It’s about that time of year when students begin packing for study abroad! Packing is ridiculously hard – you suddenly feel like everything in your life is incredibly valuable. And how can you possibly choose what to leave behind?! I’ve gotten to the point of packing only in a carry-on for trips lasting less than … Continue reading Packing for Study Abroad: A Review
[Read More→]There are so many reasons to study abroad. I mean, how many times can you realistically live outside of your home country with few to no ramifications? After you finish your time at college/university, the answer is “not many.” To be fair, the easier question to answer is “why shouldn’t I study abroad?” There are … Continue reading #StudyAbroadBecause Future You will Love You
[Read More→]There are plenty of things you already know about study abroad.
I mean… c’mon. You’ve been thinking about this for a while, right?
You know the types of programs available, why it’s important to start early, and that you shouldn’t lose your passport. And, you also probably have an idea about where you would like to study.
However… how much do you really know about studying abroad in general?
Here are 25 things to know about study abroad.
[Read More→]I’ll take a break from my usual “study abroad and international travel are great and here’s how to make the most out of an amazing situation!” to focus on something that everyone encounters during life – grief.
Loss causes grief. Any loss – a loss of innocence, a loss of life, a loss of a pet, a loss of a relationship, a loss of material goods, a loss of self-worth or direction – is devastating in its own way.
Doubts arise. Misery ensues.
There is an abundance of unanswerable questions.
Acceptance is a joke (and not a funny one at that).
However, I do like the idea of putting the “fun” in “funeral.” It helps me get through some of the tougher times when I can’t see beyond my current feelings.
Also, actively working to spin grief into a celebration of the wonderful person or thing or idea that was lost helps me.
I believe that there is nothing more celebratory than vibrant colors, sounds, and laughter at a memorial service.
The past few months have made me think long and hard about grief, and this is my brain dump about all of the reflections I have had.
[Read More→]After many years as a study abroad advisor, I can say with gusto that the majority of students are genuinely interested in finding ways to make their time abroad fulfilling and enriching. Students are the reason I go to work, enjoy my job, and find new challenges… but students also continue to find new ways to stress me out. Today, I discuss the things that many students do that will always be challenging.
Excerpt:
Let me stress that I thoroughly enjoy my job as a study abroad advisor.
(I mean, I have an entire blog dedicated to it.)
It’s never dull, students are (mostly) wonderful, and it keeps me on my toes.
However, there are some things that, no matter what, stress the hell out of me.
If you wish to remain on your study abroad advisor’s good side, here are things to NOT do.
Before: You miss deadlines.
Deadlines exist in study abroad offices for any of the following reasons:
1. You need a visa and the paperwork takes time to procure from overseas.
2. We have to review your application and it makes sense to review all study abroad applications at one time.
3. The deadline is for a scholarship (and missing these deadlines = no money fo’ you).
4. Our partners abroad require things from you (like an application).
5. We want to stress you out and find it fun.
Please don’t miss your deadlines. If you do, be prepared to not go abroad.
It’s that simple.
[Read More→]You know those days where nothing seems to go right? They even happen when you are traveling! Here are some tips for surviving your bad days to keep enjoying yourself while traveling – for me, sometimes a meltdown is the first step to recovery.
[Read More→]When you prepare for studying or traveling abroad, it’s easy to pin picture-perfect destinations, look at your itinerary, and daydream. However, it’s important to prepare for the not-so-fun possibilities of traveling abroad! Here’s how to cope and best prepare for travel’s little (and sometimes big) challenges.
[Read More→]As the beginning of the semester draws near, students are feeling the stress of the upcoming year. These tactics will help you have your best semester yet!
[Read More→]Drinking while abroad is a great way to experience the local culture, but doing it safely is important. Here are some tips to have a good time and stay safe.
[Read More→]For all of the wonderful things about the United States, letting vacation time expire is not one of them. Here’s the case for taking vacation.
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