Expert Tips for Study Abroad & Exchange Students

Studying in Istanbul, Turkey last fall changed my life in more ways than one. In the next few weeks many students (and maybe even you) are heading off on international adventures, whether to do study abroad, exchange programs, or working abroad. Here are some expert tips from students who have gone before and conquered the road less traveled. They fought through visa applications, bought plane tickets, moved into cities where they may not have known the language, and took every day as a challenge and an adventure to soak in a culture other than their own. Their advice is great for knowing how to get the most out of this crazy and amazing experience.

Aileen -  Chicago, Illinois -> Istanbul, Turkey for an exchange semester
Expert Advice: Make a purposeful effort to ignore your inhibitions in communicating with other people, whether with other locals or your study abroad mates. Aileen says - "I think it is really about mindset and opening yourself up to opportunity through communication."

Case in point: Aileen shared a story with me about travelling to another city in Turkey with several exchange students that she had met at her Turkish university. They wanted to rent bicycles, so they all walked into a homey-looking bike rental shop and found the shop owners sharing in Turkish breakfast (which is a very important meal in Turkey). She noticed that they were eating menemen (a delicious dish made of eggs, butter, and cheese), which was one of her favorite dishes. She used that as a conversation-starter and started talking with them about how amazing Turkish breakfast is. As soon as she remarked on their menemen, they immediately asked her to try some of theirs (the foundation of great Turkish hospitality is based on sharing what you have with others). This is where her advice kicks in. She says - "I ignored my very American mindset of rejecting the offer out of courtesy and I instead tried their food, and of course it was incredible. It was a very surprisingly intimate thing to eat a stranger's food, but I did not let that stop me and I'm glad I didn't!"

Karen - Atlanta, Georgia -> Madrid, Spain for a Study Abroad Summer
Expert Advice:
#1 - Guard your belongings, and travel with as few things as possible. Keep valuables (money, phone, passport) out of sight, as some places you may travel may have pickpockets.
#2 - Learn about cultural differences before you go and be open to experiencing them. She notes, "Many people try to live as Americans abroad, but if you embrace the culture you learn a lot more."

Emily - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -> Berlin, Germany for Summer Language Study
Expert Advice:
#1 - Don't underestimate what you will learn from other expats. Emily had roommates from Finland and Russia, and also made friends with a girl from Macedonia during her stay in Berlin. She enjoyed learning bits of their languages and learning about their cultures as well.
#2 - Keep looking for chances to interact with locals, especially if you are there for language immersion.

Brian - Atlanta, Georgia -> France with the European Council program, Valdosta State University
Expert Advice: Keep an open mind. Brian found that it was important to "Just try to explore what is around you and don't be so quick to judge if something seems strange." Those are the experiences that make study abroad adventures so unique.

Maeve - Atlanta, Georgia -> France with Georgia Tech Lorraine program
Expert Advice: Try to become fully invested in where you are living. Maeve noticed that "Too often, I've seen students flock to places like Pizza Hut because it reminds them of home when they could be exploring new, exciting places." She also found that getting lost in new cities is the best way to explore.

My advice? Get to know local students at your university and in your community. Yes, it is really hard sometimes because of the language barrier, but it is totally worth it. I made several great friends in my classes in Istanbul, and their friendships mean the world to me. They helped me when I needed advice and guidance, they shared meals (and lots of tea and coffee) with me, they helped me learn new Turkish words and phrases, and they have become life-long friends. 

Special thanks to all my friends who contributed their expert advice!

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Getting ready to head back to college?

Here are my Top 5 tips for college students to have the best school year yet, save some $ along the way, and make a ton of life-long friends:

#1 - Get your list of school books from the college bookstore, along with their ISBNs, and then order them as used books from Amazon or Half.com. Click the banner below to get free shipping!

Better yet, at the end of the semester, sell your books right back to other students at your college bookstore during Buy-Back, or on Amazon or Half.com. You'll end up having paid close to nothing for your books. Way to go!

#2 - Look up the events happening around campus during the first week back. You'll probably be able to score free food every day of the week, plus meet really cool people who are involved on campus and get involved yourself! My first week on campus at GA Tech, I wrote on my calendar all of the free events I could find. My favorite from that week: I got a free BBQ dinner at BCM one night and made new friends on campus.

*How do I do this? Look up the events calendar on your school's homepage, keep an eye out for flyers and signs, and ask the kids in your classes if they are involved in campus organizations. Make sure to hit up the campus gym as well and see if they have events planned.

#3 - Sit at the front of the class. No, really, I mean it. It may seem so much easier to just slide in at the back, but I had the best experiences when I sat front and center. Your teachers get to know you and you definitely will pay more attention in class because they will notice the second you doze off. Plus, those teachers who now know your name and that you pay attention in class? They make great job references :)

#4 - Get involved in stuff outside of your major.

Quick sidebar: I read an article today about how many STEM (Science, technology, engineering math) majors don't actually end up in STEM careers. Is this a bad thing, like, did they waste all that education? No way! I firmly believe that you should get educated in STEM fields for the pure enjoyment of learning more about the world around you. Who cares what you end up doing? But, getting back on focus..

When you get involved in clubs, organizations, ministries, and activities that are totally un-related to your major, you give yourself a chance to broaden your interests and get specialty experience in other areas. Say that you are a chemistry student who loves going to the gym and training for races? Maybe down the road, you'll end up being able to interview for a company that makes products for runners, and you'll have that special interest that gives you an edge to get the position. You get my drift? Stuff like working at a restaurant, volunteering at the local school, becoming a regular at Zumba, and learning to play an instrument can all help you in whatever your future career ends up being (and it makes your life so much more fun along the way). 

#5 - Do a study abroad or an exchange program. Your time in another country will broaden your perspective on the world, life, relationships, and your future. Don't worry that it will set you back in your plan to graduate; there are so many programs that you will definitely be able to find one that allows you to take the classes you would normally be taking at your home institution for that semester. Money holding you back? Make sure to check with your International Education office to see what scholarships are available. At Georgia Tech when I did my exchange program, they had so few students apply for the study abroad scholarships the first time round, that they opened up the applications again after the deadline. I was blessed to unexpectedly get a scholarship that more than paid for my plane ticket and many of my expense (thanks GT Class of 1968!). Take the leap - you won't regret it!


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Have any other tips for getting the most out of college? Comment below! Make sure to follow Faithful Nomad by email as well :)