But, I can share what I’ve learned after coming full circle from my first study abroad experience two years ago., Adventures with friends I made abroad, exploring the passages with students on our Balade Composée, and riding a velib down the banks of the Seine on my own; it all flooded back to me., From the family I babysat for in Paris, to the friends I made abroad, to reaching out to new communities and making friends outside of my small bubble, every person I met along the way contributed to my experience and made these adventures more incredible than they could have been on their own., Visiting Honfleur What does this mean for those of you thinking about studying abroad?, Overall, my journey from study abroad student all the way to On-Site Ambassador shaped who I am today.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/12/15/à-bientôt-paris!-from-your-on-site-ambassadorHere are a couple of my tips to making sure you stay healthy and happy., Having a relaxing day with some girlfriends (: Homesickness: I don’t really miss America but I do miss all my friends and family., I guess what I miss most is my friends are my family we know each other so well., I’m not the type of person who likes to just become friends for a little bit and then the friendship dwindles., Staying healthy and happy while abroad is very important., 3 Tips for Healthy Living Abroad
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/11/27/3-tips-for-healthy-living-abroadThe most important reason why I chose to study abroad in Spain was that I would have the opportunity to be immersed in the Spanish language and gain fluency., I often converse with Spanish students at dinner time in my residence hall, I discuss politics and culture with my program advisor in Spanish, and I even make it a point to try to stick to Spanish when I am talking with my American friends., , making friends with local students, or going to “intercambios” (language exchanges for English-speakers learning Spanish and vice versa)., I went with a few of my friends to Parque de las Ciencias, the Granada science museum.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/11/14/how-to-make-the-most-of-living-in-a-non-english-speaking-countryWhen it came to study abroad in Paris the planning continued: where will I get class credit, where are my friends going, where can I speak the language, how easy is it to travel, and how can I avoid bankrupting my parents?, I tried making myself a to-do list: get school supplies, go grocery shopping, book flights., They say, “Life happens while you’re making plans.”, This has never rung more true than it has abroad., While we’re making plans for our next activity, life is happening during our meal in Paris.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/11/09/three-weeks-in-paris-one-important-lessonIn Buenos Aires, there are three types of housing for abroad students – apartments, homestays, and residencia., From what I’ve heard from friends, experiences in homestays vary., Others live with a professional chef, making dinners a favorite part of the day., Wi-Fi is better in the residencia than it is in any homestay that I’ve heard of, making homework assignments much easier to complete., While some of my friends pass the time on their own, I always have someone to interact with.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/10/13/buenos-aires-housing-101Personally, I'm indifferent to the reasons why we do it, but will always adamantly encourage other students to study abroad and to do so with worldly intentions., Ultimately, the quality of one’s study abroad experience comes down to the traveler them self., When we travel abroad we don’t even expect to be out of touch with family and friends, not really., Though the actual FACE program is unique to the French Alps, its principals benefits can (and should) be observed by anyone abroad., By making local recipes, you gain an appreciation of the time and process it takes to create a dish, while garnering knowledge of the ingredients required to produce it.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/09/28/disconnect-for-face-lessons-from-the-french-alpsI had multiple perspectives when I was making decisions regarding my study abroad., You get to enjoy your university and take your required courses, be part of activities, keep study abroad scholarships, be with friends, etc. during their normal times and you also get to get out and see the world!, The financial office was helpful in making my payment plan., CEA is so authentic and personal and they are a great company to trust in making your arrangements., I wrote MANY support letters to friends and family, made a GoFundMe.com, worked extra hours, and applied for quite a few scholarships.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/08/25/i-wouldn't-trade-my-adventure-to-costa-rica-for-anything-else-in-the-worldI love all of the friends that I have made and I am so fortunate that my parents were able to meet most of them., Nothing makes parents happier than to see their daughter as happy as I am with my friends., I am making a cork board of all of my postcards from all of my traveling., I came here with 7 strangers from CEA and left with 7 best friends, plus my rugby team and the friends I met along the way!, The key to success while studying abroad is not to be afraid to come out of your comfort zone and meet new people and try new things!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/07/23/ireland-my-home-away-from-homeThis in international school 101, communications studies 3000, and Honors how-to-make-friends., It was just one conversation, it was just ten minutes and maybe I’m making too big a deal out of this but to me, it encompasses the entire reason why learning another language is important: to connect., The "Study" in Study Abroad
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/07/01/the-study-in-study-abroadA semester abroad means making memories with people you just met and may never see again., Spending a semester abroad means not seeing your friends for at least four months - maybe seven, if you have differing plans for the summer., It means making friends that you would have never crossed paths with on American soil., Studying abroad is a big-time decision., If you're going to study abroad, make your decision.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/06/03/i-wouldn't-recommend-itOver our 9 nights of spring break, two friends and I traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, Dublin, Ireland, and Berlin, Germany., When we announce to friends and family members that we are going abroad, they immediately inform us of the most common expectations of the experience., Here are a few common ones along with how I have experienced being abroad instead: "You'll make so many new friends!", Even though yes, it is true that I have made new friends, coming abroad with two of my best friends from home made our relationships even stronger., Still independent from each other, I am so grateful that I spent my time here making memories with the people I love most., The Truth about Traveling Abroad
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/05/21/the-truth-about-traveling-abroadSince my stay in here is just about up, I suppose it’s time to pass on my most prized knowledge – my personal foodie favorites in Florence – for prospective study abroad students and future visitors of this lovely city. 1) The Margherita from Gusta Pizza We left our mark on Gusta Gusta Pizza, conveniently (and dangerously) located 30 seconds from my front door, is by far the best pizza I have ever had., Also, if you want some heart-shaped pizza lovin', making friends with Roberto, Salvatore, and Mariano is most definitely in your best interest. 2) Gelato from Gelateria della Passera Inside scoop: take your tasty treat to the bridge for a snack with a view Everyone seems to find "their" gelato place when they're studying here, and I am not the exception.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/05/19/top-5-florence-food-favesDear Study Abroad, On May 13, after 122 days, I will return from you to small-town USA after making countless new memories and friends, boarding 44 planes, trains, and buses, visiting 27 cities, travelling through 13 countries, and having one new place to call home: Florence., Pisa with Sydney and Katie The Crew in Florence Ever since I arrived in Europe I have been totally in my element; traveling, eating, drinking wine, and making friends… All right up my alley!, Studying abroad has undoubtedly been the most adventurous, life-changing four months of my life., My favorite part of my study abroad experience has definitely been meeting other travelers., New friends in Prague La Crosse roomies take Roma Although I am bummed to be leaving my new home and friends so soon, I think I’m ready to head home to my quiet, comfortable corner of the world., A Letter to Study Abroad
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/05/05/a-letter-to-study-abroadAs part of my International Studies program, it was required to have a study abroad experience and some language acquisition., After the most amazing summer of my life of exploring new cities, making new friends, and stepping outside my comfort zone, I was hooked., Taylor at the ISU study abroad fair Taylor (2nd from right) with fellow Ambassadors and Director of Univ., A fifth study abroad program?, Taylor with Alicante summer students, enjoying tapas Knowing that I am helping students' dreams of studying abroad come true while in the USA and actually facilitating their study abroad experience in Alicante felt incredibly rewarding., The Study Abroad Cycle: Student to Alumni Ambassador
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/04/27/the-study-abroad-cycle-student-to-alumni-ambassadorOne of my favorite parts about studying abroad in Buenos Aires is the immersive Spanish environment., Muy buena onda :) Making new friends in a new language!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/04/13/buena-onda---speaking-spanish-in-buenos-airesAs a French major, I was required to spend at least a semester abroad., I found the perfect spot to read, study, or talk with friends., I made a family of friends from all over the world., I was studying abroad so that I could improve my French., I wasn’t planning on making so many lifelong friends.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/03/18/8-signs-i-knew-i-found-a-second-homeBut the more I thought about this and the more I talked about it with my friends, I realized that Paris would always be the same to me., Then you return home without that city and without those people, and you realize that many of your close friends missed out on a lot of changes you made while you were gone and vice versa., The city is still the same but all our memories are from the “pre-study abroad” self., I realized that I wanted everyone to study abroad, so I decided to be a CEA Alumni Ambassador and talk to every single person about how to study abroad., I started making little changes that reminded me of how I spent my time in Paris, and it made the transition back to Nashville not only easier but also so much more enjoyable.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/03/17/home-is-where-the-heart-isIt makes life abroad ten times easier Think about your daily activities., Studying abroad provides individuals with the opportunity to make foreign friends and build lasting friendships and connections with others across the globe., When in your host country, making friends with natives is likely an easier task when pursued in the local language., Practice your Italian or Chinese with your friends by setting language guidelines!, There’s nothing quite like spending the day with friends at the Louvre 4.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/03/13/5-reasons-why-you-should-learn-the-language-of-your-host-countryOne of the great things about studying abroad in Paris through CEA is that their involvement in making your experience one-of-a-kind extends outside of the classroom., Were we making crepes?, My concern became less about making a good dish and more about making sure I was able to try the other dishes., Café Gourmande was a great way to spend my evening with new French friends, Kirs, and apértifs., I can’t wait to bring back the recipes we learned to America and feel super sophisticated when I try them on my friends.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/03/09/top-chef-cea-parisIf that’s the goal for study abroad packing, I have failed miserably., It’s amazed me how many study abroad students forget to bring their hobbies with them abroad., I unpacked my ukulele and played a few songs in my room and it was so helpful in making me feel more at home., Doing something that I would normally do at home in my new environment helped me transition smoothly by making a connection between the two., If it’s a little more social, you and use it as a tool to make new friends and connect with your host family., Bring Your Hobby to Study Abroad (Especially if it's Ukulele)
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2015/03/06/bring-your-hobby-to-study-abroad-(especially-if-it's-ukulele)