Abroad101 April 2017 Students of the Month

Abroad101 donates to study abroad fundraisers that are set up by hopeful students who hope to study abroad. Working together with GoEnnounce we choose a student mission to be highlighted and then award a donation to start off the fundraising efforts. March 2017 students winners tell us about their coming study abroad trips to France, Jordan, Ireland and New Zealand.

Alayne Chipman, our 120th Abroad101 Student of the Week winner is currently sophomore at the University of Idaho. With an outstanding 4.0 GPA, several honors, awards and distinctions while pursuing a double major, Alayne is now also hoping to study abroad at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.

Alayne has always wanted to study in a foreign country, and to being immersed in a new and unknown culture. As an architecture and interior design major, Alayne’s long term goal is to join a preservation society and to renovate and restore old homes. She would also like to work with the building industry and make buildings more eco-friendly.  She is looking forward to getting out of her comfort zone and exploring new things while continuing to follow her passion in the design fields.

We wish Alayne all the best in New Zealand and hope that she will have a life changing experience there!

Learn more about Alayne’s mission here.


Congratulations goes to our 121st Abroad101 Student of the Week winner, Christopher Janiszewski, currently a sophomore at UNC Charlotte studying Computer Science.

One of Christopher’s goals in life is to photograph the world through his travels while making a living with his Computer Science Degree. Luckily for him, he has had a chance to travel to various places in Europe as well as the United States. Therefore now his ultimate dream is to one day being able to combine his passion for photography with his career in Computer Science.  He also hopes to have the opportunity to work and live overseas once he graduates from UNC Charlotte.

Chris was recently accepted to a Study Abroad program in Galway, Ireland with a program called International Studies Abroad.  Through this program, Christopher will be taking courses that focus on Irish history and culture as well as math classes. In addition the landscape of Ireland is quite fascinating and he’s looking forward to take photos to add to his portfolio. It is through this unique experience, gaining not only independence and confidence, but also a new perspective on culture and diversity, that Christopher hopes will expand his opportunities.

This study abroad program cost is expensive and even though Chris has been working at Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub in Uptown Charlotte, NC and he has applied for financial aid and scholarships, it still not enough to cover the total program cost and airfare to Ireland. He will use all the money that he raises to help him cover the program cost.

We wish Christopher all the best in Ireland!

To check out Christopher’s Mission and donate to his cause, click here!


 

Wade Farr, is our 122nd Abroad101 Student of the Week winner!

He is currently a junior attending Brigham Young University, majoring in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic. Wade’s family is from an Arabic speaking country which influenced his desire to learn this language. He fell in love with the language and culture of his fathers country and decided helping refugees was what he wanted to do. Working as an intern at a school district that had thousands of refugees, Wade was able to meet with the refugees, give them his support and listen to their stories. While not sure yet what career he wants to pursue, he knows that his goal is to help refugees get a better life. To help refugees, he is aware of the fact that he needs to learn the Arabic language and understand the Middle East culture, issues, and laws.

That is why he is very excited because he got the amazing opportunity to go Study Abroad in Amman, Jordan, for the fall semester of this year! He will be attending Al-Qasid Institute, which is a prestigious language school near the University of Amman. The program will include 2 hours of Arabic speaking with natives, studying Arabic under natives who teach Modern Standard Arabic and the Jordanian dialect, and experiencing the culture of Amman. In addition to this, he will also travel to Palestine/Israel for his last 3 weeks there to analyze the Israeli conflict and further his knowledge of the region.

Wade will use the money that he raises in this fundraiser to help cover his tuition fees and residence while attending the Al-Quasid Institute program.

We wish Wade all the best in his fundraising for Jordan and hope that he will have a life changing experience there!

To check out Wade’s Mission and donate to his cause, click here!


Congratulations to our 123rd Abroad 101 Student of the week Shelbie Koenitzer! Shelbie is currently a senior undergrad student at Michigan Technological University and has a goal of achieving a B.S. in Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship as well as an International French minor. That is a lot of studying! This trip will help her reach her goal of becoming truly fluent in French, which Shelbie hopes in turn becomes a useful tool in finding a job and working in an increasingly global business environment.

This opportunity is also a requirement for Shelbie’s minor, and with her strong passion for the French language as well as her desire to travel the world, she will defiantly make the most of the trip.  The program will be include two courses throughout her time abroad; one intensive French course and one business course relevant to her major.

The funds she raises through GoEnnounce will be put towards the program fee itself. The total program fee is $6,250 but she has covered $5000 already with help from her dad and scholarships, leaving her with $1,250 left to raise. We wish Shelbie all the best in France and hope that she will have a life changing experience there!

To check out Shelbie’s Mission and donate to her cause, click here!

 


The Abroad 101 Student of the Week initiative awards a student who created a Mission for a study abroad program on GoEnnounce with a donation to their fundraiser. Learn more about this partnership from Abroad101 CEO Mark Shay and GoEnnounce founder Melissa Davis here.

Stay tuned for our next Abroad101 Students of the Week!

Clearing Local Communication Gap through Interpreting Services

One of the most pleasurable things in life is traveling abroad. You’ll enjoy a brief respite if you’re on vacation. If traveling on business, you can seal deals, meet colleagues face to face and form closer bonds and increase your business network. Sometimes, the only hindrance to the full enjoyment of your international travel is when the locals do not speak your language. In this case, it’s advantageous to use professional interpreting services to facilitate communication.

Interpreting services are not only for business people who are in foreign soil. The service is useful for other situations – when interviewing potential local employees, when having a personal meeting, like meeting a foreign sweetheart for the first time, and other instances when using the local language is needed for complete understanding.

Advantages of using an international interpreter

Traveling enriches your mind as you discover new cultures and learn other languages through interaction with locals. It also helps you to discover new things about yourself.

When your need for better communication is beyond casual conversation, using an experienced human interpreter is to your advantage. You’re assured that the language barrier will prevent cultural and social misunderstandings. The communication can flow freely as an interpreter helps you to have verbal explanations instantaneously.

An international interpreter has the appropriate cultural knowledge and knows all the nuances of the local language, as well as practical information about local traditions. This firsthand information is difficult to obtain from books, and will give you the assurance that you follow local norms, at the same time that you are getting your message across.

Escort interpreter

A more appropriate term to use instead of international interpreter is escort interpreter. Booking an escort interpreter while overseas removes any apprehension you may have about the difference in culture and language. For business people, you’ll have someone with you who can interpret everything that’s being said in the local language into your own language and vice versa.

The escort interpreter can be like a temporary assistant. He or she can help you navigate around the strange city and depending on your requirements, can accompany you in all your meetings. Escort interpreters can be your cultural liaisons as well.

Although escort interpreting is more informal that other forms of interpreting work, you should still look for someone who is a native speaker and is fluent in both languages. Choose one who has a vast knowledge of both cultures and a good knowledge of the location. Find someone who exhibits professionalism and has the right personality that is compatible with yours. Select an interpreter you feel comfortable with and who’s trustworthy.

Where to find international interpreters

If it is definite that you will need interpreting services when you reach your destination, for example you are giving a presentation or conducting a business conference, check with your country’s interpretation service provider. The company may have international interpreters on call that you can book ahead of your planned trip.

Booking an interpreting arrangement prior to your trip will ensure that one of the most important factors in the success of your trip is already in place. If the need for an interpreter is sudden, you can contact local interpreters’ associations instead of trying to find a good freelance interpreter. You’ll be able to select the best one suited to your need, purpose and schedule as you can look at their skills, experience and their references.

Interpreter rates

Interpreters’ rates vary, based on the length of the trip and the nature of the work. It will also be based on the demand and their skills. They may charge by the hour or by the day. If it will take more than eight hours each day, interpreters are bound to charge overtime pay. Keep in mind that they also need to eat so factor that in when making your schedule.

Enhance your personal travel experience by bridging the language divide with an interpreter. If on a business trip, ensure your success, and understand everything that’s being said from day one of your trip, until you’ve sealed the business deal.

 

Author Bio:

Bernadine Racoma is a senior content writer at Day Translations, a human translation services company. She has notable fondness for things related to technology, travel, lifestyle, and current affairs. She is also an advocate and mother to 7 successful children.