A Summer in Scotland: Katie Prigge

Name: Katie Prigge

Year in School: Senior

Major: Design Arts and Communication

Year in School: Senior

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
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
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
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:

http://katieprigge.blogspot.co.uk/

 

From Denmark to UWGB: Line Nørgaard

Name: Line Nørgaard

Major: Communication and Digital Media

Year in school: 3rd

Program/Where you went: I went from University of Aalborg-Copenhagen to University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

My name is Line (Pronounced Lee-Nuh) I’m 22 years old and I’m from Denmark (The country, not the city). I study at the University of Aalborg-Copenhagen, where my major is Communication and Digital Media.

This is a picture of University of Aalborg-Copenhagen, which is in the South-West of Copenhagen, 15 minutes from the center.
This is a picture of University of Aalborg-Copenhagen, which is in the South-West of Copenhagen, 15 minutes from the center.

Reasons to study abroad

There were a lot of reasons for me to study abroad. In terms of my education I was able to take some courses at UWGB, which my own university did not offer. By studying abroad, I could therefore make my education profile much more specific to what I envision for my future.

I work in marketing in my everyday life, in the heart of Copenhagen, for an entrepreneurial business. By going abroad, I have had the chance to study Mass Media Advertising, which is very useful for my job. In fact, my bosses encouraged me to go abroad because they see great value in me developing my skills. If you ever consider studying abroad, don’t be afraid of losing your job, as it can be a way of you showing that you want to improve your skills.

And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I love traveling and learning about new cultures. Sure, you learn a lot by studying, but the skills of adapting to a new culture, traveling, and learning about other cultures are priceless. This is the second time I have studied abroad, and there’s a reason why I keep doing it – you learn a lot about the world you live in.

American Football isn’t big in Denmark, so going to Lambeau Field was quite exciting.
American Football isn’t big in Denmark, so going to Lambeau Field was quite exciting.

A question I get asked a lot is: Why UWGB? Well, my university in Denmark has an agreement with UWGB where we send a couple of Danish students to UWGB, and UWGB can send a couple of students to the University of Aalborg. This was partly the reason why I chose to study here. In Denmark we can choose from a lot of different universities to study at, and UWGB was the one that fit my profile the best. If you’re considering going abroad, and you have a lot of different universities to choose from, I suggest you write down what you want out of the stay and research which universities live up to your expectations. For example, I thought the 360-degree of learning approach of UWGB was very appealing, and therefore another reason for me to choose this university over another.

Worries of going abroad

The application process is the part that scares most people away from going abroad. I’m not going to lie; it’s an incredibly difficult and time-consuming process, but it’s absolutely worth it. The amount of things you get to experience and learn about another culture is absolutely amazing – a privilege really. If you find the application process to be really overwhelming, don’t worry. I found it to be really helpful to make a list of the different deadlines, and don’t be afraid to write to your Exchange Coordinator – they are there to help you. I also found it helpful to talk to people who were in the same position as me, and we would help each other write our applications and support each other.

One of my courses at UWGB is Practicum in Print Journalism, where I work with video production for Phlash TV.
One of my courses at UWGB is Practicum in Print Journalism, where I work with video production for Phlash TV.

Another worry a lot of people have is: will I be able to keep up with the educational level? Now, this isn’t really a worry that should keep you away from studying abroad. Your professors will know about your situation, and they will understand that it takes some time to adapt to their system. Also, most universities offer help to write assignments, so take advantage of what your school offers. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask your classmates for help. They will probably be more than happy to help you out.

My experience in America so far

I have been in America for a month and a half now, and I have already learned so much, met a lot of cool people, and experienced many things. This is the first time I have been to America, and growing up watching 90210, I had a lot of expectations for university life in the states. One of my favorite things so far, which may seem like a normal thing to Americans, is that everyone lives on campus. In Denmark we don’t live on campus, and universities are often placed in big cities. So for a student in Denmark, we would probably be more connected to the city we live in than the community surrounding our campus. I really enjoy the close community surrounding the university here in America – it almost feels like being on a 4 month long camping trip.

A bunch of exchange students went to see a Packers game to see what the hype was about.
A bunch of exchange students went to see a Packers game to see what the hype was about.

Going to a different country will mean that you will have to adapt to a new culture. It’s very important to stay open-minded about how another culture does different things. And hey, you might learn something from it. If you have this attitude people are more likely to want to tell you about their culture. You don’t have to agree on the differences there are between the country you come from and the one you’re staying in, but it is important to respect the differences. For example, I can respect that cheese soup is a thing over here, but I don’t necessarily understand its hype.

Differences between Denmark and America

There are a lot of differences between living in Denmark and living in America. For example, everyone drives a car over here no matter how far the destination is. In Copenhagen, where I live, there’s a culture for riding your bike instead of driving a car. I will bike at least 11 miles a day, all year round – in the simmering heat of the summer, through rain and snow, and heck, I have even ridden my bike during hurricanes in Copenhagen. This is partly because Copenhagen is a city that focuses on being environmental friendly, but also because cars are insanely expensive in Denmark.

A bunch of exchange students went to the kayaking camping trip a couple of weeks ago.
A bunch of exchange students went to the kayaking camping trip a couple of weeks ago.

Another thing where Americans and Danes really differ is the way we express excitement. In Denmark we understate most emotions, so if I were to get an A grade, I would say it was fine. This doesn’t mean that I’m not excited; this would be me when I’m extremely excited. This contrasts quite a lot to Americans who use words like “amazing” and “excellent” quite often. It’s not unusual for Americans to ask us why we aren’t more excited. Danish people are pretty content and happy most of the time. We are after all the world’s happiest nation; we just express it in a different way.

Going abroad is an amazing opportunity and it’s really rewarding—especially since the world is becoming more globalized. I feel lucky to say that I have been able to study abroad twice, and I encourage anyone to go for it.

A Summer in Spain: Sarah Alexander

Name: Sarah Alexander

Major: Communications

Year in school: Senior

Program: Alicante, Spain Summer 2014

Why did you choose to study abroad?

Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity that offers so many different challenges that will give me experiences that I can use to my advantage in the future.

Why did you choose to go where you did?

I have always had a love of the Spanish culture and language. Also, I have family in Denmark, and going to Europe gave me an opportunity to see them again.

What’s the best part about studying abroad? Favorite experience?

Well, my favorite experience was finding this amazing Tapas restaurant in Madrid called “El Tigre.” It was the funniest, most challenging experience, with a lot of laughter and adventure. We had to walk through the Puerta del Sol and saw some interesting night life. Also, meeting up with friends and going to the beach every day after the siesta was always fun. THERE ARE SO MANY! Lastly, trying all of the amazing food and learning how to use public transportation.

What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?

I really struggled with communicating with my host mom because I didn’t have the best Spanish skills, and my mom didn’t speak much English. We had a tough day or two but by working together, we connected, and she really helped me clean up my Spanish.

 

What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?

MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY! My host family encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunities available, and they were willing to work with me. I owe that to communicating my wants and needs so my host mom could be there for me. Also, walk around the city you live in when it is safe. I got lost alone my first night, and it never happened again because I took the time to get to know my city.

How did studying abroad personally help you?

It taught me to ask for help, and that it is okay to be alone! Also, I learned that there is so much out there in the world that we are missing, and how important it is to spread this information to others.

What are the differences between your home country and the country you studied in?

Meals are a big difference, especially breakfast. In the United States, my family loves big brunches, followed by little lunches and late dinners. In Spain breakfast is a starch, like bread with tomato or a croissant, with milk, coffee, or tea. Lunch is a huge, grand meal where the whole family meets, and then dinner was at 9pm or 10pm. Generally, dinner would be by myself because everyone got hungry at different times. It was hard to adjust during the first week, but in Spain with the heat, the siestas, and the nightlife the meals made more sense.

From Puerto Rico to Green Bay: Adriana Lebrón

Name: Adriana E. Lebrón

Major: English

Year in School: Senior

Program: Went from the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez campus to the University Of Wisconsin Green Bay campus

¡Hola! ¡Saludos desde Puerto Rico! Greetings from Puerto Rico!

I picked UWGB as my exchange program university, and it was the BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you choose where to go?

I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, learn to live alone, and have new experiences. As soon as I decided to do an exchange program, I started looking for my best options and UWGB was always one of the first spots. I looked for the programs, curriculums, dorm, dorm life, lifestyle, and how safe the city was. I picked GB because it was always on the first spot. It also helped that the campus is beautiful, they have the Packers (I saw my first football game there), and overall, the city had a city feel with small town comfort.

Besides those options, I picked UWGB for multiple reasons. First, because they had all of the classes that I needed for my major. Second, because it was a good school, safe and the campus was beautiful. Third, the weather was totally different. I live in a tropical island, thus the heat is not as appealing as experiencing snow for the first time. When the cold came in, I was prepared and ready for it. I loved the cold, the snow and the weird wind. Lastly, I picked it because it was far from Puerto Rico. I did not want to get cold feet, have my family visit me every month, and experience the same things I can at home. I wanted to be free to decide everything, learn to live with roommates, develop cooking, cleaning, and social skills, and overall, meet totally different people; which I did. It may sound hard at first, but it was necessary for me to grow as a person and experience life outside my house and comfort zone.

What was the best part about study abroad? Favorite experience?

I had so many great experiences. I loved meeting so many great international students and learned so much from them! Everything was new, from recipes, to words and even actions. Every moment I spent with them is valuable to me; it was never boring. Something was always cooking, or a plan was hatching: we definitely did not get bored much.

What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?

Not everything is positive though. I struggled with the roommate thing. I live at home with my parents and brother, so I don’t have to cook or clean that much. It was a learning experience having to live with another three girls, but I managed. I improved my cooking skills and developed cleaning habits and patience.

 

What advice would you have for those who want to study abroad?

Making sushi for the first time!

 

My honest advice to you is: Do it. Don’t overthink it! If you can do it, do it! You will NEVER regret it! I am so grateful for my time at GB. I learned a lot of things about myself! I learned I love spending time surrounded by people, I can easily feed a small army, and I can survive alone (I thought I would chicken out). Through my friends, I realized I would love to travel the world and I am not afraid of the thought anymore. Because of this, I made a Europe trip with my university and I am ready for whatever trip comes next—hopefully Mexico to visit some friends.

Studying at Green Bay has been the best decision I’ve made. The weather changes were great, the people, the ambience; everything was totally different to what I grew up in. I am grateful to the people I met, the experiences I had, and for the memories I created throughout the semester. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t hesitate to!

Color Run 2014
Color Run 2014