BEYOND BORDERS … Advice from those who’ ve gone
BEYOND BORDERS … Advice from those who’ ve gone
Dai’ Jah Todd
Major: Film with African American Studies Minor Where: Osaka, Japan When: 2015-2016 academic year Scholarship: Positive Black Women Scholarship Favorite Experience: My favorite thing about my experience was the ability to educate people on a culture they typically had never witnessed before. As a Black American in an Asian country, many people there had never been exposed to Black people or seen one in real life so I was able to personally fight certain stereotypes they may have had prior to meeting me and just expose them to different people.
For anyone hoping to study abroad I would say just do it! Traveling abroad is a great experience that many people don ' t get the opportunity to do after graduating so now is the best time. Take advantage of this opportunity!
Sierra Williams
Major: Sociology, Minor in Biology. Where: Haiti When: Summer of 2016 for 4.5 weeks Favorite Experience: My favorite thing about my Abroad experience was surely being in Hôpital Albert Schweitzer( HAS) for medical rounds and morning meetings. Through this, I was able to observe a soleus flap surgery in the surgery room.
I would suggest to anyone wanting to study abroad, to take dri-fit clothing but make sure its loose fitting. You only really need 7 regular( ready to hike) outfits and 1-2 sundresses for nice dinners in Haiti specifically. Chaos were the best sandals / shoes for me. I would suggest packing a lot of soap and underwear. You should also pack a lot of Snacks!!! Don ' t Expect Ice or Cold Drinks.
Mental Advice: Take it day by day and write in a journal. Something that helped me was playing cards and calling / texting home a few times a week.
Angel McFarland
Major: Psychology & Religious studies Where: Oman, Dubai &( Israel) When: Spring / Summer 2015: Five weeks &( Winter 2016: 11 days) Favorite Experience: My favorite part of being abroad is the culture shock, being able to see first hand there ' s never just one way of doing things. Living immersed in a completely different country forces you to learn and adapt to the environment, but in the process teaches you to identify new things about yourself; new likes / dislikes, new skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
My advice for anyone with a desire to travel abroad is to go for it and have an open mind. Being abroad is like any other new environment or opportunity, it ' s what you make it; so be purposeful, take advantage of the adventures, and don ' t limit yourself.
Alyssa Waid
Major: International Business and Marketing / Minor: French Where: Nice & Paris, France When: Summer 2016 for 5.5 weeks Scholarship: Seidman College of Business Study Abroad Scholarship Favorite experience: I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world, it changed my perspectives and taught me a lot about other cultures. I also really loved living with a host family, this not only improved my French speaking skills but it allowed me to make connections with native French people.
My advice for people who are thinking about studying abroad is just do it, you will not regret it. I was nervous about financing the trip but in the end it was worth every penny. The experiences you have abroad are nothing you can experience at home. You meet amazing people, you learn about other cultures and most of all, you learn about yourself and who you are. Just go, the memories you make abroad will last a lifetime!
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