STUDY ABROAD

WORLD-WIDE TRAVEL

You’ll learn more studying abroad than you ever imagined.

By Brooke Pearl

“Hola,” “Bonjour,” “Konichiwa” and “Guten Tag” mean “hello” or “good day” in Spanish, French, Japanese and German. If planning on studying abroad, it’s always handy to have some knowledge of the language, culture and customs of the country.

Students who have studied abroad are always saying what a great experience it was to travel across the world and study in a country they knew little or nothing about. “It’s an eye-opening and even life-altering experience,” they say. Though it may be cliché, there’s a lot of truth to it, but you have to find out for yourself.

A student may be skeptical as to what the big deal is about studying abroad. When stepping off the plane into a new country, a student is conforming to someone else’s traditions and lifestyle. Being a little hesitant is expected, but it’s the thrill of jumping into a new world, and letting it take over, that’s personally challenging and, in the end, worthwhile. Don’t be afraid to try speaking their language, eating their food, visiting their schools and attending their Mass or service.

While studying abroad, students learn about the country’s local government, currency, transportation, popular sports and daily business routines, on top of the classes they are taking for their college major or minor. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Even meals, dancing and music can be quite a shock.

A traditional event in Spain is “corridas de toros,” or bullfighting. The “toro bravo,” an ancient species of bull found only in Spain, is used in each bullfight. The “torero,” or bullfighter, demonstrates control over the bull throughout the entire fight before killing it with his sword in the finale.

For those studying abroad in Greece, it’s helpful to know standard time doesn’t really exist. ‘Morning’ refers to anytime before noon; ‘afternoon’ is anytime before 6 p.m.; and ‘evening’ begins no earlier than 9 p.m. Also, when entering a Greek church or monastery, make sure shoulders and knees are covered. It’s a sign of respect, as is bringing a gift when invited to someone’s house.

Residents of Sweden and Greece celebrate a tradition called “name days,” during which a certain name is celebrated each day. If it’s your “name day,” a cake is usually baked in your honor. If students stay with a Swedish or Greek host family, be sure not to forget this holiday. Students will also learn that school in Sweden is free. From elementary school to upper-level education, everything is free, so anyone who wants can attend, and some students receive money for school on a monthly basis from the government.

Cuisine may also be an adjustment for a student who is used to late-night McDonald’s and Taco Bell. In Italy, stuffed pasta and, of course, pizza are all-time favorites, but be sure to try the “spezzatino di vitello” (stew). In Japan, sushi and rice dishes are popular, but so is Yakisoba, a stir-fried dish with Chinese-style noodles served with veggies, meat and ginger. Take a walk on the wild side and try the Sukiyaki, which is a “nabe” (hot pot) dish with thinly sliced meat, veggies, mushrooms, tofu and shirataki, a type of noodle. After it’s prepared, the food is dipped in a raw egg before eaten.

When a student decides they want to travel abroad, they need to take into consideration the amount of research and preparation it will take to make their abroad experience nothing but the best. Financial aid is always the main concern. If students plan to study abroad ahead of time, saving money from a part-time college job is a good start. Fundraisers also add to the fund. To save even more cash, check out some of the less-traveled destinations—it’ll be cheaper and possibly more of an exhilarating experience. While finances are a concern, don’t forget the real reason for studying abroad. “Students first think if they can afford it,” says Kim Gradel, manager of IIE Passport Study Abroad Directories, “but more importantly, from an academic standpoint, they should find something they can incorporate into their college career.”

While researching for the trip abroad, a student has many options to choose from. First, if a student knows they want to study abroad at some point during their college career, make sure the potential college or university has an organized study abroad package. Some schools don’t have organized study abroad programs, which makes the process much more difficult. And, “if a student studies abroad early on, they often can get their general requirements abroad,” Kim says, which is beneficial for the student.

Secondly, programs through the student’s college or university may be more cost-effective than those found through third-party sources, which should be taken into consideration, especially if the student is paying for the trip. Lastly, keep in mind students can directly enroll in a foreign university, also potentially saving money, “which gives students extra money to do what they want when abroad,” Kim says.

Other things to keep in mind are housing (dorm or host family), traveling, food and airfare. Students should also make sure core classes transfer so their study abroad experience doesn’t prevent them from graduating in four years, says Matt Ulmer, media relations for www.studyabroad.com and www.iiepassport.org. He also says to map out an itinerary before leaving, and keep in mind when visiting other countries abroad that the cost of living in one country may be more expensive than in another. Also, if students travel abroad with a group, they will more than likely stay with that group, which sometimes disappoints those who are more independent and want to be on their own.

Many countries around the world amaze visitors with their interesting customs and long-time family traditions. Students can choose to study abroad for weeks, months or years, and while they’re over there, the lifestyle and language will eventually become second nature. Students will bring back more knowledge (and souvenirs) than they could have imagined. Those who accept internships abroad can get involved in international organizations and have first-hand experience within their career field they may never have been able to experience at home. Plus, it looks great on a résumé, as does studying abroad in general.

Some fun facts Kim says to remember when abroad are: Do something new everyday. Get to know the bus route that will take you to a different part of the new city. Learn the language. Take a class before leaving or after you get there. And, finally, be ready to laugh at yourself. Mistakes will happen. It’s part of the extensive learning process when studying abroad. Don’t be afraid to take a chance, and “Boa sorte!” (That’s ‘good luck’ in Portuguese.)

For additional study abroad and scholarship information, check out www.studyabroad.com, www.iiepassport.org and www.studyabroadfunding.org.

For more fun facts on foreign customs, visit www.bed-breakfast-Italy.com, www.donquijote.org,
www.nada.kth.se/~jsh/resor/svenskaseder.html and www.explorecrete.com/mycrete/customs/greek-customs.html.