A Student Guide to Study Abroad (Chapter 4-6)
A Student Guide to Study Abroad (Chapter 4-6)
Chapter 4
Figuring Out the Financials
Studying abroad may be expensive, but it’s worth the investment. It’s still probably the cheapest opportunity that most students will have to spend a significant amount of time overseas without actually moving there. Moreover, with a little research, you might be able to find scholarships and financial assistance to cover a significant percentage of the upfront cost. It is essential, however, that you figure out how you will fund your study abroad experience before submitting your application. Even if you are lucky enough to find a program with relatively minimal tuition fees, you’ll still need to be able to cover living and travel expenses. Research is key. And so is saving your money-start today.
In this chapter we provide guidance on how to calculate the total cost of your study abroad program, how to go about finding financial aid and scholarships, and how to save-and possibly even make-money while you’re overseas. Keep in mind that there is a lot of information out there online, on campus, and in the form of firsthand experience from friends and other students who’ve recently returned from studying abroad. It’s up to you to go out and find it, sift through it, and decide what is most important and relevant to you. It is, after all, your experience and you will want to be as sure as you can that the program you choose is both affordable and a good investment.
Don’t Base Your Decision Entirely on Cost
Sure, cost matters. Certain locations such as Spain, England and Italy are inherently going to be more expensive than others such as Ecuador, Peru or Senegal. It all has to do with the host country’s overall standard of living, especially as reflected in the postsecondary education system, and the overall price of basic commodities and services. For example, a semester abroad in China, the Philippines or India can cost significantly less than a more traditional program in England or Ireland, not including airfare or books. Nor are all programs in developed countries equally expensive. Just because you want to go to Italy, for example, doesn’t mean that you have to attend a major university in Rome, Florence or Milan. But even more important than cost is having a fulfilling experience that meets your personal and academic goals.
FROM A STUDENT
Until I was in college, I had never previously thought of foreign travel or study abroad as an option due to the cost. After receiving a scholarship to study in Italy during the summer of my sophomore year, I realized I could afford to travel and that two weeks in a foreign country was not enough time to immerse myself in another culture. So I decided to go again.
Anna Lippard, Coker College. Studied abroad in Italy, Czech Republic.Awarded a Fulbright to Slovakia.
When considering the cost of a study abroad program, it’s important to consider the factors involved. First and foremost, the cost of the program varies based on the type of program it is-a university-run program, a university-affiliated program offered through a study abroad organization, or an unaffiliated program – and its length.
Semester programs offered by your college or university will typically break the cost down into three categories: what students pay to the home university, what students pay to the host institution, and estimates of additional costs. University-sponsored or university-affiliated programs will most likely charge your regular semester tuition, a study-abroad fee, and trip and/or medical insurance. Housing is usually the one charge from the host university, but the cost will vary depending on where you choose to stay.
Additional fees, which will generally vary from person to person as well as program to program, can include:
- Transportation (both to the country and within)
- Meals
- Books and school supplies
- Spending money
- Visa and passport
- Immunizations
How do you know if a study abroad organization is affiliated with your university? Hopefully you have already begun your search with your campus study abroad office. If not there, then most college websites have a page dedicated entirely to the overseas institution with which it is affiliated. If your preferred program is not affiliated with a college or university, you can often get the program approved by petition – but this is not guaranteed, so be sure to work with your campus in advance to make sure you can get the credits.
Quick Tip
Even if you choose a more expensive study abroad destination, don’t worry- at least not yet! Most academic institutions that believe in the benefits of studying abroad are well aware of the high cost of the experience. And they want to help you be able to afford it. To that end, you should be able to find plenty of resources right there on your home campus to help fund your study abroad experience.
FROM A STUDENT
I was a student at Ithaca College and my institution was not affiliated with my chosen program with AIFS. I petitioned for and received full credit for my semester abroad.
Susannah, Ithaca College. Studied abroad in Italy.
I first came to Mexico as a senior at OSU. I did so in order to learn Spanish. Mexico was not my first choice; I wanted to go to Spain and see Europe. However, even though I didn’t get my first choice (due to financial reasons), I knew the chance to live abroad would be very valuable, so I packed up and headed down south anyway. When I got here, every expectation I had about Mexico was completely blown away. Since I had only been inundated with media stories about drug lords, partying in Cancun, or the H1N1 epidemic, I learned very quickly what an amazing and beautiful country this was and I forgot all about Spain, “lawlessness” and disease. I fell so much in love with Mexico that I have returned twice: Once to work as an English teacher and now to study for my master’s.
Leslie Briggs, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in Mexico. Completing graduate studies at Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla, Mexico.
I didn’t take the opportunity to study abroad as an undergrad, and always regretted it. When I returned to pursue my MBA I wanted to be sure the international component was a major part of my graduate education, even if it meant taking out some extra student loans.
Garrett Langdon, George Washington University. Studied abroad in Egypt, Sweden, Singapore.
Determine If You Can Apply Your Financial Aid to Study Abroad
Any financial aid that you already receive from your university should be transferable to a study abroad experience run by or affiliated with that university, because the tuition that you will be paying to study abroad is probably that of your home university. Some institutions will also allow students to use their univer sity aid for nonaffiliated programs, while others will not. Moreover, the amount of aid may vary depending on the type of program you choose. So don’t assume that whatever aid you are currently receiving from your school will transfer over; you need to check with the financial aid office.
Federal financial aid can be applied to any program as long as credit is earned and your home college accepts the transferred credits. If you are currently receiving federal aid, you probably won’t have to reapply for it. If you aren’t, you can apply by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There’s a chance you could get funding because you are applying the aid to an international study abroad experience. The same goes for state funding: it varies from school to school, so once again, be sure to check. Private scholarships also differ in their rules regarding studying abroad, so you may or may not be able to apply these to your study abroad program. Again, never assume. Confirm the situation with the scholarship provider sooner rather than later.
FROM A STUDENT
Financial aid is the only reason I was able to study abroad. Without it, I wouldn’t have gone, period. Although I did get some scholarships that helped cut trip fees in half, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to buy my plane ticket and make purchases abroad had I not had the extra money that financial aid provided.
Kenneth Buff, Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
Research Study Abroad Scholarships
Most colleges have a straightforward framework for applying for study abroad scholarships, one that lays out the potential amounts available, the process and deadlines for applying, and any restrictions that may exist. General scholarships for study abroad assistance, as well as targeted scholarships for diversity, firstgeneration (if you are the first in your family to attend college), and financially needy students are usually offered. Some departments (especially foreign language departments) and organizations on campus may even offer scholarships, but it will be up to you to identify them.
Regardless of where you want to go, what you want to study, and how long you want to be overseas, it’s wise to look into all the study abroad–related scholarships and grants that are out there. And since this takes time, don’t delay starting your research. Students must apply for scholarships and some can be very competitive, others less so. You’ll find that some scholarships favor nontraditional destinations, not the typical opportunities in London, Madrid or Paris. Generally speaking, there are five types of study abroad scholarships.
Quick Tip
IIE’s www.studyabroadfunding.orgoffers detailed descriptions of hundreds of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants and career-oriented internships for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, as well as professionals.
Merit-based. These awards are based on a student’s academic, artistic, athletic or other abilities, and often factor in the applicant’s extracurricular activities and community service record. Qualifications, however, can vary dramatically between scholarships, so don’t assume that just because you don’t qualify for one, you won’t qualify for others.
Student-specific. These scholarships are primarily awarded to individuals who meet certain demographic criteria, typically based on gender, race, religion, family background or ability status. Minority scholarships are the most common variety.
Destination-specific. These are scholarships awarded by a country to students planning to pursue a study abroad program in that particular country. They are awarded as an incentive to study in that country rather than somewhere else. Information can be found on sponsored websites of the host country’s government.
Program-specific. Program-specific scholarships are offered to qualified applicants by individual study abroad programs and/or the colleges and universities that sponsor them. These scholarships are often given on the basis of academic and personal achievement, but qualifications will vary based on the particular scholarship. Information can be found at your study abroad office.
Subject-specific. Subject-specific scholarships are awarded by study abroad programs or institutions to students based on their particular major or field of study. These scholarships often require the recipient to enroll in subject- specific courses or conduct subject-specific research while abroad. Again, qualifications will vary based on the individual scholarship.
Most universities with study abroad offices have a wealth of information about the various kinds of scholarships. In addition, advisers may be able to refer you to smaller scholarships that may not offer as much money, but are less competitive, thereby increasing your odds. But it will still be up to you to decide which ones would be best for you to pursue.
FROM A STUDENT
I went to a community college that was very study abroad oriented, and it’s where I met the professor who encouraged all of his students to study abroad. At this college, I was awarded a $500 scholarship for writing an essay on why I wanted to study abroad, and I was awarded another $1,000 for parking cars in the school parking lot on football game days. This is a program that’s probably unique to the school, but it’s something they do every year to ensure that students can afford to study abroad. It pays to look in all kinds of places.
Kenneth Buff, Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
If you are interested in pursuing your graduate studies abroad, I suggest looking for schools that are actively recruiting international students. It increases the likelihood of scholarships and general accommodations for foreign students.
Cindy Banyai, Michigan State University. Completed graduate studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan.
Another great place to start looking for scholarships is IIE’s database, www.studyabroadfunding.org. There you will find hundreds of scholarships and grants for both undergraduates and graduates, including some of the most prestigious ones out there. Many of them are extremely competitive, but if you think that you meet the requirements, go give them a shot!
U.S. Government-sponsored Scholarships and Fellowships
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program | This program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, provides scholarships to American undergraduates of limited financial means to pursue international education exchange programs, including study abroad, international internships, and service-learning, from four weeks to one academic year for academic credit. Priority is given to those participating in such opportunities in nontraditional locations and students seeking to participate in career-oriented internships abroad. The Gilman International Scholarship Program aims to support students who have been traditionally underrepresented in education abroad, including, but not limited to:
- Students with high financial need
- Students with diverse ethnic backgrounds
- Community college students
- Students with disabilities
- First-generation college students
- Students in underrepresented fields such as sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics
- Students participating in international internships
Annually, the Gilman Scholarship Program awards more than 2,000 grants of up to $5,000 each. Critical Need Language Awards of $8,000 each are available for students studying specific targeted languages such as Arabic, Chinese languages, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Korean, Indic languages, Russian, Persian languages, Turkic languages and Swahili. Several organizations, such as Jay Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation, partner with the U.S. Department of State to provide additional Gilman scholarship support to enable their scholarship recipients to study abroad. Other organizations provide students who are awarded the Gilman Scholarship with additional grant money. For example, AIFS provides Gilman scholarship recipients who participate in their programs with an additional $500 grant. For more information see www.iie.org/gilman.
FROM A STUDENT
I applied for the Gilman Scholarship because it was the only way I would have been able to afford to study abroad. Without it, I never would have been able to go to Japan.
Taure an Barnwell, University of South Florida. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Japan.
One of the major benefits of the Gilman scholarship is that the funds go directly to the student. This came in handy because upon arrival in Ireland I had to clear immigration, which required me to show a bank statement with an available balance higher than $2,000. Having deposited the Gilman award of $2,500 in my bank account, I was able to sail through.
April R. Gillens, North Carolina Agricultural and Te chnical State University. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Ireland.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program | Established by Congress in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program supports educational exchanges that strengthen mutual understanding among the United States and more than 140 participating countries. It is a partnership program in which the U.S. and foreign governments jointly set priorities. Partner governments, corporations, foundations and academic institutions provide additional funding. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides funding for one academic year of study, research or teaching abroad. The annual number of Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants awarded is approximately 1,800, including 1,000 study/research grants and about 800 English Teaching Assistantships. For more information see http://eca.state.gov/Fulbright.
FROM A STUDENT
I was born in Iran, but I grew up in the United States. I graduated from Georgia State University and did research at Georgia Tech. My Fulbright research was in a neural regeneration laboratory in Valencia, Spain. In many ways, my Fulbright year mimicked the same rewards and obstacles I faced growing up. These included the obvious language barrier, the struggle for balance between foreignness and familiarity, and the constant need to reaffirm that decision to move in the first place. They are all manageable hurdles with persistence and dedication. What lies past those challenges is that international spirit that is embodied within the goals of the Fulbright Program: of exchanging knowledge, people, and ideas. These are the true treasures of navigating a new country on a Fulbright grant. My research experience later helped me get a job at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Yasamin Ebrahimi Rahmani, Georgia State University. Awarded a Fulbright to Spain.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) | Fulbright English Teaching Assistants foster mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and those of more than 65 countries. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for U.S. culture. The age and academic level of classroom students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. Fulbright ETA participants spend one academic year in the host country.
FROM A STUDENT
I applied to Slovakia during my senior year of college, based on its location in Central Europe, its history, culture, and the practical statistics behind students applying and receiving the award. I received a monthly stipend from the Fulbright Commission in Slovakia, as well as training and the opportunity to participate in several conferences throughout the year. I’d recommend students that have studied abroad and are thinking about teaching English abroad or those who just want international experience to apply for the ETA Fulbright grant. It is a great chance to live and work in a foreign country for an extended amount of time. Furthermore, the opportunities for cultural immersion are greater in this type of program, because one gets the chance to live and work with the people of the country.
Anna Lippard, Coker College. Studied abroad in Italy, Czech Republic.
Awarded a Fulbright to Slovakia.
Fullbright program: Did you know?
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers a wide variety of opportunities. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant. Many students apply during their senior year, but recent graduates and other professionals are also encouraged to apply. The Fulbright website lists detailed descriptions of all available grants. A few examples include:
Fulbright-Clinton Fellowships allow fellows to serve in professional public policy–related placements in foreign government ministries or institutions and to gain hands-on public sector experience in participating foreign countries, while simultaneously carrying out an academic study/research project.
Fulbright-mtvU awards were created to support projects that examine an aspect of international musical culture, and focus on contemporary or popular music as a cultural force for expression or change.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health are offered in a few select countries. They are mostly for medical or graduate students interested in global health issues. The program has recently expanded by adding seven new fellowships.
Arts grants are awarded to students with backgrounds in creative and performing arts or creative writing. The grant is used to either practice an art form or to create an artistic work.
Critical Language Enhancement Awards (CLEA) provide a supplemental grant to Fulbright U.S. Student recipients who want to start or continue their study and understanding of the language of the host country, for certain languages labeled by the U.S. government as critical need languages.
Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes | A program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) offers fully funded, group- based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences abroad for seven to ten weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students in thirteen critical needs languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish and Urdu. Each language has its own program requirements including language prerequisites. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. For more information see www.clscholarship.org.
FROM A STUDENT
I first fell in love with Russia on a mission trip with my church at the age of 12, and since then, I have had a strong desire to master the language. This pursuit has been quite the uphill battle, though, since my college doesn’t offer Russian, nor do I have lots of extra money at my disposal. I discovered the CLS program through a Google search after typing in something to the effect of “study Russian for free,” and was ecstatic to be accepted into the summer program. Through CLS, I had a phenomenal, adventurous summer where I grew not only linguistically, but also personally and relationally as well. Linguistically, the program was the most stretching that I have ever experienced; with 20 hours of in-class instruction per week, a pledge to refrain from speaking English on campus, and weekly sessions with a language partner, we were definitely immersed in the language. Speaking in a foreign language at almost all times was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but my work was richly rewarded: at the end of the summer, I crossed a threshold on the ACTFL speaking scale, moving from an Intermediate High proficiency to Advanced Low.
Boren Awards for International Study | The David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, provide funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholars and Fellows represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including-but not limited to-Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili. Boren Awards promote long-term linguistic and cultural immersion, and thus the majority of recipients study overseas for at least six months. In exchange for funding, recipients commit to pursuing employment with the federal government. Undergraduate students can apply for a Boren Scholarship, which offers up to $20,000; graduate students can apply for a Boren Fellowship, with a maximum award of $30,000. Any American citizen studying at an accredited college or university in the U.S. is eligible. Boren Scholars and Fellows have studied more than 100 languages and countries. The program’s African Languages Initiative provides Boren Scholars and Fellows the opportunity to study Akan/Twi, French, Hausa, Portuguese, Swahili, Yoruba and Zulu. For more information see www.borenawards.org.
FROM A STUDENT
My Boren Fellowship allowed me to explore my passion for global health and to translate that passion into a career in public service. As a result, I continue to take every opportunity to incorporate cultural learning and exchange into my daily life.
Darigg C. Brown, Pennsylvania State University. Studied abroad as Boren Fellow in South Africa.
My experience in Morocco was very special. I was getting a very nuanced and rich understanding of the language, culture and history that could not be had from just reading and learning in class. And because one of the components of the Boren Fellowship is to give back our talents and experiences in public service to the federal government, I am confident that my overseas experiences, language facility, and strong background in economics will enable to me to make contributions to U.S. government efforts to work with other countries and ensure a more peaceful, stable and democratic world.
Eric Fische r, University of San Francisco. Studied abroad as a Boren Fellow in Morocco.
The Language Flagship | The Language Flagship is an ambitious effort to empower an expanding group of colleges and universities that are implementing new models of language learning to produce college graduates with professional level (ILR 3, ACTFL Superior) proficiency. Flagship languages include Arabic, Chinese, Hindi-Urdu, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili and Turkish. Flagship Programs set high expectations for participating students of all majors. Regardless of their disciplines, students make language and culture an integral part of their undergraduate academic pursuit. An initiative of the National Security Education Program, The Language Flagship produces global professionals through intensive language instruction in a U.S. university; rigorous, advanced language and culture immersion overseas; direct enrollment in a foreign university offering courses in their field; and in-country professional internships. The Flagship community is made up of 26 Flagship programs at 22 institutions of higher education, and 10 Overseas Flagship Centers. For more information see www.thelanguageflagship.org.
U.S. Department of Education | The Department of Education provides funding to U.S. colleges and universities for several international study opportunities. Check to see if your school offers either the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships or the Fulbright-Hays grant for doctoral dissertation abroad. FLAS offers academic year and summer fellowships to assist undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies. Fulbright- Hays funds individual doctoral students to conduct research in other countries in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of 6 to 12 months. Students who are eligible for either program apply directly to the institutions. For more information see www.ed.gov/programs.
Funding Offered by Private Organizations
Funding is also available from foundations and other sources that support international study and research. A few examples include:
AIFS Scholarships | American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Scholarships are available for both summer and semester study abroad programs. AIFS awards more than $600,000 in scholarships and grants each year through affiliate grants with your school, international and diversity scholarships, and others. Visit www.aifsabroad.com for a complete list of scholarships and grants.
Rotary Foundation Scholarships | The Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program, having awarded a total of $532 million to 41,000 men and women since 1947. Beginning in 2013–2014, the Ambassadorial Scholarships program will end, but the Rotary Foundation will continue to offer scholarship opportunities under Future Vision through district grant scholarships (for secondary, undergraduate or graduate students studying locally or abroad), global grant scholarships (for graduate students studying abroad in one of six focus areas) and packaged grant scholarships (one for water and sanitation professionals, the other for student nurses from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda). For more information see www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/educationalprograms.
Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program | The Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars program sends emerging leaders in U.S. biomedical engineering (or bioengineering) to undertake a self-designed project that will enhance their own careers within the field. Potential overseas activities could include conducting research at an academic institution, interning at a policy institute, or pursuing postdoctoral research. More than 250 grants have been awarded to fellows and scholars to conduct projects in more than 35 countries worldwide. For more information see www.whitaker.org.
Scholarships Offered by Foreign Governments or Organizations
Foreign governments and private organizations in other countries also can be a great source of funding for your study abroad. A few examples include:
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Scholarships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students from the United States and Canada for both short- and long-term study in Germany. Short-term programs include internships, senior thesis research, and summer courses at German universities. Long-term scholarships are available for either a semester or a year. For more information see www.daad.org.
Chinese Government Scholarship Program | Scholarships offered to non- Chinese undergraduate and graduate students for study in China. All undergraduate studies for international students are instructed in Chinese. Applicants with no command of Chinese are required to take the college preparatory courses for one to two years before pursuing major studies and required to pass an exam before beginning their studies. For more information see www.csc.edu.cn/laihua.
French Embassy Benjamin Franklin Travel Grant | A travel grant named after Benjamin Franklin, a philosopher, scientist, diplomat and friend of France, awarded to undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, seniors) enrolled in American universities when applying. Students must be pursuing a double major in French and one other discipline; applications from students outside of the humanities are encouraged. For more information see http://highereducation.frenchculture.org/grants-and-fellowships/ben-franklin- grant.
US-Japan Bridging Foundation | This foundation awards scholarships to U.S. undergraduate students to study for one semester or academic year in Japan. The foundation aims to expand the opportunities for study abroad in Japan to help prepare America’s young people to assume future global leadership roles. Students must be accepted in a program in Japan, and provide the tuition. Bridging Scholars are chosen by a volunteer committee and awarded scholarships of up to $5,000 for the academic year, which provide for travel and daily cost-of-living expenses. For more information see www.bridgingfoundation.org.
Private Loans
Believe it or not, personal private loans are available for U.S. students studying abroad. Moreover, they’re becoming increasing popular. The primary appeal of a private loan is that it allows you to avoid the high interest rates that inevitably come from using credit cards to pay for study abroad expenses. And the loan can be used for whatever you want it to be used for, including the many smaller expenses for which a credit card is neither practical nor often even accepted. Loans for U.S. students studying overseas fall into two basic categories: personal loans for short-term study abroad and foreign enrolled loans for direct enrollment overseas. Among the organizations that offer these loans are StudyAbroadLoans.com.
InternationalStudentLoans.com, and Sallie Mae. But remember that every dollar must be paid back with interest and that there are occasionally upfront service fees as well. In order to be eligible for one of these loans, students must be enrolled in a university or college affiliated with the organization and have a cosigner. Usually, the study abroad program you are participating in must be affiliated with your college. Shop around for the best deals.
Review What’s Included in the Program, Including Excursions
Unfortunately, the cost of studying abroad includes more than just tuition. Before even choosing the type of program and applying for aid, therefore, it is highly recommended that you know exactly what is included in the cost of the program and what isn’t. Study abroad offices on campus should be able to provide you with that information, as should the offices of nonaffiliated programs. But invariably it comes down to doing your research by searching online and contacting those in charge of the programs to ask the relevant questions.
Some additional costs inherent in any study abroad program but that might not be included in the official published cost are:
- Housing
- Airfare
- Meals
- Excursions
- Travel within and outside of the country
- Visas and passports
- Books
- Host institution fees
- Immunizations
- International insurance
- Orientation sessions
Some of the things that might not be included in program costs, but are still very important in preparing yourself financially to study abroad, must be budgeted for as well. These include personal travel, mobile phone charges, entertainment and, of course, personal spending money. Be aware that some program providers add a 3 percent fee when using a credit card. This can add $450 to a $15,000 semester-long program. In addition, it’s always prudent to have emergency backup funds, just in case. You never know what to expect, even if your entire stay is plotted out for you.
FROM A STUDENT
Although it might have cost more, I chose my program because it had the most “frills.” I went on twice as many excursions as my friends in other programs, and I feel as though I gained so much more than they did. I made the most of my time and money abroad by going on every excursion I could!
Heather Nelson, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in England.
Research the Cost of Living in Your Target Location
The cost of living in your potential host country will play a large role in determining how much you end up paying for housing, meals, other quotidian expenses and excursions. It will also impact the amount of spending money you choose to allot for yourself. Obviously, some places will be more expensive than others. For example, the average cost of eating out in China is significantly less-assuming you like to eat mostly Chinese food most days. At the same time, there are some things in China-such as Western-style food and high-end Western clothing brands-that cost more than they do in the UK. Overall, of course, a study abroad program in China is going to end up costing less than one in the UK for nearly all students, but how much less will depend upon your individual needs and spending habits.
The best way to get a handle on the cost of living in your temporary home overseas is to compare the cost of living between the two countries, taking into account the fact that individual cities or regions can be above or below the national level. Study abroad program advisers should be able to provide you with the exchange rates and cost of living statistics for your host country, including those for food, housing and local transportation. Individuals who have studied abroad in the same location or on the same program recently should also be a good source of practical, on-the-ground information. But be sure to check the latest economic information as things can change rapidly in just a year or two.
Websites, too, can help you compare the cost of items like food, apartment rentals, clothing, water and other incidentals. Some of the more helpful websites include:
- Expatistan.com
- Numbeo.com
- Databank.worldbank.org
It’s also a good idea to look at the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI shows yearly-and sometimes monthly-fluctuations of prices for an acquired basket of goods and services that includes food and beverages, housing, clothing, transportation and education. The World Bank has excellent CPI data from country to country, but they give their numbers in percentages, so you’ll have to use the cost of living index to help you figure out the rate at which prices are decreasing and increasing. Although it may sound like a lot of math, it’s an important lesson to learn: currency and cost of living fluctuations can have a direct impact on the quality of your life abroad. If you have a general idea of how inflation is affecting your host country and the value of the dollar, you’ll have a better understanding of how much additional money you will probably need.
FROM A STUDENT
Cost was one of the most important factors in my selection; the Czech Republic was more affordable than other locations because of its currency and the exchange rate. I also chose the Czech Republic because of my love for WWII and Cold War history. I would urge students to choose a place that is intellectually interesting, but also cost effective. You’ll be able to take more trips and have more experiences if you’re less worried about every koruna or euro you spend.
Anna Lippard, Coker College. Studied abroad in Italy, Czech Republic.Awarded a Fulbright to Slovakia.
FROM A STUDENT
I saved money by studying in a country with a high currency exchange rate, took advantage of hostels when traveling, bargained for everything, and always used Ryanair or Easyjet when traveling internationally.
Mandie Maxwell, Shawnee State University. Studied abroad in Morocco.
Look for Ways to Save Money on the Ground
Housing is a critical component of every studying abroad program: after all, you have to have someplace to live! The most likely options include:
- International dorms
- Standard university dorms
- Apartments
- Hostels/hotels
- Homestay
If money is a big concern, consider a homestay. Host families can be a great way to immerse yourself in everyday culture and language, including learning about intergenerational family life. In addition to generally being much cheaper overall, homestays often include meals and laundry, so you won’t have to set aside additional money for those. However, homestays can present some significant potential problems. Your room might not be nearly as comfortable or private as you would like, and you can’t always count on quiet study time in the evening. Moreover, you have to abide by the family’s house rules, including curfew, alcohol and guests. You may not be able to come and go as you please. These factors shouldn’t dissuade you from a homestay option, though. After all, living with a family in accordance with their customs and practices will give you valuable additional insights into the local culture. However, you should check with the program and fellow students, as experiences can vary.
Quick Tip
If your study abroad program does not provide housing, allow yourself plenty of time to research your options and arrange it. Talk with students who have studied in your chosen program or in the same city, and find out what has worked for other students.
Many programs enable students to live in apartments or hostels off campus. Slightly different from dorms, apartments offer greater flexibility and freedom, but also come with landlords, deposits and roommates who may be students, or not. Renter’s insurance is a good idea if you’re going this route because it can protect you from damage to the apartment, as well as your personal items. Hostels can be a bit more expensive because they usually offer more amenities, but you just might want laundry service, room cleaning, and opportunities to mix with fellow travelers, not just students. This approach often works for programs that have students moving about from one city to the next. For more detailed descriptions of housing, check out Chapter 3.
What and how you eat is another opportunity to save money, potentially lots of it. Whether you opt for the meal plan at your host institution, cook your own food in an apartment, or rely upon eating out-even at local “dives”-food costs add up. Preparing your own meals is the best way to save money, especially in countries where the cost of living is relatively high and the currency exchange rate isn’t particularly favorable. If you are fortunate enough to live in a dorm with a kitchen or in an apartment with people from your host country, learning how to prepare local cuisine could benefit you in the long run, and be more enjoyable than going out to eat with those friends every other night. Plus, buying your food in local markets can be lots of fun! But don’t neglect to eat out as often as you can justify it, not only for the sake of sampling foods that you won’t be able to prepare yourself, but also for the sake of the overall cultural experience. Generally speaking, lunches are cheaper than dinners.
Ways to save money
Housing and food are the two biggest expenses, but here are some other tips to keep in mind when it comes to saving money on the ground:
- Bargain! Haggle! Negotiate! In countries where bargaining is the cultural norm, never pay the first price on any negotiable product or service. Once you’ve been there for a week or two, you’ll come to know what the “real” prices are. Until then, ask others you can trust.
- Always ask about student discounts, as they are often not posted (and be sure to have your student ID with you at all times).
- Use Skype to keep in touch with family and friends.
- Use your mobile phone smartly (or not at all). Check into limited international calling, texting and data plans and, if they’re too expensive to use while traveling, consider using a local prepaid SIM card and free (or low-cost) Internet access in public cafés to stay connected using email and social media. See Chapter 5 for more information on mobile phones.
- Be smart about transportation. Use public transportation instead of taxis whenever possible; walk or ride a bike whenever feasible.
- Track your expenses. Once you see the cost of things spent on paper, you’re more likely to modify your behavior.
- Check out organized excursion packages before signing up. Sometimes they are cheaper (or the convenience is worth the premium), but sometimes you can find much better alternative deals on your own.
- Live like a local. Ask around for places to eat and shop outside the tourist zone. Many countries have central markets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables or bulk cooking items. They also often
FROM A STUDENT
Costa Rica has a lot of “central markets,” which are just like open-air markets with stalls, but housed in a building that is open every day. My friend used to take me to the one in my city (every town had one or two) to get a cheap lunch. Also, my host parents would take me to the weekly farmers market, where avocados were about a dollar (500 colones) for a kilo, and I was able to try fruits that I’d never even seen before. Most of the vendors were excited to see that I wasn’t familiar with the food and offered me free samples. Definitely cheap and healthy eating!
Beth Cubanski, American University. Studied abroad in Costa Rica.
I also always used cash for everything. It helped me manage my spending.
Mandie Maxwell, Shawnee State University. Studied abroad in Morocco.
When you first arrive in a new place, it’s a great time to establish new habits, especially spending habits. Sit down, set out a budget for the month, and then actually track your spending to see how closely you are following it. This will make it easier to do things like spend less day to day so you can actually afford to go on those trips that you can only go on when abroad.
Jeanette Miranda, Brown University. Spent a gap year in China.
Tips for Managing Your Money Abroad
- Set a budget. Before traveling abroad, create a budget for yourself in the currency of the host country. Monitor your spending as you go, especially to see that you aren’t way over budget, especially since, as a first-timer, you may find yourself falling into the trap many do: spending more money than you realize because the currency is different and it somehow seems less like “real money.” If you are, slam on the brakes. And if you are proceeding under budget, assign the savings to a special item you’d like to buy but didn’t think you could afford, or to an excursion you’d like to add on.
- Use cash whenever possible. Cash is king in most of the world, and as such, it gives you greater bargaining power and frees you from having to pay any financial service charges. If using U.S. dollars, be sure to have small bills, and carry local currency in small denominations as well.
- Use ATMs wisely. Instead of bringing one or two semesters’ worth of cash with you, rely on an ATM card (have a backup in case a machine somewhere eats your card) to take out lump sums in order to minimize fees. Let your bank know beforehand of your impending travels so the bank doesn’t suspect fraud and freeze your account. Also inquire about limits and fees before you leave. (If you have a Citibank, Bank of America or HSBC account, your transaction fees may be waived if you use one of their partner banks; it’s worth the time to check it out.) Use your ATM inside banks or secure areas as much as possible (be on the look-out for cameras trained on you and the keypad), and refrain from using them after dark or if you’ve been out partying.
- Bring preloaded cards. Consider bringing bank debit or American Express gift cards-the ones that require you to show your passport-with you, loaded in increments of $200. You can set up a system with a family member to transfer additional money to the cards at predetermined times. Check to make sure the cards will work in your host country.
Quick Tip
- Use credit cards wisely. Although safer overall than carrying cash, using a credit card often incurs additional fees. Before you leave, therefore, find out about your credit card issuer’s policies. If the fees are too high, consider signing up for Capital One, which does not charge a currency conversion fee, or any one of the credit cards that NerdWallet lists and updates on its site. Keep in mind, however, that many merchants abroad pass on their credit card fee to you by charging an additional two to four percent on top of your purchase. Be sure to ask. Don’t leave home without at least two credit cards and a debit card, and make sure that you have photocopies of them, save them in a secure place online, and/or write down the numbers in case they are lost or stolen.
- Do not keep all your cash or credit cards on you. Store some in a safe place in your room or in various places in your luggage along with your back-up credit card or ATM card. Use a safe when traveling or when staying in a hostel. Store cash in various places on your person: most in a secure wallet or small purse tied around your neck or in a money belt. To avoid flashing cash in public places, stuff a few small bills/coins in your front pockets or a small change purse for small, quick purchases, such as food from street vendors or bus fares.
- Set up bill payments back home. Set up automatic online payments to your monthly or quarterly service providers, or ask a family member to make payments on your behalf. If you need to make a payment while abroad, make sure that the site you’re using is completely secure and don’t save your password if you’re using a shared computer.
- Make money. Consider how you can make money-small jobs, teaching English, paid internships-not only to earn extra cash, but also to expand your in-country experience. Keep in mind that you must be scrupulous about following local labor laws and only work if your program allows it. Due to local laws many internship opportunities are unpaid. In that case, you should think about the long-term benefits; having an international internship on your résumé increases your employability upon graduation.
- Exchange services. Swapping skills or even sharing items can minimize costs. For example, if you’re interested in learning a language but don’t have the money for a course, consider swapping English lessons for local language lessons.
Working or Interning (Legally!) While Abroad
If you’re able to work or intern while you’re abroad, by all means do it! Internships abroad are a growing area in education abroad, and they are not only in the purview of study abroad offices. You can also seek guidance from your academic department or career services department, which often work with the private sector to arrange internships for their students. More often than ever before, universities are reaching out to their alumni to develop internship opportunities for their students. If they are paid, internships can also be a great way to partially offset the cost of studying abroad, as well as to put some extra spending money in your pocket. First, of course, you’ll want to make sure that working is an option, and if so, under what circumstances or limitations. This can usually be ascertained before you depart, but not always. Naturally, some countries are going to be more permissive than others, but whatever the rules are, be sure you follow them. Getting caught working illegally can potentially jeopardize your student visa.
If working is allowed, then the next step is to figure out if you even have the time to do so. Working typically necessitates waiting a couple of weeks to get a feel for what your academic demands are going to be. If you find that you do have the time, the next step is actually finding a job, and finding one relatively quickly. Generally speaking, the most readily obtainable jobs are in the service industry or in office work. Internships in business fields will be harder to come by, and they might not be paid. But if one of your main objectives is to get some international work experience, this still might be worthwhile. Check out the possibility of working abroad in more detail in Chapter 8. If you are unable to find a paid internship but find one that suits your long-term career interests, consider looking at scholarship sources on or off campus, such as the Gilman International Scholarship discussed earlier in this chapter, that may help you cover your living expenses while doing an unpaid internship.
Listen to Those Who Know
Talk to other students who have gone before (several if possible) to find out how much things really cost and how much they really spent above and beyond the “posted” price of the study abroad program. Advice specific to the country you’re visiting or the currency you’ll be using will be especially helpful. But don’t just accept everything you hear. Each person will have his or her own experiences, and not everyone’s advice will fit you. For example, some travelers would recommend going on all the pre-packaged excursions you can to see as much of the country as possible, no matter what the cost. Others may recommend that you spend more time getting to know the city you live in and the people there, as you’ll have a richer cultural experience and probably spend less. Neither is right or wrong in an absolute sense; it all depends on your own personal study abroad goals and budget.
Chapter 5
Preparing to Study Abroad
Once you have decided on the where and what, you still have a lot to accomplish in the months ahead, and waiting until the last minute is always a big mistake. In addition to completing your application on time, applying for or renewing your passport, and securing any necessary visas, you should also start considering the intellectual, emotional and physical aspects of your upcoming study abroad experience. Not surprisingly, the better organized you are, the better prepared you’ll be to put your best international foot forward once you’re there.
Preparing, though, is more than just buying your ticket, selecting your courses, and saying goodbye to your friends and family. Moving to another country, under any circumstances and for any length of time, is serious business. You must take it upon yourself to research the country, culture and people so that you have the essential knowledge and information that will enable your study abroad experience to live up to your expectations. Unfortunately, not nearly enough students are offered or receive sufficient cross-cultural training before departing, thus hampering their ability to engage quickly and effectively in their new country. Even if you are going for a full year, time is precious.
Another important part of predeparture preparation is involving your parents or close relatives. Ideally, you’ve already been conferring with them throughout the process and sharing your thoughts, aspirations and concerns. If you haven’t, now is definitely the time to do so-before you commit and sign any contracts. Don’t underestimate the value of their input, assistance and support. Moreover, since you are leaving U.S. soil and venturing to a new place with different laws and healthcare systems, you may at some point need their help. The more information they have before you leave, the better they’ll be able to help you once you are far away.
Quick Tip
If you’ve missed the application deadline for your preferred program, all may not be lost. Some programs extend the deadline, especially for the sake of filling up the program. Call or ask your study abroad office to check. Then be prepared to hustle to get ready!
Complete Your Application on Time
As discussed in Chapters 2 and 3, the process of considering, reviewing and selecting the study abroad program that’s right for you is complicated. You should already have weighed all the pros and cons, made sure that you meet any and all eligibility requirements, and confirmed that the program you have chosen matches your personal and academic objectives. Now that you have, make sure you complete the application on time and to the best of your ability, including having persuasive personal references, and without any grammatical mistakes or typographical errors. If you have any special needs, disabilities, or important health information, make sure you include that as well. Your adviser will then know how best to accommodate your needs. Make a note of the date you submit your application, and, if you haven’t heard back within a month or so, contact the program leader or your adviser to see if you can get a status update.
Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll need to complete your acceptance paperwork, which usually includes a legally binding contract. Be sure to read the entire contract carefully, especially payment and refund policies.
FROM AN EDUCATOR
The application process for studying abroad can seem daunting. Students should not underestimate how much time is needed to complete the application process. My observation over the years has been that students who start planning in their freshman year for a semester abroad in their junior year find the process to be less stressful and not so overwhelming.
Nancy Cave, coordinator, study abroad program, Manhattan College.
You’re now ready to select your study abroad courses. Be sure to solicit the appropriate on-campus approval before submitting your choices to your overseas university. Since every college has its own procedure for approving coursework and credit transfer, it is imperative that you work with your advisers to preapprove courses. The last thing you want is to find any unpleasant surprises when you return. Make sure you bring the contact information of your adviser, and an alternative just in case. For more information on credit transfer, see Chapter 2.
FROM A STUDENT
I took courses that were equivalent to those in my home university curriculum. It’s important to obtain your college/department’s approval of the courses you want to take abroad to ensure that you will be able to receive credit. To initiate this process, I determined the courses that I would take for that semester based on my degree curriculum. My department chair, college chair and dean then had to ensure the courses were equivalent and approve them in order for me to receive credit (which I did). I did all of this prior to studying abroad.
April R. Gillens, North Carolina Agricultural and Te chnical State University. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Ireland.
Secure Necessary Documentation
In order to travel outside the United States, you need to have a valid passport. Depending on where you are going, you may also need a visa. Passports are issued by the country of which you are a citizen, and are the only document universally recognized around the world as verification of your citizenship.
U.S. passports expire after 10 years if issued at the age of 16 or older, but after only five years if issued before age 16. An added wrinkle, however, is that your passport generally must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your return. If not, you will need to get a new one. Since it is a federally issued government document, you expose yourself to possible prosecution under the law if you mutilate or alter your passport in any way. Take very good care of your passport!
FROM A STUDENT
My top tip to students is to plan ahead. I did not have a passport prior to being interested in study abroad so I had to obtain one. This process takes a while!
April R. Gillens, North Carolina Agricultural and Te chnical State University. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Ireland.
Quick Tip
Apply for or renew your passport as early as possible, since you never know what can delay the process.
Applying for a Passport
Getting a passport is probably easier than you think, but it takes time and you must have certain documents, such as proof of citizenship and photos of a specified size. Delivery times vary based on the time of year. For example, it may take longer to get your passport closer to the summer when more people travel and realize they need to renew one or obtain a new passport. You can check the State Department’s website for average process rates. Should you need your passport sooner than the standard four to eight weeks, an expedited service is available (for an additional fee) that reduces the delivery time to five working days. Overnight delivery charges will also cost more, but are recommended to ensure timely delivery if you’re not able to pick up your passport in person. For detailed instructions and information, go to the U.S. Department of State’s website on passports.
Renewing, Replacing or Amending Your Passport
If you already have a valid passport, check the expiration date. If it expires with-in six months after your projected return you will still need to get a new passport as many countries require that much cushion before issuing you a visa. Some airlines will even deny you boarding. If your previous passport was issued on or after your 16th birthday, you should be able to renew it by mail.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re in the United States, you can apply for a replacement one using the official “Lost or Stolen Passport” form. If your passport is lost or stolen outside the United States, you must report the loss immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you can provide your passport number and two color photos, your replacement passport will be issued faster, usually within a day or so, depending on the embassy or consulate.
If you have legally changed your name, you must amend your passport. You will need to fill out a “Passport Amendment/Validation” form and submit it along with proof of your name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree, court order). This usually doesn’t cost anything unless you require expedited service.
Getting a Visa
A visa is an official stamp, seal or document affixed in your passport that allows you to enter a foreign country for a certain amount of time and for a specific purpose. Countries may give visas for tourism, study, work or other purposes. As a U.S. citizen, you can determine if you need a visa by visiting the website of the country you’re visiting, or go to the U.S. State Department’s website and click on “Country Specific Information.” In most developed countries with good relations with the United States, visas are typically stamped in your passport upon arrival, unless you are staying for an extended period, such as studying for a semester or two. You should never just assume you can travel without a visa. If obtaining a visa before you depart is required-and your program should tell you if it is-it is up to you to obtain it. Depending on the country and your access to one of its consulates, this may take anywhere between a week and several months, and can sometimes be a tedious process. Moreover, you must already have a valid passport before you can apply. To apply for a visa, you must complete that country’s application form, supplying all requested information, required photos, and occasionally even your roundtrip air ticket. The possession of a visa is not in itself a guarantee of entry into the country that issued it, and a visa can be revoked at any time.
FROM A STUDENT
I studied abroad in France and my visa advice to others planning to study there is apply early! There are quite a few steps in the process, and the slightest thing can halt the process. Be persistent, and ask questions. Once in France it’s not difficult to extend your visa, but it’s your responsibility to make sure it gets done. No one is going to call you and follow up!
Amy Newman, Northeastern University. Studied abroad in France.
Confirm Your Travel Plans
Once you have submitted your acceptance, it’s time to begin making travel plans. To be sure, there’s something especially exciting about finally having a definite date and destination! No longer are you just imagining, you’re actually choosing the flight you will take and where you will live.
Book Your Flight and Transportation
If you’re going abroad with your college or any U.S.-based program, your outbound travel arrangements will probably be taken care of for you, though you may have a few options to determine such as departure city or preferred airline. If you need to make your own arrangements, however, you will need to do so as soon as possible, particularly if you will be traveling during peak tourist season. Regardless of whether you’re buying your own ticket or going with a group, be sure to inquire about the possibility of leaving your return open ended so that you have the option of staying on after the program to travel on your own. In any case, your return trip should always be scheduled a few days after your final exam, as you will need time to both pack up and complete any administrative or physical obligations, such as cleaning out your apartment.
If your travel arrangements are being made for you, the price will probably be predetermined and there may not be anything you can do about it. (Rest assured, however: most organized programs already have arrangements with various carriers and so the price you will be paying is probably less than what you could get on your own.) But if you are buying your own ticket, there are many ways to proactively save money. Begin by checking out a wide variety of online ticket dealers and travel agencies, including YAPTA.com and Kayak.com. Look into any student discounts you’re eligible for using either an international student ID (see above) or StudentUniverse.com or STATravel.com. In any case, start looking as early as possible for the best deals because sometimes, if you have the luxury of planning six or more months in advance, you can get significant discounts. It pays to do your research and plan as far ahead as possible.
If you are part of a group, make sure that you confirm the meeting place, as large international airports can be quite overwhelming. In addition, international flights often arrive at similar times, the result of which is that passengers from different flights become mixed together as they enter passport control. Under those circumstances, it is easy to become separated from anyone you may be travelling with.
If you are traveling alone or not part of an organized pick-up, it’s wise to research your travel options from the airport to your destination prior to boarding the plane. But don’t be surprised if you find alternative options once you’ve landed. Investigate your options for getting to your destination before you leave the baggage claim and customs area since you cannot return to it once you have. It’s almost always more conducive to making a good decision than the chaos that typically awaits passengers either in the arrival hall or outside the terminal. If you will be taking a taxi or public bus, be on the lookout for an official tourist kiosk or ask someone at a bank or store for practical help, such as advice on the price of a taxi, bus service availability, or express train service. This is especially the case in developing countries where prices are not set and vendors commonly attempt to charge higher prices to tourists.
FROM A STUDENT
I arrived in Beijing at 6:30 a.m. after two long flights and a layover in Kuala Lumpur. I was to be met by affiliates of the Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) there, but after strolling the length of the suspiciously small terminal, it was clear that I had no welcome party. Within a few steps, a familiar voice caught my ear. Well, I thought it was familiar-it turns out ANYTHING I could understand sounded familiar. There was a Western couple standing in front of the arrival board, arguing in French. I didn’t know what to do and so hung around my new friends. When we started talking about Australia, and how I had just come from there, Aimée said, “Oh that’s funny. Your flight landed at the domestic terminal.” Now that I thought of it, I hadn’t gone through customs. I decided that my GYLS group must be waiting at the international terminal so I caught a trolley to the other terminal and found my group. I never did figure out why my international flight disembarked at the wrong terminal.
Shirah Foy, Belmont University. Studied abroad in Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Guatemala. Completing graduate studies at Aalto University, Finland.
U.S. State department’s Smart traverler enrollment program (STEP)
Two to three weeks before you leave, register for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) on the U.S. State Department website. It’s easy to do: just fill in your name, where you’re going and for how long, and how to get in touch with you. The State Department will use this information to send you important security or emergency messages, whenever warranted. These could include safety alerts (strikes, civil disturbances, protests), health warnings (disease outbreaks), and significant changes in bilateral relations. If you plan on traveling beyond your host country, simply update your STEP profile to reflect your new dates and destinations. You should use STEP if you travel during your time abroad and continue to use STEP after you’ve graduated. You can even download the free “Smart Traveler” app at the State Department website.
Select Housing
Since space is often limited in campus dorms, don’t wait until the last minute to sign up if this is the way you want to go. Homestays and apartments require planning, and often interviews as well. If you plan on winging it and finding housing once you land, you should at least have prepared a short list of options before you arrive. For more on housing, see Chapter 3.
Taking Care of Business
As a student, you probably aren’t yet actively engaged in the full adult world of personal and financial responsibilities. But there are still some things from that realm that do affect you and that you will need to take care of while you are overseas. Not surprisingly, it is going to be a lot harder to do this abroad than at home, and in some cases, it will actually be impossible. So don’t wait until the last minute to come up with plans for filing taxes, voting, renewing credit cards, purchasing insurance or any other similar tasks. A list of potential concerns is provided below.
- Documents. Make several copies of all important documents that you will take with you. Leave one of them with a trusted family member or friend at home. Scan and save them to your hard drive, or upload them to a secure location to ensure digital access. Important documents include your passport, visa (if applicable), credit/debit cards (both the number and the contact information), and emergency contact information on the ground in your new country: the 911 equivalent, U.S. embassy or consulate, and emergency services for your home and host institutions.
- Insurance. Unfortunately, bad things can happen when traveling. Do your homework and talk with your study abroad adviser to determine if the program includes insurance and, if so, what type of coverage. Also consult with your parents about whether you need additional insurance coverage.
- Medical. Most U.S. insurance policies do not cover you while you are abroad, and many overseas hospitals will demand cash before they either treat or release you. Therefore, most travelers recommend having major medical, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance.
Quick Tip
- Non-medical evacuation insurance. Most study abroad programs will include non-medical evacuation insurance, in case of natural disasters or political instability. But you should research and consider buying this type of insurance if you are enrolling directly in a university overseas.
- Property. Find out if your (or your parents’) existing property insurance (homeowner’s, renter’s or personal property) covers loss or theft.
- Travel. Look into travel insurance and determine if you’re covered by your study abroad program, your credit card company, or travel agent. If not, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of buying additional travel insurance.
- Legal affairs. If you have a will, make sure that it’s up-to-date and that a trusted family member has a copy. (If you don’t have one, now would be a good time to create one.) Consider designating power of attorney to a trusted family member or friend beforeyou leave so that he or she can take care of any legal matters that may arise while you’re away.
- Voting. If elections are scheduled in your locality while you’re away, you can still vote via absentee ballot. But in many states you must sign up to receive an absentee ballot before you leave. Check with local election officials to find out how to do this.
- Taxes. Being overseas is not an accepted excuse for not filing your taxes. So if you are going to be abroad during tax season, you will need to make arrangements to do so. The forms you will need can generally be found on the Internet, but the records you will need to complete them may only be accessible at home, and it may not be worth the risk of having them sent to you. In that case, you will probably be best served by just filing for an automatic extension, which- for federal taxes at least-gives you an automatic six-month extensionto send in your completed forms. Be aware, however, that the request for an automatic extension must still be filed before April 15th and that you must submit with it a check covering all that you expect to owe.
- Registrations. Take care of all registrations, big and small, before you leave, including registering your travel plans with the U.S. State Department STEP program (see above), registering automatic bill payments online, signing up for classes and housing on your home campus for the following semester, forwarding your mail, and notifying your bank and credit card companies of your upcoming international travel.
- Renewals. Check expiry dates and renew, if appropriate, your passport, driver’s license, ATM/credit/debit cards, and other items that cannot be easily renewed online.
Take Care of Your Health
No matter how long you’ll be gone or where you’re going, it behooves you to take care of any medical arrangements well in advance of your departure, whether you need a simple decongestant prescription refill to get you through two weeks in Paris or a battery of vaccinations to protect you during a nine- month sojourn in India. Vaccinations in particular can often take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get, especially if they must be taken in a set sequence. Consult this short list below to make sure you leave medically prepared:
- Get a checkup before you leave for the sake of updating your medical records and prescriptions.
- Arrange to get necessary vaccinations and travel prescriptions (check out the CDC information below).
- Fill any prescriptions for one month longer than your time abroad (including those for contact lenses), pack your medication in your carry-on bag, and carry your prescriptions in their labeled containers, not in a pill pack.
- If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and a copy of your prescription.
- Bring copies of essential medical records, including prescriptions, blood type, allergy information and vaccination records if available.
- Bring vitamins and over-the-counter medicines that you think you may need, as other countries do not have the same pharmaceutical services and regulations as the United States.
- Confirm that your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines are legal in your host country, and if they aren’t discuss options with your doctor and study abroad advisers.
- Indicate any and all specific personal health needs (medications, equipment, counseling, access to treatment, etc.) on your application to ensure you get the support you need and that the host country has access to those services or the equivalent.
- Bring a small first-aid kit, supplemented by items specific to your geographic area, such as sunscreen, insect repellant, respiratory mask, or snake-bite kit.
- Research your destination to prepare against getting sick from food, drink or pollution. In many developing countries, tap water is not purified and milk and its byproducts are not pasteurized, so take care to drink only bottled water and stay away from raw fresh fruits and vegetables you cannot peel. You may want to go slowly with spicy foods in some countries as your body learns to get used to the heat. Some major cities have very high pollution rates, so if you have respiratory issues, you might want to avoid them.
- Consider any mental health needs you may have, and carefully research what services are available in the countries where you might wish to study abroad, as health and mental health services vary widely from country to country. Consult with the health services providers on your campus or in your community to clarify counseling and medication services that might be available abroad, and be sure to plan ahead for any anticipated need for mental health treatment.
While study abroad offers many positive benefits in terms of personal growth, living and studying in a completely unfamiliar environment can also be somewhat stressful. It is not at all unusual to experience some form of culture shock when you arrive in your host county. There are a number of resources to help students prepare for and adjust to the transitions involved in study abroad, such as “Maintaining Strong Mental and Emotional Health”, the Center for Global Education’s adaptation of a Peace Corps handbook on this topic, and there is a section on culture shock in Chapter 6 of this book. However, if you experience severe symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress that make it difficult for you to cope with your new surroundings, or if you experience a traumatic event while abroad, you should contact your program’s health services or a licensed medical provider to seek professional evaluation and care.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The CDC website offers comprehensive health and medical information for travelers. If you’re an old hand, you’ve probably used the CDC website before, and we encourage you to do so again. If you’ve never used it, we strongly recommend that you check out the site well before your departure as it offers great tips on staying healthy abroad, as well as information on what to do if you become ill or injured. You’re probably aware that the United States offers one of the world’s highest standards of disease prevention and medical care; diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, cholera and diphtheria have been eradicated or are extremely uncommon. But these diseases still exist in many parts of the developing world. It is critically important, therefore, for you to research disease prevalence in the country you’ll be staying in, and take the proper preventative care.
Using the CDC site is easy; it’s broken down into the following sections:
- Destinations: an interactive world map that shows health information for travel to more than 200 destinations and includes the sites of recent disease outbreaks.
- Vaccinations: an overview of the types of vaccinations required and/or recommended and the necessary timeframe.
- Travel Clinics: state-by-state listings of travel clinics, as well as recommendations for private travel medical clinic sources.
- Ill or Injured Abroad: detailed information on what steps to take and who to contact in case of a medical emergency.
- Stay Healthy and Safe: tips on being proactive, prepared, and protected while abroad.
Think Globally
A final and very important area in which you can prepare yourself for going abroad consists of intellectual, social and psychological preparation. In Chapter 1, we briefly discussed the importance of developing a global mindset-the ability to work successfully across cultures (though not necessarily in another country)-to best prepare you to operate in a global world. Developing a global mindset requires you to think globally about your schoolwork, your friends, the foods you eat, the news you read, the clubs you join, your communication skills, and your future. In essence, a global mindset is an open-minded perspective on the world and its people, places, ideas and events. And it’s not just about thinking big thoughts in your dorm room, but also about actively investigating new cultures, practicing a language, learning about a new culture, questioning the news, and being curious about people you’ve never met and places you’ve never been. We’ll address these topics in detail in the rest of this chapter as well as in the full Chapter 6.
Tips for enhancing your global personal
- Pay attention to world events and international news.
- Monitor global business trends and stock markets.
- Learn to think globally and cross-culturally.
- Cultivate listening skills and other personal skills that enhance cross-cultural interaction.
- Learn or practice a second language.
- Monitor relevant apps and blogs.
- Follow national news online for the country you’re going to.
- Join local and virtual international clubs.
- Make friends with international students on your home campus.
- Pay attention to hot regions and issues you care about.
Get to Know Your New Country
One of the most exciting aspects of studying abroad is living someplace completely different. But to get the most out of your experience, you must prepare for your international adventure as if you were taking a final exam. Do your research and gather information on your destination so as to ensure basic familiarity with everything from geography and climate to current events and pop culture. The more you know beforehand, the better prepared you’ll be to understand and cope with the differences. The following list should give you a good place to start.
- Current events
- Customs and culture (social situations/etiquette)
- Politics and economics
- History and religion
- Geography and climate
FROM A STUDENT
Part of my assignment for the courses I took on all of my study abroad trips required me to interview locals on their feelings and perceptions of America. From what I noticed, it’s kind of a split between people thinking we’re fat and rude, to people thinking we’re nice and misguided.
Kenneth Buff, Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
When I was in Spain, I told a group of friends that I was from “America,” referring to the United States. I was promptly corrected to “United States of America.” In the proper sense of the word, people living in South, Central, and North America are all Americans. This event led me to think deeply about the root and accuracy of the words that we use to identify ourselves and others. Even though this was a seemingly trivial, yet accurate, correction it had an important implication for me. In the face of a globalized world, we have to be cognizant of the accuracy and potential interpretations of our words, whether they are used to identify ourselves or to refer to others.
Amarylis Ve lez-Perez, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Spain.
FROM A STUDENT
During my orientation, I received lectures on the relationship between Morocco and the United States. They helped a great deal.
Mandie Maxwell, Shawnee State University. Studied abroad in Morocco.
Money
Now that you’ve chosen your destination, it’s certainly not worth wasting any of your precious time abroad to be constantly worrying about minor ups and downs. While exchange rates do fluctuate, it is unlikely that there will be any major changes during the course of your time overseas. So familiarize yourself with the general concept of how much the local currency is worth in relation to the U.S. dollar. Learn how to say monetary amounts, even if you don’t know the language, to be better prepared and minimize rip-offs. Take the time to get a feel for approximately how much certain benchmark amounts (e.g., $1, $10, $25, $50, $100) are worth in the local currency (and vice versa) before you leave so that you aren’t caught unawares when you first arrive. Sites like Oanda and XE offer quick currency conversion, or X-Rates can help with quick comparison calculations. If the conversion is a tricky one or there is a real danger of losing track of a digit should the currency-like the Vietnamese dong or Paraguayan guaraní-be in the hundreds or thousands to the dollar, you might consider downloading a currency app that works on your smartphone.
U.S. Department of State
A good place to start your research is the State Department website’s section on “International Travel,” which provides information on every country in the world. On this site you’ll find the location of the U.S. embassy and any consular offices, visa requirements, crime and security information, health and medical conditions, localized hot spots, the name of the U.S. ambassador, and a fact sheet on bilateral relations. If you’re interested in learning about regional issues, you can search for such information in one of the six bureaus: Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, South and Central Asia, and the Western Hemisphere.
Quick Tip
You can also find information on human rights and international religious freedom in each country, as well as read the information contained in the Country Studies Series produced by the Federal Research Division of the U.S. Library of Congress. This series of full-length books presents an in-depth description and analysis of the history and the social, economic, political and security systems of the majority of the world’s countries, with each country the subject of its own volume. They can be downloaded at no charge from the Library of Congress website. These in-depth books offer extensive historical background but are not currently being updated; be sure to use the State Department country fact sheets mentioned above for current information.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook
The CIA World Factbook is a treasure trove of information. Included for each country are brief summaries of the history and people, including language, religion, literacy rates and demographic statistics. In addition, there is basic geographical information, including country maps and regional maps, for context, climate and terrain. You can find information on government structure, the legal system, national holidays and/or day of independence, a description and picture of the national flag, the national symbol, and even the words to the national anthem. The economic overview provides a concise description, followed by hallmark statistics such as GDP, unemployment, taxes, imports and exports, and currency exchange rates. Also included is information on transportation, energy, communications, military, and any transnational issues relevant to the United States. A handy reference tab includes maps of world regions, flags of the world, a physical map of the world, a political map of the world, a map of world oceans, and a world time zone map.
Travel Guides
Travel guides are an indispensable source of information that are equally useful before, during, and even after your time abroad. Travel guides complement the serious, yet important source material noted above, but focus primarily on the needs and concerns of tourists. You can learn a bit about the people and cultural context of a country, sights to see and things to do, as well as get a preparatory sense for what it’s like to actually be there. You’ll find practical tips on taking local transportation, how best to bargain for those gifts you simply must buy, the location of good, cheap food, and the names of books, music and apps that will enhance your time in the country.
You may also learn some very practical information that you won’t find anywhere else. For instance, did you know that in many developing countries, the sewage system can’t handle toilet tissue, and that, as a result, it must be put in a wastebasket? Or that in Muslim countries it’s considered an insult to eat with your left hand? (The left hand is used for hygiene and considered unclean.) Giving the thumbs-up or the “okay” sign are considered obscene in some places, so it’s best to avoid these gestures unless you are sure they’re acceptable. Blowing your nose is considered rude in some countries, yet belching after a meal may be a compliment.
Brush Up on Your American History and Current Events
As an American traveling abroad, you will become a representative of your country whether you want to or not. Moreover, you’ll find that most foreigners expect you to have an extensive knowledge of the United States-its history, politics, religion and geography-much in the same way that you would expect them to know about theirs. Often, you may meet people in your destination country who know more about the United States-though not all of it factual-than you know about their country. If you find yourself to be the lone American in a class, you may find your local professor asking you in-depth questions and assuming you can explain things to the class.
Quick Tip
The more you know about the United States, therefore, the better you will be able to fare in such discussions, especially when it comes to rebutting misconceptions. Whatever the topic, however, do your best to discuss it intelligently and without giving offense.
It’s particularly important, however, to understand both the historic relationship and current ties between the U.S. and your host country. This is especially true if there is any lingering discord, because eventually these topics will come up. Ignorance on your part may be a legitimate excuse, but it will not reflect well upon you, and it will put you on the defensive.
FROM AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION LEADER
Learn as much as possible about your own family narrative. This knowledge will serve you well as you contemplate how to interpret your study abroad experience.
Nicholas Basse y, placement manage r, Peace Corps; former director, Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship Program.
FROM A STUDENT
Everyone kept talking about having May 1st off of school for this big national holiday, so I finally asked a friend what exactly was being celebrated while we were out for coffee. She explained to me that a man named William Walker did a lot of damage in Nicaragua and attempted to move farther down to conquer Costa Rica, but that a peasant farmer from the province of Alajuela had fought him off with a ragtag army. I got confused and told her that William Walker sounded like an American name, to which she responded with the Spanish equivalent of, “well, yeah … he was from your country.” I had no idea-how embarrassing!
Beth Cubanski, American University. Studied abroad in Costa Rica.
I was asked a lot about politics everywhere I went. From Costa Rica to Austria, I felt as though I could barely keep up with all the knowledge people had about American politics. Being in Europe at the height of the 2012 preelection excitement really forced me to stay up to date on the news, since my coworkers were bound to ask me to elaborate on this or that candidate’s stance on a topic.
Elise Hannon, University of Pittsburgh. Studied abroad in Costa Rica.
Awarded a Fulbright to Germany.
I hadn’t anticipated that I could learn so much about my own country while I was abroad.
Taylor Binnix, Elon University. Spent a gap year in Argentina. Studied abroad in Spain.
Keep a Journal and/or Start a Blog
Regardless of whether you keep a journal in the United States, you should keep one while abroad. You will experience so many feelings; have so many new experiences; make so many observations; realize so many things about life, yourself and other cultures; and create so many memories. You may think you’ll be able to remember them, but if you’re like the rest of us, they will fade with time. Plus, you will have so many experiences, you’ll want to write them down to relive them. When you write things down, as opposed to taking pictures (which you should also do), you remember different aspects of the same thing. The same goes for sounds.
FROM A STUDENT
Keeping a journal was the only way to remember all the aspects of my time abroad. Every single detail seemed really special! Sometimes it felt like an escape; when I was frustrated, I would relax my mind by scribbling in my journal in my native language with the reassurance that the people around me would never get their hands on it, and could not understand my thoughts. It helped me clear my head. Keeping a journal also felt more personal than keeping a blog. Blogs, photo sharing, and social media are great for keeping your friends and family up to date on how you’re doing, but keeping a journal was a safe way to remember all the ups and downs.
Taylor Binnix, Elon University. Spent a gap year in Argentina. Studied abroad in Spain.
I kept a journal and it was such a great idea. You have lots of memories that will start fading away once you return back home and get back into your normal routine. Keeping a journal is a great way to trigger a memory of any one or all of the ups and downs associated with being abroad and to remind yourself of the experiences you had and what you were thinking in those moments.
Melissa, Michigan State University. Studied abroad as a Boren Scholar in Turkey.
What should you write about? Write about what you’re thinking at certain times. Describe your first days or week on the ground by detailing the sounds you hear walking to class, the people you encounter on the bus, and the first conversations you have with classmates. Take particular note of all the “firsts” you have and the neat things you discover. Detail your aspirations and inspirations along the way. Be as descriptive as possible. Write about what you’re expecting prior to an event, and then write down what actually happens. Write about your encounters with others and the exchange of culture through food, music, art and conversation.
In addition to journaling and taking lots of pictures, consider setting up a blog. Many students have done so to share their experiences with their inner circle of family and friends, as well as other students, and blogs can be a wonderful record of your experiences. But do be careful about what you post online. In additional to the usual caveats about posting personal or confidential information, remember that you are living in a different country and the laws of the host country apply to your behavior as well as sometimes your speech.
FROM A STUDENT
I started my blog, Mis(s)adventures, to chronicle my experiences and stories of life abroad for my friends and family. Anyone who knows me well will testify that Mis(s)adventures is a fitting title, as I’ve been known to board the wrong plane and land myself in the Russian E.R. But other than entertaining my friends and scaring my parents, keeping this blog turned out to be a great way to take a time-out from the fast-paced, Russian-speaking environment to reflect on what I was learning. I would highly recommend that anyone studying abroad keep a blog; even if you only post once a month, you will find it helpful in processing the crazy cross-cultural experience you are going through.
Hope Johnson, Gordon College. Studied abroad in Russia.
I began writing The Study Abroad Blog a few weeks before I left for St. Andrews in the summer of 2009. It didn’t take long before I realized that it would be a great resource for other students who were also studying abroad or who would be in the future. Travel, see new places, meet people from all over the world, experience new cultures, and yes, take some classes and learn stuff- studying abroad is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity, and I want to help other students make the most of it.
Nate Nault, College of the Holy Cross. Studied abroad in Scotland.
Spending postgraduate gap year in China.
Pack Wisely
You’ve purchased your ticket, read up on everything from culture to climate, and have begun saying your “hasta luegos.” Now it’s time to start packing! Our best advice and that of hundreds of students who have studied abroad before you is to “pack light,” primarily because you will inevitably be bringing home more than you take. Although we’ve provided a list below, compiled from input from students, study abroad advisers, and fellow travelers, we recognize that packing is a personal thing. In addition to reviewing the list below, it’s recommended that you consult with others who have studied abroad, especially those who have gone to your host country or even on your specific program, your parents or siblings who’ve traveled with you before, and the many student websites and blogs with detailed recommendations on what to bring. The list of items necessary to pack can change because of the increasing availability of international goods in most countries. In deciding what to include, be sure to identify which items can be secured easily in your host country and which ones can’t.
Some general packing tips
- Make a checklist to be sure you don’t forget anything, but be prepared to edit it down.
- Pack only what you can carry (one medium suitcase with wheels, one large backpack, one daypack/carry-on).
- Don’t pack valuables in your checked luggage.
- Attach sturdy ID tags to your luggage, plus a colorful ribbon or tie for easy identification.
- Check your airline’s baggage limitations.
Pack your carry-on with
Two days’ worth of clothes/personal items in case your checked bags are lost, plus:
- Passport, visa and plane ticket
- Cash (a few hundred dollars, or at least enough to exchange at or outside the airport, to get you out of the airport and to your destination)
- ATM and credit/debit cards (at least two of each) Health insurance card
- Student ID (home institution or international card) Copies of your documentation
- Contact information, including phone numbers, emails and physical addresses, for the following:
- Your destination (including maps)
- Your host institution (if different from above) Your home institution and adviser
- Your doctors at home
- Local U.S. embassy and emergency numbers Family and friends
- Medical information including a list of prescriptions, allergies and blood type
- Money belt, waist pack, or small purse to wear inside your clothes for cash and credit cards
- Electronics: Watch or clock, camera, laptop, mobile phone, iPod, chargers/adapters, USB flash drive
- Prescriptions for one month or longer, extra pair of contacts and eyeglasses
- Two days’ worth of clothes/personal items in case your checked bags are lost, plus:
- Passport, visa and plane ticket
- Cash (a few hundred dollars, or at least enough to exchange at or outside the airport, to get you out of the airport and to your destination)
- ATM and credit/debit cards (at least two of each) Health insurance card
- Student ID (home institution or international card) Copies of your documentation
- Contact information, including phone numbers, emails and physical addresses, for the following:
- Your destination (including maps)
- Your host institution (if different from above) Your home institution and adviser
- Your doctors at home
- Local U.S. embassy and emergency numbers Family and friends
- Medical information including a list of prescriptions, allergies and blood type
- Money belt, waist pack, or small purse to wear inside your clothes for cash and credit card
- Electronics: Watch or clock, camera, laptop, mobile phone, i
Prescriptions for one month or longer, extra pair of contacts and eyeglasses
Sunglasses
Travel guide and a paperback book to read and swap later
Food to eat on the trip, but not any fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, etc. that are not allowed to be brought into your host country (except what you will eat on the plane—good to have fresh fruits and veggies for that!).
Pack your checked luggage with
Seven days’ worth of clothes you’ll wear to school that Complement each other in color and style to mix and match Can be layered for cooler/colder days/nights
Can be hand washed, if necessary (not dry cleaned) Don’t wrinkle too much
Include underwear and weather-appropriate socks Warm/cold clothes to anticipate weather/seasonal changes
One dressier outfit (or more depending on your program requirements)
One coat with hood (waterproof or wind resistant) Two pairs of pajamas
Travel umbrella
Small supply of general toiletries (plan to buy more on the ground) plus brush/comb and hair supplies
Specific toiletries you do not want to be without (tampons, condoms, specific razors, deodorant)
First-aid kit including tweezers and nail kit
Pocket knife with bottle opener, can opener, corkscrew Travel alarm clock
Journal (if you have room, pack it in your carry-on)
Necessary school supplies (at least one notebook, a few pencils/ pens)
Small inexpensive gifts (playing cards, music, postcards from home, candy)
This book: A Student Guide to Studying Abroad
You may also want to bring some food items for comfort, for example, a jar of peanut butter, a special jam, or certain cookies you like. But if you do, bring only sealed items and be sure to check which types of food items are allowed into the country.
FROM A STUDENT
I found that it was better to pack too little rather than too much. I only brought one large suitcase and it turned out to be more than enough. Over the course of four months, I accumulated a lot of souvenirs and things, and I was happy to have the luggage space to take things back home at minimal additional expense.
Isabelle Feldhaus, University of Southern California. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in South Africa.
Packing can be a daunting and difficult task, but remember-it’s just stuff. If you start making a list and give yourself plenty of time to pack and repack, you’ll be more likely to end up taking the most important things. And remember, what’s more important than the stuff in your bags is the stuff in your head, that is to say, all the research you’ve done and all the important things you’ve learned leading up to your departure.
Using mobile phones abroad
Mobile phones are common all over the world, and having one makes sense for emergencies and confirming local plans. Explore all options to determine which phone will work best for you based on the amount of time you will be abroad, the location where you will be studying, and the amount of money you are willing to spend. If you have a U.S. phone, most mobile providers offer supplemental services and plans so you can use your phone abroad. But it can be quite expensive and may not work because some mobile phones are not compatible for use on networks outside the United States. Another option is to buy a local SIM card to use in your U.S. phone (this will only work if you have an unlocked tri-band or quad-band U.S. phone). Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible with overseas networks; otherwise it will not work abroad. Another option, probably the most popular and cost efficient for students staying a semester or more, is to buy a local cell phone (and SIM card) upon arrival. Former students and/or program providers can provide details on the best local stores and service plans.
Top Tips
Top 10 Tips to Prepare for Your Trip
- Complete your application in time.
- Secure all necessary documentation.
- Confirm your travel plans.
- Take care of personal and financial business.
- Take care of your health.
- Think globally.
- Become familiar with your new country before you leave.
- Brush up on your American history and current events.
- Plan to keep a journal and/or set up a blog.
- 10. Pack wisely.
Chapter 6
Immersing Yourself in the Culture
Learning to live in another country involves a lot more than simply learning how to get to class, making yourself understood in the local language, and getting used to different foods. Not only must you learn a whole new range of skills, you must also relearn how to do a lot of “old” things that have become second nature. Accomplishing both involves making subtle but important changes in your expectations of yourself and others. More importantly, you have to cope with a loss of identity and familiarity and get along without some of the personal perks in your life that provide encouragement, direction and meaning for you at home.
The cultural benefits of studying abroad are obvious. Spending time in a foreign country can’t help but open your eyes to the wider world, especially different ways of doing the everyday things that are common across all cultures. As noted earlier in Chapter 1, you’ll have a much more expansive definition of “different.” You will learn about stereotypes and how there are grains of truth in some, but also that so many are off base and harmful. You’ll probably laugh at others’ perceptions of Americans and feel compelled to communicate “the truth” about your own culture. As a result, you will probably become both more reflective about your own culture and what that culture has instilled in you, and increasingly appreciative of what other cultures have to offer. And, paradoxically, you’ll also learn that people around the world are more alike than different. This openness to different approaches should make you a better problem-solver and team player. It should also help you begin to develop the cross-cultural competency employers are looking for in global workers today.
This chapter focuses on the importance of immersing yourself in the culture, which is best done if you properly prepare for the adventure. This includes understanding the idea of “culture” and learning how to cope with cultural differences. In an effort to address others’ misconceptions of Americans, you may find yourself serving as a sort of “cultural ambassador” explaining the extensive diversity of the United States. To be sure, your new experiences will be a constant source of stimulation, and we encourage you to revel in them. But we also remind you to remain alert: you are now in a foreign environment and you will encounter many differences, both obvious and subtle.
Take Your Cross-Cultural Preparation Seriously
Cross cultural differences can and often do interfere with communication and interpersonal relationships. As you settle into life in another country, you must figure out how to take the local bus, order unfamiliar foods from possibly incomprehensible menus, or conduct fieldwork or research working with a diverse group of people under the guidance of a native professor. You must learn how to do common things differently than you have done them your whole life-in a new culture interacting with people who view the world differently than you. You will be interacting with people who not only don’t share your common cultural framework, but who, many times, have misconceptions about American culture, which may be displaced onto you. If you haven’t lived in another country before, and haven’t been briefed on what to anticipate and prepared on how to deal with it, you may have a very difficult time adjusting. Cross-cultural training can make a very big difference in the success of a student’s time on the ground.
FROM A STUDENT
In order to prepare for my year abroad, I went on a five-week trip to Spain over the summer with my classmates. We took numerous courses in Spanish and one titled, “Living and Working Abroad,” where professors and former students shared their experiences with us. There is also a forum on NEU’s website between current and former students where you can post questions and receive timely responses.
Daniel Schlemovitz, Northeastern University. Studied abroad in Spain.
Evidence collected over several decades illustrates that most people would benefit from some sort of preparation and training before crossing cultures. Quick exposure to introductory information sessions alone may not be enough to prepare students for the radically different environment they will encounter overseas. Failure to prepare properly can prevent students from getting the most out of their investment.
If one of the benefits of studying abroad is to acquire cross-cultural competency skills, it’s necessary to first understand the differences in order to then successfully communicate and collaborate across cultural boundaries. Cultures entail differences in perspectives. Culture constitutes the cornerstone of our identities-who we think we are, the ways we make meaning, what is important to us and why. Culture is also a key source of conflict between people.
Good training programs can help students better adapt to new environments by accelerating this process and giving you a specific framework for:
- Understanding differences between/among cultures.
- Learning cross-cultural communications dos and don’ts.
- Developing skills to adapt to new environments.
- Working within diverse teams.
- Providing an overview of the cultural, historical, political and economic fundamentals of the host country.
Of course one size does not fit all, and training can never cover every situation. But good preparation helps develop problem-solving techniques that can help you excel academically and live and work cross-culturally. It also gives you and your fellow students abroad a common language and theoretical framework for discussing the thousand practical ways cultural difference will impact you during your stay. This may help ease understanding and adjustment. In turn, you will enhance your career prospects and personal development.
Request Cross-Cultural Training
Studying abroad-although glamorous, exciting, and usually lots of fun-is also serious business. Living in a foreign environment is a challenge for most people, and students are no exception, however flexible and open-minded they may be. Eventually, the glamour can wear off, and the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know. Although colleges and study abroad program coordinators try to prepare students by providing orientations, websites to visit, and country-specific information to review, most students are still not adequately prepared for the cross-cultural experience.
In our survey of students who have recently studied abroad students indicated they were somewhat or adequately prepared by predeparture training in the following areas:
- Country-specific information: 74%
- Clear guidelines and policies to follow: 73%
- Specific information related to class schedule and content: 61%
- Orientations (defined as a two-to three-hour presentation that includes academic and personal specifics needed for your experience, with access to people who have been there): 63%
- Required attendance at on-campus group presentations: 55%
- Name, number and email for in-country contacts: 53%
- List of websites to look at: 48%
But when it came to understanding culture-what it is and how it works-in order to adjust and become comfortable, the vast majority of students were not properly prepared. Again from the same survey:
- Cross-cultural training: 25%
- Introductions to students who had previously gone to the host country: 40%
- One-on-one guidance counselor prior to leaving: 26%
- List of books to read: 22%
Source: Study Abroad Survey 2013
FROM A STUDENT
Before leaving, I received an orientation through my school’s study abroad office. It covered the specifics of the program and logistical considerations, as well as some preparation for living in another cultural setting. It introduced me to the different levels of culture shock and homesickness that I might experience and how to best deal with it while abroad. It also provided a general history and cultural background of South Africa and encouraged students to pursue further research.
Isabelle Feldhaus, University of Southern California. Studied abroad as a Gilman scholar in South Africa.
Only one-quarter of our survey respondents said they were provided with cross-cultural training before they left, and a little more than one-third were offered the names of fellow students who’d gone to the same host country. Arguably, these are the two best ways to help students prepare themselves for their specific and new environment. Moreover, culture shock books or even travel guides that can provide helpful information on cultural specifics by country or region weren’t often recommended. Culture cannot be adequately addressed in a mass orientation where the subject is presented as a broad concept only; specific examples by culture and country must be provided to bring the concepts to life.
These results are troubling. Students are relying on the professionals advising them to make sure they have access to all they need to have a safe and successful time abroad. In fact, research conducted over the past 10 years and discussed in the landmark 2012 book, Student Learning Abroad: What Our Students are Learning, What They’re Not, and What We Can Do About It , shows that far too many undergraduates are not learning and developing abroad in ways that were common as recently as a decade ago. One of the biggest shortfalls is the lack of intervention prior to, during and after study abroad, which is just as critical to students’ intercultural learning as the study abroad experience itself. Professionals in the study abroad community would be well advised to do further research into the findings so that they will be able to make informed decisions in designing and delivering programs, as well as in advising students about their options.
In an effort to determine why this type of specific preparedness or training wasn’t happening, we followed up with several study abroad offices, as well as students.
We learned that cost is a big issue. Study abroad programs are already expensive and to add specific training by experts (cross-cultural training must be provided by experts, not by a study abroad adviser with a Culture Shock! book), seemed cost-prohibitive. Time is another factor; both the limited time a student has prior to leaving combined with the overstretched departments advising students going abroad. Moreover, many study abroad advisers didn’t think more was necessary beyond the general orientations they were already giving. But when we followed up with students, most of whom had spent at least one semester abroad, we found that almost all wished they had been more prepared to deal with cultural differences on the ground. We believe this is an important area to focus on moving forward, and recommend that colleges implement cross-cultural training programs or simulations that are both cost- effective and productive for the students-and that students request it.
FROM A STUDENT
I did not receive special training for my study abroad experience. There are two things that I think would have helped me to better prepare for my study abroad experience. First, I think that interacting with a group of U.S. students that lived in that country or locals of the host country living in the U.S. would have been exceptional. Even though some information about customs and traditions in other countries could be found in the Internet, it does not substitute for one- to-one interactions with someone who knows the country and can address specific concerns we might have. Second, having a contact in the host country could have helped me transition into the new culture and decrease the expected anxiety that is experienced when confronted with novelty. I should mention that my Study Abroad Program (Olé-RUM) did have group presentations, but they were focused on the overall benefits of studying abroad and not specifically on the cross-cultural experience.
Amarylis Ve lez-Perez, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Spain.
The rationale is strong and the reasons are clear: When you go abroad, you not only land in a different country, you enter another culture. You can’t see it, but you can feel it. Culture has to do with values, behaviors, beliefs and attitudes shared and shaped by an environment. It’s expressed in feelings, judgments and mental constructs that are typically subtle in nature. If you don’t know to be aware of culture, you won’t be able to respond appropriately, perhaps inhibiting your ability to communicate. What could be worse, you may be in a culture in which people do not tell you directly about your lack of awareness, so the cycle of cultural ineptitude escalates.
What’s up with culture?
Excellent cross-cultural training programs exist, such as “What’s Up with Culture?” developed by primary author and editor Dr. Bruce La Brack, Professor Emeritus, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific. He and his team spent three years developing the online program, now a national model in the field, which was funded by federal dollars and thus offered free online for anyone to use. It offers a wealth of information on the concept of culture and how it impacts one’s ability to understand and function in a new and unfamiliar environment. It focuses on the skills, attitudes, and behaviors that all study abroad students, regardless of their specific destination, will find useful.
For best results, start at the beginning and work through it before you go abroad. There are many self-assessment and activity exercises from which you can learn a great deal about your communication style, your cultural values, and your attitudes toward and reactions to different ways of doing things. Keep in mind, though, that although “What’s Up with Culture” offers a self-guided and self-paced program, it is not a standalone distance-learning course. Neither is it a substitute for an orientation or reentry program offered by your university or study abroad program. As noted in Chapter 5, take advantage of all study abroad meetings or program orientation briefings, and pay special attention to those offering country- or culture-specific information.
FROM AN EDUCATOR
Study abroad involves two critical decisions. The first is to commit to going overseas. The second is even more important: how seriously are you going to prepare for your intercultural adventure? You can simply assume that you already know enough that the experience will be easy…ignoring the potential impact of trying to operate in an unfamiliar cultural environment, which will almost certainly ensure adjustment problems that will make your interactions unsatisfactory for both you and those around you. Or you can make an effort to understand what kinds of cultural issues are likely to arise, and figure out beforehand how to respond appropriately. The choice is yours to make.
Bruce LaBrack, professor emeritus, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific.
Cross-Cultural Training Programs
Colleges serious about expanding the role of study abroad as an integral part of the education process (as so many say they are) would be well advised to follow the lead of the University of the Pacific, which offers the oldest continuous, conceptually linked, credit-bearing course of its type in the United States. The objective of the course is twofold: To enable students to adapt to their new cultural environment “relatively painlessly” in the short term, and to help them understand the cultural transition process at a higher level so they can use their study abroad experience to generate cultural transition and adaptation skills over the long term (for more on these skills, check out Chapter 8). In other words, a student may study abroad in Spain now, but the goal is to enable them to move comfortably to any other country later. This distinction is an important one.
All students who study abroad are required to take Cross Cultural I before going abroad, which is based on a curriculum of general cultural information and includes a culture-specific research paper on their country. Topics covered are:
- What is culture? Cultures are much more than food, sports and art. They are a system of shared values, beliefs and attitudes that are learned by a group of people who primarily work and socialize together. Students learn that cultures are complex, functional wholes, and deviations from what they are used to are not abnormal, just different.
- How do we learn culture, and how does it affect our perception of things? Students learn how to observe their own culture by stepping back and into the shoes of someone not from here, a Martian, and are challenged to view the common through a different perspective.
- What are your own cultural norms? In order to learn another culture, students must recognize and understand their own cultural values and norms. Focusing on U.S. cultural norms, while discussing diversity and the predominance of individualism, students discuss the many values and norms of U.S. culture.
- What are the variations in communication styles that we typically encounter in global travel? A range of communication style variables are discussed and demonstrated, such as the contrasts between direct and indirect communication, language differences, nonverbal communications. Students learn how people can misjudge each other quickly across cultural lines because of communication style.
- How do people actually develop intercultural sensitivity? Students are introduced to the theory of the “developmental model of intercultural sensitivity,” and they discuss the importance of the cycle of experience/reflection/experience/reflection.
- What is it like to adjust to a new culture? Students learn about various models of culture shock so that they know that their feelings are normal, but they must find ways to move on and deal with them.
In the second part of the course required for all international studies students, Cross Cultural II, students have returned from studying abroad with a lot of experience. They no longer need to be convinced that culture exists and that they are likely to encounter cultural differences when abroad. Cross Cultural II is designed to deepen students’ inquiry into the cultural learning process while using their own and others’ experiences as evidence to consider, challenge and test various theories of culture learning. In addition, diversity of cultures is discussed, as are power structures within cultures.
In Chapter 1 we emphasized the importance of cross-cultural competency as one of the most important skills that students studying abroad can acquire, both for personal growth and for future career prospects. So ask your adviser early on if your program offers cross-cultural training and ask fellow students who’ve gone before you if the course helped, and do they have specific advice for you with respect to culture. If your program doesn’t offer formal cross- cultural training for your host country, you must take responsibility for self- preparation.
FROM AN EDUCATOR
The principle goal of the course is to lead students through reflection on their experiences abroad and their own intellectual and cultural development through the experience. It is far too easy for students to “shoebox” their experience-come home, get on with their lives, stick their souvenirs in a shoebox, and otherwise not let the experience really become a part of their identity. We consider study abroad an integral part of international studies students’ education, and we expect them to develop skills, attitudes and the capacity to engage in culturally appropriate behaviors in cross-cultural and intercultural situations.
Susan Sample, associate professor, School of International Studies, University of the Pacific.
Seek Out Information from Others
In addition to cross-cultural training, people who have previously studied abroad in your host country or who have other experience there will be an invaluable source of information on what to expect when you get there. Remember: the more you know before you go, the less you’ll have to learn after you arrive. Here are a few tips:
- Read about the everyday behaviors and practices of the people of the place you’re going to well before you leave. And read about them from several different sources so as to both reinforce the information and better ensure that you aren’t missing anything-or getting biased opinions from one or two observers who may have axes to grind.
- Talk to people who either grew up in or spent considerable time in the country where you’re going. Ask them specifically what differences in social behavior you should know about.
- Seek out people like you and ask about stereotypes they encountered while studying abroad and how they dealt with them.
- Read evaluations written by students who have studied abroad in your host country before. If you have questions, try to email them to follow up.
If you have any concerns about race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability accessibility in your host country, seek out clear and credible information about local realities and available resources before you go. Read on for some specific information on a few groups below. Information on being a woman abroad can be found in Chapter 7, along with safety tips.
FROM A STUDENT
I did not receive specialized training before leaving for my study abroad trip. I did, however, talk to a number of students who studied abroad. I also went to my college’s study abroad office and read evaluations written by various students about their experiences. This was incredibly helpful because I was able to communicate with students who recently returned from a journey that I was about to begin, rather than an educational administrator going through a rote list of general dos and don’ts.
Leah Goodridge, Vassar College. Studied abroad in England.
I was really nervous about telling my host dad I was gay even though on the application I clearly stated that I wanted someone who was open. One night I was eating dinner with him, and he was pressing very hard to find out about my love life. I nervously confronted what seemed like his interrogation with my truth. I told him that I liked guys and that I am gay. My answer did not seem to faze him, he just continued to ask questions. I’d recommend that other students not wait until a month or more into the program until they tell their host family about their sexual orientation. If you do so you are hiding a good part of your life from them and in doing so limiting the relationship you can have with them.
Benjamin, Elon University. Studied abroad in Argentina.
FROM AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION LEADER
For any person of color or anyone from a diverse background, find someone like you with whom you can have a conversation about the host countries you’re considering. You can learn the subtle nuances and gain valuable context from others who’ve spent time there before. That said, their experience may not be your experience. Add their perspective as a tool in your study abroad toolbox.
Nicholas Basse y, placement manage r, Peace Corps; former director, Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship Program.
LGBT Travelers
Attitudes and tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons vary from country to country, just as they vary in different parts of the United States. Moreover, a number of countries provide legal protections to those who are LGBT. But others don’t. Consensual same-sex sexual activity remains illegal in about 70 countries in the world. Penalties in these countries vary from a minimum penalty to long-term imprisonment or even the death sentence. The annual Human Rights Report that the State Department publishes also includes a section specifically regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in each country.
Before choosing an international destination, therefore, LGBT travelers should carefully research the laws and biases there and consider how open they can be. Take time to learn about the following in your host country:
- General attitudes toward LGBT persons
- Local laws
- Norms/styles/customs in your host culture
- LGBT organizations and support resources
- LGBT media
- Meeting places
Additional sources of information include: NAFSA Rainbow SIG; International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA); and the U.S. State Department site for LGBT travelers.
FROM A STUDENT
When selecting a program I would advise students to choose one that is open to the LGBTQIA community, however, I realize this is a challenge because sometimes the regions we are interested in are not that welcoming. Taking my case as an example, I knew I wanted to study abroad in South America. Although I took into account how welcoming each country was of their LGBTQIA community, it was not the only factor that went into my decision. I think that the student should create a priority list of what is most important to them to get out of that experience. I will say that I wanted to choose the country in
South America that was the most gay friendly, and as it so happens Argentina is way ahead of many countries when it comes to LGBTQIA rights. I think it is important to consider your interest and your concentration, while also being aware of the social implications of each program.
Benjamin, Elon University. Studied abroad in Argentina.
Persons with Disabilities
Disabled or not, all international travelers have experienced the awkwardness of being different or standing out in a new country. Like trying new customs or meeting new people, it’s just a normal part of traveling. Persons with disabilities will experience a different sort of awkwardness or discomfort. For example, they may encounter unpleasant or demeaning cultural attitudes directed against them specifically because of their disability. It might be difficult to explain a disability, especially a nonapparent disability, in the language or cultural context of the host country. Moreover, the explanation may not receive the kind of response expected. Nor will those in the program necessarily be capable of appreciating the experience. Connecting with other foreigners with disabilities, or local people with disabilities, can often be instrumental in helping to process feelings, identify positive coping strategies, or gain new understanding of the other point of view.
In addition, you can turn this acceptance of difference into personal growth, depending on your willingness and ability to come to terms with foreign cultural ideas and practices. And you’ll also most likely meet people who are understanding and welcoming. By your very presence and by your active participation in your exchange program or profession, you may well be challenging perceptions.
This and other advice on dealing with cultural encounters as a person with a disability abroad can be found at website of the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE). The NCDE provides free online resources and stories, and information and referral services, for exchange participants with disabilities. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Mobility International USA. For more information check out Survival Strategies for Going Abroad: A Guide for People with Disabilities, by Laura Hershey, published by Mobility International USA, A World Awaits You (AWAY), and the MIUSA blog.
FROM A STUDENT
Something that I encountered, which any traveler with a perceptible disability may also face, is discrimination. I experienced teachers who refused to allow me into their classrooms, despite the orders of progressive administrators. I encountered people who were very frightened that my disability might be contagious in various parts of the world. In many places, shopkeepers refused to allow me to look at behind-the-counter items more closely. Those are just a few examples. There is little an individual traveler can do to respond to overt prejudice … I find it helpful to rate the responses, which helps me keep my perspective and my cool … I can inform them of the grade they get and sometimes that is enough to bring them around.
Arie Farnam, who is blind, Lawrence University. Studied abroad in Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Zimbabwe.
Prepare for Stereotypes
What exactly does an American look like? The United States is home to people from such a vast array of racial and ethnic backgrounds, it’s impossible to say. In most large cities, for example, it’s common to see people representing every region of the world and hear a multitude of languages being spoken. What do Americans think? What do they feel? How do they act? There’s no one answer to those questions either. Not only are the individuals themselves inherently different, they are also influenced by geographic differences, socioeconomic conditions, education level, vocation, religion, and cultural heritage. Our diversity is one of our strengths, yet stereotypical perceptions of Americans persist.
FROM A STUDENT
Many people I encountered believed that Americans are all from Texas or California, and they had views of us based on stereotypes of these two states. Most of these I just kind of laughed at and moved on, but sometimes I just had to say, “we’re not all like that.”
Kenneth Buff, Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
Many Moroccans did not believe I was American because I was not overweight.
Mandie Maxwell, Shawnee State University. Studied abroad in Morocco.
The most frustrating aspect of “travelling while black” is being constantly bombarded by negative stereotypes of African-Americans. Unfortunately for many Mongolians and Chinese, the only time that they have seen or heard a black person is in movies, on television, and in music. On Martin Luther King Day, my 1th graders discussed racism, stereotypes and prejudice. I had each student write down stereotypes about African-Americans, Caucasians, Russians, Mongolians and Chinese. Underneath African-Americans the following was written: Crime, drugs, white teeth, athletic, ghetto/poor. Recently I had an educated, well-travelled Mongolian man tell me that he was also from the “ghetto.” Naturally, he assumed that is where I came from. Although instances like these make living abroad more difficult, they have also made my experience in Mongolia more enriching.
Marikaa Nixon, Spelman College. Studied abroad in China.
I was asked some pretty difficult questions beyond current affairs that were quite eye opening as to how we are viewed in other nations. In Latin America I was asked if the United States has any poverty at all, or if we are all rich. In Germany some students of Turkish decent were afraid that I would hate them because they believed that all Americans hate all Muslims. I felt such a strong duty to show that we are more than the media and television portrays and that we are a diverse nation racially, religiously and politically.
Elise Hannon, University of Pittsburgh. Studied abroad in Costa Rica.
Awarded a Fulbright to Germany.
Stereotypes sometimes contain a grain of truth, but they prevent us from getting to know people. They can also be really unfair. You will be confronted with stereotypes, and you’ll be judged by those stereotypes-not by who you are. It’s important that you understand what some of these stereotypes are. Do research on your host country and culture. Try to glean from others who have gone there before what differences they encountered and how they dealt with them. Start thinking about issues of race, wealth, poverty, gender, religion and politics here in the United States. At some point you will probably find yourself serving as a cultural ambassador, explaining for example that not all Americans are rich, not all Americans own a gun, and that what they see of Americans on television and in the movies may or may not be accurate, but is hardly typical. It will be challenging. And you may well find yourself answering questions about topics you personally haven’t thought much about before. But the exchange of ideas, beliefs and cultural values will inevitably prove to be a rewarding experience for both parties. At the very least, you will be correcting other peoples’ erroneous or stereotypical perceptions of America and American culture. For information on stereotypes related to American women, check out the section in Chapter 7.
FROM A STUDENT
Being a mixed-race American always brought on interesting and informative conversation while studying abroad. I found myself being a bit of a “cultural ambassador” and having the opportunity to explain some of the Jewish and Chinese cultural traditions. I was also a representative of the “melting pot” that the U.S. represents. It was very surprising to me to see some of the reactions I would receive while abroad: upon asking me where my mother was from, when I would say “Iowa,” people got so confused! It was great to be able to break down some of these stereotypes and provide some cultural education about the diversity within the U.S.
Natasha F.C. Diamond, University of California at San Diego. Studied abroad as an undergraduate in Chile and Spain. Studied abroad as a graduate student, George Washington University, in Mexico.
Being a Guatemalan-American woman who blended in in Egypt because of my features had both positive and negative effects. At times, I was expected to follow certain Egyptian social norms because many thought I was Egyptian. Other times, my identity caused suspicion or excessive attention. Dealing with the way others view us because of preconceived notions or stereotypes enforced by the media can also be difficult. I ended up having to explain my identity a lot against the idea of what an “American” looks or acts like. However, it gave me the perfect opportunity to represent the diversity that exists within the U.S. Explaining my dual culture, bilingual background, and the term “Latino” is quite an honor. Literally you are a cultural ambassador with a responsibility to help shape other persons’ perspectives of the U.S., your state, university, culture and religion, into a positive one.
Viole ta A. Rosales, De Paul University. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar. Awarded a Fulbright to Egypt.
My main issue in both Istanbul and smaller areas of the country was convincing people that I was American! I would use President Barack Obama as an example of another African-American like me, which led to the light bulb going on, proving that yes, indeed, there are definitely people in the U.S. that look like me! Most students I went to school with were pretty knowledgeable about the events in American history that African-Americans have had to overcome, specifically slavery, Jim Crow laws, and social justice inequalities that still exist today. I would gladly engage in discussion over these issues, and that is where I felt as if I was doing the most at my job of being a “cultural ambassador.”
Melissa, Michigan State University. Studied abroad as a Boren Scholar in Turkey.
Racial and Ethnic Concerns
No two students studying abroad have exactly the same experience, even when they are in the same program in the same country at the same time, and this is true for students of color and those from U.S. minority ethnic or racial backgrounds. While overseas, you may find yourself part of an ethnic minority or majority for the first time in your life. For instance, if you’re visiting a country where you have ethnic or racial roots-an American with Chinese roots studying in Shanghai, a Puerto Rican studying in Spain, or an African- American studying in Ghana-you may have to consider the local norms and expectations in ways that other students with different backgrounds may not. You may inadvertently be identified with one group or another simply based on your appearance. Know what you are getting into and prepare yourself for it. Try to find others on your campus who have studied abroad and who can tell you what to expect and how best to deal with it.
Check out the Diversity Abroad and AllAbroad.us websites for specific information for African-Americans, Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, Hispanic/Latin Americans and Native Americans.
FROM A STUDENT
I did not encounter any obvious issues related to my race, although I was keenly aware of the role race still plays in South African society. In fact, it was a major part of my research. Although race relations left an ugly stain on the country during the Apartheid era, much progress has been made to date. However, there are still many instances of poverty, crime, violence, and other social injustice-not to mention mistrust-that stem directly from racism in the country. Unlike here in the U.S., people viewed me first as an American and associated me with that culture, rather than making snap judgments based on the color of my skin. Such is not the case in the U.S., where much of our initial perceptions of people are solely based on race.
Darigg C. Brown, Pennsylvania State University. Studied abroad as a Boren Fellow in South Africa.
I had an encounter that really brightened my day and made me laugh.
I was sharing a cab with a group of Peace Corps volunteers. I was the only minority in the group. The conversation went as follows.
Driver: Where are you from Me: America
Driver: Oooo ok…….India? Me: No, America.
Driver: (Shakes head) Filipino?
Me: No, America like everyone else here in the car. Driver: African?
Me: Sir I am from America!!!
Driver: (He has a complete moment of clarity) Oooooo I know! Barack Obama daughter!!!
Me: Yes, sir. You are right. #theObamaeffect
Marikaa Nixon, Spelman College. Studied abroad in China.
Get Off to a Great Start
Regardless of how extensively you have researched your new host country or how thorough your orientation sessions have been, it’s a completely different ball game once you’ve actually arrived. And nothing will be more important to getting off to a good start than approaching your new surroundings with your eyes and ears wide open. Notice things big and small, and expect to be overwhelmed by the excitement and novelty of it all. This is, after all, an experience that you have been looking forward to for months if not years. But avoid the temptation to make quick judgments, especially up or down comparisons with the way things are done back in the United States. Those assessments can only be fairly made after months of comprehensive experience. The first order of business for you is to familiarize yourself with your immediate surroundings and start your study abroad experience off on the right foot. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of productive “to dos” for your first few days.
Quick Tip
When You Arrive
- Call or email home (you should do this as soon as you’ve arrived at your new lodgings).
- Set up your room/apartment; do this thoughtfully, taking time to make it feel as home-like and comfortable as you can reasonably make it-it will be your home for the time you are there.
- Get to know your roommates and/or host family; make time for conversations, walks and meals together-this will start to set the patterns of your interactions with them, which may well persist for the length of your stay.
- Get your bearings by walking around the neighborhood.
- Learn how to place an emergency phone call (look up your local emergency number: http://studentsabroad.state.gov/content/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf).
- Search out local food stores, banks/ATMs, pharmacies, laundry facilities, post offices, internet cafés, and other shops offering items and services you might need, and/or “local hangouts” that may become part of your new home.
- Change money; open a bank account, if appropriate.
- Buy a local cell phone, SIM card, or phone cards.
- Make your way from your new “home” to campus and walk around there. Be sure to stop by the international student office to introduce yourself and request a campus tour.
- Familiarize yourself with local modes of transportation; ask your roommates or host family for the safest and best routes to travel.
- Be a tourist. Visit a major museum, take a city tour, grab a newspaper or book and sit in a park or coffee/tea shop and watch the world go by.
- Make your first journal entry.
FROM A STUDENT
Make sure that you have all of your proper travel documents and keep them safe. Get acquainted with the area … do light traveling at first.
Ashley Gaona, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in England.
The very first thing I did when I got to Rome was make sure I knew how to get to my school and back home, both walking and using the train.
Carolyn Siska, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in Italy.
Making Parisian friends early on in the semester both in class and through university-sponsored events opened so many doors for me and the people who I was with. It allowed us to really get to know the city from a student’s point of view as opposed to learning from a guidebook.
Benjamin Pauke r, George Washington University. Studied abroad in France.
FROM A STUDENT
I’m a reader. I love the smell of a new book. The feel of ink on a page is one of my favorites. Few things make me happier than sitting down for an afternoon with a book and a warm cup of tea. When I got to Beijing, I set to the streets with a goal in mind-find somewhere in this new place that I could read. It was a way to explore the city, find the places I wouldn’t have found otherwise (like the fruit stand tucked down an alley, or a Chinese pancake food cart). But best of all, it left me with someplace I knew whenever things began to get too new or too unfamiliar during my first months.
Jeanette Miranda, Brown University. Spent a gap year in China.
Embrace Your New Home
Almost everyone will tell you that you need to “hit the ground running” by interacting as quickly as possible with a wide range of local people. We agree. The first few weeks are a great time to use your newness to your advantage, especially by making as many local friends and acquaintances as possible. Unless they are completely inured to foreigners, they will be more than happy to show you a favorite restaurant, go with you as you try new foods, and show you the ins and outs of the neighborhood. They’ll open doors that you didn’t know existed, and, by doing so, offer you an insider’s perspective of their country. First introductions are priceless and often not able to be repeated after you’ve been on the ground for a few weeks or months. By all means, let your new friends show off their city or culture-and many times their English language skills. You will find that if you demonstrate a genuine interest in and respect for their culture, most people are more than happy to explain various aspects of it to you, even the seemingly odd or really strange stuff. This will reduce the stress of having to figure everything out for yourself. If you focus on building relationships with most everyone you encounter, you will begin to make friends and integrate.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the more big new things you experience, the more you will also need to find comfort in small, familiar things. You’ll breathe a sigh of relief when you return to your room set up with “your stuff” and are able to find friends-especially fellow Americans-with whom you don’t have to be constantly on your guard for fear of saying or doing something culturally incorrect. We’d recommend, however, that you let these moments be the exception and not the norm. After all, it is only by getting outside your cultural comfort zone that you will be able to learn and grow.
FROM A STUDENT
I studied in Rome for four months. I was so homesick when I first got there, arriving in August and during an extremely hot summer. I had no idea, however, that in Italy they don’t believe in air conditioning. To make it worse, we lived on a pretty busy street right near a stoplight where people liked to rev their engines in the middle of the night, and where the train always stopped. It was hard to keep the windows open for air because it was so loud, but I wasn’t sleeping well. I was ready to go home. I would cry over Skype every night, but my parents knew that if I stayed it would be a great experience for me. My mom told me a couple weeks after being there that if I stayed until the end of September and I was still homesick, then I could come home. I ended up traveling through that whole month and come September, I laughed off the idea of going home and stuck it out. I can’t tell you how happy I was that my parents didn’t let me come home.
Carolyn Siska, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in Italy.
The first week or two is a great time to use your innocence to your advantage and make friends with people eager to meet a foreign student. It can also help ease anxiety and open doors for you. One example I recall was when I ventured to a local library one afternoon. After reading an atlas for about an hour in the only available seat in the reading area, the library announced it was closing. Upon departure the man I had been sitting next to asked me what I studied in school. After chatting for several minutes we exchanged phone numbers. We soon became friends and he even let me accompany him to visit a local UNESCO World Heritage site (Spanish citizens could take a guest free of charge). Whether at the library, running along the river, socializing at a botellón (essentially a mob of hundreds or thousands of students enjoying wine and rum together) or asking for directions, I found that nearly every risk I took in conversing with someone while abroad resulted in something positive.
Peter D. A. Wood, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in Spain.
FROM A STUDENT
The easiest way to meet friends and immerse myself in the Moroccan culture and way of life was to live my life like a Moroccan. I think it was relatively easy to do since I was a guy. I would wake up in the morning and pick up the latest edition of the “Alakhbar Alyom” newspaper before sitting down for a coffee at Alatlal coffee shop. There, I would generally find other Moroccan guys sitting down and having their coffee and getting ready for the day, too. It was natural to start a conversation about what I was reading in the newspaper.
Eric Fische r, University of San Francisco. Studied abroad as a Boren Fellow in Morocco.
Sometimes things just seem really strange. And to you, they are, because they’re new. That’s okay. If you haven’t traveled much outside the United States, you may not realize how different even the littlest things can be. To be sure, no one source can prepare you for all that awaits you. As noted earlier in this chapter, it’s best if you do your own research, talk to people who’ve either grown up or gone to your host country before, and request cross-cultural training. But to help you clear some of the bigger hurdles, we’ve offered up a few of the more prevalent differences below.
Classes
University life is different in other countries. Although some countries have large campuses like we do in the United States, more often than not, they are spread out across a city in small little clusters. In addition, in many countries, students tend to be older and live at home since the concept of “going away to college” is not nearly as prevalent as it is in the United States. Moreover, higher education is generally viewed as an earned privilege, not the expected path after high school. In many countries, especially in the developing world, a much smaller percentage of the total population goes to college than in the United States. For instance, in many Asian countries no more than 15 to 20 percent of the top students go to college, whereas more than 50 percent of the U.S. adult population has attended some college. As a result, college students abroad are often assumed to be more mature and independent learners than may be the case in the United States. The burden will be on you to prove that you are “up to” thriving in that relatively autonomous environment. As one example, there may be less feedback on your progress than you are used to. In many countries, grades are based solely on a single midterm and/or a final exam or project, and are not typically explained or contested. Nor are professors typically anywhere near as friendly or sociable with students as they tend to be in the United States. The relationship between the two is often much more like that of an employer and his or her employees.
These differences can be nerve-wracking in and of themselves. But there are others, especially in structure and organization. American campuses, for example, have a clear registration process, a defined syllabus, regular meeting places for classes, and a clearly defined grading system. Abroad, you may find your class meeting outside at alternative locations, such as a park or a museum, or meeting at different times, with the professors frequently late. You may have no idea how you’ll be graded at the end of the term. For these reasons, many students choose to take classes pass/fail to minimize the stress. But you need to check with your advisers to find out whether you can do this and still receive credit (see Chapter 2).
Although these differences may frustrate you-especially at first-it’s not going to do you any good to get mad or rail against the system. It’s far better to just accept them, and see what you can learn. This is, after all, their culture, and it is that culture that you have come to experience just as much as you have come for any traditional classroom experiences. If you can just step back and consider the totality of it all, the experience should be quite enlightening.
FROM A PARENT
The university was a commuter college, with faculty far less available to the students than my daughter was used to at her home university. The students there pick a field of study and stick to it, without the fluid movement through subject areas that is common in the U.S. The students in a second year have been together in their classes for at least a year. They have all taken the same schedule of classes before, thus have a common knowledge base. When my daughter joined a class that had no stated prerequisites, she was, in effect, joining a higher-level class, with no background in that subject. We did not know this, and it was a struggle for her to catch up, especially given that all classes were taught in Spanish.
Parent.
FROM A STUDENT
While at Bo aziçi University in Istanbul, I primarily took classes within my major, international relations. I remember covering events in my courses between conflicts or relationships between other countries (like Iran and Israel, or Turkey and the Balkan countries) and having the United States’ role (if there was one) be completely absent from the conversation. This made it hard for me to contribute to class discussions on topics I knew very little about, and I was forced to sit back and learn from my European and Turkish classmates, who were much more knowledgeable about the issues. For some of the conflicts where the U.S. was not involved, I had little to no in-depth knowledge of certain issues. It made me realize that in every class I had back at my home university, the U.S. was always included in some way. Everything I learned with international relations back home had the United States as the focal point for every issue and conflict I learned about. However, many nations do not often view world events through the same lens that Americans do.
Melissa, Michigan State University. Studied abroad as a Boren Scholar in Turkey.
Bathrooms
Ah, the bathroom stories! You may have heard them, and you may live to tell a few of your own. Suffice it to say that few nationalities are as particular about their personal hygiene as Americans, and bathrooms like those in the U.S. are not the norm in the rest of the world. You will find all kinds of flushing mechanisms from small to large buttons, chain pulls, foot presses, pots of water and, yes, none when it’s simply a hole in the floor. You may find toilets with heated seats and a warm spray of water to wash you down, toilets facing large picture-glass windows in skyscrapers, and many toilets that don’t work-even if you just paid to use them. In many places around the world, people do not flush tissue, but rather put it in the waste can in the stall. But don’t expect anyone to tell you this beforehand, since bathroom etiquette is an engrained part of the culture. In many places around the world, tissue is not even used at all-just water and the left hand. Whatever the prevailing practice, you will want to be prepared before you go in. Consider carrying a small supply of toilet tissue, small tissue packets and/or moist wipes with you every day, which come in handy for all kinds of clean-up needs.
FROM A STUDENT
Sometimes bathrooms in Europe are hard to come by. I really needed a bathroom once, and couldn’t find one that was free, so I snuck into a restaurant. I was leaving and almost got stopped, but kept going. It was hard to get used to always looking for a free bathroom, so I eventually gave up and started bringing coins with me!
Ashley Gaona, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in England.
Shopping
With a little luck, you will need to do all kinds of shopping, and will thus have the opportunity to purchase many items while abroad. If possible, try to make your first commercial forays accompanied by a local or knowledgeable friend who can explain to you both how the system works and which stores have the best merchandise and prices. You’ll probably find that a supermarket-a store with aisles, carts, and lots of products-will have fixed prices and accept credit cards. But when you go shopping in local markets, usually set up on sidewalks, the street, or in other common areas or squares, you will often be able to bargain and be required to pay in cash. Bargaining, haggling, negotiating-whatever you call it-is a longstanding custom in many places around the world, and by engaging in it, you get to know people, practice your language skills, and-once you have come to accept it and learn the basics- even have some fun.
In some cultures, bargaining extends well beyond your weekly purchase of avocados or apples from a street vendor. It also applies to nonmetered taxis, motorized rickshaws, clothes, furniture, tours, guides-anything that doesn’t have a listed price. And even when there are listed prices, there are often two prices: one for locals and one for tourists. Once you know this, you should at least be able to get some sort of discounted price-perhaps not what true locals pay, but not what they try to soak the tourists for either. Here are few tips to follow:
- Know where to shop (stay away the places that tourists frequent, especially when they are present).
- Know the quality and value (at least to you) of what you’re buying.
- Never pay the first price offered.
- Use cash for better bargaining power, and prepare a quick sheet of equivalent values in increments so you don’t overpay in the heat of the deal.
- Know the laws pertaining to the nature and quantity of the items you’re buying (e.g., antiques, religious artifacts, etc.) and their exportability.
- Keep in mind that bargaining for large items means drinking tea or coffee with merchants-often lots of it.
- Don’t go too low with prices, or you may risk offending the vendor.
- Enjoy yourself!
If you plan to go out shopping for more than trinkets or everyday items, go with someone who knows what they’re doing so you stand a chance of not being totally ripped off. A good rule of thumb to follow, however, is that if you like what you’ve bought and feel that you’ve paid a fair price, there’s no reason to feel angry, frustrated or insulted. Generally speaking, this good feeling will last right up until you run into someone who paid a lot less for the exact same item!
FROM A STUDENT
Customer service in Japan was far more attentive than any experience
I had ever had here in the U.S.
Taure an Barnwell, University of South Florida. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Japan.
I learned the hard way that it’s not appropriate to touch things in shops in Germany and many other parts of Europe. I was in a shop at the Christmas Market in Aachen. I found a collectible I wanted, went to touch it, and this really tall, old man (the shop owner) came up from behind me and swatted my hand. It was extremely awkward, and I felt so uncomfortable! I left the shop really fast and was really taken aback! Another time I was in a chocolate shop in Brugge, Belgium, with my friend. We both moved to pick up a bag of chocolate, and a shop lady raised her voice at us. It was extremely embarrassing!
Ashley Gaona, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in England.
FROM A STUDENT
I was shocked when I went shopping on Oxford Street and found that employees were less helpful than the ones that work at my local Walmart. My question of “do you have any of these in the back in a smaller size” were answered by a swift, “no,”and that was all.
Kenneth Buff, Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
Food
Few things are as culturally unique to a country as its food. From the types of fruits, vegetables, grains, meats eaten (or not), and spices used to the methods of cooking, cuisine is one of the richest and most established aspects of any culture. And depending on where you are, that cuisine may be already familiar to you, partially familiar, or completely unknown. Be as adventurous as you can by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new foods, and you will be rewarded by great new experiences, and insight into the local culture. You certainly won’t like everything you try, but you will probably be surprised by how much you like some completely new-even weird-things.
In addition to what is eaten, few things are more culturally-defined than how people eat, i.e., with whom, at what time, for how long, and in observance of what practices. Depending on where you live, your meals may vary from home-cooked local delicacies served every day as part of your homestay to cooking for yourself in an apartment with international students. Take your time to “break bread” and share meals with your new friends. Your experiences will include far more than just the new dishes you try; you’ll create lasting friendships. Meals have a way of doing that.
Be careful, though, where and what you eat, especially at first. While some people may be able to eat off street carts in Mumbai their first day without suffering any consequences, most cannot. Know yourself, your tolerance for new foods, spices and herbs, and go easy at first. It also helps to have some Pepto-Bismol and Maalox handy. With that said, however, there are plenty of street eats that are safe, delicious and cheap: crêpes in Paris, fish tacos in Mexico, satay in Thailand, fresh-squeezed juices in Nicaragua, steaming chai in Goa. Ask your local friends to take you to places where other nonlocals have eaten and not suffered any adverse consequences.
FROM A STUDENT
Condiments in England are not free! Whenever I ordered fish and chips, I had to pay for each ketchup packet that I wanted.
Ashley Gaona, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in England.
I made the mistake of tipping. I do so in America, but it’s not done in Ireland. After dropping a euro on the table of my first pub, I asked the gentleman next to me what the common tip amount was. He told me, “You don’t tip.” By this I was shocked and, not entirely believing him, I put the coin back in my pocket. I asked around, and found that you most certainly do not tip in Ireland with one exception: If you want to tip a bartender, you simply buy him a beer (preferably a Guinness).
Kenneth Buff. Northern Oklahoma College. Studied abroad in England, Italy, Ireland, Wales.
Sticking a pair of chopsticks straight up into a bowl of rice is evocative of a tombstone in Japanese culture and should never be done while eating at the table!
Taure an Barnwell, University of South Florida. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Japan.
It all sounds good, right? But what if you have a hard time overcoming some of your shock over certain aspects of the culture? What if, in addition to the differences in classes, bathrooms, shopping and food, there are more subtle differences that are even more difficult to deal with? What if one moment you’re thrilled to be there, high on excitement and the adventure-but the next, you’re missing your friends and family and feeling dumb about the stupid mistakes you keep making? In the beginning, you may find that your uncertainty is increasing. This happens because the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know what you’re doing, resulting in increasing discomfort and uncertainty. Don’t worry-you’re not alone.
Understanding and Dealing with Culture Shock
Culture shock is one of the most widely discussed and often misunderstood aspects of any international experience. Technically speaking, culture shock is the confusion, disorientation, and emotional upheaval that comes from immersion in a new culture. For example, you may be tired of using frustrating and confusing public transportation that doesn’t seem to work well. Maybe you’re exhausted from making yourself understood all the time and just want to speak with someone like you. Even just standing out, looking foreign, bothers many people abroad. These minor problems balloon into massive problems. You feel like an outsider and may even be depressed. You are experiencing culture shock.
Culture shock typically follows a three-phased cycle starting with a honeymoon period when everything feels grand. But fabulous turns to frustration, depression and confusion, often triggered by an event involving seemingly minor cultural differences. All usually ends well, however, as the recovery phase restores equilibrium after you’ve regained confidence and learned to appreciate the culture as a whole. A little bit wiser, you’re able to move on. International newbies are often either overly optimistic (“I won’t have any trouble adjusting”) or overly pessimistic (“Everyone takes six months to get used to the basics before they can do anything productive”).
You may have heard some people say that they don’t experience culture shock. Well, odds are, they did, but perhaps didn’t recognize it as such, or they’re too embarrassed to share their stories. Worse still, they might not have immersed themselves in the local culture, and so were never exposed to it to the point where they had to confront their discomfort in the first place. That would be sad, and we certainly don’t recommend that you take that approach. Culture shock is a learning experience and leads to broader perspectives, more tolerance, and greater appreciation for your new culture and your home culture. It’s important that you prepare for culture shock, and learn how to deal with it. Doing so is one of the best ways to experience the deep personal growth of life abroad, as so many others have.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH CULTURE SHOCK
- Assume differences until similarity is proven.
- Relate to individuals, not a “culture.”
- Work with a culture rather than against it.
- Ask “what do I need to understand?” not “what should I do?”
- Listen and observe, think and then talk.
- Focus on the benefits of differences rather than simply trying to avoid mistakes.
FROM A STUDENT
The bad news about culture shock and homesickness is that they’re both pretty much inevitable when you’re abroad. The good news is that if everyone else can overcome them, there’s no reason you can’t, too.
Nate Nault, College of the Holy Cross. Studied abroad in Scotland.
Spending postgraduate gap year in China.
When I studied abroad in England, I found there wasn’t a huge cultural difference, and I had a fairly easy time meeting people and building lasting friendships. In Switzerland, though, I went through a three-month language immersion program to improve my French, and it helped me integrate much better. Switzerland can be a much colder place (figuratively and literally), and I had to work a lot harder to make friends with the locals. I would say being persistent and positive are two important traits that helped me integrate into my new surroundings.
Brian Hardin, University of Te xas at Austin. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in England. Awarded a Fulbright to Switzerland
My advice is to meet the people in the culture before you make judgments. That’s what I did wrong; I pre-judged, and so I shut down and didn’t want to go out. So really make sure you go and try everything out, and try to learn about the culture as best as you can. Sometimes when the group was going out and I didn’t want to go, my roommate would push me to go out. She had been abroad before and she was helpful.
Stephanie, a student with depression and anxiety, University of South Florida. Studied abroad in Malaysia.
In fact, almost everyone who spends a significant time abroad experiences some degree of culture shock with every major cultural transition-whether moving to a new culture, or dealing with a new cultural group or sub-culture at home. You can experience a type of culture shock if you are working on a project on your home campus with a group of diverse people from different backgrounds, or returning to the U.S. after time abroad. Whatever your encounters are, you will need to develop coping mechanisms.
Once you’ve spent time in cross-cultural environments, you will learn to recognize your own pattern of adjustment to new experiences. You will put to good use the coping mechanisms that work best for you. By giving yourself the space, time, and other support you need to adjust, you can smooth your transition and develop your own culture shock absorbers. This adaptability is important because you will need to cope and move on-not let these encounters stymie your growth or experiences- so you can continue to study and eventually work productively across cultures.
That said, if you find that your case of culture shock has become a consistent, awful strain that gets worse rather than better, take it as a warning sign, and consider reaching out to your sending program or local adviser for help. Most students find that like subsequent ripples from a stone being thrown in a pond, the height and frequency of culture shock waves should diminish with time. This is why many students wish afterwards that they had stayed abroad longer; they recognize that it does get easier with time. But in the beginning you’ll need to learn to adapt. Here are some tips from TMC, a Berlitz company with the mission of helping multinational companies leverage differences and similarities for maximum performance:
QUICKTIP: Surviving the Adjustment Curve
- Self-awareness is crucial; remember that your reactions and emotions are normal.
- Reach out to people who have already gone through this adjustment cycle; they can give you suggestions and support as you navigate through your own adjustment.
- Don’t spend time with fellow study abroad students who exhibit a consistently negative attitude toward your host country; they can drag you down.
- Make an effort to meet people and make friends with people in your host culture.
- Look for positive aspects of every experience.
- Be open to learning about the host culture, ask questions, and attempt to understand behaviors instead of judging them.
- Set small goals for yourself initially; adjustment is gradual.
- Take care of yourself physically; make sure you get enough sleep and keep a proper diet.
- Adjust your schedule to the rhythm of the host culture (i.e., meal times, study habits, time off).
- Learn the new language; don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
- Make plans to stay in touch with friends and family at home.
- Maintain your usual stress outlets, such as exercise.
- Keep your sense of humor!
FROM A STUDENT
Listening and observation skills are important to apply at all times, especially to understand the language, culture and traditions.
Viole ta A. Rosales, De Paul University. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar. Awarded a Fulbright to Egypt.
Get acclimated with your surroundings. Don’t jump right into traveling to different countries/cities. Acclimating to your surroundings and your new home will really help you feel like you are “home.” It will also help cut down on the feeling of homesickness and assist you in learning about the fun things to do right where you’re studying.
Carolyn Siska, Oklahoma State University. Studied abroad in Italy.
FROM A STUDENT
As time came closer to leaving for Slovakia, I became more anxious about the whole prospect of living abroad for a year. It took a week or so in Slovakia to become excited again by this opportunity. My host family, Fulbright friends, Slovak friends and students really played a big part in helping me thrive in Slovakia. I did have my mini-crises brought on by stress (usually a broken printer) typical of the crisis stage of culture shock. I really started to enjoy living in another culture during the second semester. I had more friends, and everything was not as overwhelming as at the start [despite deaths at home in that time]. My friends (roommates, host family, Fulbright friends) helped me to deal with this loss. When looking back, the weather played more of a role than I would like to admit. My hardest months in Slovakia were those where the temperature was below freezing and the sun set at 4 p.m., and I did not want to leave my apartment.
Anna Lippard, Coker College. Studied abroad in Italy, Czech Republic.
Awarded a Fulbright to Slovakia.
Savvy internationalists also remember that the toughest bouts of culture shock often happen when transitioning “home.” This reverse culture shock or re-entry shock also requires coping techniques-and preparation. Read more on this topic in Chapter 9.
FROM A STUDENT
I remember feeling angry during my early days in China and thinking that everyone was doing things wrong when finally I realized that I was experiencing culture shock. The curt behavior I saw from people and the procedures people made me go through were just the norm, and once I accepted it, I wasn’t as angry anymore and had an easier time.
Eamon Devine, Johnson County Community College. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in China.
My host mom sent me to the store because we were out of milk. By that point in my stay, I knew better than to trust an English translation that I read (I don’t think I saw a single correct one my entire time there), but I was in a hurry, and the milk at the store down the street had the side of the carton with the English writing facing out of the refrigerator, so I grabbed it and paid without thinking. When I got home, my host mom called me into the kitchen and pointed out the English translators had forgotten to translate just one of the Spanish words: agria, the word for sour. I had just purchased expired milk. When I asked my host mom why on earth sour milk was for sale, she explained that it was used to alleviate stomach aches. Naturally, I then tried to explain that expired milk is actually kind of poisonous, to which she responded, “no, it makes delicious milkshakes.” I decided not to argue and went back down the road to the little store to exchange the milk, but found that the refrigerator contained only sour milk, so I asked the clerk for help. She then explained that they keep the regular milk out on the sidewalk rather than in the refrigerator.
Beth Cubanski, American University. Studied abroad in Costa Rica.
On the day I was leaving Osaka to return home, I took a taxi to get to the bus depot to catch a bus to the airport. After I got out of the taxi and he drove off, I realized that I had left my cell phone and book inside the car. I went to a nearby bus dispatcher and told him in my rudimentary Japanese that I forgot my things inside the taxi. He picked up a radio and started making calls and somehow got in touch with the taxi driver. He then handed me the radio and said, “Explain to him your situation.” I was somehow able to convey to the taxi driver that I left some things inside the taxi. He said he would try to get them back to me. Disheartened, I got on the bus about to depart for the airport, prepared to abandon my U.S. cell phone and the book I brought along. Twenty minutes into the ride to the airport, the bus stopped and the taxi driver boarded the bus! He chatted with the driver, found me, and handed me my bag of my lost items. He went out of his way to make sure I got my stuff before going home and made an indelible impression on me.
Taure an Barnwell, University of South Florida. Studied abroad as a Gilman Scholar in Japan.
Don’t be Too Hard on Yourself
Cultural mistakes and bungling are part and parcel of the international experience. As the old saying goes, the only way to never make a mistake is to never do anything at all. So be gentle on yourself, and try to be understanding when others goof up, too. If you don’t already know how to laugh at yourself and your mistakes, it’s time to start! Don’t hesitate to use gentle humor publicly (especially about yourself), as it can dissolve cultural barriers quickly.
At the same time, try to learn from each of your mistakes (and from those you see others making), so that you don’t make the same ones over and over. Never fear- there will be plenty of new mistakes to make as you continue to try new things. Unconditional acceptance is one of the most important requirements of a truly successful experience abroad. You have to let your barriers fall and accept new ways of interaction, new ways of thinking, and new ways of living. Only then will you begin to understand that our world is indeed a very large and complicated place, with countless paths to countless ends.
QUICKTIP: Have Fun!
You are about to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of your lifetime.
Along with the excitement, however, will come some inevitable challenges. You should know going in that some days will be less enjoyable than others and that some will be downright dark and difficult. Keep a positive attitude and make sure you have coping mechanisms in place to get you through some of the difficult moments.
FROM A STUDENT
In U.S. grocery stores, I’m used to letting my goods be scanned, go down the conveyor belt, and be met by someone who bags them. The first time I went to a grocery store in Paris, my goods were scanned, sent down the conveyor belt, and there they sat until I realized that no one was going to bag them. All eyes were on me from the line I was holding up. It made for a quick lesson, and I never held up a line again!
Amy Newman, Northeastern University. Studied abroad in France.
ROMANCE/DATING
In our ever-smaller and more interconnected world, cross-cultural dating is becoming increasingly common, in many different contexts. But be thoughtful before getting too involved, and speak with returned students for advice. There can be many traps for young people getting romantically involved abroad, from standard relationship entanglements, to the complexities of cultures that may take any form of intimate contact much more seriously than Americans sometimes do, to the dangers of criminal networks that use the offer of sensual or sexual contact to entrap unwary visitors. That said, for some people the whirlwind fantasy romance of a temporary stay overseas can add immeasurably to the experience. Most certainly, there are some things you can only learn about a culture through intimacy!
FROM A STUDENT
It was a Thanksgiving party. A group of American students including myself had decided to share our holiday with some of the other international students. I was sitting on the couch, when another girl came to sit down. I graciously slid over and everybody in the room broke into laughter. She looked at me slightly offended, and shocked. I realized she was French and been leaning over to kiss me on my cheeks in greeting. Now I was the shocked one, embarrassed by how unintentionally rude I had been. While in China, I found cultural misunderstandings had a way of cropping where least expected, but that a wide smile, willingness to laugh at myself, and desire to understand other cultures went a long way.
Jeanette Miranda, Brown University. Spent a gap year in China.
It’s okay to not be “having the time of your life” ALL the time. You will, at times, become frustrated, discouraged, and downright confused while living abroad. This is completely normal and, I would argue, necessary in order to have a meaningful abroad experience.
Claire Harrison, University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Studied abroad in Italy.
Top Tips
Top 10 Tips for Immersing Yourself in the Culture
- Take your cross-cultural preparation seriously.
- Request cross-cultural training.
- Seek out others who’ve gone before you.
- Embrace your new home and friends to be made.
- Explore your neighborhood, the campus, and public transportation.
- Serve as a cultural ambassador.
- Recognize the signs of culture shock and how to deal with it.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself if you make mistakes.
- Pay attention and listen carefully.
- Have fun!
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