to your home. After you return home it is the best option to be prepared for reality. People are still on their normal flow of life and you cannot just stop it. It is best to come home knowing the things listed above because it does make the change a bit easier. It may not take it away but it does offer the help needed. Make time and effort to write in a journal or just go through pictures. Say words randomly in another language. You learned it and you lived it so use it whenever you can. It will really help to ease you back into what you know. From personal experience, you may feel a wave of sadness upon the return but it goes away. I look back at my journal and often reach out to my friends to remember what happened. You can’t make the world change in one trip but you have made a change in yourself so why not put up a fight to remember. Even after it all ends this time you can go back and do it again in a new place with a new adventure.

#ccc

Culture Shock 😳

I have briefly mentioned culture shock once before but in this post I will be explaining it more

Culture shock is something many people face while traveling abroad. It is defined as the feeling of disorientation a person experiences when suddenly subjected to a new culture, a way of life, or set of ideas. Culture shock is not meant to make you think that your culture is better then another, but to help you understand the world is different everywhere. Culture shock is a normal feeling and everyone experiences it while abroad so you are not alone.

Some culture shock is less extreme than others. The U.S is similar to life in European countries so if you were to just travel to London so to speak you may not feel it as bad as someone who visits Japan or China. Location matters with culture shock so always know your comfort zone and if you want to push boundaries or not

People may feel culture shock do to the structure differences in all parts of the world. You may be comfortable with a little structure but in some places like Korea structure is more important. Korea has an 11 p.m. curfew at its college campuses and to students in the U.S. they may not be familiar with the task. Going to Greece from the U.S however may not be as rough because their structure of living is very similar to ours. You wait your turn in line and you still eat three separate meals a day. The biggest difference you may see is people walk more. The way people live is not universal.

Another thing that causes it is uncertainty and self doubt. There is lack of identity reinforcement. You may be uncertain if something is okay in that culture. You don’t want people to find you rude so it makes the situation uncomfortable. The good thing is, people can often tell you may not know their culture and will understand what you are doing and not be offended. Once the situation passes it is good to look it up so next time you know.

To help over come it, contact your family throughout the trip. They will help to solidify that you are still you. If you feel lost a personal connection at home is the best way to not forget where you are from. Another way is to write down what is making you feel out of place. Sometimes writing down the experience helps you to see that it is not abnormal. You can also google the culture to help ease the apprehensions you are feeling. Knowing what you are getting into is better than going in blind. Use your resources to keep up with yourself. Remind yourself everyday if you have to that culture is different and that is okay. You will return home but for now you want to enjoy where you are. Remember culture shock is a normal feeling so don’t let it stress you.

#ccc #cultureshock #study abroad

Bahrom International Program (B.I.P) Review 🇰🇷💖

Hello again all my lovely travelers! This post is one about my experience at this program called B.I.P that I went to over the summer of 2018. I have made a mention of this before in my first post but this post is going to just be about the program.

The program goes for the span of a month in Seoul, South Korea where you will be immersed into the culture intensely. You will find yourself viewing history in front of your eyes at the Demilitarized Zone. You can also travel back in time to the Jeonju Hanok Village where you can where traditional clothes and see the palaces where rulers once lived. Culture may be a big thing but you will also get to take a cruise on the Han River and get involved in the Hallyu Wave by enjoying some Korean Pop and watching Korean movies . There are so many things to do to get the most of your short trip to Korea for a summer.

I don’t want to spoil to much but there are also performances you will get to see. One is a Tae Kwon Do demonstration and the other one I will keep a secret. You will have to take my word and go on the trip to see a performance that will keep you laughing the whole time. Also if you are a fan of K-pop already be ready to learn the hottest dance of the summer which is always a day where you can laugh. You may find some people with 2 left feet but its the fun in learning.

Although there are so many excursions and other entertainment to have fun rather than study, this trip is still Study Abroad meaning you will have to attend some lectures. There are 7 total lectures you must attend where you will really get to learn about Korea if you have been clueless before the trip. I don’t want to spoil what you will learn as that is part of the learning experience, but you will not be disappointed learning how they grew into the country they are today.

Some small things to know:

The program price ranges from $400-$1800 depending on if your school has a partnership with them or not. If they do you will be paying less in fees to attend.

Flights on average are above $900 dollars so never wait till last minute to buy them.

There is a curfew every night. The curfew is 11 p.m. but on weekends you are welcome to spend the night out if you so please.

Korea is a very safe place. I was walking around with a backpack with my money in it and people do not bother you. If you are out at night be a little more cautious around clubbing areas but majority of the time you will be safe.

There is a final presentation which is the grade that determines if you do well at the program or not.

You will be allowed to live in the dorms so you do not have to worry about finding your own place.

Korea is extremely hot during the time of the program. Make sure to pack accordingly to keep yourself from over heating on the days you plan on spending your days out.

The currency there is S. Korean Won so make sure to have some handy at all times.

Overall, this trip was an amazing first study abroad program for me to attend. I made friends that I can wave to on campus and ones I plan to go back and visit in their home country. You truly do make life long friendships when study abroad. The RA’s in the program were so helpful when we needed something like medicine or to order some chicken to eat. The program is well organized and opens up study abroad for people. Even though this is for credits you will still be able to go out and see Seoul in all of it’s beauty. Don’t just take my word for it. Go out and give it a try. It is the best program to ease the study abroad process. This program helped me realize that I want to keep traveling and have pushed me to return to Korea to learn the language for my major back at home. You never know where you will end up, so venture out and live it up where ever you can before it too late.

#CCC #seoul #b.i.p

International SIM Cards

Hello fellow travelers!

A big thing when studying abroad is the cost of trying to stay in touch with your family. Some services have a $10 a day deal like Verizon and others are a flat rate of a crazy amount. However longer trips can really add up if you have never been somewhere and need a lot of data. I’m here to tell you a simplistic way to save some money.

If you are a big traveler much like myself, you can purchase a SIM card for your cellphone. This SIM card can be used to call, text and also has data to use while you are away from home.

Some things to note, however, is you need to make sure your phone network is unlocked and compatable with GSM (global system for mobile communications). To unlock your network you will have to contact your provider. They will send the request to Apple or Samsung and from there you can get your network unlocked. There is also a form online for that. Most countries use GSM, but some do not so you will need to always check with your provider first. They will have to give you the okay for the SIM card before you do anything with it.

Where to find:

OneSimCard:

OneSimCard offers international mobile service in over 200 countries. They also help you to save 85% on all roaming charges. They offer daily, weekly and monthly plans depending on the length of your trip. However, maximum days of use is 30. When you look on their site you can see all the bundles and find the one that best fits your needs. This SIM card cost $39.95 but they do offer discount packages.

WorldSIM:

WorldSIM is yet another one to offer service in over 200 countries. WorldSIM reduces roaming rates by 85% and does a pay as you go credit on the SIM. Incoming calls is different here as it is free in over 95 countries. This one also doesn’t have 30 day limit it has a 1 Year plan. Cost varies on this specific SIM depending on the bundle and amount of data you are willing to buy.

Telestial:

Telestail offers a variety of packages to offer support to those who are traveling. Their product offers coverage in 200 countries just like that of OneSimCard. Telestail offers 87% saving on international roaming and they give you a $5 credit to get you started. The world SIM can be purchased for $19.95. Other bundles that are more fit to your needs may also be available on this website. Depending on your destination you will also pay a flat rate for data, talk and text.

These are just three of many packages and SIM Cards to look into for study abroad. They are some of the most popular ones which is good when you are unsure or a first time tracker. The International sim is a good way to stay in touch with your family. Staying in touch with your family can keep you from feeling home sick and massive amounts of culture shock. To ensure your safety you should look into the SIM cards. They aren’t for everyone but you may find it to be helpful as a starting point.

#ccc

CYA (College Year in Athens) 🇬🇷

1 week in the program review: Sophomore Expedition

Hello Travelers!

So in this post I am going to go off my normal job to tell you about a great program I was in for a week.

Before I go on the name may be a little misleading however, this program is offered in the summer, winter, a semester and for a custom program. Cedar Crest College took their sophomore students there for just a week but it was a week I will never forget.

I will keep things simple and sweet with this and start by saying based off my school, the experience has stuck to me. I was in a class called Advocacy for Refugee Children and as the name suggests we got to see that up close and in person. I was able to go to a refugee camp (which for obvious reason have no pictures of) and meet families that have come here from all over. The kids are what struck me the most out of all this though. They were kids that’s why. The kids played with the toys we brought and fought over it like any other kid would in all over. The language meant nothing, the fact that we were from two different worlds meant nothing they were just happy to have someone there to play with. This was something so eye opening that CYA was able to give me through the help of the hard work of my school.

My class also got to volunteer at a soup kitchen. We met a great man named Hugo, who had been there for a while but was so full of life. He was so welcoming to us even though we were clueless to what we had to do. After we cut some garlic with him and exchanged laughs we got to actually serve the food to people. They were so kind to us even though they had waited for hours for a small amount of food. It was touching how they could be so patient with us even if they just wanted to eat. After this we also got to go to a greek school for kids who weren’t greek. They all came without there families and from all over. We would have never known at first glance. They were all so full of happiness and welcomed us into their school. They were your average high school students. Below is me and my class outside the school. In many places you couldn’t take pictures for various reasons.

Now they may not do it for everyone as they did this but you will still be able to go to some of the best lectures and tour sites while there on this program. A professor from the school toured us around the Acropolis and I received a thorough explanation of everything. I understood everything I was looking at and this professor kept me engaged. It was something I wouldn’t have gotten if I was just a tourist. They also had people give us some lectures that were amazingly detailed. Since I was a class that focused on refugees, I was given a lecture on how they live and how its not everything the media shows. We may have been exhausted but the lectures were interesting enough to keep me awake and ready to learn. We also got to take a trip to Nafplio which was another amazing thing this trip offered. We got to see the ocean and just see a small town in Greece. It was the original capital before Athens in case you didn’t know either and was just picture perfect. It was a small short lived trip but worth every second of it to this small area.

Pictured above is the Acropolis and Nafplio from the ground view and a castle view.

CYA did an amazing job welcoming us into their program. It has even inspired some people to travel back to Greece to get there full study abroad experience. This one is a short blog as I just wanted to share what a great experience this short trip was. All study abroad can have an impact no matter how short or long it is. CYA may be a place for you if you want to see a place with a great history. I wish in this I could share the entire trip with you but sometimes you need to just see it to believe it, like the two pictures below.

#ccc #cya #athens

Programs for Study Abroad 🏫

Hello again travelers! Today I am here to offer a start to the process of picking a school to study abroad at. Often times it seems like that is the most stressful part but it is easier than you think with the help of programs. If you still struggle to find some after reading through this, don’t give up you will figure it out it is just something you need to think about. (all links are in the title)

AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR FOREIGN STUDY:

This program offers both summer and semester abroad. You can study in a countries like China, Greece, Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland and 16 more countries and also a study and travel tour. This place has hosts families for an academic year abroad if that is something you are interested in. Its a quick and easy thing to check out. In most programs here you can find internships and volunteer programs to also take part in while studying.

IES ABROAD:

If AIFS doesn’t work for you another program is this one. This one also also offers internships if you are searching for those as part of the trip. This one has a few less options then AIFS, but offers more places to chose from like Japan, Morocco, Australia and 14 more countries with many cities to stay in. For example, in Europe they offer England where you can study at Cambridge University. This program offers personal advising, diverse course offerings, field trips, housing and health and safety while abroad.

CIEE:

CIEE offers 206 programs in 43 countries to immerse yourself in. You can find courses for Business and Management, STEM research, Communications and Journalism, Language, Health and Medical Studies, and many more courses designed for different majors. They also offer a design your own study abroad for summers and semesters. Just like the other two programs above this one also has internships to check out. There are also scholarships to win to help afford the costs. This doesn’t tell you what they offer until you pick a program but you should still check it out.

SOL ABROAD:

This study abroad options here are only for Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico and Spain. However, it is the best place to look if those are countries of interest to you. You can find on their a winter break, a semester, a summer, a spring break or even just a month of your choice. All programs in this include university tuition, room and board, excursions, cultural activities, medical insurance and offers a transcript. Upon checking the website you can find all these things in the price and dates section.

INTERNATIONAL STUDY ABROAD:

Last we have ISA, with programs in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific. With this one you can study, intern, service learn and research for college credits. You can do a semester, summer, a winter, or a whole academic quarter in this program. ISA is one of those websites you just need to check out and see what they have to offer.

Another thing to consider is checking with your school to see what programs they have. Sometimes those choices are limited so finding your own helps you to get the education you actually want. That is why there are programs outside of your school to help you. As long as you can get the transfer credits you are already on a starting path.

#ccc #study abroad #schools

Travel Journals 😍 a reason to get one

Studying abroad is more than just going there for school. Most of the times you will go and make memories that last. A way to make sure you never forget is to keep a travel journal of all the times you studied in another country. The one pictured above is one I made for my trips and will be adding to it until I graduate. Travel journals are the best thing to take on your journey.

In a travel journal, you can add pictures so when you open it you see your face lighting up with such joy. You can also write down things that shocked you and things you enjoyed as they happen. Travel journals are useful for a traveler to keep track of a trip. You place all the memories inside this book and can show it to people. I look back on mine and smile seeing the friends I made. I also remember the food I ate, the people of the country I saw. It’s all there so when things slip your memory you can go back and have it right there.

They help you to reflect on your trip as well. Culture shock is a big thing mentioned before and this may be the place to write it down to remember the experience so if you ever return you have the memory to make that same thing a totally different experience. When going back through it, it really does show you how impressed you were. You can go home and sit back and write because it hits you so hard. People live differently then you may be used to and the reflection of the trip shows on you. You adapt the culture a little and you see it in your pictures and your writing. I still bow at people when I leave a place because after a month in Korea it became natural. I wrote about how I felt awkward at first doing it but now its something I do without thinking.

I highly recommend that you make or buy a travel journal for where ever you plan to study. It is the place you write things to later find yourself again in it.

#ccc #study abroad

Preparing 😄

The post with a checklist to make sure you are ready ❤️

Hello lovely travelers!

Today I am here to help you prepare for your travels. Wether it be a week, a month, a day, a year, or anything else this small list will come in handy.

First, make sure you have exchanged some currency in advance. You don’t want to get stuck at the airport trying to exchange and sometimes its hard to find ATMs right away. So before you leave make sure you have gotten a good amount of whatever currency you will need on your trip. If you do need to exchange more, once you know your surroundings, you can make trips to ATMs or the bank to make an exchange.

Next, make a list of everything in your suitcase. I know it sounds annoying but if on the rare occasion your suitcase gets lost, you will have proof of what you had and can get your money reimbursed to buy new items.

Here is an example of a checklist that may be helpful in making this list.

(Source https://www.slideshare.net/yemahiatsi/ultimate-travelchecklisttravefy)

On such a list, since it is study abroad you may want to also add binders/notebooks and pencils and pens too so you are ready to take on a school day there, you are not just there to party 24/7

Another list you want to make is one of emergency contacts. You never know when you may not have access to your phone so make sure you have your numbers written down if you need them.

After all the lists and all the packing, make sure you contact your bank and phone company before you travel. You do not want to forget this. If you do your credit cards may be cancelled and you will also have a gigantic phone bill when you come home.

For your sleep schedule, always sleep on the way to the place but never sleep on the way home or your jet lag will be worse than it has to be. For example, after one month of being in a 13 hour time zone difference than i currently am in, i slept the whole plane ride back and ended up not even being able to stay awake for majority of the day because i was still on the schedule from in Korea. If you have to go back to your school jet lagged it will be an even tougher experience to overcome so always be reminded of this advice.

If you remember these things then you will be set to travel and be ready in case of anything. Remember to do your research and know everything you can to be prepared for a happy and healthy study abroad experience.

#ccc #studyabroad

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.

Tip #3: Finances

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.

Boren Scholarship (Link)

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

Food from a Korean Cafe.

You may even find yourself on the brochure of the program!

I hope after reading this you have some inspiration yourself to study abroad 😁

#ccc #studyabroadwiththebest #study abroad

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