Have You Studied Abroad?

Allie · #1 09-15-2002, 02:06 PM

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.

IowaHawkeye · #2 09-15-2002, 02:21 PM

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.

lionlove · #3 09-15-2002, 02:24 PM

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?

Munchkin03 · #4 09-15-2002, 02:28 PM

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.

CutiePie2000 · #5 09-15-2002, 04:38 PM

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!

Allie · #6 09-15-2002, 06:13 PM

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!

Beryana · #7 09-15-2002, 06:55 PM

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

BearyCuteAPhi · #8 09-15-2002, 10:17 PM

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

Allie · #9 09-16-2002, 12:05 AM

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

CutiePie2000 · #10 09-16-2002, 04:23 PM

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

Tom Earp · #11 09-16-2002, 05:54 PM

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

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!

Senusret I · #12 09-16-2002, 06:24 PM

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.

KSigkid · #13 11-01-2002, 12:28 PM

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

ADPi~Ally · #14 01-16-2003, 07:38 PM

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

ChiOqt · #15 01-16-2003, 08:16 PM

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