Have You Studied Abroad?
 

OK all I'm trying to decide if I should do a study abroad trip this summer to Ireland, England, and we will probably go to France on our own after the trip is done. I would love to go, just to see different places and soak up all the facts and culture. AT the same time it's hard to justify the trip to my parents because all my electives are filled becasue they transfered my credits.

I've always wanted to travel in Ireland because I am Irish. I read a lot of Shakespeare and have always wanted to go to Straford. And who wouldn't want to go to France to see vineyards and Paris?

So for all the people who have studied abroad, do you think it's worth the money to see the culture? Because I sure don't need the credits.

I went and visited my friend who was studying abroad in Ireland and it was absolutely amazing. i was only there for a week but we did sooo much. She was studying in Dublin and we went everywhere in Dublin you could imagine, went to Galway, which is the cutest city ever, i loved it, we visited the Cliffs of Morh, went to county Tipperary, where my friend has family, we met them and these people are so nice they would give you the shirt off their back, and we saw some of the most beautiful castles. I would love to study abroad there (or Scotland or England) myself but like you I really don't have any transfer credit left. honestly, if it's something you really want to do, you will not regret the decision - it was so amazing over there. My friend loved it and wished she was still there.

So for all the people who have studied abroad, do you think it's worth the money to see the culture?

Yes. It is definatly worth it. It's more than just the credits, it's the experience of being out there on your own, learning about a new culture by living there, spending time with people who may or may not have anything in common with you and getting out of your comfort zone to try new adventures.

Can you tell I'm an advocate of study abroad?

YES! It's SOOOOOOOOOO worth it! Every cent! Just having had the experience of being in a foreign country for a little longer than the typical tourist thing changes you, and broadens your horizons.

Last semester, I went to Rome to study art, architecture, and urban planning. None of the courses counted towards my major except for one (Architecture of Ancient Rome), and it was pretty hard work, but it was THE most amazing experience of my life. I think my parents were a little hard to convince about being abroad post 9/11 (there were terrorist attacks in Rome while I was there), but the fact that this program was less than a normal semester's tuition helped. ;)

It's possible that being abroad might help you find some concrete direction if you don't already have it. One of the most important things that came out of my Rome trip is that I realized that I wanted to be an architect more than anything. Now, I'm applying to graduate programs in Architecture. Similar situations have happened to other people I know--the electives they took, although they had nothing to do with their major at that time, directed them to something they had never thought of.

You should definitely GO!

At age 23, I did "Summer School in Germany", where I lived in Germany for 6 weeks with a guest family. I had the best summer of my LIFE and made friends with who I keep in touch with still today, almost 10 years later!
http://web.uvic.ca/geru/cssg/
When you travel, you will get an education beyond the classroom!

Thank you to everyone SO much! :)

I'm looking at going on a 6-8 week trip. The facatuly in charge of the trip is actually our chapter advisor so she is really trying to convince me to sign on. She also said that she will pull to get me as much scholarship money as she can from the department and college. I have to decide if this is something I REALLY want to do, because I pay for every penny of my college education, and I'm just afraid that I will be disapointed in the trip and feel like I wasted a lot of money.

I really do want to go and get a world perspective on what I learn sitting in a classroom, meet the people, and take home some great culture and maybe even learn more about my heritage.

Please keep sharing any stories... both good or bad! :)

YES!!!
 

I am probably one of the biggest proponents of study abroad! I spent 10.5 months in Germany as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student just after graduating high school (was still within the age limits) as well as studying archaeology at University College, Cork, Ireland for a semester. You learn a lot about a different culture, meet great people (on whose couches you can crash when you are in the area!), learn a lot about yourself, etc. The list is endless on what you get out of it!!

It is definitely worth the expense - and the extra credits! :) I also hear that State has a really good study abroad program.

Sarah

I Agree Completely...
 

I studied abroad this past summer; I went to Brazil with a new program that St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX) offered. It was an intensive (emphasis on intensive) Southern Cone Studies Certificate Program. We received a total of 15hrs for just the summer. And I went to Rio de Janeiro for a weekend...IT WAS GRRRRREAT!!!!! I actually hope to go back in a couple of years at least just to visit, God willing. And yeah it was expensive (between $9,000-$10,000) but all in all it was worth it especially for the number of hours we got.
Good Luck and just do it! ;)

ronnie :D

Yes MSU does have a VERY large study abroad program. Our president is also trying to get ALL students out on at least one trip. After hearing everyones positive experiences I am for sure going to look into some more and try my best to get accepted the program.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING :)

Remember to stay safe, though!
 

One thing I wanted to point out, is remember that in England, they drive on the left hand side of the road, so be extremely careful that you look the CORRECT WAY when you are crossing the street (I always looked BOTH WAYS, all the time, when crossing the street). Many tourists and visitors have needlessly be killed this way, including most recently, a Delta Gamma sister.
http://www.scu.edu/news/releases.cfm/0902/London.html

I studied A Broad one time! It did me know good!:D

While I have been to several Well many out of USA Countrys, it is a new experience.

I for one would not ever give it up!

Oh, flying out of Viennia Aust just after the OPEC Ministers were almost Captured.

Getting on My plane next to Aeroflot plan!

Some others I cant go into as I would have to Just Kill you!

Yes, it is strange being in a Foreign Country even tho it be Mexico, WoW was that strange, be in America Land will take you back across the border!

Been In situations that I did not want to be in and had No Damn Control!


Going into Italia, Hungary hell they had guns! I did not! What good would it have done!

I am to old for this crap!!!:(

But That was a long time ago in TOTO Land!

PLEASE GO!
 

I spent four weeks in England, and though I didn't spend time in London, here is the run-down on the places I did go:

(This was at Georgetown University's "Shakespeare: Text and Performance" program. It is six credits in four weeks, open to undergrads and grad students of any university, though I suspect GU students have preference.)

Leicester - This is a college town. I LOVED IT! It is small; you could shop the whole city in a day. The shopping is actually pretty good there. England is big on music and books, two things i love. Leicester has the second biggest Caribbean festival in England. They also have a fairly prominent gay community. It is a really really diverse city, with a large South Asian community.

Stratford on Avon - The ONLY way to study Shakespeare. We saw Richard II in "The Other Place" and it is now my favorite of all the plays. The food there is great, and go see all the sites.

York - Didn't like it. Was pretty rural and there were racist hicks there. We saw the mystery cycles in York Minster, and they were good.

Oxford - Some APO Brothers went there for the past two summers and liked it. I found it to be commercial. . .LIKED THE SHOPPING! But I saw more Americans in Oxford than any other place.

Everyone I talked to has seen it as a positive experience - you're in college only once, might as well make the best of it.

My advice would be to go someplace that is completely different - if you know a foreign language well, like Spanish, French, etc., go to one of those countries. ALso, try to get out of the cities, into the smaller towns - that's where you'll learn the most.

Collin

Allie,

If you have the chance, GO. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and while you still have the freedom (no job to worry about, no kids to mind, etc) to do it. You will get different perspective on life, culture, whatever, not just the American viewpoint.

I am applying to for the study abroad program too. I'm applying to Denmark for Marine Biology and Ecology. We get to do field study trips to Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Russia. Also the break between semesters, I plan to travel to Germany, England, France, etc. Then after the program is finished, travel during the summer to Italy, Spain, Greece, and areas around there. Since I'm over there, why not travel. I've researched the program, the area, etc alot. It pays to know what the program is, the culture, the area, etc. My program would be for a year. The reason behind that is, the 1st semester, you just learning the culture, the people, etc, and finally getting a grasp of things, then you gotta leave (if you were only there for a semester), But now your there for a second semester, you can apply what u have learned and get acclimated to the society. Your not just be a tourist anymore, but a local (sortof). I am really excited if I get accepted to the program. Sure I'll be in debt but who isn't. And I would love to have the opportunity to learn new things in a different place.

Ally

There are NO words to describe how amazing Ireland is. I spent two weeks there in high school, and can't wait to go back. It was the most amazing trip. We were in Dublin for St. Patricks Day and it was incredible. We travelled through the entire country, excluding Northern Ireland and stayed in castles each night.....they were beautiful.

Both of my roommates have studied in London.....one is now on her third trip to Greece, second was Barcelona. My other roomie will be going to India I belive....and I'm trying to work things out to go to Florence, Italy.


I haven't studied abroad yet, but I've been told that it's the opportunity of a lifetime.......traveling overseas any way you do it is!!!! I say go for it, its a new experience and one you'll NEVER forget:D

IMPORTANT!
 

TAKE THIS CHANCE NOW BEFORE YOU DON'T HAVE IT AGAIN!

classes will come n go, but how many times do you get to have an opportunity to TRAVEL AND LEARN. It's the best thing i have ever done, money was tight for me, BUT completely worth it!

i went to Salamanca, Spain, and i had the time of my life, i miss my spanish friends like you can't believe, but we talk all the time through email and phone calls (man is it cheap to call europe!)
I miss my irish friends i met there too, they are great people. ("buena gente!")

and the fun news, i got a job offer in Spain from someone i know there!

so my answer would be:
GO!

and oh yeah, I DIDN'T NEED THE CREDITS EITHER!

To echo what everybody else has said -- DO IT!!!

I studied in Agen, France for a summer during law school. It was an amazing experience and I'm really glad I went. I don't speak ANY French (except for the 10 necessary words I learned) but had a wonderful time.

When you're in school, it really is an awesome time for international travel. Once you're out, it's much harder -- either you don't have the money, or you don't have the time.

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!

I spent a summer at Oxford and absolutely loved it! I can't even tell you what a valuable experience it was. Even though it was four (gasp!) years ago this summer, something happens to remind me of it almost every day. Honestly, I didn't learn all that much in class, but got sooo much out of the traveling I did and just the overall experience of living in a foreign country.

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!

Studying abroad was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, and I would not give it up for anything! Even three years later I still have random moments where I think of something that happened. I spent a summer in London going to school and I travelled every weekend. My feeling was when else would I have the opportunity to live in a foreign country with 60 people that I became such good friends with. One thing that I am most grateful about this trip was that I learned so much. I learned in the classroom and I also learned out side of the classroom. I grew up a lot on this trip and it helped me realize that I would be able to survive on my own. Things that I did and learned on that trip will be with me forever

If you have the opportunity, go for it! No matter where you choose to study, it will be one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have!

Definitely go! Take the opportunity. I never got to study abroad when I was a student, and it has been one of my biggest regrets. Fortunately, I have been to Britain three times since then, and plan to visit the Continent in a year or so, but since I work in a University, I get a lot of vacation time! I have a couple of brothers who studied at Ball State's London Centre who were in Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down. They had their picture taken at the wall & with East German border guards. Made for awesome pictures with their Phi Sig letters on in the Greek Week slideshow!

i have not, but plan on it.... but just for the summer.

To give you all an update, I'm not going on the trip.

But it is for a good reason, I was denied admission to the college of Education (I wanted to be in Ag Ed) so now my major is still agriscience with a specialization in animalscience.

So in order to fit in all of these crazy ANS classes, I have to take summer classes so I can graduate on time *lol*

From May 15th - June 26th I will be in Orgo class and Molecular Biology. I need them to take my fall classes so it came down to not really having an option.

But the cool part is I only have 9 credits next spring before I graduate :)

The Best and Worse thing!
 

The best and worse thing about spending a year aborad is as follows:

1) The school I went to was so much better than my school that I was pissed at my school afterwards.

2) I lost sync with my posse back at my school.

3) I lost sync with my brothers as well which I think hurt some of my short term connections.

4) It was such an amazing experience that the one year abroad (in the UK) was better than the three years I spent at GWU.

My girlfriend went to Yale and she would never leave because who would ever want to leave Yale?

Re: The Best and Worse thing!
 

My roommate in Rome went to Yale. From what she said, they don't exactly encourage studying abroad.

I'm glad to see my thread was reserected

Well a new 6 week house-bout trip to Italy, France, Greece and A few other places has been formed for this summer. I'm going to talk to the Director of Study Abroad (one of my profs) to see about possibly being a TA since I gradute in May :) I'm only hesitant because I'm job hunting right now and I have told them I would be available as of May 15th 2004.

Re: Re: The Best and Worse thing!
 

I think they realise that the "college" experience in NH is all about the connections made over time. Also, I think they four years are pretty well orchestrated and If you really want to go abroad, apply for the Rhodes, eh?

Re: Have You Studied Abroad?
 

I know this is a little after the fact, but....

Whenever you have the opportunity to study overseas, take it!!! I spent four months living in Cambridge, England with 16 other students from my university and it was the best experience of my life. I would never trade those four months travelling (or the amount of money spent) for any other experience in the world. I still wish I could go back and study there again for another semester...the opportunity to meet new people and travel to all these places I'd only heard/learned about in school was incredible! I'm still in close contact with a number of the people I spent the four months with, and we all agreed that it was the best thing for us to do.

My chapter had at least one sister studying in Cambridge every semester for two years (and the director of the program is appointed for two years from our university), so there was an ADPi for both years our director was there! It was great to have that experience, because when myself and my roommate (another sister) arrived at our house, there was a box of items left in our room with a note from the sister who had just studied there the semester before (left for us there about three weeks earlier)....it was like we already had a homewarming gift from someone who knew what we were going to need and miss the most about being away from the States and our sisters. It was great!

I never studied abroad while in college.

In high school, I took an educational trip to Israel. I was put in a tour group with people who ranged from ages 15-20. It was one of the best times of my life. I learned so much and I was so immersed with how beautiful Israel is (I also went to Egypt). I went to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and a few other cities.

I really wish I had studied abroad while in college. A friend of mine did a study abroad in England and 2 others did a study abroad in Spain. They all came back raving about their experience and still talk about it to this day. I don't know of anyone who came back saying the experience wasn't worthwhile.

I still fine my self starting sentances with "that reminds me of ____ in Spain.....

ppl in the northern states (because i don't know if this happens to you southerners)
have you ever noticed how much it rains in the fall?
i noticed it while in spain, never really noticed it ever here in the states, and every time it has rained this fall it brings back memories of losing umbrellas and the craziness and fun times that a raindrop can make me remember...

I think the whole studying-abroad concept is such an amazing idea.

I was on the other end of the stick...when I applied to GMU, right outside of DC, they ran out of freshman housing, so I lived on the International Floor, with all the exchange students from other countries. These girls and guys were from Whales, Spain, Malta, Sweden, England, Africa, Nicaragua, Australia...pretty much everywhere you can imagine. The friendships that we all made are cemented for a lifetime..plus I know I always have a place to stay wherever I travel! I'll actually be going to Australia this coming Christmas to visit my old roommate, and as soon as I have the number of credits GMU requires to be able to study abroad...I'll definitely be doing it! Truly the best experience I've ever had, and I was only 20 miles from home. :) I can't even imagine what it'll be like when I'm on another continent!

If there's anything I've learned it to take EVERY chance you get to travel...I'm absolutely addicted. This year alone I'm doing London and the Carribbean and Puerto Rico. After graduation is a month in Europe.....who knows, I may never come back! With all the talk about study abroad I just may have to look into it, I'm already a year behind and never really considered it seriously cause there is so much other stuff that I want to do. Is studying abroad in Graduate School actually widely avaliable?

Yes, although the abundance of options depends on what you want to do. Within my school, there are many, many funded study and work abroad options.

Yes and I highly recommend it. I did a year abroad in France my junior year and 10 months in Brazil for my masters internship. If you do go abroad, whatever you do, try to make the best of it and try to avoid hanging out with just other Americans or you will short change your experience.

No, but I almost did and I regret not doing it. I registered for a class that made me eligible to participate in a learning community. Every year they would have a different theme and do something with it. The year that I signed up for the course, the students would take specified classes in the fall semester and for the spring semester they would go to study in Spain. The problem was that I would have to change my schedule to fully participate in it. I also dropped the class that made me eligible. If I decide to return to graduate school, I would definitely consider that option. My advice is if you have the opportunity, GO FOR IT!!!!!

http://smilies.crowd9.com/contrib/ed...rinbounce2.gif

are there any websites or programs that just do study abroad programs independently? my issue is that i am a college grad and can probably do a study abroad program thru the JC i am taking a few classes at BUT information is not readily available. I have heard they do Italy trips in the fall so I am aiming for that but are there any companies that just do abroad programs without having to be a full time student at a university?

Hmm, I think the Goethe Institute does something like this in German-speaking countries, to go stay at the Institute and intensively learn the language and culture for any time periods from two weeks, a month, a summer, a semester, etc. They may have something similar in other languages!

Alliance Francias is the French equiv and this is the Goethe FYI!

Studying abroad was definately one of the best thigs that I have ever done. You have no idea how much the experiences opened my mind,and expanded my view of the world. I live in a rural area, and went to small schools all of my life with little diversity. Although my parents raised me to be very openminded and liberal, I still didn't have experience to really put those values to use. I didn't need to because everyone I was in contact with was just like me--white, upper middle-class, girl next door kinda kid. I went to Spain my sophomore year for a month, and Amsterdam my freshman year and Italy my senior year. They were all wonderful! I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned and how much different life is there--its such a culture shock. I truly felt like a new person when I got back. I know it sounds corny but its really the best thing that you can do in undergrad--or even after you graduate. I woud definately urge anyone considering it to stop thinking and get on the next plane! I know that finances are a problem, but take a loan out--its worth it.

OH and by the way! to answer your question, I went with a group called Contiki Tours, and I did go with my university but I know that they do tours no affiliated with a school. Our tour guide was AWESOME--her name was Justine, and she was like 23-24--so around our age. Its definately a tour group that I would recommend!