Welcome to the Office of International Education Blog! Read about study abroad and away experiences, international students in Green Bay, as well as news and events at the OIE.
Program: University of Marburg, Hessen – Spring 2017
Why did you decide to study in Hessen?
I decided to study in Hessen, because I have always been fascinated by the social history of Germany since high school. I chose Hessen, because that was where the European Central bank was located, EuroBank in Frankfurt. I also chose Hessen, because from my knowledge, Marburg University was huge school with a large exchange student population. The city, I was told was very scenic and young. All claims turned out to be true!
What did you like best?
Man! I do not know what I like best! It is hard to choose between the Doners or watching the sunset
from the castle in Marburg. It is extremely hard to choose.
How did you handle the different educational system?
American educational system are much more organized and guided, whereas I noticed the German
educational system is more independent and “loose.” I handled this by creating my own schedule
for how things were going to happen. I treated school like a Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
job. I would wake up go to my classes and do work until 5pm Monday through Friday. I was
successful with this technique and learned a lot of things, while entertaining my social world.
What was your biggest surprise?
My biggest surprise was the number of people that did not mind my presence and how people that are poor were treated. I grew up where you would see poor people commonly wondering the streets at night and loitering to find a place of shelter. I would see that in Marburg, however at night people that were displaced disappeared at night. I was confused, because I did not know where they all went and I still do not. I just assume the treatment of displaced individuals is more benevolent in Marburg than where I grew up. I also was astounded by how many people that I saw that looked like me and when I did not see people that looked like me I felt comfortable; and so did others. Where I live now, frequently when I walk into a store I feel like a threat to those around me. That was not the case in Marburg or Germany for that matter. I felt safe in my own skin and people felt safe around
me too.
What was your most memorable moment?
The most memorable moment(s) was playing with the ducks and talking to them when I was cooling
by the Lahn after class. The ducks would keep me company when I wanted to be alone, but did not
want to be alone.
Major: Business Administration, emphasis in Marketing
Year in School: Sophomore
Program: Glasgow, Scotland – Spring 2017
Why did you choose to study abroad?
The University of Glasgow
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to absolutely push myself out of my comfort zone. This is one of the most difficult disciplines to put yourself through, but the fruit it bears is immeasurable. Living my whole life in Green Bay, I also wanted to take this opportunity to travel out of the country. The longer you wait throughout life, the harder traveling is to do.
Why did you choose to go where you did?
I chose Glasgow, Scotland by narrowing my options down. This was my first time out of the country, so I wanted to live in a country where I spoke the primary language. This narrowed my choices down to the UK. I am also one who loves beautiful scenery and nature, so I chose Scotland. I finally picked Glasgow because I believed it was the biggest, most international, and most exciting city in the country.
A day trip in St. Andrews, Scotland
What’s the best part about studying abroad? Favorite experience?
While living in another country was very interesting, my favorite experiences are from my trips. For the first three months, I went on a day trip around Scotland almost every weekend. They were with Student Tours Scotland (a company I highly recommend) and it let me see pretty much all of the country I was studying in. The University of Glasgow’s spring break is three weeks long. Thinking this might be my only chance to travel extensively, I traveled around Europe for all three weeks. My sister came with me to Italy for a week, but then I traveled my myself for the last two weeks. I then came back to school to finish my classes. After that, I went on one more weekend trip to Paris and Dublin before I had to come back as I wanted to make sure I got to visit France and Ireland.
What did you struggle with? How have you overcome it?
I’ve not only grown up in the same house in Green Bay, I still live in it because I commute to UWGB. Since that was the case, I struggled at first getting used to living on my own money. If you live on campus and have already dealt with this problem, it probably won’t be an issue for you. This was not as difficult to get used to, but it just took time. I also had troubles adapting to a new culture, especially academically. At UWGB, I’m used to continuous testing or assignments to keep my course knowledge in-check. This is extremely different, however, at the University of Glasgow. At that school, they only give you lectures and then they grade your whole work for the class based on usually one paper and one final exam. The work put in is also much more than I thought. It was hard at first, but it just took some discipline and thought to adapt to how students do work over there. Once I got used to it, it was just a continuous process like it is at UWGB.
How has studying abroad personally helped you?
With friends at Devil’s Pulprit, a local ravine
Studying abroad may have gave me an invaluable insight into how the world works and a more cultured world view, but I am the most grateful to how it has developed me as a person. This may sound cliché, but it is absolutely true. Like I stated earlier, I was somebody who still lived at home, never left the country, and almost never went anywhere without somebody else. There was nobody else from UWGB going to Scotland when I went and I had no friends that were coming or were living there. I traveled by myself to another country, lived by myself for the first time, made new friends, and thrived in a new environment. Even though I spent a lot of time with my new friends, I wanted to travel to places they didn’t. I was not going to miss my shot. After traveling through Italy with my sister, I again traveled solo across Europe for two weeks straight. Then, I traveled to France and Ireland by myself once again. Did everything go according to plan? Absolutely not. I hurt myself while traveling, I missed a flight, and I had to find my way back to my hostel in Budapest without a map after my phone died, to name a few. To overcome these setbacks, I had to find new routes, change plans, and problem-solve on the spot. I am no longer the guy that only knows what it is like to live with his family in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I am now the guy that has traveled across 20 different cities and 10 different countries by himself. I am the guy that adapted to a new culture and life-style on his own. Not only has studying abroad made me a better intellectual, it has made a better individual in my everyday life.
What advice do you have for those who want to study abroad?
Be the change you want to become. I wanted to be more of a risk-taker and live in the moment, so whenever there was an opportunity to do something, I seized it. Because I did this, I either have funny stories if they were failures, irreplaceable memories if they were a success, and no regrets. Make sure you reach out and really get to know others around you. Almost all the friends I made abroad were either my flat mates or other students I knew from the university. They also don’t have to be people from a different country as all of my friends were from the United States, but they were all from different parts of the country. On a more personal note, make sure to bring a journal or write a blog. I am not a writer in any sense of the word, but my sister (who also studied abroad) made sure to get me a journal to write in. Write down places, dates, people, and experiences you encounter. It will give you a neat view of your thought process at that exact point in time. I didn’t journal every day, but I made sure to write about all my traveling and certain experiences with friends. I am also not a picture person, but I took over 3,000 photos while abroad, so make sure you are not shy about using your phone or camera. I took an SD card for physical storage and used Google Photos (free unlimited cloud storage on any device) for my online storage. Lastly, make sure you seize and cherish every opportunity you have. You will eventually leave your host country, your friends, your travel destinations, and your experiences. They, however, will never leave you.
“Teaching abroad has been a life changing opportunity for me. I am experiencing new cultures, languages, and people. I am also discovering different teaching strategies that I believe will make me a better teacher.”
Why did you choose to teach where you did?
When opportunity knocks… open the door! I first heard about teaching abroad this past spring. A guy came in to talk about how he student taught in France and how he is currently teaching in France because of this. After class was done I went and talked to him about how he was able to do this. He told me about a program, through the school, that allowed him to pick a country and teach there. I knew this was something that I had to do. With my love of traveling and my desire to teach, I applied to teach abroad and (spoiler alert) was accepted! My first choice was to teach in Vienna but God had other plans for me. I wasn’t able to teach in Vienna but was accepted to teach at the Berlin British School in Germany.
What were somethings you had to get used to living in Germany?
There are many thing that I will have to get used to.
1. Most stores (including grocery) are closed on Sunday.
2. Your life doesn’t revolve around your schedule… it revolves around the U-bahn, S-bahn and Tram schedules.
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
3. You can’t be soft spoken.
4. It will feel like leg day every day.
5. If someone tries to hand you something, don’t take it. They’re probably trying to take something from you or get you to buy it. Also, your purse is your best friend so always keep a hand on it.
6. Don’t smile. It’s considered flirting. But for real.
7. If you need help with translating or getting somewhere just ask. People are typically very friendly and then you have a new friend.
8. Almost every building has some sort of historical significance. So take lots of pictures.
9. Yes, there is a McD’s 2 blocks away and you did pass a BK’s on the S-Bahn but…. TRY NEW FOODS!
Living in a different country provides opportunities that may never come again. Being adventurous is the best way to enjoy my time here.
What are some things you enjoyed learning while abroad?
Walking around Berlin there is history around every corner. It’s amazing what I’m learning along the way. I discovered that there is an abandoned airport in the middle of Berlin.
In 1948, Soviets cut off West Berlin from having access supplies. This was done because West Berlin was located in the middle of the Soviet’s portion of Germany. They were afraid of what might happen if the anti-Soviet West Berliners united against them. In response, Operation Vittles was formed. Within the next year the Allied forces sent around 2.3 million tons of cargo to West Berlin to keep them from falling apart. The Berlin Airlift is a memorial (located in “Platz Der Luftbrucke”) to those who died trying to help the people of Berlin get the supplies they needed.
Want to read more about my experience abroad? Follow my personal blog posted below!
Program: Semester at IUSP Phillips Univerität Marburg, Germany Spring 2017
Why did you choose to study abroad?
I have been dreaming about studying abroad my entire life, since I was about 5 years old. I did not know exactly where I wanted to go, but I knew it would be in Europe. My mother had studied abroad in England, and my father had spent some time in Germany as well, so they were very supportive in my spending a semester here. The UW system has a great study abroad program, which was a quality I valued when looking at attending college. I had also grown up to know that living in a different country will bring countless benefits to your future life, so I continually worked towards setting up my academic plan in such a way that I could have time to fit this into my curriculum. Starting early has paid off in my case, because I’m not behind in credits, and am actually still on track to graduating on time.
Why did you choose to go where you did?
Many people have been surprised that I chose to study in a German city when I am earing my degree in the Spanish language. I chose Marburg for a few reasons. First, I wanted to explore the most of Europe that I could during my time abroad. There is rarely another period like this in life that will allow you to travel to so many places in such limited time. Germany is centrally located in Europe, which warrants many opportunities for adventure. I have a strong German and Dutch heritage, so curiosity about where I came from also influenced my choice.
What did you struggle with?
The university itself is spread out all over the city, with buildings by the cafeteria, and also right across from Elisabethkirche, the church of Marburg’s patron saint. This might seem very daunting when coming from a school where all of the buildings are connected by tunnels, but I found that locating everything took a relatively short period of time. It’s similar to being a freshmen all over again. One of the struggles has been learning the bus system, but getting lost sometimes leads to finding new adventures; not always a bad thing.
Another personal struggle has been not knowing the language. I do have a language course I am taking here, and we learn a lot of helpful information, like how to navigate the German culture, words or phrases to order in restaurants, and what to look for when in a train or bus station. It takes a little time to adjust hearing German everywhere, but I have found that when I return to Marburg after being in a different country for a weekend trip, all the German sounds perfectly normal, even if I can’t understand the majority of it.
How has studying abroad personally help you?
Surprisingly, my time abroad has actually helped with my homesickness. I am one of those people that loves to stay in bed and watch movies all day, but being in Germany has helped me be more outgoing. I don’t have a TV in my room, so I find that I am going out more, taking weekend trips, and doing my homework in a different building, which helps me not to think about home so much. Of course I miss my family and loved ones, but I know they will be waiting for me as soon as I step off the plane in Wisconsin. My mission is to enjoy my time here and bring back amusing stories to tell. And to study of course.
What is your favorite experience studying abroad?
My favorite experience in Germany so far has been visiting a blind cafe. Here in Marburg they have a special school for blind students, and the city itself is tailored to assisting them in leading independent lives. The bus stops have audible schedules, the sidewalk has specific ridges on it so indicate where a walking path is, and the crosswalks will all make a noise to signal that it’s safe to cross the street.
In an attempt to bring awareness to regular people who have their sight, there is a blind cafe in which the dining experience is done totally in the dark. The waiters are blind, and there is not one shred of light that helps you see your food. I had apple pie and ice cream when I went, and used my hands more than I used utensils to eat my food. It truly gave the feeling of not having any sight at all, and how it must feel like to navigate everyday tasks without being able to see.
What advice do you have for those who want to study abroad?
My first piece of advice for anyone planning to study abroad is to always be open: open to meeting new people, open to eating new foods, or open to listening to opposing views someone may have. Be open to finding a new bus when yours is not on time, and open to the new university system. Second thing is always have wet wipes. They come in handy more often than you think, and it is always good to have some on you. Three, there is never a shortage of German bakeries, and life is too short to not go and enjoy all of them.
I cannot wait to get back to America and see how much I really have changed without realizing it. Besides there being obvious differences in the language and the way the university is set up, I know I have habits that have been modified. For example, Germans usually only buy groceries for one or two days, never a huge cart full, and the stores are not open 24/7. I have now gotten in the habit of buying food for only a few days in advance, so I anticipate feeling a subtle difference at home. However I have changed though, I know that I will always look back at this adventure with great appreciation for such an amazing semester.
Haley Stevenson has been spending the semester in Auckland, New Zealand! She has also been keeping a personal blog to share her ongoing experiences. Interested in reading all about it? Here is the link to her online blog!
Lauren Stockton has been spending the year in Bordeaux, France! She has also been keeping a personal blog to share her ongoing experiences. Interested in reading all about it? Here is the link to her online blog!
I chose to study in Stiring, Scotland based on the size and the similarities of the campus to UWGB. I have never been out of the country before, or away from home, so I thought that a campus that feels familiar would help make the transition easier. I chose Scotland purely because it is absolutely gorgeous and there is so much to see in all corners of the country.
What was the best part about studying abroad? Favorite Experience?
Reading Break in London
I have the most memories from trips that I took with my flat mates. During reading break I went to London and Oxford with my flat mate Maddie. We are both pretty big Harry Potter fans so we made it our mission to see all of the sites where the movie was filmed (very nerdy, I know). Of course we had to go to Kings Cross to get a picture at Platform 9 ¾, like every other tourist who likes Harry Potter, but it was well worth the wait.
Another highlight was my trip to St. Andrews. I went up there by myself and stayed for the weekend to see the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course. To be in the birth place of golf was just surreal. My dad and I are pretty big into golf so I knew I had to make a point to get up to St. Andrews if there was ever a tournament going on.
What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?
Climbing Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh
The biggest learning curve for me was figuring out how to live on my own. I commute from home into college normally at UWGB, so I have never been on my own before in my whole life. Honestly, I have never done a load of laundry before coming on this trip. So it was a learning curve for me to determine what groceries I needed for the week, cooking healthy meals, while still studying and doing school work. I was anticipating being homesick because I have never been away from home for such a long time; however, it has not a problem for me. I think it was the fact that I adapted to the culture so quickly and became so close to my flat mates very quickly; they became my family. It is just astonishing to think that I have only known them for a few months, yet we know each other so well.
Another aspect that was difficult was trying to balance school life and travelling. My flat mates and I usually would try to plan weekend day trips whenever we could because Scotland has cute little towns in every corner of the country. With the weekends booked it became harder to get my readings done, which lead to a few late nights on multiple occasions. I have learned to balance out when I have the time to travel and when I need to say no, in order to study.
What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?
For anyone even considering studying abroad, I would tell them to go for it. I can honestly say that studying abroad has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. All of the new experiences, cultures and lifestyles that you face in day-to-day life makes it worth every penny.
Hiking up to the top of Dumyat
How did studying abroad personally help you?
Studying abroad really helped me get out of my shell. I was never very involved in extracurricular activities and I am a quiet person to begin with. So, this whole experience helped me become more comfortable putting myself out there and making friends from allover the world. I can now say I can couch surf in places like Canada, Spain, Ireland, Paris and Copenhagen. It has been such a great experience for me and I am sure that it has made me more outgoing in return.
Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven
Want to read more about my experience abroad? Follow my personal blog posted below!
Major: Spanish and Communication (Public Relations and Mass Media emphasis)
Year in School: Senior
Program: NSE to Cayey, Puerto Rico Spring 2015
Why did you choose to study abroad?
There were many reasons that I wanted to study abroad, but my main reason was to immerse myself in the language. It has always been a goal of mine to become fluent in Spanish, but simply attempting to learn the language here wasn’t giving me the results that I wanted. I knew a few people that had studied abroad in Spanish-speaking countries—one of which was my cousin—and they came back practically fluent in Spanish. Because I wasn’t really learning at the rate that I wanted to—partly because I was too afraid to speak and make mistakes—I wanted to force myself to be surrounded by the language.
The house we stayed in on campus. It used to be an old military base.
Why did you choose to go where you did?
I had actually known where I wanted to study abroad since 6th grade. Throughout middle school and high school Spanish, we always had to do projects on Spanish-speaking countries and I usually chose to do mine on Puerto Rico. This was partly because we never really learned about it in our classes, but also because my dad had actually been stationed there for a few months while he was in the Marines. Honesty though, the real reason I became fixated with studying in Puerto Rico were the bioluminescent bays. The pictures that I saw online were enchanting, and I wanted to experience that in real life. The reason that I chose Cayey specifically, was because it reminded me a lot of Green Bay. The campus was small, and had trees and mountains surrounding it. It was also in a smaller part of Puerto Rico where I would more easily encounter people that would speak to me in Spanish, since almost everyone can speak or understand English.
What was the best part about studying abroad? Favorite experience?
For me, the best part about studying abroad was getting to immerse myself in the culture. While I was there, I took part in anything and everything, and talked with anyone and everyone. Once I started to make friends with the locals and they began to help me travel, and helped teach me about the culture. I also took a Puerto Rican history class, which was actually one of my favorite classes. I even got a little coqui tattoo on my wrist to remind me of the time I spent abroad.
Playa Tamarindo
As I said, traveling was one of the best parts of studying abroad, but there were two places specifically, that I enjoyed the most: Culebra (a small island off of Puerto Rico that has the world’s 3rd most beautiful beach) and the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. It was a struggle to get to Culebra because you need to get to the ferry before midnight and wait in line for hours just to catch the 6 am ferry. We had actually attempted, and failed, to go on two separate occasions before we were finally able to go. But the struggles, and the wait, was definitely worth it! Once we got off of the ferry, we went to Playa Flamenco which is considered the world’s 3rd most beautiful beach. The next day we also got to go to Playa Tamarindo where we got to swim with over 20 sea turtles!
But by far, my favorite experience was getting to kayak to the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. As I mentioned before, it had always been my goal to visit a bioluminescent bay. I had also visited the bay in Lajas, but we went during a full moon, and it wasn’t as bright as the pictures I had seen on the Internet. The one in Fajardo is the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. We had to kayak for 2 miles before getting to the bay, but the ride felt like it only took 15 minutes. Once we got there, we all got anchored together and had a chance to play with the water underneath a tarp so that it could be as dark as possible to see the glow. I was wearing a dark shirt, so when I threw the water on me, it looked as if I was being showered with stars. Even though it was close to a full moon, it still looked like all of the pictures I had seen on the Internet. As the kayak drifted through the water, a bright glow trailed behind. Visiting the bioluminescent bay was by far one of my most magical experiences.
What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?
Truthfully, I was always struggling with something while I was there. The first things I struggled with were the culture shock and language barrier. When I first got there, I couldn’t understand anything that anyone was saying to me, nor could I really respond to them because my Spanish wasn’t the greatest. I was also afraid to leave campus for the first week or so because I didn’t know the area, or any of the people. It was easier to overcome the culture shock than it was the language barrier though.
Mofongo con pollo. One of my favorite Puerto Rican dishes!
To overcome the culture shock, I did a few things. First, I tried to put myself out there and talk to as many people as I could. I didn’t become friends with most of them, but once I did find a group of friends, it was easier to settle into my new life abroad. Having friends also helped with the culture shock because it was easier for me to immerse myself in the culture with their help. Once I started to see the culture through their eyes, it became a lot easier, and more fun for me. Same with traveling; once I made friends and started traveling to different parts of the island with them, I forgot about how overwhelmed I was, and really started to enjoy myself. Lastly, my campus also had a councilor that was free for students, so I would see her once a week to talk about what problems I was having. That really helped me.
I also did quite a few things to overcome the language barrier. Most people could speak, or at least understand English, so when I really needed help, I was able to find it. But because I was there to improve my Spanish, I tried to stick to strictly Spanish: Plus all of my classes were in Spanish so I had to be able to understand my teachers. First thing I did was talk to my professors after my classes on the first day. I explained my situation to them and they were all very helpful; they would even check up on me to see how I was doing throughout the semester. They really were there to help me succeed. Second thing I did was again, just tried to talk to as many people as possible to practice my Spanish. People were very willing to help me, both in class and out of class. I also went to the tutor three times a week, two hours a session, just to talk in Spanish. When I went to the councilor every week, I also used it as a way to practice my Spanish. I had started out talking to her in English, but eventually tried speaking in Spanish more each time I saw her.
23 postcards in one night!
The last thing I struggled with was home sickness. I ended up staying in Puerto Rico for an extra 3 ½ months, so I was away from my friends and family for a total of 7 months. I had never been away from home for that long before. Out of everything that had to deal with, that was probably the toughest because there wasn’t really that much I could do to relieve it. I did Skype with many of my friends, called them on the phone, and sent them postcards and letters, but it still didn’t help as much as I wanted it to. My family also came to visit me for spring break though, so some of my homesick was relieved through spending time with them. But I just tried to take advantage of everything that Puerto Rico had to offer me so that I didn’t think about how much I missed my friends and family.
What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?
Me and my advisor, Aruturo.
First of all: Just do it! Don’t worry about money, significant others, or anything else that might stop you. If you let those things hold you back, you’ll miss out on the experience of a lifetime. I almost let my fear of failing stop me. And if I had, I never would have met the people that I did, experienced what I did, or have accomplished my goal of becoming fluent in Spanish.
And if you experience culture shock or homesickness, there are ways to deal with it. Get out and meet people, explore the city, Skype your friends and family. It may seem hard, but I promise you will get through it.
How did studying abroad personally help you?
A mural of a coqui and the Puerto Rican flag that I found on the side of a building. The coqui is known as the symbol of Puerto Rico.
Studying abroad obviously helped me to better my Spanish, but it really helped me develop myself as a person as well. I have definitely become more confident in myself. While studying abroad, I was pretty much all on my own to figure out what I needed. Being able to not only survive, but flourish in a country where I know nothing (no people, the area, nor the language) is an amazing feeling. There is no better confidence builder than throwing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Lastly, studying abroad helped me find myself. As cheesy as that sounds, I did a lot of self-exploration while abroad. When you put yourself into a different environment, and again, throw yourself out of your comfort zone, you learn so much about yourself. Part of this is because you have nothing, or anyone, holding you back.
My name is Karlee, I am a senior and both a Spanish and a Communication major. This fall semester I am in Mérida, Mexico as an exchange student. I am taking anthropology classes here at UADY (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán) for Spanish credit back at GB.
Why did you choose to study abroad?
Chichen Itza
I chose to study abroad because I am serious about learning Spanish, and I know that the best way to improve is to be surrounded by it and forced to use it all the time. Also I knew that traveling through the school is a great opportunity, and the first step for traveling throughout the rest of my life. I chose Mérida because there are only a few countries offered as an exchange program for a semester of Spanish. Out of all the programs, I liked what I read about Mérida and the Yucatán peninsula the most.
What is the best part about studying abroad? Favorite experience?
The best part about studying abroad so far is not what I expected it to be. One part is having been able to see many of the beautiful sites in the Yucatán and meeting some fun and interesting people. The other part is that it has changed my perspective and idea of how I want to spend the rest of my life (traveling more!), and has given me a lot of confidence to solve problems on the fly. Mérida is VERY different from anywhere else I have been. In both ways that seems good and bad, but overall I really like it here and this has been a great experience so far. In fact, if I wasn’t already a senior, I would have liked to stay in Mérida for another whole semester.’
Murals in Isla Holbox
What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?
The biggest struggles I’ve had were at the beginning of my journey when I realized how big of a language barrier there was between me and everyone else, how different everyday life would be from what I was used to, and having to tell my “host mom” that I was moving out of her house. Also, I was unable to make my flight into Mérida and instead had to take a bus there from Cancun—only
Cenote Ik Kil
managing this through very broken Spanish while not really understanding anyone around me. I had no idea where exactly I was going, how long it would take, and even if anyone would be there to pick me up once I got to wherever I was going. That was an adventure! I have honestly had a LOT of struggles here (and I certainly have some good stories about them), but I think that is also something I have learned: that if you have a good attitude, you can take on almost anything.
What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?
I would advise anyone and everyone to study abroad; especially if you want to but think that you can’t. Even if just for a month-long program and not necessarily a semester. If you find a way to make it happen you definitely won’t regret it.
Program: University of Stirling- International Summer School over Summer 2015
Why did you choose to study abroad?
I chose to study abroad because I had never been out of the country before. I knew college would be a good time to go because I don’t have any other obligations
Why did you choose to go where you did?
Faerie Glenn, Scotland
Honestly, I knew I wanted to go somewhere in the UK because they speak English.
I chose Stirling, Scotland specifically, because of the beautiful landscapes and they offered classes that would count for credits in my major.
What’s the best part about studying abroad? Favorite experience?
The best part about studying abroad was I got to meet so many people and make new friends with different perspectives. My program had around 140 other students in it, and it was kind of like freshman year all over again except we were all in this new country for the first time.
I have two experiences that stand out the most; each for different reasons. The first was the Heartland Tour, where a group of about a dozen of us went to the Isle of Sky, Loch Ness, and explored all over the very northern parts of Scotland. Our tour guide, Nory, told amazing stories about how the mountains got their names. The entire trip really made me appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature. It sounds so cheesy to say, but a lot of us on the group were so in awe of the amazing mountain landscapes, that we were in tears!
Heartland Tour, Glencoe, Scotland
Another great experience was shopping in London! There was one place on Oxford Street where you could stand, and if you looked around in all directions, you could see four H&M stores from the same place! I loved how the UK has many of the same stores as us, but the styles you find inside are totally different! I’ve been following a few fashion YouTubers from the UK for a while, and it was amazing to go to stores like Asos, Primark, and Topshop, which they always mention, and experience it for myself.
What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?
I think the biggest struggle was the homework. I never realized how the US grading system is very different from the rest of the world. I’d seen a trend of Tumblr posts about how ridiculously easy the grading scale is in the UK, and it is true that a 70 and up is considered an A. But the thing is: these grades aren’t based on the percentage of correctness. It’s more like only 3% of the class can get an 80 or above, and they really enforce the bell curve of the majority of students getting an average grade, which is around a 60. The grading itself is done by “the external.” I’m still not quite sure what that means, but it is a person who is pretty high up academically, who doesn’t know you at all, so they can’t have a bias.
I had to write a lot of research papers while I was at Stirling, and that was kind of difficult because I don’t think I’ve had to write like that since I took Expository Writing a couple of years ago. I overcame these struggles by staying in the lab for an entire day and forcing myself to get everything done instead of going out with my friends.
Another thing I struggled with were the accents! Before I went to Scotland, I don’t think I even realized Scottish accents existed; I thought everyone had the traditional British accent you hear on TV. Once arriving, I learned it was easier to understand most of the Scottish people close to my age, but sometimes I had to pay really close attention to understand the middle-aged locals. It never really got easier because I was only there for a month, and spent most of my time among students.
What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?
My advice would be to just do it, travel as much as you can while you are there, and don’t worry too much about money! You really do only live once, so see as much of the world as you possibly can. I had the chance to go to Ireland for a few days, but I didn’t because at the time I didn’t think I could afford it. Once I came back home and started working, I realized I definitely could have, and should have. I can’t speak for everywhere, but in Europe it is so easy, and pretty cheap, to get anywhere you need to go in the continent! I took a nine-hour overnight bus from Scotland to London for around $36. Unlike America, there are constantly trains and busses running to wherever you might want to go, so definitely take advantage of that!
The Hub, Edinburgh
Also, just for fun, stay in one of the cheapest hostels you can find! Since almost everyone in my program was American, this was the major way I got to meet people from other countries like Brazil and Australia. It’s kind of scary to share a bunk bed with a total stranger, and a bathroom with 20 of them, but it builds character!
How did studying abroad personally help you?
Studying Abroad helped me in so many ways! First of all, it was my first time in an airport without my family and it was nerve-wracking to navigate alone, especially when my flights kept getting delayed and had gate changes (I would try to avoid flying with United if you can!), but now I will be able to find my way around an airport fearlessly. Studying abroad also helped me understand another culture, monetary system, and way of life. I loved that the friends I made were all so different, but we could all grab a few drinks and debate politics (to the point that some people would be screaming!). But at the end of the day it really did make us better friends.
Also check out a blog I wrote for one of my classes, Photographing the Urban:
In 1948, Soviets cut off West Berlin from having access supplies. This was done because West Berlin was located in the middle of the Soviet’s portion of Germany. They were afraid of what might happen if the anti-Soviet West Berliners united against them. In response, Operation Vittles was formed. Within the next year the Allied forces sent around 2.3 million tons of cargo to West Berlin to keep them from falling apart. The Berlin Airlift is a memorial (located in “Platz Der Luftbrucke”) to those who died trying to help the people of Berlin get the supplies they needed.
lf is spread out all over the city, with buildings by the cafeteria, and also right across from Elisabethkirche, the church of Marburg’s patron saint. This might seem very daunting when coming from a school where all of the buildings are connected by tunnels, but I found that locating everything took a relatively short period of time. It’s similar to being a freshmen all over again. One of the struggles has been learning the bus system, but getting lost sometimes leads to finding new adventures; not always a bad thing.
ait to get back to America and see how much I really have changed without realizing it. Besides there being obvious differences in the language and the way the university is set up, I know I have habits that have been modified. For example, Germans usually only buy groceries for one or two days, never a huge cart full, and the stores are not open 24/7. I have now gotten in the habit of buying food for only a few days in advance, so I anticipate feeling a subtle difference at home. However I have changed though, I know that I will always look back at this adventure with great appreciation for such an amazing semester.
