Juniors abroad share experiences

By Molly Gore

With 167 locations in over 40 countries to choose from, deciding where to study abroad can be a long and confusing process.

When planning for the time abroad begins, there is no better source for tips than students already abroad.

Once you have decided on a location, one of the first steps is choice of living arrangement, which typically varies between flats and apartments with students in the same program or university, dorm-style living, or more of an immersion with a homestay with a local family.

Junior Courtney Jordan requested a homestay through the Institute of European Studies in Paris, and has been satisfied so far.

"I am exposed to a truly French life. I know it's hard to imagine yourself moving in with a family you don't know and adapting to their way of living, but it is the best way to truly get a glimpse of how people live within their culture," said Jordan in an e-mail.

Once you have picked a living arrangement, managing a budget becomes the next step. "Create a budget for yourself ahead of time -- money goes fast," said junior Kathleen Crawford in an e-mail from Barcelona where she is studying through IES.

Some things you just don't find out until it is too late.

For students going to Europe, junior Brittany Hodill advised in an e-mail, "Buy a Eurail pass or museum pass that you can only get in the states. It would have saved me a lot of money and it's not available in Europe." Hodill is also in Paris with the IES program.

When traveling between countries, exchanging money can cause problems.

"One thing I wish I would have brought is an ATM card because it is a hassle to always have to change money in each country we visit at exchange houses," said junior Ricky Alexander in an e-mail.

Alexander is studying through the Scholar Ship program, a transnational learning community on a passenger ship that has been transformed into a floating university for students from around the world. The vessel docks in 10 countries and hosts students from over 40 different countries on board.

Students who must plan on their own to travel outside their country must plan ahead. In just a little over two months, Jordan has visited Monaco and Nice in the South of France, Prague, Vienna, Munich (for Oktoberfest), Toulouse, Champagne, Lake Como and Milan, with plans to go to Barcelona, Amsterdam and Brussels before she returns home in December.

"Try to travel for a week or two weeks before your program starts. Being able to cross off a few places on your list before even settling in your home city is a great thing to do," said Jordan in an e-mail.

Alexander recommends planning ahead, but not planning every minute.

"I would recommend doing some basic planning, but then leave room for some spontaneity so your time isn't too scripted once you arrive at your destination."

Nightlife is a large part of integrating oneself into the culture of a location, as well as a great way to meet locals and navigate the city. Hodill typifies a usual night in France: "While I'm not doing homework, nights include going to the Louvre on Wednesday because it is open later, walking along the Seine and sharing a bottle of wine with friends."

Jordan describes the nightlife in other parts of Paris.

"We go out to bars and clubs maybe three to four times a week. On nights that we don't spend going out, we will spend it in our homestay socializing with our family and attempting to study, or we'll go out to dinner in a cafe, or take a baguette and sit under the Eiffel Tower," said Jordan.

According to Crawford, Barcelona nightlife doesn't cut the night short. "People don't go out until 12-ish, and then the clubs usually open around two and close at five a.m. Needless to say, this city never sleeps!"

However, the night scene on a cruise vessel is a little different.

"Nightlife for my program is somewhat unconventional because it is on a ship. We have parties at night, community-wide events, open mic nights, and charity and social justice events," wrote Alexander.

What the ship lacks in nightlife it makes up for in the variety of experiences it offers.

"My best experiences thus far have been touring the Acropolis in Athens, Greece; hiking to the top of the Moorish Castle in Sintra, Portugal; seeing extreme urban poverty firsthand in a gang-ridden neighborhood in Colon, Panama; and hiking through the Amazon with an indigenous community in Ecuador," stated Alexander.

Regardless of the place you choose if you study abroad, there are always opportunities to travel and explore within your own location, as well.

"The best thing about Paris is the diversity of the city. Every neighborhood has different things to offer. My favorite thing about it has to be being here during the Rugby World Cup. On game nights the city would really come alive with fans from all over the world," stated Hodill.

There is no way to know exactly what to expect when going abroad, but don't let fear, shyness or uncertainty keep you from diving into something strange.

"It can be scary, intimidating and anxiety-ridden at times, but jumping into a new culture is an experience that will change you forever," said Alexander.

Contact Molly Gore at (408) 551-1918 or mgore@scu.edu.