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Safe Travels

So you’ve made it to your school abroad, but should your traveling stop there? Of course not! Here are some tips for traveling once you’re abroad!

In The Public Eye

Once you’re abroad, public transportation will be your best friend when it comes to traveling. Many universities abroad will provide students with metro cards for free or discounted. This opens the doors to so many travel opportunities, especially to students in Europe, where many major cities are short train rides apart. Hop on a free train ride for a weekend getaway in Madrid or Rome. 

“Hostel” Territory

Hostel’s are abundant overseas and are a great way to save money when traveling abroad. At some, you can stay the night for as low as $10 a day. The money you save can be put towards tuition fees (or a nice dinner out, I won’t judge). Not only does it keep you on your college student budget, it’s also a great way to meet new people. Swap stories with other students and travelers along the way!

Free Spirit

While we’re on the subject of staying on budget, take advantage of free activities around the city. Strolling through the British Museum, gazing at the Pantheon, admiring the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars at night: all are great ways to spend the day in foreign cities while making sure you still have enough money for next semesters books. There are tons of free festivals, sights, and museums in every city that you can experience every day (and flashing your student ID can get you access to even more free activities)!

Balancing Act

Don’t try to travel every weekend. I know, you’re in a new place and you want to make the most out of your time, but make sure you balance your life. Always put your academics first, it’s what you’re there for. Before planning trips make sure you take a look at your calendar. If you have an exam on a Monday, you might want to skip that trip to Salzburg the weekend before. But take advantage of every work free weekend you can!

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Keep Calm and Carry On

Packing for study abroad is a stressful feat. It’s even more stressful to think that you might end up at your destination with no luggage. Be prepared for lost luggage laments by keeping some essentials in your carry on bag.

What’s Up Doc?

Keep copies of important documents that may come in handy during an emergency. Birth certificate, social security card, passport, etc. If you lose your documents or have any stolen, you’ll be happy to have a backup. In relation, I personally like to keep a copy of my bank information with me. In the case of missing or stolen cards, having pertinent bank info with you can allow an easier and quicker way to suspend your account. 

A Bitter Pill To Swallow

I cannot stress this enough: if you have important prescription medications, bring enough to last your entire trip inside your carry on. Finding out your luggage, with the medication that you must take every day, is missing will put a damper on your trip. Not only can it endanger your health, you’re now burdened with the task of finding out how to get more of the medication. Avoid this unfortunate situation completely and make sure you keep all your medication with you.

Not A Stitch To Wear

Imagine ending up in a strange, foreign city with just the clothes on your back. It could happen to anyone with just the right amount of bad luck. Even if the airline can get your luggage to you the next day, do you really want to spend the night in the same outfit you wore on your 10 hour flight? Make sure to pack change of clothes just in case. A simple t-shirt and jeans ensemble will suffice (don’t forget the undergarments).

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What Can Studying Abroad Do for You?

Can something as simple as a semester abroad launch a career after college? In a 2016 study, the Institute for the International Education of Students, or IES Abroad, found that studying abroad might give students a leg up when job hunting.

Almost two-thirds of alumni from IES Abroad acquired jobs two months after graduation. This is compared to the three to nine-month average most graduates face when job hunting.

Study abroad alumni were also reported to earn, on average, $6,000 more than the average starting salary of recent college graduates. But does studying abroad really give careers a jump start?

Krista Spradlin, a German language teacher at Salisbury High School, is no stranger to study abroad. As a former study abroad student herself and an educator who has watched a number of former students go on to study abroad in college, she has seen the outcome of study abroad first hand and firmly believes in the benefits of the experience.

“Every student I’ve had that has gone and studied abroad... Their careers are so different than everyone else’s,” said Spradlin. “their opportunities are so much more open.”

So, what makes these students seemingly desirable assets to an employer? Simple. It’s less about the knowledge of a language and more about the adaptability, the confidence, and the new perspective students take on after spending time abroad.

85% of IES Abroad students surveyed indicated that their study abroad experiences helped them build skills to use in their careers. While 86% say their time abroad was effective in helping them to develop these skills.

Mary Anne Kucserik, director of global initiative and international programs here at Cedar Crest College, says that flexibility is one of the most important skills a student can get out of studying abroad.

“[Employers] will hire students, not just because the language skills, but because of the cross-culture understanding that comes from it,” says Spradlin. “Looking at something from a different perspective.”

For some study abroad students, like Nicolas Godard, their time abroad was “life changing.” Nick, a former student of Spradlin’s who studied abroad in Munich, Germany, found that his experience has helped him after college with his work in the music industry.

“I have more ways to relate to [foreign friends in the music business] because of my experience abroad,” explains Godard. “Besides learning a new language, itself, I learned how to communicate better.”

Matt Shoemaker, a 2015 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also says his time abroad has helped his career.

Shoemaker recounted his experience, claiming, “studying abroad helped by giving me a greater amount of empathy.” He explained that in the workforce, “it’s really useful to be able to understand why someone does something differently than you.”

Some study abroad students, however, have found that studying abroad has not influenced their careers. Jeff Shoemaker, a civil engineer and graduate of Lafayette College “[studying abroad] has not had much of a direct impact on my career to date.” While he did find a new appreciation for other perspectives, he has yet to been given an opportunity to utilize his new-found skills in the workplace.

Not every student that studies abroad will end up finding increased success after college. Kucserik says, “different students study abroad for different reasons.” No two students have the same study abroad experiences and no two students benefit from their experiences in the same way. While Shoemaker and Godard both spent time abroad, what they took away from their experience were completely different skill sets.

Although studying abroad offers no promise of securing a job directly after graduation, developing self-confidence, a new outlook, and other valuable job skills may make the experience worth it despite the uncertainty.

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Culture Shock

Studying abroad can be a strange experience. No amount of studying the social norms can prepare you for the actual way of life in another country. No two cultures are the same and no two individuals experience culture shock the same way. That’s what makes every culture shock story so unique, just like the ones below.  

Landmark Decision

Mary Anne Kucserik, director of global initiatives and international programs at Cedar Crest College, spent her time abroad in France. While abroad, she found it odd that the French “spent so much time making decisions” compared to Americans. While initially shocked and confused by this, Kuscerik took the time to find out why this difference in cultures exists. After studying the history of the country, she finally came to understand why the French are so thoughtful with their decisions.

Up In Smoke

In most of Europe, smoking cigarettes is normal for many adults. Studying abroad and being exposed to this can come as a shock to many Americans. Matt Shoemaker experienced this firsthand during his time in France. “Back when I was studying abroad in 2012, you could see a shockingly large amount of people smoking cigarettes every day compared to the United States. Logically, I know that smoking is a terrible health habit and that's pounded into Americans day after day,” recalled Shoemaker. After noticing a lack of anti-smoking ads and warning labels on cigarette cartons, he came to find that smoking was a choice made due to the popularity of the habit and the normalcy surrounding it.

Rude Awakening

German’s are often seen as a rude people. With a harsh, guttural language and a fondness for personal space, it’s no wonder the culture often gets a bad name. Krista Spradlin, German language teacher and former study abroad student in Germany, has dealt with this herself. As a student in Germany, Spradlin found it hard at first. Living in a country where no one seems to be friendly can be tough. She even watched as a friend, deterred by the “harsh” culture, left the country before the semester had even ended. “It’s a different culture. They’re not going to behave the way you’re used to people behaving,” said Spradlin. While discouraged at first, she came to realize that the entire country didn’t hate her, it’s just a difference in culture. 

Bottle It Up 

During my own time abroad I had my fair share of culture shock. The moment that always stood out the most to me, that I always recount, was my first trip to the grocery store. As we piled into the car for our first of many trips to the market as a family, my host sister grabbed a basket full of bottles and placed it in the back seat with me. Our first stop: der Getränkemarkt. A store next to the grocery store, selling only bottled drinks. This is where I saw the Pfand (deposit) station. A machine that takes plastic and glass bottles and recycles them for a store credit. It was so foreign to me that every person who buys bottled beverages (practically everyone, as drinking tap water is taboo) makes sure their waste gets recycled. I found it difficult to grasp that an entire culture could care so deeply about keeping the environment clean. 

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What can study abroad do for you? Krista Spradlin, German language teacher at Salisbury High School and former study abroad student herself, discusses the skills studying abroad can provide. 

Sneak peak of my story on the leg up studying abroad may be able to give you. Story coming soon!

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Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees

How do you stay on a ramen noodle budget while studying abroad? Here are some tips to save money while abroad.

Cash in: Many banks will charge you upwards of $5 just for withdrawing money from an international ATM. So try to limit your trips to the ATM and take out large amounts if you do need to get cash. Before you get to your destination, make sure you have some of the correct currency. Whether it’s at your bank or a kiosk at the airport, you’ll be thankful to have some local currency once you arrive abroad. 

Positive ID: Just like in America, flashing a student ID abroad has many perks. Want free admission to local museums? Check. Discounted passes for public transportation? Check. Even some local restaurants will offer discounts for students. So ask around, you’ll be surprised where you can save a few bucks.

Hold the phone: International cell phone plans often come at astronomical prices and single phone calls could cost you up to 50¢ per minute. But staying in touch with friends and family doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or even iMessage and FaceTime are all free messaging and video chat services that run on wifi. So as long as you have internet connection, contacting loved ones can be completely free.

With a little help from your friends: Making friends is a given while you’re studying abroad, but did you ever think about how you can help each other out? Becoming friends with locals can really help cut your budget, they can tell you which grocery stores are the cheapest and where to find the best deals. Want to travel while you’re abroad? Look to your friends to help with this too. By studying aboard during the same semester as a friend from home, you have a free place to stay when traveling. Don’t be afraid to ask old and new friends for favors like this, often times they’d love to help out!

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Home Away From Home

Study abroad programs usually offer two housing options: student apartments or a homestay. So how do you choose which is the right housing for you? Here are some pros and cons of living in a homestay to help you decide.

Pros

Culture shock: There’s no way to get better look into another culture than living in a homestay. During my time abroad, I stayed with a German family. Nothing compares to the cultural understanding the time spent with them gave me. From my first trip to a German supermarket to cooking alongside my host family, everything was a new experience. Homestays give you a chance to experience a culture in a way that most tourists don’t. You see family dynamics and cultural differences you won’t observe in a student apartment.

Watch your language: Homestays are great for improving language proficiency. Living in a homestay forces you to practice using another language in a laid back setting. Your host family isn’t there to make fun of you for saying something wrong, they’re there to help you practice the language and perfect your knowledge of it. Without my host sister, I’d never know that I had been mixing up the pronunciation of the German for church and cherry. Imagine the confusion that would arise if I ever needed directions to a church before that!

Make yourself at home: Studying abroad can be a scary experience. But studying abroad doesn’t have to mean living on your own in a foreign city without a support system by your side. Homestays provide a family to develop relationships with when you can’t be with your real family. In my experience, just having my host mom be there when I needed her meant the world to me. When I was sick, having someone to send me to bed with a bucket, some water, and Tylenol was exactly what I needed and you can’t get that from anyone but a mother.

Cons

It all depends: While living in a homestay is a great way to develop relationships with a family, by doing so you sometimes lose your independence. You’re a guest in someone else’s house and for some cultures that means hospitality 24/7. You may not have a chance to cook your own dinner or go off and explore on your own. For me, I just wanted to be able to do my own laundry without my host mom insisting she do it for me. While not every host family is like this, it’s an element to consider when deciding if a homestay is right for you.

It’s a free country: Your freedom may be limited in a homestay compared to a student apartment. Different families and different cultures have different sets of rules. Rules about having guests over or strict curfews may be imposed by your hosts. While I didn’t experience this in my homestay, it doesn’t mean you wont. Remember, it’s their home and while you might not like it, these are rules you need to follow. 

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Home Sweet Home

Tips for combating homesickness during your study abroad experience

Home is where the heart is: If you can’t go home, bring home to you. Make your apartment or dorm a place you feel comfortable in. Bring pictures from home to hang up or buy some inexpensive home decor. An apartment with blank walls feel cold and lonely, but one with decorations feels warm and homey. 

Get connected (but not too connected): It’s great to keep in contact with friends and family back home. You stay up to date on everything that’s going on and get to talk to the people you miss the most. However, keeping in touch too much can be doing more harm than good. FOMO is inevitable. You may be in an exciting new place, but hearing how much fun everyone is having back at home without you is still disheartening. Limit your social media usage, you don’t want to miss out on the excitement around you because you’re missing home.

Get busy living: Go out and keep yourself occupied. The more fun you’re having, the less you’re thinking about missing home. Whether it’s diving right in your studies, immersing yourself in the culture, or keeping up with a hobby you love, wanting to be in America will be the last thing on your mind. Find something you enjoy doing in your host country and it’ll feel like you’re right at home. 

With a little help from my friends: Making friends abroad is essential, but finding a friend from the same home country, or even the same state, is unbelievably incredible. Sometimes you just need to complain about how much you miss Wawa mac n’ cheese or free refills (with ice cubes) with someone who knows exactly where you’re coming from. Getting close to even just one person like this can be all it takes for you to feel a little less homesick. 

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Stay Ahead of the Pack

Packing is often the most stressful part of any trip. It’s even tougher knowing that you have to survive approximately 4 months in a foreign country with only the belongings you can fit in a suitcase. To help with this, here are some do’s and don’ts of packing for study abroad.

Don’t bring your entire closet. If you don’t wear it in America, you probably won’t wear it at your destination. It can be hard to leave all your clothes behind, with the “but what if...” mentality. But just remember, you can always buy clothes during your travels!

Do pack layers. Whether you’re studying in the spring or fall, you’re going to experience a season change. Be prepared and pack smart. Bring articles of clothing that you can easily pair together and layer, so no matter the weather, you’ll always be prepared. 

Don’t bring your favorite hair dryer, straightener or curling iron. Not only do these items take up space and weight in your luggage, they usually lead to disaster overseas. They will most likely blow up or melt. Yikes! Stick with your natural hair or just buy one there.

Do bring international converters/adapters. This can’t be stressed enough, all international outlets are different. The shape of the plugs and the wattage going through outlets differ all over the world. Its best to buy a converter and adapter all in one that has outlets for multiple countries. 

Don’t bring your entire pantry. I know, it’s going to be tough to survive four months without PopTarts, but you’ll survive. Yes, you’ll miss your favorite American foods, but the best part about traveling is trying new things. And nothing is better than trying new food.

Do bring a little piece of home with you. It may be a few pictures with family and friends to make your room feel more like home or maybe it’s one of your mom’s secret recipes so you can have a little taste of home. There will be some times you feel homesick, so just bring something will help you through those times.

Happy travels!

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Leaving on a Jet Plane

Tips for booking a flight to your study abroad destination 

The final countdown 

Booking cheap flights can be a tricky feat. Knowing the right time to buy an international plane ticket can make or break your study abroad budget. According to many experts, 120 days before your trip is the best time to buy tickets to European destinations. Check out the chart below from CheapAir.com to determine when to buy your ticket and don’t forget to mark the date on your calendar!

Time is of the essence 

The time of your flight can also save you some dough. Consider a red-eye, a late night/early morning flight. While the idea of being awake at 3am to catch a flight may not be appealing to you, that $100+ you can save make it worth the lack of sleep. Not to mention the seriously short line at check in and the relatively uncrowded flight are major perks.

Give it the old college try

That college ID, featuring an unfortunate picture of you from freshman year, comes in handy sometimes. Head over to sites like studentuniverse.com and statravel.com for discounted rates on flights for students. While you’re there, take a look at their hotel and tour deals too. Individual airlines such as American Airlines and Lufthansa also offer discounts for students traveling internationally. 

Indirect costs

While a direct flight is the easiest and quickest way to travel internationally, you may want to consider an indirect flight if you’re on the college student, ramen noodle budget. A three hour layover pays off when you see how much you can save. Your bank account will thank you and you can always take advantage of that time and grab a real meal, stretch your legs, or just relax. But whatever you do, don’t sleep through your next flight!

Happy flying!

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Making the Most of Your Study Abroad Experience

Actually study

While it’s a good idea to immerse yourself in the local culture, don’t let it take away from your academics. Skipping your Monday morning class after a weekend of traveling may seem like a good way to catch up on sleep, but who knows what you’re missing. Every class is an opportunity to find a topic you’re interested in that can open new doors for you. Have fun, but remember to put your studies first. 

Live like a local

Many study abroad programs offer housing options that allow students to live with host families. There’s no better way to experience a country’s culture than experiencing the day-to-day life of a local. Find out how families in different cultures interact, what food they eat, or just what a typical house looks like in a different country. If you don’t have the opportunity to live at a homestay, you don’t have to miss out. Befriend some locals and dive right into the culture. 

Be open minded

That local delicacy you’re not sure you’d like? Try it. Not sure about that spontaneous trip to Ireland? Go. Afraid to talk to that local in your chemistry class? Say hi. Take risks and do things you normally wouldn’t do. You may never get a second chance, so throw caution to the wind and just do it. You may end up regretting the chances you didn’t take. 

Enjoy it

Last but not least, enjoy your time abroad. It’s an opportunity that not everyone gets, so don’t take it for granted. Have fun, make memories, live in the moment, take pictures. You may never get to have an experience like this again and it’ll be over before you know it. 

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Choosing the Right Study Abroad Program for You

Congratulations, you’ve decided to spend a semester abroad! But how do you pick a program? With so many to choose from, it seems a little daunting. I know, I’ve been there. With a few tips, hopefully you’ll be able to find the perfect program for you.

Research

I get it, we’re in college. The last thing you want to do when you have free time is more research. Sites like GoAbroad.com or StudyAbroad101.com make it easy for you. With information on thousands of programs around the world, you’re bound to find one that fits you and your needs. Fill out a form and get matched with programs that offer exactly what you’re looking for or read reviews from former students about their experiences with programs you’re interested in. Exploring all of your options is a great place to start.

Location, location, location 

Love the hustle and bustle of a big city? Consider Paris or London rather than a small village in Bhutan. Can’t stand the cold? Greenland might not be the place for you. You get the picture. You’ll be spending approximately 4 months abroad, so choose somewhere you actually want to live. Think about the climate, the size of the city, the language, and the cost of living to help you make your decision. A simple Google search might be all you need to help you realize a city isn’t right for you. 

Academics

Contrary to popular belief, you actually are going abroad to study, so make it count. Nothing could be worse than finding your dream program, only to learn that none of those courses will transfer to your home school. Stay in contact with your advisor throughout this process. They’ll know what classes you need to take and which you can substitute. And if they don’t know the answer to a specific question, they know which direction to point you in. Start by taking a look at the courses required for your major and comparing them to courses offered through different study abroad programs. 

Reach out

No one knows more about a program than someone who has been through it themselves. If you want to know the specifics about a certain program, most study abroad organizations give you the chance to talk to former students about their experiences. Want to know about the classes, the teachers, or maybe just the best place to get a burger in town? Talk to someone who's experienced it all. If you can’t get in contact with a former student, almost every study abroad program will have an advisor that can help with any questions you have. 

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