Self Created Study Abroad Program (Also Known As Vacation)

Like any kid I’ve always enjoyed summer vacation. This summer as I am on the cusp of not being a kid anymore, I have a science journalism/communications internship with Johnson & Johnson (an opportunity I am REALLY thrilled to have). As my summer consists mainly of the hustle and bustle of the 9-5, I think I will appreciate my vacation to Italy as I have never appreciated a vacation before.

My family and I have had several planning sessions to ensure that we fit in everything everyone wants to see in Florence, Rome and Tuscany. While I am not studying abroad in the sense that I will not be taking classes, I still consider travel a form of study abroad. I will be visiting museums to gain an appreciation of the evolution of art and culture in Italy. I will be shopping in local markets and dining in authentic restaurants to truly learn the Italian way. I think learning and understanding the history of a place leads to more astute observations of the present day situation. This is what I strive to do in order to fully absorb the Italian experience. While this is supposed to be my time for relaxation this summer, I doubt I will be doing much of that. We will be running around trying to do everything possible – and that’s the way I want it!

Do you think the cast of the Jersey Shore (who have been causing trouble in Florence) will want to join me on the cultural adventure?

Twitter Helps Students Abroad Stay Connected

One of my best friends is on a short term study abroad trip to Prague. She has been tweeting updates about what she’s doing and seeing (which is making me really jealous!). Being fairly new to Twitter, I didn’t have an account on any of my abroad experiences, but seeing Brittany’s use of it during her trip made me realize just how valuable it can be as a means of staying in touch with family and friends.

In Spain I found it difficult to communicate with my family and friends in the U.S. Because my cell phone carrier is Verizon, my phone did not function overseas. I did end up purchasing a pre-paid cell phone in Spain to communicate with the other students on my trip. It only cost about 20 Euros. I also brought my iPod Touch with me, and this is mainly how I talked to my family and friends. Many hotels offer free WiFi, and even restaurants offer WiFi with purchase of an item. I was able to log into my e-mail and Facebook accounts to send messages home.

Eventually I did buy a pre-paid phone card, the cheapest way to call home (I think 5 or 10 Euros for 50 minutes of talking time). Finding public telephones was easy, too. The problems I did encounter included finding a mutually convenient time to call on account of schedules and time zones, not being able to talk very long because I was using public telephones, not having long periods of free time to talk and not being able to commit to the next time I would call. These problems could partly be remedied by Twitter.

By tweeting multiple times a day, people would know where I was and how I was doing no matter what time they check my profile. The 140 character limit is perfect for on-the-go travelers who don’t have much time for longer updates in the hustle and bustle of the day. The fast, instant nature of Twitter could also help in finding a time to call. As many smartphones notify users of an @ mention, sending a “hey are you free?” tweet could provided an instant response to inform if you should/could call. As more and more forms of media spring up, it is easier to stay in touch abroad, at home – anywhere!

Cancelations Could Disrupt Flights Home From Study Abroad

Because of ash from the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland, thousands of passengers have had flights from Scotland and northern England canceled Tuesday. According to an article in The Australian, British Airways, easyJet, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, KLM and Loganair canceled flights into and out of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but these cancelations are not as significant as those from the last volcanic eruption.

As started in an article from Gulf News, “‘Airlines will not suffer the same magnitude of revenue loss as they did last year in volcanic ash. Last year’s closure of almost all European airspace for nearly a week was the biggest shutdown in modern aviation history. This year we are not seeing anything like the same shutdown,’ an IATA spokesperson told Gulf News.”

Despite the fact that officials are confident that cancelations will not continue to disrupt travel plans, it does create some last minute stress as study abroad students are returning home. My friend Marissa has been studying in Scotland all semester and is scheduled to return home Friday. While I am sure leaving is bittersweet, I hope Marissa doesn’t run into any problems leaving Scotland. I bet Marissa would enjoy some extra days studying abroad, but I don’t think being frustrated in the airport would be the perfect end to her semester. Let’s hope the flight cancelations do not continue.

The Perfect Phrasebook for College Students Studying Abroad

Last summer before I went to Paris, I was chosen as the family member that would learn French. I turned to Rosetta Stone to help me learn the basics. While I did learn numbers and how to conjugate verbs, I had one complaint: I wasn’t learning the need-to-know phrases (as I didn’t have time to make it through the whole program).

I could say “the blue car” or “the man fell” or “the horse walks,” but I didn’t learn many phrases that tourists need to know. Two Dartmouth seniors, Dan Hochman and Mike Lewis, ran into the same problems with traditional phrasebooks. According to an article in The Dartmouth, “‘We were in Florence, Italy, for sophomore Spring and we had a bunch of standard phrasebooks, but we didn’t want to use any of the phrases in there,’ Hochman said.

“Their resources provided “irrelevant” phrases including ‘Where can I get diapers?’ so the pair decided to create a book that catered specifically to the needs of college students, he said.”

Their book titled “Can We Swim Here (Naked)?: The College Student’s Phrasebook for Having Fun” includes phrases translated into French, Italian and Spanish. The phrases are categorized into six chapters: “Eat,” “Sleep,” “Daytime Fun,” “Nighttime Fun,” “No Fun,” and “The Basics.”

This book is the perfect resource for a student going abroad. The phrases were translated by native speakers and are phonetically spelled out to facilitate learning. As this phrasebook is pocket-sized, it is easy to carry so that students’ will always have the means of saying exactly what they want despite language barriers. So if you know a student going abroad, think about visiting Barnes and Noble to buy them (or yourself) a departure gift that you know they will enjoy and really use!

Advice From Former Study Abroad Students

Are you still on the fence about whether you should study abroad? Are you scared?

Throughout the semester we heard from various students about their study abroad trips. Most of them are already home and missing their semesters abroad. Based on their experiences, they all agree that if you are considering studying abroad, you should! Hear some more of their advice!

Jordan: Absolutely do it. Find friends to go with you so that you have travel buddies. Plan trips far in advance so that you save money. Lock up your passport in hostels, and take advantage of not yet being in the working world.

Aubrey: My advice would be to explore all of your options and make sure you choose the program that fits you best. I think I was successful in doing this. My program suits my lifestyle very well, and it makes living in a different country a lot easier. I know plenty of people who didn't really choose well or went to a specific place because their boyfriend or their friends were going there, and a lot of times that just doesn't work. I think that studying abroad should be about your personal experience, and you should have the opportunities to do exactly what you want to do. I would also say that if you're going to study abroad, you need to be aware of where your important things are at all times (wallet, passport, cell phone, etc.). I know so many people who have had Blackberrys and credit cards stolen, and getting it straightened out is really just a nightmare. As long as you're careful, you'll avoid most problems and have the time of your life!

Ally: Definitely study abroad, however if there is an option to go spring of sophomore year or fall of junior year choose one of those. Spring of junior year is tricky because all of your friends that are seniors will be graduated when you get back and you will be a senior. You also miss out on a lot of your friends’ 21st birthday parties. Don’t go with a bunch of people you know, but it’s nice to know one or two people even if they aren’t your good friends.

Marco: Do it. It’s the best time you'll have. A bunch of my friends from Lehigh and other schools all said, they didn’t want to miss spring at -insert school here- because it’s so much fun and so-and-so happens. That so-and-so will happen year after year. You can go back as an alumnus and still experience it, but you'll never get the opportunity to "study" abroad again. I put study in quotes because the classes here are really not hard at all, and most of the time I’m out enjoying myself, not doing work like at school. Also, when you’re in a different country, immerse yourself: try the food, try to speak the language. It’s amazing how nice people are to me when I speak in Spanish, even when I’m wrong, they laugh and try to help me because they see I’m trying. Try new things because you may like something you never knew you did (like food or going out so late that you get breakfast with your friends before going home to bed since its already 8 a.m.)

Megan: I would definitely encourage students to study abroad if they have the opportunity in their college curriculums. Advice…keep an open mind at all times!

Alexis: My advice for any student wanting to study abroad is not to hesitate and do it!  Pick a country you do not think you'll have another opportunity to go and don't worry about language or cultural barriers.  Studying abroad is proving to be the most amazing, worthwhile, and valuable experience I have ever had and I am looking forward to the months that lie ahead.  I would encourage every student who has the opportunity to study abroad to take it and make the most of it.

Learning Through Language Barriers in China: An Interview with Alexis

My roommate from the past three semesters decided to study abroad in China this past semester, leaving me with a single. Alexis chose to study abroad in China because she wanted to explore a part of the world she thought she wouldn’t have another opportunity to see.

Christine: Why did you decide to study abroad?

Alexis: As a Global Studies major, I was required to study abroad for one semester or for a summer or winter session.  I chose to study for an entire semester because I felt that by spending four months in a country I would gain a better understanding of and greater appreciation for the culture and language of my chosen country.  Also, I always had a desire to travel and I wanted to experience a different way of life to broaden my horizons.

Christine: Why did you pick China?
Alexis: In many of the Global Studies courses, we would frequently compare the United States with China and discuss the important role of China past and present in international relations.  I wanted to experience first-hand the culture of Chinese society and infrastructure of Chinese business.   China is a very powerful country with a rapidly growing economy and thousands of years of history.  It has beautiful scenery and exquisite architecture.  I chose Shanghai because, as a city, it embodies the characteristics of globalization and is becoming a global city with plenty to offer.

Christine: What have you enjoyed most about your experience so far?
Alexis: My trip has been filled with nothing but positive experiences, and I have been truly enjoying every minute of studying abroad.  I live in a residential area complete with local charm and delicious Shanghainese dishes.  Every person I meet – from shop keepers to servers to people on the street – is very friendly and eager to help me improve my Chinese along with my knowledge of local culture.  Shopping at markets is a lot of fun especially when you are able to successfully bargain down the price.  Even simply exploring downtown Shanghai proves to be an adventure filled with exciting experiences and breath-taking views.

Christine: Have you faced any challenges (homesickness, language barriers, cultural barriers)?
Alexis:  The main challenge I face is definitely the language barrier.  Sometimes just trying to order dinner is a daunting task.  Hopefully with my intensive Chinese classes and the patience of the people in Shanghai, the language barrier will not seem like such a challenge in a month or two.  There are many cultural differences between the United States and China, however, they seem less and less apparent the more time I spend interacting with local residents and students.

Christine: Do you have any funny stories to share?
Alexis:  For me almost any interaction with local people has an amusing ending.  They frequently laugh at my attempt to speak to them in Chinese (but their laughter is almost always them laughing with me not at me) and it usually ends in me having to do charades in order for them to at least partially understand my requests.

Christine: What have you learned so far?
Alexis:  I have learned a lot about basic living in Shanghai such as navigating my way around the city and local customs.  Some things that are different from the U.S. are that you do not tip any server, bar tender, taxi driver etc. and that as a pedestrian you absolutely do not have the right of way even if the walk sign is green.

Because the school system is different than in the U.S., Alexis is still studying abroad. She will be home June 19, so hopefully she has some adventures in China still ahead of her!

Destination Profile: China

China is the fifth most chosen study abroad destination by U.S. students (and our last country profile for the semester).

Population: 1.35 billion

Capital: Beijing

Major language: Mandarin Chinese

Number of U.S. students who studied abroad in China during 2008/2009 academic year: 13,674

Popular cities with study abroad programs: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Qingdao

What to see

Beijing: This capital city offers students and visitors a view of historic China. Visits to the Forbidden City, China’s best preserved imperial palace; the Temple of Heaven, and the Ming Tombs offer rich history. One of the most notable attractions is the Great Wall of China.  Also don’t forget to check out some new aspects of Beijing such as the Olympic sites.

Shanghai: Many visitors flock to the Bund, a part of the city famous for its architecture along the Huangpu River.  Another famous architectural site includes the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong Park. In addition to cutting-edge modern culture, you can find remnants of old China such as at the Yu Yuan Garden.

Hong Kong: The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple is a beautiful, traditional temple that many visitors frequent. The Victoria Peak offers a complete view of the city and the harbor. Other popular places to visit include Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the outlying islands such as Lantau Island.

Qingdao: One of the most important symbols in Qingdoa is the Zhan Bridge. Many other outdoor attractions include the First Bathing Beach; the Golden Sand Beach; Ten Thousand Country Architecture Garden, which features scenic paths and the former home of Chiang Kai-shek; and Mt. Laoshan, which holds significance in Taoism.

Although Melissa will be studying in Shanghai, she plans to take weekend trips to see attractions in other cities. With so much to offer, I am sure she will have a great trip!

Students' Motivation Behind Short-term Study Abroad Programs

Over winter break this year I participated in a short-term study abroad trip to Spain. I signed up with a friend at the beginning of our fall semester, and then I attended an information session meeting about two weeks before the deadline. I was the only one in the group of 20 students who had already signed up for the trip.

As the program was faculty-led, it was designed for 16 students, and there were only five spots remaining. The study abroad office and the professor accompanying the trip were baffled. This Lehigh in Spain program had never been so popular. To accommodate the high demand, the program was expanded to 18 students.

Of the 18 students, we all had different reasons for joining the trip: some were Spanish minors looking to gain credit to fulfill that minor, some just wanted to go abroad (like me), some needed extra credits to graduate, and some were too constricted by their academic requirements to go abroad any other time.

Melissa is a rising senior with me at Lehigh. With her major requirements she has not been able to study abroad for a full semester, so she decided to participate in the Lehigh in Shanghai program. She said, “I really wanted to go abroad at some point during my college career though, so a six-week program is perfect for me.

“With the Lehigh in Shanghai program, we start off with two weeks of culture courses and basic language courses. Then for the last four weeks, we work at a Chinese company with a job related to our major and professional interests. The program is designed to give students work experience in an international setting.”

Melissa is excited to see the sights of Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, but she is more excited to live and work in a new, different culture. She said, “I hope to learn how to work in an unfamiliar company setting, and I hope to make connections with the international company where I am placed. Learning how to adjust to a foreign setting and how to make relationships with different types of people are important life skills that I hope to gain this summer.”

Short-term Study Abroad Programs Have Increased in Popularity

According to an IES press release, enrollment in short-term, faculty-led programs has increased 71 percent in the past three years. This rise in short-term program participation was also noted in a previous post about the 2010 Open Doors Data.

IES Abroad collaborates with universities to create study abroad programs.

As stated in the press release, “‘As American college and university campuses increasingly look to short-term, faculty-led programs to augment their international education offerings, they often do so with no additional funds to increase the staff needed to manage these programs. These schools are realizing that collaborating with IES Abroad allows them to expand program offerings while also gaining the supportive services and expertise of a known provider of study abroad programs,’ said P.J. Shoulders, director of the IES Abroad Customized Program department.”

Some of the benefits of IES Abroad Customized Program designed trips include expertise in subjects and geographic regions, organization of meaningful field trips, student support services and the creation of marketing campaigns to inform students of the trip offerings.

As summer is upon us, many students will be participating in short-term programs. While these include many added costs to the college experience, students, parents and universities alike realize the non monetary value of study abroad.

As U.S. Department of State Issues Alert, Keep The Safety of Those Abroad in Your Thoughts

In his speech to the American public last night regarding the death of Osama bin Laden, President Obama said, “And his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

On May 1, the U.S. Department of State issued a world-wide alert: “The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan.”

In these uncertain times, while we may be celebrating, we must remember to keep safety and attentiveness top priorities here and abroad. Keep those who are studying abroad, traveling abroad and living abroad in your thoughts.

College Limits the Use of Financial Aid for Study Abroad

In an attempt to balance its budget, Mills College will not be allowing students to use Mills-funded scholarships, loans or work-study awards toward study abroad.

Students will still be able to use federal money and other private institution scholarships to pay for study abroad.

As stated in an article in the school’s newspaper, The Campanil, “‘My understanding is that when a student goes away on study abroad, they pay tuition to the institution they are going to and Mills get’s nothing,’ Nickel said in an email. ‘So for Mills to give institutional financial aid to the student to help cover that tuition cost, it means we are losing money on the transaction, we have negative net revenue.’”

In these tough economic times, there is already a strain on many families and individuals to pay for university education, let alone study abroad. While the “Economic Impact Survey” conducted on behalf of the Education Abroad Knowledge Community at NAFSA suggests that actual participation rates have not dropped because of the financial crisis, this college-endorsed cut could limit study abroad at Mills.

While the college is trying to better their financial state, this new policy could have detrimental effects on the university’s reputation and enrollment. If students entering college are adamant about studying abroad, they may disregard Mills College from their prospective schools because of the restricted study abroad finances.

Mills claims that study abroad costs less than attending Mills, but this calculation does not include the added expenses of travel. While I understand that study abroad is a luxury (that I have been lucky enough to experience), I think it is a shame that students may have to pass up the opportunity to grow and learn because the college has limited how funds can be used to learn.