If you have a serious boyfriend or girlfriend and are planning on spending time abroad, you’ll have to face The Question: whether you should stay in the relationship during your trip or take the opportunity to be single and independent. Reasons for ending the relationship before studying abroad can range from the hedonistic (“I want to meet foreign hotties”) to the healthy (“Spending time without a relationship will help us both grow”). Make a list of pros and cons if you have to: this decision will definitely impact your experience in the coming months. Continue reading
“Joder…necesito una cerveza, y un cigarillo.” That’s what my art professor said to me as we hiked up the hill towards Santiago de Compostela, site of the tomb of Saint James the Elder. In English, his words translate to a four letter word, followed by an expressed desire for beer and cigarettes. Vulgar as it was, I thought it was funny. In centuries past, the trip to see an Apostle’s Bones might have commanded more reverence from pilgrims. But for a man who had done this multiple times, this was just another morning hike. For the rest of us on the trip, it meant something more. We were American undergrads, enjoying a week off from classes in which we could hike through the green hills of Galicia to make the pilgrimage. As a reward, we would have our very own document in Latin- the Compostelana, proving that we had made the trek.
“Sometimes you have to surrender before you win.”
Last year I had the chance to study abroad in Ghana, an incredible experience that was not without its challenges. The Ghanaian lifestyle moves at a much slower pace than what American students are used to and it’s not uncommon to regularly encounter frustrating situations. For example, a restaurant may have a five page menu of delicious offerings, but after ten minutes of banter with the waiter you will probably learn that they serve only chicken and rice. However, those moments are just part of the experience, and with practice you’ll find that a sense of humor goes a long way in coping with setbacks. Continue reading
At Abroad101 we are very passionate about international education and study abroad (duh!). Nothing makes us happier than to hear figureheads discuss how important it is to be a globally conscious citizen of the world.
On Sunday, May 16, Michelle Obama spoke at George Washington University’s commencement. Over the past year, the first lady challenged this year’s GW graduates to perform 100,000 hours of community service. In return, she agreed to speak at their graduation. She spoke of the various types of community service the GW students pursued but also discussed how to spread those efforts globally: Continue reading
Guest Blog by: Patrick Mainelli
Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world. More than two thousand miles stretch between the dense jungles of the Northern provinces to the frozen tip of Tierra del Fuego. Generations of European immigrants (Spanish, German, Italian) as well as a number of far flung indigenous cultures make Argentina perhaps the most culturally diverse nation in South America. Continue reading
We are honored to make the list of the Top 50 Global Education Blogs! Thanks to all of our readers’ constant support, and we are excited to unveil more exciting blog articles throughout 2010!
Feel free to be in touch with any ideas, as we always welcome guest blog entries.
Cheers!
Mike & The Abroad101 Team
PS- Special props to 2009’s new contributors, Danielle and Will, who took the blog to a new level through incorporating their recent study abroad experiences in Prague, Madrid, and Buenos Aires.