All posts by Becca Leigh

Ask an Advisor: What Should Students Ask?

Before, Lessons LearnedAdvising, Lists, Preparation, Research, TipsBecca Leigh

What questions do study abroad advisors wish students would ask? Read on to find out! As a study abroad advisor, students ask me a bunch of questions. The usual ones include the following:

Where should I go?

How can I get credit for my program?

What should I do when I get there?

However, there are many questions that I wish students would ask me.

While we all care very deeply about the fact that you are interested in traveling throughout Europe during your semester abroad, we know that you are capable – and worthy of – having a deeper experience.

… But we all know that traveling is a major perk of studying abroad. Promise.

If you are looking for the best questions you can ask a study abroad advisor, you are in the right place! Here are some questions to prove that you know how important this experience will be for you:

Which university / program is a good fit for me and my major?

This is the quickest way to an advisor’s heart – acknowledging that studying abroad is inherently academic in nature.

Sure, you might take courses that are different from what you usually take – and they might feel easier – but we always like to remind students that there is “study” in “study abroad.”

If you choose a program or university that is relevant to your major as well as your degree plan and future goals, you will deepen your learning by exploring your interests in a different cultural context.

Also, graduating in a timely manner is pretty cool too.

I have _____ challenges / accommodations / illnesses / etc. Will this/these prevent me from studying abroad / what accommodations are available at _____ program / university?

It is hugely helpful when students are upfront about any accommodations they need. If students have specific needs, I am able to contact the providers or universities in advance to make sure the students get what they need.

If I find out about accommodation requests after a student is accepted to a program, however, it is more difficult to ensure support.

I would love for all students to ask this as early in the process as possible.

Are there any programs that offer internships – for credit or not for credit – in my major?

How awesome would an internship abroad look on your resume?

Hint – very awesome.

Even if the internship cannot be completed for credit, it would still be an enriching experience for students to bring back from study abroad.

Internships involve getting immersed in the work culture of a country (waaaaaaaay different from student life) and potentially some great references. If more students asked me about internship opportunities abroad, I would weep with happiness.

Or at least get really excited for them.

What immersion opportunities exist at this destination / program / school?

This question tells me that students are thinking of how to have an experience that is deeper than just spending four months traveling.

It also tells me that the student who asked this question is going to have a much easier time articulating his or her experience in the future (like in job interviews, for example).

Ask this question. Your advisor will love this question.

This question will probably spark an on-going conversation – one that will impact you for years to come.

How can I make the most out of my time abroad?

This is a great question to ask! Study abroad advisors have experience living abroad, and each advisor had different tips for how to engage with the host country.

I typically tell students (you know, unsolicited advice during pre-departure orientations) that blogging, keeping a journal, minimizing social media usage, and saying “yes” to less-than-typical experiences are all great ways to make the most out of studying abroad.

I (would hypothetically) tailor my response depending on the student, the student’s major, the housing, and other factors. You know, if students actually asked this :).

What can I do during my study abroad program to make me more marketable on my resume?

Remember, studying abroad is a great resume booster – but there are some things you can do to make it even more prominent.

Pursuing immersion activities, improving your language skills, finding internships, and volunteering all look wonderful on a resume.

Each program will have different ways to connect to your experience (and your home university might have opportunities for you to volunteer when you return – bonus resume booster!); however, the more research you do in advance, the better prepared you will be when you return home.

What are my resources when I come back?

Preparing for your return from studying abroad is just as important as preparing to study abroad!

This is far from any student’s mind when they are leaving, since it’s much more fun to plan for the actual time spent abroad.

Each campus has different resources for students who are returning from studying abroad, and your study abroad advisor knows what is available.

The moral of the story – if you ask your advisor these questions early in your study abroad process, you will be setting yourself up for a successful, immersive, and more meaningful experience!

Websites You Should Know for Study Abroad

Staying Safe, Travel TipsPre-Departure, Preparation, Safety, TipsBecca Leigh

This is a list of websites that all students need to know before studying abroad - bookmark now to have later! When you are preparing for study abroad, it’s easy and fun to check websites for inspiration about weekend trips, fashion, travel tips, and other interesting things.

This is a friendly reminder that there are some more resources that are maybe not as fun to check, but are just as important (let’s be real -more important) to visit. For more resources (and scholarship information), be sure to visit my study abroad resource page!

Way back in the dark ages when I studied abroad, I would have loved to have known about any of these websites. The STEP Program, for example, didn’t come around until when I was actually living abroad.

As soon as that was a thing, though, I was on top of it like a fly on butter. And I have been on it ever since.

Visit (or bookmark) these websites today!

Emergency Numbers Abroad
Updated by the U.S. Department of State, the link at the top of this webpage is a list of the Emergency Phone Numbers in different countries around the world. Save this link to your mobile device to have it anytime!

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
The STEP Program with the U.S. Department of State is a free and easy way for travelers to stay up-to-date with events in their destinations (even weekend trips). I register every international trip I take with STEP – and have since 2009! Why do I love it so much? Read my post here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This website is full of great resources including vaccination information, destination facts, and current events that might affect travelers’ health. Visit the CDC website before any of your travels to prepare for your destination.

U.S. Passports and International Travel
If you need to apply for a passport or renew yours, the U.S. government keeps a pretty tight leash on the process. This website gives a rundown of the current requirements, processing times, recent news stories, and applications. Check your passport for validity prior to departure!

Students Abroad
This website, managed by the Department of State, provides students with detailed information about living abroad as students, such as safety while traveling, emergencies, embassies, and voting information. This website also has resources for travelers in the LGBT community, travelers with disabilities, and more.

Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)
Guess what? Even if you won’t be physically in the USA during Election Day, you can (and probably should) vote using an Absentee Ballot! The Department of State has a nice checklist on their website here about how to make this happen, but go to the FVAP website for more information.

Generation Study Abroad
As you can probably infer from the name, Generation Study Abroad is an initiative from the Institute of International Education (in collaboration with a kajillion partners) to better support and provide greater access to study abroad for more students. They have scholarship information, resources, and more for students and institutions alike.

When to Start Planning for Study Abroad

Before, Lessons LearnedPre-Departure, Preparation, Programs, ResearchBecca Leigh

Which way will you choose for studying abroad? If you start planning early, you can go often! I’m guessing that if you have made it to a blog named “Study Abroad and Beyond,” you might have an interest in studying abroad (or know of someone who is planning to study abroad).

If you are interested in studying abroad at some point during your college career, it is important to meet with your study abroad office as early as possible.

When it comes to study abroad, we live by the phrase “plan early, go often.”

As I have said before, of the many, many, many students who express interest in studying abroad during college, only one in ten undergraduate students in the US actually end up studying abroad.

It still shocks me that this is the case – there are so few times in life when there are minimal ramifications to leaving your home country for months at a time.

If you are planning to study abroad at some point in your college career, get thee to a study abroad office. Stat.

The advisors are there to help!

If you plan your experience early (ideally during your freshman year, or at least two semesters before your desired study abroad semester); you have more time to:

Prepare for scholarships (especially the ones with weird application timelines).

Fact: Studying abroad costs money.

Also fact: There are opportunities for funding for study abroad programs (through competitive scholarship competitions, your home university, your program provider, and more).

Also, also fact: Some study abroad scholarships only have one application deadline for all study abroad programs in the following year; if you haven’t figured out if you want to study abroad by these deadlines, your opportunities for funding will be much more limited!

Moral of the story: Planning ahead + submitting applications = more chance of getting $$$.

Related: Resources for Study Abroad

Arrange your classes to allow more flexibility.

If you figure out early just how many classes you will need to take whilst abroad (as well as which courses / electives you will need to fulfill), you will improve your chances of having access to more programs.

You can either plan your classes so that one semester can be entirely electives (this provides the most flexibility), or some major credits that are easy to obtain abroad, or a semester in which you only need to enroll in four courses.

Any of these would be ideal to make studying abroad a reality.

See how much money you should save for your program (and plan for how to save money while abroad).

Just because I said that there are scholarship opportunities for studying abroad doesn’t mean that they are guaranteed. So it’s not a bad idea to start saving early!

Again, depending on the type of program that is a good fit for you, the costs will differ (sometimes significantly).

In this case, mo’ planning = mo’ money.

Find out about all of the study abroad opportunities available to you through your school.

I’ve previously encouraged students to research at least five programs prior to choosing one. This will help you see all of the options available – maybe one of the more obscure programs would be a great fit for you!

Also, doing some research will help you figure out the differences between types of programs. Not every program is a good fit everyone.

Learn how to get credit for your experience.

The last thing you want is to find an amazing program, get your heart set on it, and then not end up getting credit for it (#beentheredonethat).

Your study abroad office is a great resource for identifying programs that are for credit. Not all programs are eligible at all colleges, and it’s important to learn about this as early as possible.

While I had an incredible experience studying abroad, it would have been nice to get credit on all of my programs. Lesson learned.

Plan how you can add resume-boosting activities to your study abroad experience.

One of the greatest changes that is happening to study abroad programs is the increase of “immersion activities.” This means that, while you are abroad, you can get involved with volunteering, internships, organizations, clubs, and more.

If you know what career you would like, this is a great opportunity to get experience in the field in another culture. Work experience abroad makes you a very competitive applicant for jobs!

What are you waiting for? Contact your study abroad office today!

One of my favorite travel quotes (and books!) - by Dr. Seuss

When did you start planning to study abroad? Did you wish you had started earlier? Share in the comments below! For more study abroad inspiration, follow me on Pinterest!

Visit Study Abroad and Beyond’s profile on Pinterest.

Working After College: 10 Challenges

After, Lessons LearnedComing Home, Job, Lessons, TipsBecca Leigh

Adjusting from the college world to the full-time working world is rough; read on to prepare for the upcoming challenges you may face! As we approach graduation season, many college seniors are asked the same questions: where are you working after graduation?

What are you going to be doing?

Haven’t you found a job yet?

In addition to being colossally annoying questions, college seniors are under tons of pressure to successfully complete their studies, find employment (or fulfillment), and move towards self-sufficiency.

Entering the workforce – if that is your plan after college – is challenging for anyone. This is regardless of the number of internships you had during your experience at university.

Here are some things that are typically the most challenging for recent graduates who are adjusting to full-time work:

1. Establishing (and maintaining!) a work-life balance.

Now that you are working full-time, you actually have to adjust to not having months of vacation during your year.

Even if you worked full-time during each break, it is incredibly jarring to work for the same company without planned vacations.

It is critical for students to understand that taking vacation time – and even going home at the end of your working hours – is healthy, encouraged, and important.

You may be used to just staying up later or waking up really early to finish a project. DON’T DO IT NOW!

You don’t want to burn out at your position after the first few months because you overworked yourself.

Put in the required hours and go continue to have a life!

2. Getting your finances in order.

With more income comes great responsibility.

After securing a job in the working world, having a sizable salary is nothing short of miraculous. For the most part, people spend money in relation to their income – as income (presumably) increases, so does spending.

It’s important to harness your finances once your income is secured. You will have power over your finances if you figure out what money needs to be where (and when).

Bonus points if you have multiple savings accounts.

3. Getting used to working for longer than an internship.

Wait… I’ve worked here for five months straight and I still have to keep coming back? But there’s no end in sight!

Yes, internships are fabulous experiences for the working world. But nothing – NOTHING – can prepare anyone for the realization that there is no proverbial “end in sight” for a job.

It doesn’t mean that you are stuck. But it does mean that having an attention span that lasts longer than six months is helpful (and looks better on your resume).

4. Not being located near your college friends.

This is probably the biggest challenge of leaving college. If none of your closest friends live near you, you all of a sudden are launched into a world without as many inside jokes, lazy afternoon visits, and close proximity.

Sure, you’ll be able to visit, and those visits will be concentrated awesome, but ooooh boy is this a challenge to get used to.

5. Working through monotony.

If you have a work task project that is not fulfilling, you can’t sit down and talk to a professor about how to work through it.

You can, however, talk with your supervisor to brainstorm ways to stay invested, but it’s very likely that the task is relevant to your job (because task+you=employment).

6. Scheduling vacation time.

For some positions, you won’t be able to schedule time off for anywhere from three, six, or even twelve months after your start date.

Also, having to schedule vacation time around the others in the office is the ultimate exercise in understanding and teamwork (and no, you don’t always get what you want).

… but you should always take your vacation time.

7. Being around people from various backgrounds and ages.

Hear me out on this one.

College is one of the last times in your life that you are surrounded by people right around your age. To suddenly have to interact and work with people of all ages is eye-opening, and sometimes provides difficulties in finding similarities.

8. Realizing just how many things were offered at college (and trying to get involved in your community).

On campus, you likely had multiple clubs, organizations, health clubs, dining halls, events, nighttime activities, and entertainment that you could access at (almost) any time.

(Not to mention you were eligible for some incredible international opportunities!)

The working world is pretty boring, comparatively. The first time you fight to establish a book club with your coworkers to a lukewarm response will likely only make the college nostalgia worse.

9. Making friends in your new work environment.

In college, almost everyone is at the same place in life and has a similar experience getting used to (and hopefully thriving in) college.

However, with being surrounded by people from different backgrounds, it might be harder to find those similarities. (I’ve worked in five offices since college and have only had close friends with similar interests at three of them).

You may hit it off right away with your colleagues, but even so it might create more nostalgia for your college friends.

10. Missing your college experience.

Between naps, coffeeshop afternoons, days completing homework outside, interacting with engaging professors who challenged you to think better, the working world is like a real world example of an ice bucket challenge.

However, by embracing your feelings and reflecting on your responses to some of the challenges you face in the office, you will be well on your way to a career that fulfills you.

What challenges did you face when you entered the working world?

Coming Home: How to Cope

After, Lessons LearnedComing Home, Departure, Return, TipsBecca Leigh

Coming home can suck. Here are some strategies to help you cope! Learning how to cope when you return home from study abroad is important for your sanity. An alternate title for this post is “what to do when no one wants to hear about your study abroad experience anymore.”

All of us who have studied or lived abroad (or both) know that while the experience abroad was full of its ups and downs, it’s also challenging to come back home. Once you return from abroad, you share all of the amazing stories about your experience.

You tell your friends about the nights when you were at a pub until 8:00 in the morning.

You talk repeatedly about your field trip to the local art museum where you drew so many nude statues for your art class (and got credit for it).

You laugh as you recall how you missed your bus out of Madrid (the last one of the night!) and had to pull some quick, resourceful movements (and your high school Spanish) in order to get back to your home university before class the next day.

You relive hilarious moments that you shared with your new friends abroad, joking about language barriers, food mishaps, nights out, and the cutie at the kebab shop on your street.

However, after a little while, you get the feeling that you’re telling the same stories over and over again, and that people purposefully do not ask you how your time abroad was.

Or, even more noticeably, you can see your friends and family visibly look impatient when you start a story with “you know, it’s different in…”

When you start to feel alone, here are some ideas of what you can do to cope.

Reach out to your study abroad office.
Remember that group of people that pestered you about visas, deadlines, and politely asked you to tag them in your Instagram photos?

They are glad you are back, and quite frankly would love to hear from you. Each office will have different ideas and ways for you to stay engaged with your time abroad – and they all will love to hear stories from your time abroad. Your experience (and you sharing your experiences) will help them learn more about the support the program has on the ground.

Doesn’t this sound like a win-win?

Volunteer with incoming exchange or international students.
Your experience with transitioning to a new cultural context is incredibly helpful for new international students arriving to your home campus. By sharing the harrowing and hilarious stories of your first few weeks abroad, you will be able to normalize some of the feelings you had for those new students and help them cope with the transition.

Also, you get to meet new friends – some who might be from the country you grew to love!

Volunteer for pre-departure orientations.
Hopefully you had a chance to meet other alumni at your pre-departure orientation. These orientations are your chance to share your stories, experiences, tips, and hints to those students who will be going to your host country!

Most students who will be going to your host school are positively stoked about hearing everything possible from you. In the pre-departure orientations I have held, questions have ranged from the student’s favorite place to go running, courses to take, and things that should be on a student’s bucket list. Talk about a willing audience.

Attend a “Lessons From Abroad” conference (or other returnee conference).
One of the best ways to cope after returning home is to put your experience into action. If you have a Lessons From Abroad Conference in your area, the conference is incredible. Geared towards students who recently returned from studying abroad, these conferences can include speakers, resume help, potential employers, panel discussions, interactive activities, and professional development opportunities.

The best part is that you get to meet other returnees from universities in your area!

Continue to blog or journal about your experience.
Coming home (and learning to cope with being home) is part of the study abroad experience, and oftentimes it is overlooked. It is, after all, more exciting to write about your morning lattes in your corner cafe in Paris than about the coffeeshop in your school’s student center.

However, you will be able to continue to see the nuances in shifts in your perspectives, outlooks, experiences, and relationships by continuing your documentation. Who doesn’t love that?

Reread your blog or journal from abroad.
Remember how your study abroad advisors (and probably some of the study abroad alumni that you talked to) kept telling you to keep a journal? It’s helpful during your reentry – especially to help you cope with being home!

Yes, reading your journals will trigger nostalgia.

Yes, you will probably get a little weepy.

But years down the line, you will still be able to recall your experiences with stunning clarity. A journal entry (with the wrapper of your favorite snack, perhaps) can transport you back to a time when you learned truly what it was like to be completely dependent on yourself.

(As an example, my parents tasked me with keeping a journal when they brought my family to Europe waaaaayyyy back in 1996. It’s hilarious to read, especially since little Leigh hated all of those vineyards. If only she knew how much older Leigh would love wine…)

Stay in touch with your study abroad friends.
This is clearly what social media is for. Shared experiences = continued learning together. And future travel partners.

If you are feeling really low, seek someone to talk to.
When going through a noticeably drastic change in surroundings and experiences, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, and many other emotions.

However, if you (or someone close to you) can sense and acknowledge a more serious reaction to returning home, it is important to seek the help and support that you can.

Use your school’s counseling center. Speak to a trusted professor. Confide in a friend who can support you. Be as proactive as possible so that you can still have a productive reentry experience.

Plan your next international journey.
This is probably the best way to cope – planning out how to see even more of the world! You may not find a place that will be as special to you as your study abroad host country, but there are always more places to see in the world. Get saving, and get back out there!

One of my favorite travel quotes - by Henry Miller

How did you cope when you returned back home? Are you still working through your experience today?

How to Write a Kick-Ass Application Essay

Before, Money MattersEssays, Pre-Departure, Tips, WritingBecca Leigh

Pin now for later! If you have an application essay coming up and you don't know where to start, look no further - this post will help you submit a kick-ass essay! Do you have an upcoming essay due for a study abroad application, admissions essay, scholarship prompt, or personal statement?

If so, read on – after reading hundreds of essays for applications and scholarships during my career, I can say with enthusiasm what the best essays contain (hint – the answer lies in the essay prompt).

I’ve been thinking about writing this post for quite some time; however, recently I was a reviewer for a national scholarship competition and it’s time that I share the step-by-step process that I wish all students would take for essays.

Here goes:

Step 1: Read the prompt.

No, really. Read it. The whole thing. Yep, even that little bit at the end that describes the formatting.

Yes, there are a lot of words.

We know. However, all of those words were used for a reason.

Keep in mind that for these kinds of prompts, your essays likely determine a significant part of your future.

All right. Now that you’ve read the prompt, it’s time to move on to…

Step 2: Re-read and dissect the prompt.

Ah HA! You thought you were done with the prompt!

This time, realllllllly read that sucker. It maybe looks something like this:

For the blah blah blah program/scholarship/college, describe your personal, professional, and academic goals and how this program will help you achieve those goals. Also, give us some information about your background.

With your favorite highlighting tool, find all of the things that the reviewing committee might be looking for. This is why you’ve read the prompt at least twice by this time. Here is what the prompt should look like now:

For the blah blah blah program/scholarship/college, describe your personal, professional, and academic goals and how this program will help you achieve those goals. Also, give us some information about your background.

It sounds suspiciously like the reviewers will be looking for 4 things – how the program will help you personally, how the program will help you professionally, how the program will help you academically, and your background.

(Side note: usually essay prompts provide really specific questions that address what the reviewers want to hear about your background. Keep your response in this part focused on what they ask to hear.)

It looks like you have all of the sections of your essay by now. Now, it’s time for…

Step 3: Brain dump into your essay sections.

A more sophisticated description of this part is “brainstorm” or “outline.” I don’t care what you call it – just get your ideas into the appropriate areas.

Let’s say I’m planning on studying abroad in China for an immersive language program because I’m a linguistics major. My application outline would probably look something like this:

Intro
Background
1. Always fascinated by Chinese culture because of my third grade teacher
2. Started studying Mandarin when I was 8 and have wanted to immerse myself in Chinese culture ever since
3. Became a linguistics major to develop a better understanding about the world and international relations
Academic goals
1. Primary language goal is to develop working knowledge of 20,000 Chinese characters
2. Adding an East Asian studies minor
3. Required to have a global component as part of studies; this will fulfill it
Professional goals
1. Hope to work with Chinese immigrants by providing relocation help
2. Plan to move to China or Taiwan after graduation for a year as a translator
3. Ultimately want to develop a bilingual business that works with incoming Chinese students
Personal goals
1. Studying abroad in an unfamiliar context will challenge me in every way
2. Will be better equipped to assist immigrants and refugees, like I currently do as a volunteer
3. I hate being alone; I hope that this experience will allow me to be more comfortable with being alone
Conclusion

Notice that each section is fairly even. This is important – sometimes it is very easy to provide more details in one section over another (yep, that infamous “tell me about yourself” section). You don’t want to get distracted from the overall point of the essay.

Now that you have an outline of sorts, you can move on to…

Step 4: Put your brain dump into complete sentences.

Create the sentences! Use all of the tools you have learned in every writing class you have ever taken to form non-caveman-like sentences. Use the appropriate writing style for your audience.

Once you feel like you are out of sentences (or you have reached the word limit), you can proceed to…

Step 5: Tear your paper apart (figuratively).

That escalated quickly.

Before you destroy your work, take a breather. Take some time away. Grab a coffee (or a beverage of your choosing) and think about things that are not your essay for a little bit.

Then, sit back down and read your essay while pretending like you didn’t write the essay.

Identify the parts where even you felt a little bored (be honest). Think about the following questions: can you clean up the language to make it less “blah?” Is this absolutely necessary for the overall essay? What can you take out? What should you move around?

If something doesn’t make sense, change it so it does.

I know that it is horrendously hard to edit your own essay. Everything in your essay feels important to you, but for your own good it’s important to politely break up with some not-so-strong sentences that could bring down your essay overall.

If you need to tell the sentence “it’s not you, it’s me” before you delete it, that’s fine. Just let go of the sentences that aren’t supporting you in the way that they should. Be strong. You can do it. We all believe in you. Now…

Step 6: Make the paragraphs!

Realize that, before, I only said to write in complete sentences. If you already naturally created paragraphs, fabulous! If you didn’t, think about your future and break your sentence groupings into those paragraphs.

As you read along, are there transitions between your paragraphs, or do things still feel disjointed? Transitions are sometimes tricky, but are incredibly important – they can make your entire essay seem well-reasoned, while their absence can make you appear unsure about why you should be considered for the program.

Finally, now you can go to…

Step 7: Review your beautiful essay.

Look at the prompt again. It will always be following you.

After a quick read of your essay, ask – did you answer all of the questions? Did you really answer all of the questions? Did you put similar examples behind each portion, or are you a little heavy-handed at parts?

This is a good time to tweak some of your word choices, review your paragraph order, and double check that everything makes sense.

Generally speaking, application reviewers might cringe at incorrect word choice, grammar, or punctuation, but these errors won’t make or break most applications (unless the application is for a position with an emphasis on attention to detail). For example, my soul quivers with anxiety when I see the wrong form of to/too/two, your/you’re/yore and other similar words, but that’s the worst that can happen with that.

Reviewers will, however, be able to tell if you skipped large portions of an essay prompt and can remove your application from consideration for not answering part of a question.

This is why, at the end of the day, your success or failure all comes back to the essay prompt and your attention to it.

Some final thoughts:

If you are asked at any time to talk about your goals, make sure that they are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Use punctuation. Commas save lives.
Transitions between your paragraphs will make your essay fluid (and keep your reviewer happy).
Avoid stream-of-conscience writing. You know, like this entire post.
Search your paper for idiomatic phrases. Change them.
Ask a friend, trusted neighbor, stranger on the street, or someone who knows nothing about your program to read your essay (in exchange for something, of course). If any parts seem unclear to them, retool the parts that are unclear.
Proofread all of the things.

Hopefully now you will be on your way to completing a competitive essay!

For more study abroad inspiration and tips, follow me on Pinterest!

Visit Study Abroad and Beyond’s profile on Pinterest.

Do you have any tips for writing a kick-ass essay? Share below!

What to Do During an Emergency Abroad

During, Staying Safe, Travel TipsLists, Safety, TipsBecca Leigh

While this topic may be scary, the best way to respond to an emergency is to prepare in advance. This important step-by-step guide will help you get your bearings - read and bookmark this now to remember for later! | Study Abroad and Beyond Talking about what to do in an emergency is probably my least favorite topic (and I would not be surprised if other study abroad advisors felt similarly), but one that is so, so very critical in this day and age.

To start, my heart goes out to all families, communities, and people who have been affected by the acts of violence this week – in Turkey, in Brussels, in Iraq, and sadly more. As Nikki Giovanni once put it so articulately, “no one deserves a tragedy.”

Understandably, when reports surface of incidents like the bombings in Brussels, parents and students show more concern about the safety of studying abroad.

Recent research published by the Forum on Education Abroad indicates that the mortality rate of students studying abroad (based on insurance claims) is less than half of that for students who remain on their home campuses (Inside Higher Ed summarized the findings as well).

I only present this information to provide an important reflection on the perceived dangers of studying abroad.

Travel is not without risk. At some point or other, travelers will likely encounter some sort of emergency while abroad. Emergencies can take on any number of forms – getting sick, breaking a bone, losing a passport, having an ATM eat your debit card, becoming a victim of a crime, and the more nefarious (and more unlikely) examples such as the internationally covered news stories I previously mentioned.

When confronted with these situations, there are critical steps that any traveler must take. These steps, in order, can help you stabilize a situation and maintain communication with those who need to hear from you.

1. Get yourself to a safe location.

Don’t ask questions, don’t pass go, don’t collect $200.

Get. Yourself. Safe.

You’re violently ill or physically harmed? Go to a hospital or clinic.

You’re drunker than a skunk and you just got mugged? Get to your housing.

You just got into a car accident? Move the car out of the travel lane.

You hear that there are protests or a security warning in your area? Stay indoors, preferably at your housing (please, please, please don’t go out and take pictures).

You get the picture, right?

2. Determine the extent to which you have been affected, and collect and document as many details as possible.

Now that you are someplace safe, please assess the damages (unless someone is assessing them for you). I’m referring to any physical damage, as well as your immediate emotional response.

It’s helpful at this point to take notes – both mentally and physically – so that, when you need to provide details to law enforcement, hospital staff, the Department of State, or your family and emergency contact, you will be able to do so far easier.

Take it from me – it is hard to keep a clear head in an emergency. It is hard as hell to remain calm; I’m not telling you to remain calm in an emergency, because when someone says to remain calm, usually the opposite happens.

This step will allow you to start emotionally processing the incident by removing the need for you to relive everything multiple times (thank the sweet technology gods for copy and paste).

3. Contact the local authorities and/or your local contacts.

If you are in a country where you are comfortable with the local language, contact anyone who can help you at that time. This can be law enforcement, ambulance services, firefighters… you get the picture. These numbers should be on your list of things to research before traveling somewhere.

However, if you do not speak the local language, trying to practice your new language will cause your stress levels to skyrocket. This is where your local contacts come in.

By directly reaching out to your local contacts, you will have someone who knows you and the local language / customs and can provide assistance or translation help. If you are traveling someplace for a short period of time and don’t have a local contact with an organization, contact your hostel, hotel, or host for help.

As an example, one of my friends in Korea proved to be one of the greatest people of all time by translating for me over the phone with a security guard for three hours late one night when I had my wallet stolen (and I am forever indebted to her).

4. Contact your emergency contact back home.

Okay, you may be wondering why this is so far down on the list. Hear me out.

If you contact your emergency contact without having already secured yourself in a safe location, without having contacted someone locally for assistance, and without having any details, you will cause panic on the homefront.

Believe me when I say that this is a bad idea.

Naturally, you will want to have some familiar support in an emergency situation, but if you do not have any details and you could still potentially be in danger, you are putting yourself in a bad situation. Figure out everything on the ground before contacting home.

5. Contact your home university (or your home organization).

Guess what? They will want to hear from you too in an emergency situation (… I guess this is the point where I say that if you have a slight cold and aren’t going to a clinic, we don’t really need to know. But we feel for you in your pain).

For the most part, your home universities will try to contact you if there is a widely publicized security situation going on in the country or region in which you are traveling.

Here’s the catch – they will try to contact you, and they will want to hear from you.

For the sake of the sanity of your study abroad advisors, kindly respond quickly to their requests for responses. 🙂

6. Check in with the Department of State if you need additional assistance.

Remember that time when your advisors told you to register with the STEP Program with the Department of State (I even wrote a blog post about my adoration for the program)? We weren’t kidding that this is a good idea, and incredibly important for seeking assistance.

If you have registered with the Department of State and an emergency incident occurs, they will be able to provide guidance, support, and contacts for you. If you have not registered, they don’t know to help you.

Make the good choice. Register each trip – even if it’s only for a day or weekend – with the STEP program.

7. If you feel compelled to share anything on social media, for the love of logic don’t post anything until now.

Then, once the initial storm has passed, make sure to:

8. Seek emotional support if needed.

Going through a traumatic event, especially while in an international context, can cause any number of negative responses (and can even cause dormant issues to resurface).

Talk to someone.

Be proactive in seeking out support.

Keep your family updated with your progress.

Take time for yourself.

And as always, reach out to someone who can help you work through your reactions. If you are studying abroad, make sure to report anything like this to both your host and home universities so they can assist you. Your advisors always care about your physical and emotional well-being, no matter where you are!

Have you ever been in an emergency abroad? What did you do to keep yourself safe, and has your travel style been affected by it?

Why I Withdrew from Semester-Long Study Abroad

Before, Lessons LearnedAdvising, Lessons, Pre-Departure, PreparationBecca Leigh

One of the hardest decisions I have made was when I withdrew from semester-long study abroad. Now, nearly nine years later, I still regret my decision, but even as a study abroad advisor I know that it was for the best. Read on for reflections on how a decision like this can have a lasting impact. | Study Abroad and Beyond This is hard to write, because my biggest regret in life was when I withdrew from study abroad.

(Actually, I have others, but this is definitely the biggest, especially given my current occupation!)

As with any student, my story of pursuing study abroad involved a long, sordid tale of ups and downs.

However, after interacting with students going through a similar experience, I’ve revisited the reasons why I ultimately did not study abroad for a semester.

Here is how I would have advised me lo these many years ago:

Why I Withdrew Reason 1: I needed to take 18 credits abroad

Becca, no. You won’t take 18 credits abroad.

You completed your course approval meeting and knew how my credits would transfer back to your home school, and after the enrollment period at the host university, you were only enrolled in 6 credits abroad (and you can still graduate on time once you are enrolled for enough credits to make you a full-time student).

This is not an absolute, non-negotiable outcome. You are going to enroll in more courses upon arrival. 6 credits isn’t full-time. And you’re an English major. That department collaborates with study abroad courses.

Why I Withdrew Reason 2: I was worried about how I would go for four months without an income source

Since this is an exchange and you are an in-state student, the number you are estimating is a little (lot) high. $20,000 for a semester is realistic for some destinations, but not yours. Let’s say $12,000 and call it even.

This is a concern for a lot of students, especially those with multiple part-time jobs. And didn’t you say you had a few, as well as a fairly healthy savings account? If you take the time you are abroad and focus on your education and experience, it will still be rewarding.

On another note, if you wanted to pursue a job while you are abroad, you can potentially do that with a different visa that you are eligible to apply to. So… Next question?

10 Ways to Save Money While Living Abroad

Why I Withdrew Reason 3: I was dating someone and knew the relationship was doomed, so I stayed (if this had been the only reason for withdrawal, I would have still gone)

Girl… I mean this in a supportive way… But maaaaaaaaaaybe you should think about your future… The one that isn’t with him. Carry on.

If it’s meant to be, it will be – and it will survive the time you are away. I know that four months seems like a long time, but it’s time for you to work on your future, to develop relationships with people from around the world, and truly experience independence.

Why I Withdrew Reason 4: I was worried about my housing and how hard it would be to find someone to take over my apartment (even though I was involved with international student support and knew one of the students I worked with would be willing to sublet my room…)

Students go through this all the time! You can certainly worry, but you haven’t even tried to get someone in your room and it’s November. Try a little harder. I mean this in the most supportive way.

Are you sure that there isn’t another reason for your withdrawal? Right now it sounds like you’re kind of reaching for excuses to not go… which is fine… but I want to help you!

Why I Withdrew Reason 5 – I had experienced a profound loss the April of my sophomore year (and I was going to study abroad the spring of my Junior year) and I had finally started having the post-traumatic stress around decision time.

This right here is reason enough to consider your study abroad for another time.

If you have experienced any trauma, anxiety, depression, or even eating disorders in the past, be sure to meet with your doctor, a counselor, an advisor, or someone to discuss a plan for when you are abroad. During study abroad programs, it is not uncommon for these latent emotions, actions, and reactions to resurface.

Have you spoken to the Counseling Center about this? No? Are you interested in making an appointment? No again? I would encourage you to take advantage of these services on-campus. They are here to help you, are familiar with your situation, and want nothing more than the best for you.

You need to take some time for you. And I understand wanting to be around to commemorate the first anniversary of that event.

Becca, I have to agree that you are probably not in the right mental state to go abroad. Plain and simple. (And the first few reasons are excuses, frankly.)

Related: The Funny Thing About Grief

…So I backed out.

In retrospect, I would have been okay abroad, but it was a much smarter, more cognizant option to withdraw.

I hope that students struggling with their decision to study abroad can think critically about their options and the impact of their withdrawal, but it is also important to consider all factors that might affect your experience abroad.

No matter what you choose, your study abroad advisor will support you and your decision.

Did you withdraw from studying abroad, or are you considering a withdrawal? Did you think about withdrawing and ended up on the program?

Ask an Advisor: Where Should I Study Abroad?

BeforeAdvising, Preparation, Programs, ResearchBecca Leigh

Of all of the questions I receive as a study abroad advisor, "where should I go?" is always an interesting one. If you are looking for a good place to start for your study abroad research, this is for you! | Study Abroad and Beyond Over the years I have been a study abroad advisor, students ask about how to plan for the first week of studying abroad, different programs, housing options, visa problems, and more. However, the most interesting question students ask (and I hear it a lot!) is where should I go?

My answer is always the same – it depends.

Boom. How about that for a letdown?

There are so many types of programs for students that it is critical to remember that your study abroad experience has the potential to shape your future in many ways.

One bonus piece of advice – research at least five programs before you settle on one!

Here are some things to consider before settling on a program location:

Your major and what your graduation requirements are

Does your major have specific on-campus requirements that you would be missing if you studied abroad during a particular semester? Will studying abroad fulfill any requirements, like a global experience requirement? What did your academic advisor say when you mentioned your interest in studying abroad?

What courses you need to take abroad

In order to stay on track for graduation, what courses will you need to take abroad? What types of credits are available to students at different programs? If you transferred in any credits from previous institutions or from high school, are you still eligible to enroll in more transfer credits abroad?

Cost of program

How much can you afford based on your financial aid package, your savings, and any other contributions? If you are comparing programs, is the published cost inclusive of everything for the program – housing, tuition, fees, support, food, flight, etc? Are there any scholarships for the program?

Cost of living in the destination

How much will incidentals likely cost you (and do you have the funds to support yourself for these incidentals)? What will transportation, housing, food, entertainment, and anything else cost you during the program?

Duration of program

How long would you be comfortable with studying abroad? Which semester would you be interested in pursuing? Are you interested in going for a summer, Spring Break, a winterterm, a semester, an academic year? Does it fit into your academic plan without delaying graduation?

When in your college career you ideally would like to study abroad

Are you considering any internships, and would they conflict with a semester abroad? Are there freshman programs at your university, or do most students study abroad during sophomore or junior year? Does this align with requirements you have to fulfill on-campus? Does your advisor have recommendations?

What your current ideal career is

Are there parts of the world that focus on this particular career? What do you hope to specialize in, and how can you garner a new perspective on this field while you are studying abroad? Are there internship opportunities as part of your program that will help you gain experience (and are the internships eligible for credit)?

What would look best on your resume to potential employers

What kind of experience will make you look the most competitive when compared to your peers for job applications? How do you hope to frame your experience when participating in interviews? What are some of the current “desired qualifications” for your dream job?

How much support you want for your time abroad

Will you want a lot of administrative support while you are abroad, or are you comfortable with figuring out a lot of the details on your own? Will you have an advisor or resident director on-site?

Notice how I said that you should think of all of these things before you settle on a study abroad program location.

It is far easier, I admit, to pick a location and then work out a relevant program in that location. However, with most students looking to study in western Europe, there is a certain connotation that students who go to western Europe only drink, travel every weekend, and blow off classes.

(This comes from employers, and the fact that they probably did that during their semesters abroad!)

Different students thrive on different programs. No matter which program you end up pursuing, it will challenge you in ways that might not have been evident at first.

It’s important to manage your expectations of a program before committing to it. For example, if you are pursuing an exchange program for the affordability, be sure you are comfortable with the level of support the program will provide prior to committing.

Final Thoughts

As you consider the questions above, here are your next steps for deciding on a study abroad program –

Consider programs around the world, as opposed to a location
Determine the cost of the program (the true cost, including personal expenses)
Review your financial aid and determine a realistic cost of the program – inclusive of everything – as well as if you need to apply for scholarships or additional loans (a word of caution on this, however – make all of your study abroad plans as if you will not receive any scholarships. You don’t want to be ready to depart and then you find out that you were not granted the $5,000 scholarship you were depending on).
Talk to your academic and study abroad advisor to find out more about the program availability based on your interests and needs
Discuss your interest in studying abroad with your family and loved ones
Then, finally, start narrowing down your options – may the most suitable one win!

Studying abroad is one of the most impactful experiences available to students during college and high school.

By thinking more critically about your desired outcomes instead of the program location, you will be well on your way to a challenging, positive, and successful study abroad experience.

How did you choose a study abroad program? What questions did you ask your advisor? What do you wish you had done differently?

10 Ways to Save Money While Living Abroad

During, Money MattersMoney, Savings, TipsBecca Leigh

Saving money on exciting opportunities is one of the greatest things in life. In this post, we talk about how to save money on (or pay nothing for!) common expenses, entertainment, and travel, with stories to prove it! | Study Abroad and Beyond Whether you are studying or living abroad, your spending habits (as well as income) can fluctuate widely.

I mean… food, for one.

Bars. Museums. Cafes.

And getting to know your new neighborhood is another.

We’ve been there!

If you are hoping to rein in your spending during your time abroad, here is a guide to save on common expenses.

(As a note, if you haven’t yet created a budget or started a bank account dedicated to your time abroad, those are great first steps!)

1. If you are planning on traveling someplace for the weekend, research different modes of transportation to see which offers the best overall deal.

If you are located someplace that has multiple modes or transportation available, compare the price / timing of the buses, trains, and planes.

Are you okay with an overnight bus to save money on a night of accommodation as well as transportation costs?

Or do you prefer just getting to your destination in the shortest amount of time?

2. Food and drink can bankrupt you… unless you plan ahead.

Meal planning and budgeting isn’t just for families anymore!

If your meals are not included in your program costs (or your homestay family doesn’t provide meals), it will be hugely beneficial to price out meals at local establishments compared to groceries.

If you plan on going out multiple nights per week (while completing all of your homework and making good choices, of course!), make sure to budget ahead of time for drinks, food, transportation, and any associated fees, and apply this cost estimate to each night you plan to go out.

3. Walk, or buy a bike.

Walking is a great way to see more sides to a city, and biking allows for more exploration at a slightly higher speed! Make sure to review the biking laws in your city before setting out.

The best case scenario for this situation would be if you found a bike that another student left behind. #winning.

4. If you enjoy reading, borrow books from your library back home… digitally.

Many libraries in the US have started lending books out to their members through the Overdrive app.

(I’ve been happily using this app for years).

As with anything, there are benefits and drawbacks to using the app:

Pros: You can download the books from anywhere (I have successfully accessed and downloaded books over WiFi in Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Norway, Sweden, Guadeloupe, England, Turkey, India, Morocco, Ecuador…). Also, free is a great price for something that you wanted to access anyway!

Cons: if you are not a patient person, you might have to remain on the waitlist for months before you can access a book if there are people who have placed holds on the books before you. I have been able to download a book immediately, and I have also waited 9 months for a book before.

But, again, I love not spending money on books.

5. Check for free entry days in your host city to save on entertainment.

Many major cities have fabulous museums that have occasional free (or reduced) entry days. Also, museums typically offer reduced entry for students.

(And some countries – we’re looking at you, Norway – allow student fares even if you don’t have your ID).

My favorite thing in Paris was the free museums on the first Sunday of the month. While I had to meditate whilst maneuvering the crowds, I loved paying just the Metro fare to visit the Louvre… Again.

6. If you are under the age of 26, try to get student discounts.

For the most part, you would only have to show your university ID or your passport (some places accept a copy) in order to receive student discounts to save on service costs.

This can be applied to transportation, entertainment, and maybe even food.

However, some places may give discounts for services for people of student age (even if you aren’t in college anymore).

7. Ask one of your new host friends for a language, food, or cultural exchange.

If you are thinking of enrolling in language classes or want more out-of-class experience with a language, ask one of your new friends!

I have been known to “pay” my friend in admiration, coffee, food, and language exchange.

8. If you are traveling with a group of people, check for group discounts.

This goes primarily for tours, transportation, and lodging (depending on the size of your group).

A great example for a group of 4 people is that, in Korea, the KTX (the high speed train that traverses the country) has four-top tables that are sold as a package of 4 and are cheaper than 4 seats individually.

9. Compare everything.

From visiting a grocery store that is farther off the beaten path to roaming down multiple side roads to find the cheapest meals, it is important to compare all prices for all services to save money overall.

If you are in a country that values haggling, know when and where you are able to haggle so that you do not unintentionally offend a vendor!

10. Check your local visitors’ center – or a religious center – for free things to do.

I have managed to find a number of free festivals, as well as weekly cultural events while abroad (most of the visitors were small children, but I learned a lot about the culture!).

Here are just some of the cool things I have done for free because of asking someone or a visitor center locally:

Scuba dive under the Eiffel Tower (twice, because if it’s free, why not?)
Participate in a Lantern Festival (and write my wish on the lantern!)
Get a guided tour of… A million different cities
Practice tai chi in a park at dawn with a bunch of Chinese seniors
Salsa dance under a bridge with hundreds of others at night in Mexico
Walk the entire High Line in NYC (okay, this is a stretch… but it is my favorite thing to do in NYC AND it’s free!)
Dance the night away for the Fete de la Musique in Paris (complete with free metro access all night)
Attend free weekly traditional Korean musical and theater performances
Participate in a traditional tea ceremony in Japan
Tour the many block stretch of the night flower market in Bangkok
See the impressive changing of the guard ceremonies in many countries (I have to give this one to Norway – it was almost an interactive experience)

What are some of the things you have done to save money when abroad? Share in the comments below!

As always, check out the Resources Page for more funding opportunities!