Abroad101 Student of the Week #0058 – Hannah Goulian

Hannah-Goulian-Barcelona

This week’s Abroad101 Student of the Week is Hannah Goulian, a junior at Bryant University. Hannah is a communications major with a minor in business administration & legal studies. She is part of the Bryant University Chace Wellness Center Gym and has been on the Dean’s list while in school. Hannah has been divided on her future which is between being an entrepreneur that owns her own gym or working in law to help others around her. Regardless of the path she chooses (which both sound awesome!) she knows she wants to further her education!

To assist her with this quest on deciding her future, she is going to be studying abroad with API abroad!  Her journey consists of traveling to Barcelona, Spain where she will be exposed to an immense amount of culture and the opportunity to travel around Europe.  Hannah is fundraising to cover the costs of the flights, education fees, housing and even dining on the delicious food. But don’t worry, she is also working over the summer as well as taking a summer internship to make this goal a reality!  We have no doubt that this memorable experience will help Hannah realize her dreams!

The Abroad101 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.

Stay tuned for our next Abroad101 Student of the Week!

About API in Barcelona Spain:

API offers comprehensive semester, summer and academic year programs at the University of Barcelona Spanish language and culture. A students language level is determined by a placement exam administered upon arrival by the University of Barcelona.

Summer students primarily participate in the Spanish language and culture program.

Learn more: https://www.studyabroad101.com/programs/api-academic-programs-international-barcelona-university-of-barcelona#

Cool Program of the Week in Oxford

UK-Oxford-Univ of Oxford

University of Oxford: Oxford – Visiting Student Programme

Tired of easy, boring classes?  Love to study and hang out with scholars?  Ready to up your academic game?  Try a year (no semesters or short terms) at the world’s best university, it may just be the hardest thing you ever do which is why the Visiting Students Programme is our cool program of the week.

If you are a student from overseas (in most cases countries outside the EU) and wish to spend up to one year in Oxford on a course related to a degree in your own country, you can apply to a college for a place as a Visiting Student. As a Visiting Student you become a member of an Oxford college, and it is the college that will arrange for your tuition. Oxford does not award a degree or any other qualification for one year of study as a Visiting Student, but colleges are willing to provide a record of achievement, for example for credit purposes.

Read reviews about this program and/or apply at: https://www.studyabroad101.com/programs/university-of-oxford-visiting-students

Where to turn to find an apartment abroad?

InPerugia (1)Studying abroad is a growing phenomenon, to say the least. The number of students who study in another part of the world each year is increasing at a rapid pace. As more students are studying abroad globally, housing is becoming more of a challenge for individuals and programs as the housing market is limited in what programs and third party providers can offer. Not all programs have the same housing options, but if renting your own apartment is a possibility, we highly recommend it.

Programs that have long standing relationships with staff in local markets give students and parents a sense of security and have been an incremental factor in study abroad growth. Program providers are constantly looking to balance the issues of housing cost, availability, service, and proximity and how that relates to their program operations. However, what if the program you are considering doesn’t offer housing options you are comfortable with, where do you turn?

And that’s where we come in! Study Abroad Apartments (SAA) provides an easy, convenient and reliable way to ensure the best housing accommodations possible. We take away the stress from the seemingly confusing process, and efficiently take care of the work for you.

Why find your own housing?

Finding housing for a program or group of students can be challenging enough. As a student you want to know where you will be living before going. This process is challenging because many of the real estate markets simply are not advanced in being transparent with foreign students studying in their country, Avoid the problems that can occur when relying on someone else to make housing decisions for you. Know exactly where you’ll be living, the facilities that will be available to you, and the layout of the house before you arrive. The most common mistake students make before they study abroad is not finalizing living arrangements before leaving home.

Choosing where to live before leaving for study abroad will provide parents, and program directors, along with yourself, a peace of mind and sense of security. Second, it’s just as important to virtually see what your apartment or housing will look like before arrival. Seeing the facility through a website that offers a transparent view and process in booking apartments can save time, money, and a lot of headaches. Read reviews about STUDY ABROAD APARTMENTS to understand the housing options of a given program or for groups of independent students.

Study Abroad Apartments focuses on providing safe, affordable, and reliable apartments for programs as well as students, along with quality customer service. No longer is it necessary to worry about finding housing abroad. Study Abroad Apartments works hand in hand with program providers and students to facilitate and assure proper housing placement. We have a variety of apartments based on budget, location, size, and amenities! Additional services are also available depending on the city such as: airport pick up, laundry delivery, apartment cleaning, night guard security, and a variety of other benefits. Study Abroad Apartments has modernized the way the new generation of students and programs are finding housing options abroad! Read more about them here: STUDY ABROAD APARTMENTS.COM

By renting an independent housing facility, you are not risking the chance of living in undesirable quarters for an extended period of time simply because of the program you chose to study in. In addition, when renting your own apartment, you get to choose your roommates! It is very comforting knowing that you’ll be living with peers/friends that you are comfortable with, rather than being paired with someone who is a total stranger. And if you don’t want to go with someone you were previously friends with, that’s okay too. We can pair you with someone you don’t know, but that you can feel comfortable with and that is the right roommate for you. Where you live and with who you live with s a huge part of the experience, so it is in your best interest to take control of the housing situation and make sure everything goes as planned and in the best situation possible.

Where can you live?

Study Abroad Apartments currently has apartments available in 9 cities: Barcelona, Florence, Paris, Prague, Rome, Seville and Tel-Aviv. In each city there is a wide variety of apartments to choose from, according to how many people you want to live with and various other factors. Our apartments are located in the most desirable areas for study abroad students, and will serve to provide students with the best and safest experiences possible.

A huge concern for parents – safety

Have no fear, SAA is here! SAA has teamed up with the best and most reliable travel agencies to ensure that each student has access to anything and everything needed when abroad. In addition, reach us at any time via phone/email to answer questions and address concerns. Finally our team handles all financial exchanges between students and landlords, so there will never be any uncertainty about getting scammed or having misunderstandings with foreigners.

Pricing?

While our apartments are not the cheapest, it is because we find the best quality apartments for the best prices. So you will not be paying for an overpriced apartment, while still getting the quality that is necessary to have the best living situation possible. Our payment methods are flexible, and we do our best to accommodate to how you wish to pay for the apartment.

Okay, you’re sold on SAA. Now how do you start?

We have established an easy, quick and reliable way to find housing. Just log onto our site (www.studyabroadapartments.com) and select the city that you plan to study abroad in, as well as the number of people you would like to live with. From here, you are instantly provided with a list of available apartments that best fit your plan. Once you find the apartment that you find most desirable for your stay, just fill out the booking form and we will get back to you with further details shortly!

 

Guest Blogger

Ryan Blum, CEO | Study Abroad Apartments LLC 

New York, NY

5 things to do before studying abroad

7fa2

Anyone who has ever studied abroad will tell you that it was one of the best experiences of their life. What’s not to like about seeing a new part of the world, making new friends, exploring independently, and making memories that will last a lifetime? But before you head off, there’s a few things you need to do. To make it easy for you, here’s five simple tips to make your year abroad go smoothly.

Choose the right program. Do you want to study abroad for a full year or just six months? Most universities tend to offer half-year courses for exchange students, but there are longer courses on offer. Read as many reviews as you can, speak to former students who took the course, and ask for advice from your university’s study abroad adviser. Honestly, you will have an amazing time regardless of the program, but it’s still important to choose the right program for you!

Pack light. Some students who study abroad choose to ship a few boxes over to their new destination, but some take the bare minimum and buy what they need when they arrive. From my experience, I’d suggest travelling as lightly as possible, especially if you’re only there for six months. You can buy all your essentials in your destination country, and it’s a great way of getting out and exploring your new town or city at the same time.

Want to work while you’re abroad? This is a great idea to earn some extra money in your spare time and blend in with the locals. Of course, you’ll want to travel around your destination country, so you’ll definitely need the money! That said, you’ll need to make sure you’re up to speed with employment legislation and find out if you’re eligible to work or if there’s any documentation you’ll need to arrange before you go.

Work out where you’ll live. Some universities offer accommodation for exchange students, but some will leave that up to you to sort out. Don’t assume that your accommodation will be sorted and ready for you when you step off the plane – find out where you’ll be staying and if you need to make any arrangements yourself.

Write up a budget. Never done this before? Well, now is the time to learn! If you’re studying in Eastern Europe or South East Asia, you’ll find the cost of living to be significantly cheaper than what you’re used to – but you may end up spending more if you head to Australia, the UK, or one of the Nordic countries. It’s important that you have a general idea of how much you’ll be spending on a monthly basis and you’ll probably find in your first couple of months, you’ll end up spending way more than you originally anticipated!

See your doctor. No one likes going to the doctor, but this is really important, especially if you’re travelling to somewhere off the beaten track. You might need certain immunizations or medication, and if you’re on repeat medication, order enough to cover you for the length of your study period. You’ll also need your doctor to write up a letter to accompany your medication, as customs often ask to see this when you arrive.

It might seem like there’s a lot to do before you head off on your study abroad adventure (see here for a few more tips), but once you’ve got it all out of the way, you can do all the fun things – like planning your weekend getaways, making travel plans, and reading city guidebooks! There will no doubt be things you can’t plan for and a few bumps along the way, but hopefully these tips will help you hit the ground running.

 

Guest Posting from Victoria Moretti, a professional writer from the UK who contributes to Abroad101 from time to time. Victoria loves to write about businesses and macro economic affairs that move the needle. Her other loves include travel, long walks and flat whites.

Top Study Abroad Foodie Cities in Abroad101 Rankings

chiang-mai-thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thai food is popular worldwide, so why not go to the source! Study abroad students rave about the cuisine in Thailand and it’s way of mixing sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes which balance together to give that distinctive taste of Thailand.

Why you should go:  “Man oh man, Thai food is scrumptious, and it was so fun to roam the street vendors looking for food” Jaiden D, Western Washington University

What you should eat: Eat EVERYTHING. It’s amazing and so cheap. Watch out for those chilis though!

Chiang Mai is RANKED #1 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

 sorrento-italy

Sorrento, Italy

This relaxed town on the Amalfi Coast, Italy’s “Coast with the most” is known for its fresh markets with abundant citrus fruit, wine, nut and olives. A draw for tourists and students alike, especially those interested in the hospitality field.

Why you should go:  “My appreciation for Italian food has gone through the roof.” Antonio S, University of Notre Dame

What you should eat: It’s Italy, there’s food everywhere! Where do I start?!  With so many options, the food opportunities are endless! Best I’ve ever had, go for dolce and gelato and il leone rosso

Sorrento is RANKED #2 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Florence-italy

Florence, Italy

Florence is the heart of Tuscany and Tuscan food is known to be simple and abundant with local produce, mellow cheeses and grilled meats and especially white beans as the staple. Florence is one of the most popular study abroad destinations and from the reviews, food is a big part of the attraction.

Why you should go:  “The food does not get better than Italy!” Dylan N, The University of Texas at Austin

What you should eat: The food in Italy is out of control! Is there any explanation needed? The food is AMAZING? Gusta Pizza is a must. So is the very first gelato shop you come to when you cross the Ponte Vecchio (GET PINEAPPLE GELATO–it is the best here!)

Florence is RANKED #3 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Madrid-Spain

Madrid, Spain

Known as a gastronomic paradise because of it’s incredible choices of food to eat and wine to drink, Spain’s capital has it all, from small portion Tapas to full course meals, a capital of amazing food!

Why you should go:  “Even as a vegetarian coming into a very meat- and fish- centered diet in Spain, I loved the food during my stay, both at home and out and about.” Savannah C, University of Iowa

What should you eat: Two words: Jamon bocadillo. And… A favorite thing is to go get tapas in town near the Plaza de Cervantes – a cold cerveca con limon and a plate of olives is one of best things about Spain.

Madrid is RANKED #4 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Cordoba-Argentina

Cordoba, Argentina:

The traditional dishes of Cordoba have been greatly influenced by Italian and Spanish cuisine, not surprising when you discover that many Argentineans are originally of European descent. Argentinian take pride in their world famous “asados” (char grilled meat), pasta and the Argentinean empanadas – who can argue?

Why you should go:  “I am a vegetarian, which may seem strange since Argentina is known for loving meat, but my host mom made great food, and there were other options when going out to eat.” Bethany K, Morningside College

What should you eat: The Empanadas are AMAZING!!

Cordoba is RANKED #5 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

 

Milan-Italy

Milan, Italy

Milan is the largest of the three of the Top 10 Foodie cities in Italy and according to student comments it’s 5 STARS every day!

Why you should go:  “Everyone knows that Italy is famous for their food and it certainly lived up to my expectations.” MacKenzie K, Bentley University

What should you eat: It’s Italy. Food is great, especially if you know where to go. In Milan definitely go for aperitivos.

Italian food is amazing! Try many different things, a favorite being gelato (anguria is a favorite flavor), and polenta.

Milan is RANKED #6 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Gold-Coast-Australia

Gold Coast, Australia

Your first thought of Gold Coast is beaches and natural beauty, but all those visitors gotta eat. According to one guide, there are 965 restaurants in Gold Coast, odds are you’ll find an American student in one of them.

Why you should go:  “it was really great to try all of the classic Aussie food (fish and chips, kangaroo burgers, sausage sizzles)” Andrea T, University of Dayton

What should you eat: Brekkie is big down there, and VERY good! There is everything you could think of. Guzman y Gomez is the equivalent to Chipotle, and there are many asian restaurants. Try all of the different types of food in Australia, like kangaroo meat and vegemite, and don’t forget the Tim Tams!

Gold Coast is RANKED #7 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Aix-en-Provence-France

Aix en provence, France

In the top food cities every year, Aix is a true culinary gem. Cafes once frequented by Cézanne and Hemingway are now popular hangouts for the creative study abroad students, others find hidden delights in the back street boulangeries.

Why you should go:  “French baguettes and cheese + all of the fresh foodstuffs from the market are what you dream of.” Kevin Y, Cornell University

What should you eat: Any of the sandwich shops in the city center are fantastic, but be sure to check out Mezzo di Pasta for a nice hot lunch and Nikolas for a great pita. Have fondu at “La Louge”, frog legs (delicious BTW!) at “Carrefour Cafe”, and an amazing French dinner at “Mas de la Pyramid”. Although expensive, food and cuisine in Aix tastes great, and is usually local-grown, and organic. Make sure to taste the Provençal specialties and visit the markets.

French food is heavenly. Don’t miss the macarons!

Aix en provence is RANKED #8 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

San-Jose-Costa-Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

Local ingredients make Costa Rican cuisine so attractive and so affordable. Fresh fruit like no other place in the world: in drinks, on salads, mixed in Casado is just the beginning, a seafood paradise as well with fresh catches from the Caribbean and Pacific.

Why you should go:  “All the food was fresh and while I thought I would never want to eat beans and rice again I truly miss it.” Caitlyn T, University of Memphis

What you should eat:  San Jose has so much delicious fruit, it’s magical!  It isn’t Mexican food so don’t expect tacos, burritos, enchiladas and such everyday. Healthy in type and portions! If in San Jose, try Casa Mundo and La Musa Confusa!

San Jose is RANKED #9 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

Pune-India

Pune, India

Reflecting a shift in demographics with more students from South Asia studying abroad, Pune brings the Maharashtrian thali to the Top Foodie list for the first time – you’ll be especially surprised at the deserts!

Why you should go: “I ate with gusto, because every food was new for me, and was very yummy.” Toniann M, Georgetown University

What you should eat: Restaurants in Pune are a great way to explore the city and culture through the immense variety of dishes. Moreover, the streetfood is a necessary component to Indian cuisine as well. Don’t be afraid of trying a new dish (even if you don’t know how to pronounce it), you never know if it might become your favorite one! Food is cheap, delicious, and full of surprises. Try everything!

Pune is RANKED #9 in the Abroad101.com Top Foodie Cities for 2014

 

Want to find out about the rest of the Abroad101 Rankings? Visit our RANKINGS page for Top Providers, Programs, Most Livable Cities and more . . .

 

Abroad101 Student of the Week #41 – Katie Bounds

 

Netherlands-Grand Valley State

Katie BoundsThis week’s  Abroad101 Student of the Week comes to us from Grand Valley State University. Katie Bounds is a student athlete who is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in sociology. She even has an emphasis in Spanish! Katie enjoys working hard and has future career aspirations to done day join the secret service or homeland security.

Being adventurous and a go getter by nature, it’s no surprise that Katie has been dreaming  of studying abroad and learning about new cultures! And it looks like that wish is coming true, as she has recently been accepted into a program in the Netherlands to study geography and planning. Katie is very grateful to have this opportunity and plans to use this experience to jump outside of her comfort zone! We think traveling and living in the Netherlands will do just that, don’t you? Learn more about Katie and her Mission to study abroad here!

The Abroad101 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 co-founder Melissa Davis here.

We’re making weekly donations to study abroad fundraisers! We hope you can help us assist these students in reaching their goals and make their travel dreams a reality. Visit here to help with this mission. To find out more about studying in the Netherlands, like Katie, visit the Abroad101 program page.

Stay tuned for our next Abroad101 Student of the Week!

– See more at: http://blog.goennounce.com/abroad101-student-of-the-week-0041-katie-bounds/

Short Term Study Abroad Programs in UK on a Budget: Money Saving Tips for Those Who Want to DIY This Summer

England-London-Regents

For an incredible experience in the UK, many students choose to spend several months studying abroad for an unforgettable way of exploring a new location and seeking out adventure. Those who visit the location can enjoy trying different types of cuisine, traveling to nearby countries, and learning about the history of the location. To enjoy a short-term study abroad trip, there are a few ways to afford the cost and save money while you’re there.

Enroll Directly

Money saving DIY tip #1 is tuition. During the school year your home university has exchange partnerships, but nearly all of them do not apply over summer. Your financial aid package and loans generally do not apply over summer either, but don’t despair, many foreign universities offer what is commonly called international summer schools on their campus; some will even operate multiple themed programs and a few will even offer them in other cities. The University of Westminster offers a popular one in London; you can see others by using Abroad101’s advanced study abroad search and selecting, program length = summer and provider = Direct Enrollment, or typing “International Summer School” in the search box at the top menu of Abroad101.

Visit the Grocery Store

Although it may be a dream to spend your time dining over Cornish pastries or fish and chips each day, it’s important to limit your time at local cafes to save money. Opt for visiting a nearby grocery store each week so you can cook your own food. Instead of feeling deprived by avoiding local restaurants, you can allow yourself to dine out every few days so you can still enjoy the culture and meet a few locals in the city. Meals are also a great way to socialize and you might want to get 3 or 4 people in a supper club where each week one of the members cooks for the group and acts as host. It’s a nice way to deepen friendships, save money and have a nice meal.

Find a Host Family

One of the most expensive parts of studying abroad is the cost of room and board. Instead of spending a significant portion of your budget on booking a hotel or apartment or living on the campus, opt for staying with a host family. It will allow you to learn more about the culture, have a tour guide in the city, and learn more about the country’s customs. They may also cook for you. There are networks of host family placement services, your host university may have some recommendations or a referral service.

Use Public Transportation

Although it may feel like an inconvenience to rely on public transportation while traveling to and from school each day in the UK, it will allow you to have more room in your budget for other costs. Purchase a pass for the tube and consider using a bike to get around for areas that are of a short distance. Sometimes the overland rail system may be cheaper than the underground so check out both options and ask about student passes, again through the international office of your host university.

Rely on Skype

To maintain communication with friends and family who are back home during your time abroad, rely on Skype to have face-to-face interaction for a free way of communicating. You can also purchase a calling card for a cheaper way of making phone calls instead of relying on your cell phone.

Find a Part-time Job

One of the most common ways to afford living abroad for a short period of time is to find a job where you can work an average of 20 hours a week. The fact that you speak English will be a plus so think about being a tutor or instructor to non-English speakers, even at nearby schools. Many education positions are available through Randstad Education where you can assist with tutoring or teaching.

Use Student Airfares to Travel

While rail is common in the Europe, rail is sometimes not the cheapest way to travel. There are lots of budget airlines operating to the UK, but beware of the hidden fees as they charge you for EVERYTHING! One way around this uncertainty is to book your travel through StudentUniverse who has specially negotiated rates with over 70 airlines worldwide and books hundreds of thousands of flights a year for groups and individuals. On top of the great fares, they have telephone support in case anything goes wrong

Hopefully you’ll cast aside your fears of cost and find a way to the UK this summer. There’s never been a better time to do this!

 

Guest Posting from Victoria Moretti, a professional writer from the UK who contributes to Abroad101 from time to time. Victoria loves to write about businesses and macro economic affairs that move the needle. Her other loves include travel, long walks and flat whites.

 

Abroad101 Student of the Week #0043 – Rebecca Metzler

Rebecca MetzlerThis week’s Abroad101 Student of the Week is a sophomore at Texas Tech University. Rebecca Metzler is a pre-nursing major who plans on heading to nursing school and eventually pursue a career as a mid-wife or neonatal. She is currently a member of the Double T Health Service Corps which is an organization that not only exposes her to knowledge about the field of nursing but also hands on experience at local organizations in Lubbock! Outside of school Rebecca devotes a majority of her time to volunteering. You can either find her at UMC Hospital, where she works along transports or the Therapeutic Riding Center, working with children. Way to get involved in your community, Rebecca!

Rebecca will soon be studying abroad in Port Elizabeth, South Africa through ISA service learning! Through this program she will have the opportunity to become educated through volunteer work and workshops covering topics such as HIV/AIDS, poverty, community wellness, and early childhood development. Rebecca is ecstatic to participate in this program because she will be learning through hands on experiences and become more educated about African medicine and healthcare techniques.

To help make this awesome goal a reality she has started a fundraising Mission to help cover some of the costs of the program. You can check out Rebecca’s Mission here!

The Abroad101 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 co-founder Melissa Davis here.

We’re making weekly donations to study abroad fundraisers! We hope you can help us assist these students in reaching their goals and make their travel dreams a reality. Visit here to help with this mission. To find out more about studying in South Africa, like Rebecca, visit the Abroad101 program page.

Stay tuned for our next Abroad101 Student of the Week!

– See more at: http://blog.goennounce.com/abroad101-student-of-the-week-0043-rebecca-metzler/

The Study Abroad Advantage reaches 2,000 members!

SAA-2,000-MEMBERS

The Study Abroad Advantage is a Linkedin Group designed to help study abroad alumni bring their experiences to the professional market.  Students who have returned from abroad are encouraged to publish a review of their experience abroad and use this to highlight their ability to communicate, to use social media and their new perspective on the world.  In addition to a place to network with other study abroad alumni and alumni group organizers, the Group features postings on career development and advice on how to apply lessons from abroad to the professional world.  Prospective employers are invited to join the group to do some recruiting of the members and promote their firms.

The group hit a milestone last week with the 2,000th member, a student named Alexis Lupton from Brigham Young University.  We asked her to comment on her study abroad experience and she said “I am always willing to embarrass myself a little for the greater good.”  She went on to add more detail about her study abroad experience.

My study abroad experience was quite different than most, in that my study abroad was a travelling one instead of in just one city. We also did not have a traditional classroom. Our classrooms included: the UN, the U.S Embassy, Pepsico, UNESCO, and every where in between. My experience really taught me a lot about myself. I learned how important it is to step out of your comfort zone and really try new things. I saw the world from many different perspectives, from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral to the slums of Paris. Sometimes plans change unexpectedly and you just have to go with the flow (like our Morocco trip being cancelled and going to Vienna instead). I gained the independence to be able to do things alone even though it may have seemed a little unnerving, and you too, in the end, truly will not be let down. Overall the world is a fascinating place and my study abroad instilled a desire to always continue exploring. 

Alexis Lupton

Alexis Lupton – Student at Brigham Young University

If you’d like to connect with Alexis, you’ll find her profile on Linkedin:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alexis-lupton/26/107/152 

We invite you to get the study abroad advantage by joining and becoming active in “The Study Abroad Advantage”  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Study-Abroad-Advantage-8159424/about 

Overcoming Employer Skeptisim of Study Abroad

 

Woman gesturing thumbs up in front of corporate personnel office

 

Those of us who work in International Education see the rewards of students returning home from abroad. They are wiser, confident and more mature, and we naturally think that Study Abroad is a great step toward a rewarding career. As a student who has overcome all the obstacles that study abroad might put in your way, I’m sure you would agree that the eye opening experiences, greater independence and self-awareness provide a jump-start in your career. Unfortunately, there are many hiring managers and employers who don’t see it that way.

Study Abroad may not be the secret ticket to getting a jump-start in the career place. Many human resource professionals and hiring managers do not value experiences abroad when making hiring decisions, and while corporate and organizational leaders talk about the global workplace, your study abroad alumni card isn’t your FAST-PASS to the front of the line.

The following two quotes are just a sampling of some of the biases that exist against study abroad:

“People put ‘study abroad’ on their resume. I actually like when they don’t study abroad because that means they aren’t entitled.” – Millard Drexler

Millard “Mickey” S. Drexler is the current chairman and CEO of J.Crew Group and formerly the CEO of Gap Inc. He has been a director at Apple Inc. since 1999.  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/millarddre532208.html

and

“Studying abroad can be a nice “add on” in theory, but it also can be a waste of time, or simply a good time, for an unfocused – and privileged – high school or university student.” And “And even the best programs will do little for an unmotivated student.” – Curtis S. Chin

Curtis S. Chin, the United States ambassador to the Asian Development Bank from 2007 to 2010, is the managing director of RiverPeak Group, an advisory firm.  http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/10/17/should-more-americans-study-abroad/studying-abroad-can-be-an-expensive-waste-of-time

 

Entitled. Privileged. We also hear that study abroad returnees are viewed as unmanageable, always with a cause, always want to change things and even anti-corporate. These are stereotypes and just like you had stereotypes of the place you visited before you left, you now have a label associated with you. How you handle this label and the associated bias will affect how your career unfolds.

Stress the workplace values when talking about study abroad

Now before you panic and sign up for grad school or an internship program or resolve yourself to teaching English in some remote corner of the world, there is hope. There’s work you need to do, but there’s real hope turning what some perceive as lemons, into lemonade.

Consider the following statements.

“Study abroad doesn’t count to an employer unless the job candidate can say how it has made them a better person, scholar, citizen, and professional…”  – Linda S. Gross, Associate Director of Career Services, Michigan State University

http://chronicle.com/article/Colleges-Help-Students-to/123653/

According to a 2012 survey of employers done by the Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI) at Michigan State University (MSU), hiring managers considered study abroad to be of “limited importance” in relation to recruiting new graduates. In fact, study abroad was ranked the least important of several college activities, with internships listed the most valuable activity.

So how do you highlight your study abroad experience?

Keep this in mind. Employers want creative, independent thinkers who can work in teams, take responsibility and get things done.

Think in professional analogies about your time abroad and how you overcame obstacles and how those prepared you for the workplace. How did you show leadership? How did you take responsibility? How did you pull together disparate people and get them operating as a team? How did you face long odds, overcome poor preparation and lack of support and achieve something notable? What got you out of bed in the AM and got you to avoid the distractions of the social and partying scene?

Do not simply talk about how great it was abroad, what wonderful friends you made and the amazing sites you’ve seen. If that is your focus the following is what an employer could think.

“I’m not interested in your life journeys. This includes your experiences studying abroad, even if you had an amazing time. Save these musings for late night dorm room chats with your best friend.”   By Katherine Goldstein

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/08/ cover_letter_writing_advice_how_to_write_a_cover_letter_for_an_entry_level.html

Instead, translate your experiences abroad into practical examples of how you have matured and can take on responsibility. If going abroad means you can enter into an honest conversation about how to take and offer criticism, then your experience has prepared you well. If you can articulate how lucky you were, how humbling the experience was and how you want to rise to serve, you have a real chance at breaking the privileged student stereotypes that surround study abroad. Hiring a study abroad graduate should give employers the confidence that they will get an employee who is a problem solver, a confident well-spoken team player who will be a loyal asset to the company.

Convey these messages while interviewing and you will now have The Study Abroad Advantage.

Feel free to add your comments below and join our initiative called The Study Abroad Advantage on LinkedIn and Twitter.