study abroad – London Wandering

You’re studying abroad! Here’s some Pre-Departure Tips:

January 6, 2017 No Comments

Studying abroad is an amazing & fulfilling life experience. But before you embark on this grand journey, there are some things you may want to know before you depart. Here’s a list of tips I wish I had known before I departed on my study abroad program to London!

– Culture assimilation –

One of the biggest things that can help with cultural assimilation is learning the language of your host country. Being able to speak & understand basic words/phrases in the language you’ll be surrounded by will not only help in communicating, but it can also help you feel less like a tourist & more like a local! You’ll probably find that the more you attempt to speak the language, the more likely you’ll befriend the locals. 🙂
- You could go to your local bookstore & pick up a translator dictionary or you could attempt to learn the language with apps & programs, such as Duolingo.
Research cultural norms. It can be easy to forget that what is deemed socially or culturally normal in America can be offensive or carry a different meaning in another country. Remember that you are a visitor in whichever country you’ll be in & for a lot of the locals, this may be their first encounter with Americans.
- For example, Europeans, & Londoners in particular from my experience, tend to be more reserved. It wasn’t that I never had a conversation with a local, but I found that initiating an interaction was much more difficult than it would be here in the States.

– Homesickness –

You will probably get homesick. But don’t fret! I’ve got you covered & wrote a blog post all about coping here. FaceTime & FB Messenger are a godsend!

– Finances –

I won’t lie. Traveling is expensive. You may be lucky to be studying abroad in a place where the dollar is stronger, but you may not, especially if you’re going some place within Europe. What I was told before going into my trip was that on average, students spend $1,000 per month on basics & everyday spending. They weren’t wrong; I did end up spending around that much per month I was abroad for everyday things. This included food/groceries, eating out, shopping, laundry, etc.

Don’t convert your money at the airport! The rates are horrible. Instead, order a small amount of the currency you’ll need from your bank before leaving. Do this at least a week prior to your departure date to allow your bank enough time to order it. £/€ 100 (or whichever currency is used in your applicable country) is a safe amount to travel with and should cover you if anything were to happen when you land & you’d need cash.
In terms of everyday paying I recommend a combination of using a travel credit card (to avoid international fees) and cash pulled out of an ATM.
You can use your normal debit card while abroad, but there will be transaction fees. To avoid this, you can sign up for a travel credit card. I’m not a banker or financial expert, so I’ll direct you to this post that I found helpful from the Simple Dollar. Also, while I was in Europe, every time I paid by card I needed to sign, whether it was a debit card or credit card. It can be inconvenient & did encourage me to use cash more frequently.
- I will note that I personally went for the Bank of America card because they are my current bank & I could easily monitor my spending via the mobile banking app. But shop around & find one that provides everything you’re looking for!
- Be sure to let your bank know when & where you’ll be traveling to prior to your departure so they don’t count any of your transactions as fraud & close your account/card!

Safety tip: Pull out cash from an ATM in large quantities before you head back to your apartment or homestay. Because of the transaction fees, it’s cheaper to withdraw large amounts of money at once and keep the rest that you aren’t spending back in your flat.

– Electronics –

It’s no secret that you’ll want to keep all of your tech gadgets powered up & charged so you can update your Snapchat & Instagram. I mean, did you really study abroad if you didn’t snap or ‘gram it?

Outlets are different across the globe & wattages aren’t uniform either. So, what should you bring?

You’ll want a travel adaptor that will allow you to use your US plugs. You can find them at any store that has a travel section or online. You can find some that are also a converter, but most electronic devices these days will convert the wattage for you. I found that I needed at least two minimum when I went abroad. One for my phone & one for my computer.
If you want to be able to charge more devices or plug more things in at once without having to buy & pack a million adaptors, you can get a power strip to plug into your adaptor! I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I actually got it from my friend Bianca who did this on our London trip.
Bring a portable battery pack! Although my phone’s battery usually lasted me the whole day here in the US, I found that with all photos, Snapchatting, & Instagramming I was doing, my phone died much sooner than I’d like. I brought with me my Jackery portable charger. It was able to fully charge my phone 2-3 times, which was handy if a friend also needed to juice up their phone. I relied on my phone for a lot of things while abroad; it was my camera, my GPS, my tour guide, to name a few. I can’t imagine what I would’ve done if my phone died & I didn’t have my charger.
Friendly reminder: Your hair tools probably won’t work while abroad! Even with an adaptor, the wattage is different & you’ll probably end up blowing a fuse or breaking your hair tool. Buy an inexpensive one when you arrive or check with your program advisors if they have any you can loan out! At our student central they had a box of old hair tools left by former students. We were allowed to loan them out for the semester for free. Talk about a score!

– Cellphones –

Speaking of Snapchat & Instagram, here’s some options on what to do with your phone while abroad:

Your phone carrier may have an international plan and you can talk to them to see what they offer.
- I have T-mobile and they are currently offering unlimited 3G data all over Europe with calls costing 20 cents per minute. Even if you aren’t contracted with them, you can unlock your phone & purchase the international plan for your time abroad. More information about that here.
Another option is to unlock your phone & purchase a cellphone plan from a carrier in the country you’ll be abroad in. There are two types: A top up plan or a pre-set plan. This post from Go Oversees explains it better: How to Find the Best Cell Phone Plan for Study Abroad in Europe
- This is a great option if your US carrier doesn’t offer an international plan or if the plans are expensive. Plus, how cool would it be to have a European phone number? A lot of my friends opted for this while we were in London!
Utilize free wi-fi whenever you can! Wi-fi is great & you can make call for free if you’re connected & turn your data off. 🙂

– Packing –

I’m not going to tell you specifically what you need to pack because what you’ll need depends on many factors: Where you’re studying abroad, at what time of the year, how much luggage you plan to bring, etc. However, I will share my favorite tips to keep in mind when packing!

When packing your clothes, packing cubes & air compression bags are essential. These were the only reason I was able to fit everything into my luggage. I utilized packing cubes to keep similar types of clothing together, e.g. shirts in one cube, pants in another. Because I had everything compartmentalized, it was extremely easy to unpack. Compression bags are great when packing bulky items such as sweaters or coats. I recommend ones that you can roll the air out of; you don’t need a vacuum which you may not access to anyways!
Only pack things you know you will wear. Don’t bring anything that you *might* wear because you probably won’t wear it. If you haven’t worn that article of clothing within the last six months, you won’t wear it abroad. Probably.
Pack pre-planned outfits. When I was packing for my trip to London, I kept in mind how each article of clothing I was brining would work together. If that shirt you’re brining only works with that one pair of pants, is it really worth it to pack? Probably not. Packing in pre-planned outfits ensured that I would get use out what I was brining.
Also, keep in mind you’ll probably go shopping whilst you are there. I didn’t think about this when I was packing for my trip & found that I bought more clothing whilst abroad than I had thought I would.
You’ll probably wear the same 3 outfits anyways… I honestly alternated between three or four outfits whilst I was abroad. It was only when I began to pack for my flight coming home that I realized how much stuff I brought with me that I didn’t even wear.

– Transport –

Does the city you’ll be studying abroad in have a public transport system? If it does, the app City Mapper will become your best friend. Free to download on the app store or Google Play, City Mapper is a great transport tool. You can check bus/train times, get directions, & check for any delays. It’s also Uber integrated & offers bike routing. I was better & more efficiently able to navigate the city with the help of this app. Plus, if you don’t have data or service, it saves the “trip” you are currently on so that you can still check directions without any service!

How exciting it will be to spend time exploring & learning while abroad! I had the grandest of times during my semester in London. These were my pre-departure tips which I hope you found useful. I’ll leave you with this great post from the American Institute for Foreign Study blog about how to make the most of your trip.

http://blog.aifsabroad.com/2016/12/29/10-tips-make-study-abroad-experience/

xo Edinette

London Life, Travel, Writing in My Words

I fell in love with a city I knew I’d have to leave. Here’s what I’ve learned.

December 24, 2016 2 Comments

A quintessential view of the city; gloomy skies & double-decker bus, taken while riding the London Eye on my very last day in the city I fell in love with.

It is not without a heavy heart that I had to say goodbye to London & the little piece of myself I left behind.

My journey to London was by no means an easy one, but one driven by impulse & desire. I knew years ago that London would be the city for me, which sounds completely insane. All prior knowledge I had of the city came from films such as Notting Hill & Love Actually. But the opportunity to study abroad in the city I coveted to be in presented itself. So, naturally, one day after class I filled out the application & paid the deposit without telling anyone, hoping that everything would sort itself out in the end.

Fast forward a few months, after convincing my parents & dealing with all the technical travel bits, I stood in line at SFO security with puffy eyes & a blotchy face, a weepy mess of emotions. I have never cried so much before in my life, having to say goodbye to every familiar thing I’ve come to know in my twenty-one years of existence. Eventually, I made it through TSA looking like someone who was not in any way prepared to embark on a three-month-long escapade in a foreign country by herself.

A chilly night out in Oxford to see the lights switch on with some friends.

Going into the program, I had a lot of reservations:

Would I get along with my roommate?
Would I make friends?
What if the “study” aspect of study abroad got too overwhelming?
What if I spent all my weekends working on essays instead of seeing the sights?
How would I fit into London life & culture?

Here’s the truth:

I got along great with my roommate, but it was because of communication & compromise, like any other relationship. I got lucky & am so appreciative of her. (Mel, if you’re reading this, thanks for being a rockstar of a roomie! ♥)
Making friends happened on its own. I found people who shared similar interests & wanted similar experiences. Don’t stress about it. You’ll make pals, I promise.
School was actually one of my favorite parts of the program, which is good, considering it was the whole reason I went to London, to begin with. My professors were very understanding about culture shock & adjusting.
Continuing from that, sometimes my essays actually required me to go out & see the sights. Ironic, isn’t it?
With any new culture, I needed to assimilate. The first few weeks I was hyper-aware of how much I stood out. Eventually, I picked up on the lingo (pants are underwear, people!) & started picking up the accent. Soon tourists were asking me for directions.

I get by with a little help from my friends! Crossing Abbey Road with friends. 🙂

I made the grave mistake of falling in love with London, knowing I would have to leave. One of my best mates who’s off embarking on her own grand adventure told me that she knew I would love London & that I was “the most London-y person who isn’t actually from London at all.” I thought she was just making a funny joke, but little did I know, she was right.

I very quickly became smitten with the city & everything it had to offer. Just as fast as it came, the homesickness I felt diminished because I realized that London is home. It was scary how easily I adjusted to London life. I soon established my daily routine; taking the Piccadilly line to school, getting a tea (sometimes on the house!) from João at Pret a Manger before class, stopping by the AIFS office to say hello to everyone, & exploring the city once my lessons were done.

Every day I walked through the city, every part that seemed mundane, I adored & could picture myself doing for the rest of my life. I looked forward to tapping my Oyster card to get onto the Tube, enjoyed walking from my flat to Waitrose to pick up some groceries, going to Paperchase to gawk over the stationery, & have proclaimed Nando’s to be my favorite restaurant of. all. time.

The three months I have spent in London has allowed me to experience more than I ever could have imagined. I have seen more theatrical performances than I can count (Shakespeare’s Globe productions, West End Musicals, & more!), watched a live football match, & have visited enough museums to make me a history & art expert – not really, but a gal can dream.

Fulham F.C. having a chummy group hug after scoring a goal against Huddersfield Town. I wasn’t much of a sports fan prior to this match, but the English take their footy seriously; it was enough to convince me & it was loads of fun!

But that’s the sugar-coated part of it all. There were some cringe-worthy experiences & things I wish I did differently.

It took me quite a while to learn that a one pence & two pence are not the same as a one pound & two pound coin. I confused a few till workers & held up a few queues my first few weeks, but eventually I figured it out. English currency is very coin heavy (get it? heavy!) but I appreciated using it opposed to swiping a card. I felt more confident being able to pay in exact change!

Sometimes I wish I took more photos. Since being back in the U.S., I often find myself reminiscing about everything I did in London, before realizing that I never took a photo of that place/thing/experience. You don’t have to take a million photos to remember your experiences. Looking back, I now know it would have been pointless to take a photo of that one food stall that I didn’t actually like in the first place. Sure, photos are great, but they only capture what is seen, not the emotions or feelings that come with the moment. I like to think I experienced London wholeheartedly & not through a phone screen. I may not have photos to look back on but I do have the feelings and memories which are far more important to me.

The weather in Paris was très bien while sightseeing.

With Europe at my disposal & train travel so cheap, I wish I had visited a few more countries while I had the chance. The only other place I did go away for the weekend was Paris, France. It was a trip that allowed me to cross a few things off my bucket list & I am so glad I decided to go. I also wanted to go to Amsterdam in the Netherlands but decided not to make a trip. I don’t beat myself up over it, though. Because each weekend I wasn’t traveling was spent in London, the city I chose to study abroad in, becoming more & more like a local.

I made lists upon lists of little bookshops & markets I wanted to visit. I wish I actually went somewhere new each day instead of going to the same places over & over. Don’t get me wrong, being recognized at a cafe for being a regular feels amazing, but I found that I ended up in the same part of town each weekend, doing similar things. I managed to cross a few of the markets I wanted to see & got through a majority of the touristy bits I wanted to do, but there is still a lot that I never got around to, such as seeing the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park (I have been to Hyde Park twice & passed it even more times). I guess this means I have to go back!

In the short time I have spent in London, the city has completely stolen a piece of my ♥, for which I am so grateful for. Three months ago I stood in line at the airport sobbing, after saying goodbye to my parents, thinking that was the most I have ever cried in my entire life & the hardest thing I’d ever have do. I was wrong. Leaving London has been the hardest thing I have had to do. I love my parents immensely, but having to bid farewell to my friends that have made London feel like home, the AIFS advisors that made each day easier, & the city that had infatuated me was overwhelmingly difficult.

Group photo outside of the Musée du Louvre because we are pieces of art!

Standing outside in the cold at 6 A.M. on a Friday, I cried the hardest I have ever cried, saying goodbye to friends before boarding a coach en route to Heathrow airport. There’s a quote I love from one of my favorite books that goes “It is so hard to leave—until you leave. And then it is the easiest goddamned thing in the world.” In comparison, leaving my family was a much easier thing to do because I knew I would be back. However, leaving London was not that easy. At this point in time, it is uncertain if I will visit London again, which is what made parting so difficult. On the coach ride to the airport, I continued to cry whilst gazing out the window, never knowing if it would be the last time I’d pass a Tesco or see a phone booth, trying to absorb it all in the event it would be my last.

London has enchanted me in ways I couldn’t have expected. I have grown tremendously as a person because of it all. Cheers to all of the tea I drank, the few people who returned a smile on the tube, & Bus 49 to White City for making the past three months incredible in ways I cannot put into words.

I am not certain about a lot of things in life, such as pedestrian safety in England, but I know I’m not done with London, nor is the city done with me, & one day I will go back, perhaps to never leave, regaining that little piece I left behind, finally whole in the city that is home.

A photo with some of the mates I made & the AIFS advisors who made London feel like home.

Edinette x

London Life, Travel

A Weekend in the Highlands // Scotland Trip

October 19, 2016 No Comments

To say that I enjoyed myself in Scotland would be an understatement. I had the grandest time up north!

Our first day began with making our way to Kings Cross Station to catch our train up to Edinburgh where we spent our first night at the Safestay Edinburgh Hostel. This train ride was actually my first, & I can now say that train travel is one of my favorite methods of transport. The ride was scenic & I got some good reading & napping done!

After getting settled with the gals I’d be boarding with for the evening, I ventured out down the Royal Mile where I found the sweetest little market inside of a church.

Of course I had to pop in & buy a few bits & bobs, as I love supporting local artisans wherever I go. 🙂

As the night ascended, I went off with my pals to try & catch a free ghost walking tour. However, because our group was so large, we missed out. 🙁 But it was not all a waste, as our advisors Bea & Polly took us round to see Edinburgh Castle & Greyfriars Kirk Graveyard! Did you know that J.K. Rowling got inspiration for the characters McGonagall & Tom Riddle from people actually buried there? She spent quite a bit of time writing in the graveyard, apparently. Edinburgh is just a hub of Harry Potter treasures. We spent a fair amount of time inside of Greyfriars, reenacting wand duels & roaming the gravestones. I love ~spoopy~ things of that sort!

As day two came upon us, we met our tour guides Duncan & Jamie prior to setting off towards the very north of Scotland. I was on Duncan’s bus (#duncsbus)! This day took us to Culloden Moor where a gruesome battle was fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s ascend back to the throne. I am in no way a war aficionado or enthusiast, but I can say that being there & hearing the story told by Jamie, a solemn feeling came over me. It’s something hard to explain, & I hope that one day you get the chance to visit & experience what I felt.

Further in the day, we ventured to Clava Cairn where famous stones are located! One was even used in the television program Outlander, in which Claire touches the stone & transports back in time.

Touching the stone! Sadly, I did not transport back in time.

Our third day began with Nessie Hunting at Loch Ness. Loch in Gaelic means lake, a fun fact for you. 🙂

We also made a stop at one of the many castles to be seen in Scotland. I felt like I was in a fairytale!

Eilean Donan Castle, a filming location for The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1985) & more recently Made of Honor (2007).

That evening, we stayed at the quaintest place, Morag’s Lodge up in Loch Ness. They served us a home-cooked Scottish dinner made from local ingredients & after our meal there was a Tartan Toga Party! It was loads of fun. I learnt how to do a Scottish dance from our tour guide Jamie & karaoke-d the night away to good music surrounded with good company (even the hostel staff joined in on the fun!).

Day four was our final day up north. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit sad. Scotland treated me well & the sights were beautiful. I had the best time with everyone. One of our final stops before heading back to Edinburgh to catch our train back to London was Glencoe, easily one of the most breathtaking places I have visited in this world.

A panoramic of Glencoe. Photos just don’t do it justice!

Every day in Scotland was full of adventures & the people I encountered were so welcoming & friendly; the Highlands have certainly stolen a piece of my ♥.

Here’s to Scotland & the memories it gave me. Hopefully I will be able to visit the Highlands again.

Holding the flag of Scotland with my fellow Student Representative, Ariel, at Glencoe.

My next adventure awaits! Until then, cheers,

London Life, Travel

Homesickness can come in waves or tsunamis. It’s normal.

October 3, 2016 No Comments

Now’s the moment I give myself a much deserved pat on the back, as well as do a little victory dance. I have survived three weeks in London, & so far it’s been grand.

Although I am enjoying myself, I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss my family or my pets & the little quirks of home that are so familiar to me. I would like to think I have adjusted to London life quite well, but homesickness does creep up on me.

Sometimes it comes in waves, where I think of giving my parents a ring later in the day & once I do, everything calms down. Other times it comes in tsunamis, where I see something that reminds me of my mum & suddenly I am a weepy mess, wishing I was back home with everything I miss so dearly.

I went a solid week when I first arrived feeling like a bionic woman, completely invincible & ready to take on the world. However, the first time I rung up my dad, the call ended with me bursting into tears because I know that my dad, although a man of few words, was missing me as much as I was missing him.

For some people homesickness is immediate once they leave, while for others they don’t experience it at all. Just remember that homesickness is a spectrum & wherever you land on that spectrum is totally normal.

Rather than letting your adventures be dampened by your sadness of missing home, think of all the wonderful memories & experiences you could be making instead!

Here is a list of a few things that have helped me deal with homesickness:

I send postcards to loved ones back home. I can write out how I’m feeling to them, & in return they get a little souvenir that lets them know I’m thinking of them.
I brought photos of my family & friends to hang up on my walls. Sometimes just being able to look up & see photos is enough to calm the homesickness.
I try to stay busy! When I’ve finished schoolwork & other obligations, I go out to explore the city. I know that if I sit in my flat, I’ll only go stir crazy. If I’m occupied with adventures, I have less time to miss everyone.
I keep a journal of all the adventures I go on & even the little bits of everyday living. I do this not only for my own benefit, but I think of all of my loved ones back home that will want to know about everything I’ve done while abroad! I write it all down so that I can share it with them once I get back.
I made my flat a home. I went the extra mile when I moved in & decorated my flat a bit. I strung lights above my bed & hung up the photos of my family. It may seem trivial, but doing those little bits really transformed my flat from someplace plain to my cozy little haven. It may not be my bedroom back at my parent’s house, but it sure does feel like home for the three months I’ll be here!

Do you have any tips on combating homesickness? Leave them in the comments below!

London Life, Travel

Adjusting to London Life

September 13, 2016 No Comments

Today marks my fifth official day in London & I’d like to say that I have adjusted quite well so far. I haven’t yet had a breakdown & don’t even cry when I ring up my mum & dad. That in itself is an indication of the growth I’m already experiencing. Had you told me a year ago that I’d be in London, living independently & immersing myself in the culture, I would have never believed it.

The city is extremely beautiful from the very little of it I have seen so far, & I’m beyond excited to explore more.

Up to the present, London life has been beyond mundane. I’ve gone to Waitrose to get some groceries, successfully rode the Tube (with transfers!), went to Tiger (almost like a Faux Ikea), & have walked up & down Kings Road, a very posh street in Chelsea which is just outside my door. Aside from the obligatory sight seeing, my roommate & I still struggle with our microwave (why don’t they have keypads to punch in your own time?) & we’ve managed to shut off our fridge, which we only discovered when we tried to pour some milk for our tea.

Doing adult things are proving difficult, but I know that it all adds to the experience. Years down the road my roommate & I will look back & laugh at how silly it all is.

On the topic of roommates, my roomie & I have bonded well with the girls across the hall & it’s comforting to know I have a group of girls to share this experience with. One of the concerns that was looming over me leading up to the trip was whether or not I’d get on with my roommate or others around me.

I’d say I lucked out with these lovely gals & cannot wait to experience London with them.

Photo with the gals in front of the Tower Bridge, taken by one of our advisors!

Here’s to many adventures in London on my own & with friends!

Cheers until next time,

Life, Random Musings, The Road to London, Travel

Feelings & Expectations for London // Pre-Departure

September 1, 2016 No Comments

As I write this post, I am currently sitting at my local Starbucks where the baristas know me by name, familiarity & comfort at its finest. I currently am in this limbo where I am excited for my trip but also in great fear of the changes about to come. And although my emotions are not even near stable, I thought it would be necessary to discuss my feelings & expectations for the city I am about to live in.

I haven’t even left yet & already I miss everything familiar to me. This trip is the flagship moment in my life where I am going to experience independence in full-force. My dad won’t be with me to help with my luggage, my mom won’t be behind my shoulder reminding me to eat, & as trivial as those things sound, being accustomed to having my parents around to suddenly having to be self-sufficient, is a bit jarring. After all, I will be in a new city where everything is foreign, & that alone is more change I have experienced in my lifetime.

I have lusted after & loved the city of London for many years, watching movies & reading books pretending that I am there as well. One of my biggest fears about studying abroad in London is that I have built up my expectations so far & high, that once I arrive I may realize that everything I believed & dreamed of is not true.

Now, I am sure I am exaggerating & I will have a lovely time. But just so I can see how these feelings & expectations compare at the end of my trip, here is a list of ten things I hope to experience:

I really hope I can live through what my mother calls “four weathers in a day” that she claims London is notorious for.
With that said, I hope it rains a lot & I don’t get sick of it. I adore the rain & have packed boots & a nice coat in preparation & would like to see if I like rain in theory, or if I can really live in it.
I hope I don’t experience London & my other travels through my phone screen. Although having pictures are nice, those won’t compare to the experience of living in that exact moment.
I hope I get comfortable enough with the city that other people will think to ask me for directions!
Make at least one friend that is a London native. Try to establish a friendship that will last even when I come back stateside.
Go exploring by myself at least once a week. Become comfortable & confident in traveling alone.
Go to at least one concert or show.
Try one food item that scares me.
Become sufficient in riding the Tube.
See the Queen. (It’s a long shot, but hey, here’s to hoping!)

Will I accomplish everything on this list? Maybe, maybe not. But by the end of this trip, I hope to have gained a broader perspective about the world around me, & about myself as a person. I’ll check this list again once I have come home & reflect on how my feelings have changed & what expectations have been met!

Here’s to a grand adventure awaiting,

Life, The Road to London, Travel

Study Abroad Pre-Departure Meeting // It’s getting real!

August 6, 2016 No Comments

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIyIwNdA_8C/?taken-by=ldnwandering

Travel

So you want to study abroad… What’s next?

July 24, 2016 No Comments

College is a time in a young adult’s life full of immense growth & discovery. Periods of uncertainty, defeat, & triumph are inevitable, but it is important to allow yourself to welcome & enjoy the various new & exciting adventures that may come your way.

One of those adventures a college student may embark on is a studying abroad program! You get the opportunity to travel, experience independence, immerse yourself in a variety of cultures, all while earning college credit!

Although it is important to study hard & earn high marks, there is also so much to learn outside of textbooks & classrooms, & what better way to experience that than in a foreign country?

So you have an interest in studying abroad! Here are some things to consider before making such a big decision:

What do you hope to gain from the experience?

Do you see this as an opportunity to have a fun time, or do you hope that this can help you professionally in the future?

It is important to know what your goals educationally & personally are, as this will help you determine what type of study abroad program will best fit your needs & interests.

What are your professional & personal objectives?

Studying abroad will provide you with global experience & possibly a second language, both of which are invaluable & look impressive on resumes, as well as to future employers. Just as you would plan your goals after graduating, you should give studying abroad the same attention. How does studying abroad fit into your post-graduation plans?

Where do you want to study?

If you are like me, you may already have your ♥ set on a country. Remember, though, that not all programs are offered in every country, nor do all programs complete or meet certain course requirements.

So, if you happen to be heart-eyed emoji for a certain location, do your research! Does a program exist in that country? Will that program cooperate with your professional & personal goals? In the end, you have to remember that you are studying abroad & although it will be an awesome experience, you should make sure that you earn your credits appropriately.

Also consider how important culture, language immersion, & course offerings are for you. Find a program & country that will fulfill all of those needs.

Now here’s the big question: What type of program is best for you?

Study abroad programs do not come in a perfect fit for every student. There are a variety of programs to fit a variety of student needs.

Perhaps you’d be interested in a semester abroad, or maybe a whole year? You could do a summer program, or a Semester at Sea. If you’re interested in something more professional, there are even options to do study abroad internships.

I decided to study in a country that I have lusted over for many years, opting to do a single semester (as I get homesick quite easily), & am going to be taking mostly English courses that will go towards my degree. Currently, I am excited for my semester abroad & believe that I have made the right choices for myself!

Now you have a general idea of what type of program you want to participate in… Get more information & go for it!

MOST schools do offer a study abroad program. It may be obvious, & obtaining information will be easy, or you may have to go hunting around for the right resources. Always search your college’s website to see what programs are available. If you are serious about studying abroad, be diligent in your research!

I asked a counselor, searched my school’s website, & even asked some of my professors if they had any information before I was directed to the right people.

Studyabroad.com is a great resource to obtain initial information about various programs & where they are offered. The American Institute For Foreign Study or AIFS comes highly recommended (my study abroad coordinator claims it is the best!) & on their website you can search for a program available to you.

Do not forget to factor cost!

You know your goals, have found the perfect program… & now you realize how much studying abroad will cost. There may be programs where you can study abroad at little to no cost or can obtain specific scholarships.

Every program is different; flight costs, living accommodations, tuition, among other things need to be considered. Check with your university or community college to determine what options are available & best fit your financial situation.

Apply for financial aid & any scholarships available.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship offers grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to allow them to study abroad! It is a fantastic resource for those worrying about financing their study abroad program.

It may be time consuming & the risk of not getting the scholarship is present. However, you have to remember that you are doing all of this work to fund one of your life’s most exciting & rewarding experiences, which in itself, is priceless.

The Road to London

London Calling // Pre-Departure Playlist

February 18, 2016 No Comments

Music is such a powerful medium; it can elicit feelings, retrieve memories, & even bestow some inspiration.

Going to London is by far the most exciting & fear-inducing endeavor thus far in my life, & with such emotions, I figure that music is the best way to articulate how I feel.

Below is my Pre-Departure playlist, London Calling, with songs that chronicle the feelings I currently have in the months leading up to my trip. I will most likely add to it as more songs impact me & hope that you will enjoy it, if you are a study abroad student or traveler alike.

Look forward to future playlists: Walking Down Piccadilly Circle // In London & London’s Goodbyes // Coming Home

The Road to London

Surreal.

February 7, 2016 2 Comments

12513586_10205380292573955_759643167418523384_o Just last week I was messaging my sister that I was thinking about applying for the study abroad program & now I am going to London. I am going to live in London. It still has not fully sunk in that in the Fall of this year I will be on a plane flying to the one city I have lusted over for so many years.

Excitement is an understatement for the emotions I currently harbor, however, there is that minuscule bit of anxiety that lingers.

I have lived at home with my parents my whole life, which, if I am being honest, has not conditioned me for this experience. I don’t know how to be on my own & that scares me. But with the fears, I know how wonderful of an adventure this will be.

I am sure that I will get lost trying to figure out how to ride the Tube, forget that Dollars & Pounds are not equivalent, & will probably get criticized a few times for calling “chips” by the term “french fries.”

I’ll never know how to be alone until I finally go out there & do it. I will probably cry at the airport, on the plane, the first night, maybe even the first week, probably every time I speak to my parents, but it will be a testament of my growth as a person.

If you had told me one year ago that I would be living in London rather than just dreaming about it, I’d laugh out loud. Never could I have imagined that someone like me, dependent, anxious, timid, would ever do such a grand thing as studying abroad.

I am afraid, but more than anything, I am ready for this period of growth.

“A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot.”

― Joe Vitale