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Study Abroad: Expectation vs. Reality
When debating whether or not to study abroad, you will most certainly imagine the experience in your head; I know I did., Fortunately, if you’d like to make more local friends, there are plenty of ways to do so: join a club/sports team, get to know your RA, talk to fellow classmates, hang out at coffee shops/pubs that students frequent, etc., I promise you will regret not getting to know locals while abroad., Travel While it’s true you will travel a lot during your study abroad experience, be as realistic as possible when making plans., When studying abroad, your expectations will not meet your realities, but that’s alright!, Study Abroad: Expectation vs.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/02/13/study-abroad-expectation-vs.-realityHome Sweet Home: My First Month in Alicante
In fact, to celebrate my twenty-first birthday I had a picnic on the beach with my friends!, I've made so many good friends within our CEA group: we live together, travel together, learn the ins and outs of studying abroad together, and have already bonded more than I ever thought possible in a month., Through my classes at the Centro Superior de Idiomas at the University of Alicante I have also become friends with fellow international students from Russia, Albania, Korea, and more., And of course, I have loved making friends with Alicantinos!, I've started going to an intercambio every week at a cafe nearby, and there's nothing I love more than sitting and talking with new friends over tea and brownies, whether in English or in Spanish!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/02/13/home-sweet-home-my-first-month-in-alicanteThe People Who Will Influence Your Study Abroad Adventure
A huge factor in your study abroad experience is the people you meet., From the day to day strangers who help you with directions or give you a cheer as you run by, to the new friends you make from all over the world, they all contribute to the good, the bad, and the comic moments of your abroad adventure., In the school setting, classmates and professors have contributed to making the university more welcoming., In these surroundings I have learned the importance of making new friends, who teach you more about the world and influence how high you should set your goals., Without all of my influential classmates, professors, friends, and roommates, Prague would not have been the same.., The People Who Will Influence Your Study Abroad Adventure
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/01/09/the-people-who-will-influence-your-study-abroad-adventureHow Studying Abroad During Football Season IS Possible
Making the decision to study abroad during football season was difficult... especially during my senior year., This was largely because the online daleticket system refused to accept my visa card, or any of my friends visa card, as a form of payment., How Studying Abroad During Football Season IS Possible
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/01/06/how-studying-abroad-during-football-season-is-possibleAlmost There: Study Abroad Reflection
Being now halfway through my study abroad experience, I cannot believe that time has passed by so quickly., Sitting here in the apartment common room, surrounded by flatmates and friends (all of whom are diligently working on homework for the coming week), I have ample time to reflect on the many wonderful things I have experienced in my brief, but fulfilling stay in Europe., So, why did I want to study abroad in the first place?, I began studying the language in seventh grade, and would continue throughout my entire high school experience, eventually making it into IB (InterBaccaluareate) level courses, junior year., I think that's the overarching purpose of study abroad; to gain a "broader" understanding of yourself and the world around you., Almost There: Study Abroad Reflection
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2014/01/03/almost-there-study-abroad-reflectionA Day in the Life of a Study Abroad Student in Granada, Spain
I had always wanted to study abroad, but I never thought I'd be studying Spanish and Arabic in Spain, as I'm studying creative writing and philosophy back home., And here we are learning more and more each day and becoming really good friends., Making sure I translate Arabic to Spanish in my notebook also helps., A Day in the Life of a Study Abroad Student in Granada, Spain
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/12/17/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-study-abroad-student-in-granada-spainExploring My Jewish Faith In Barcelona
Sheer Edelman, a freshman from De Anza College, California shares her personal spiritual journey while studying abroad in Barcleona, Spain., And so for the first time I felt like I was part of a community, and this community became my Jewish family abroad., “How much more so,” I thought to myself, “as someone who grew up Jewish, should I be making the effort to come!”, Since we always celebrated the first night of Chanukah with family and friends- lighting the candles together, eating, chatting, and singing in front of the flickering lights- the thought of celebrating it alone was unbearable., Though it was our first time making them, it turned out quite a success!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/12/16/exploring-my-jewish-faith-in-barcelonaMaking International Friends in Shanghai, China
Leaving home can difficult, especially if you are leaving friends behind as well., Making new friends has been so interesting and rewarding, especially here at school., This is what makes friendships really special here, your friends will become somewhat like your family., For most of us here we have been able to meet not only friends within our same university but also locals and other students from surrounding universities., Overall, I think one of the best things about my studying abroad in Shanghai experience has been getting to know other people and learn something from them, and what else can be better than creating memories around the world with your new international friends!, Making International Friends in Shanghai, China
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/12/11/making-international-friends-in-shanghai-chinaMaking Unlikely Friends Studying Abroad
Other than your family who is your No. 1, friends can come next., When it comes to the friends I made studying abroad, they became the people who made my experience everything that it was., That is one of the many great things that study abroad offers you, getting to meet people who you otherwise would not., I left my study abroad experience not just with great pictures and souvenirs; I also left with great friends and memories that will last for many years to come., She studied abroad with CEA in Rome, Italy, during the Summer 2012 term., Making Unlikely Friends Studying Abroad
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/12/02/making-unlikely-friends-studying-abroadSpending Thanksgiving in Paris, France
At home, Thanksgiving is celebrated with Mom’s stuffing and reuniting with old friends and distant family members., I was lucky enough to have the perfect Thanksgiving plan, making this year’s holiday one I won’t forget!, It was great to meet some other girls abroad., Being able to see friends from home and eat a Thanksgiving meal was a great plan., Many of my friends went to some of their other favorite cities with friends.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/12/02/spending-thanksgiving-in-paris-franceCombating Homesickness
So far nobody that I know has ever been above homesickness when they've been away from their friends and family, and I experienced my first bout of it last week., I have met so many locals, tourists, and other study abroad students from other countries through playing here and it has been a definite highlight of my trip so far., It is more than understandable, but I highly highly highly encourage making the effort (I also encourage homestays, but that's a blog in itself)!, Anyone can sign up for a Spanish course in school, so for me, the point of studying abroad is mainly for cultural immersion., Belonging to something comfortable and then being able to walk out your door to join Spanish friends has been an incredibly great experience.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/11/12/combating-homesicknessInternational Tourism Day
When studying abroad everyday can be a culturally enriching experience, if you let it., It is imperative to make the most of your time abroad and open yourself up to other cultures as much as possible., Los Gafapastas poster board Our new Tico friends!, We gained confidence while making friends with the locals, which had seemed so intimidating to me prior to this event., I left feeling more confident in my speaking skills and comfortable making friends with the locals.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/30/international-tourism-dayMy First Impressions: Shanghai, China
This new city was really beginning to feel like home very quickly, and it has been very easy for not only for myself to adapt, but also my other friends in the CEA program., One of the best things about Shanghai that we all agreed on is that Shanghai is such an international city, a Mecca for networking and making friends and this has allowed for all of us to meet so many wonderful people from all over the world., Below are a few more photos from my first weeks studying abroad in Shanghai.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/03/my-first-impressions-shanghai-chinaHome Away From Home in Prague
I have attempted to embrace these differences as a part of the abroad experience., I had to go around the campus to find my new classes, make new friends, and adjust to the new class structure., Now, to add to that the thought of making new friends is overwhelming, especially being a senior in college where I have already formed my group of friends., In Prague I am able to enjoy my freedom from responsibilities and immerse myself into the city, my travels, and my new found friends., My study abroad experience has already formed a greater appreciation for the world around me as I make Prague my new home away from home.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/10/02/home-away-from-home-in-pragueHow Language Barriers Have Changed Me
The view from the top of the Alhambra One of the toughest things about studying abroad in Granada, Spain, is speaking Spanish and constantly trying to perfect it and grow as a better Spanish speaker., And that's what's making me stronger., Yet when having a conversation with my host family and other Spanish friends, my Spanish spilled out without force., Living with a host family, making Spanish friends, and participating in intercambio (tutoring Spanish speakers English) makes learning Spanish much easier.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/09/26/how-language-barriers-have-changed-meApplying for Student Visas: What All Students Need to Know
You've most likely heard about it from your CEA admissions counselor or site specialist, from your study abroad advisors at your university, from your friends, and maybe even from your parents., Before you can depart for your adventure abroad, you need to apply for and obtain a student visa (for most study abroad programs)., Here are the 5 W's of student visas for study abroad: WHO?, To obtain a visa, you must apply at your study abroad country’s consulate., Under these types of circumstances, you would still be liable for the full cost of your study abroad program.Avoid these mishaps by making passport attainability one of your top priorities!
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/07/31/applying-for-student-visas-what-all-students-need-to-knowThe Impact of South Africa after Graduation
If we turn back and reflect on these small habits which have molded us, we must also look back and recognize the effect that our big decisions have made on us—which university to attend, our major, how we spend our money, the religions and politics that we chose and rejected, and for some us, studying abroad., When I think of my experience abroad versus what I had always anticipated I know that it has greatly changed me, both as a person as well as a soon-to-be working woman., When I initially decided to study abroad, I was all but set to go to France and then later England., I have known since I was a little girl that I was going to study abroad and Europe was always my choice destination., I am now so accustomed to sitting in a restaurant for as long as I please, making friends with those around me, and receiving the check when I ask for it—not five to ten minutes after receiving my food.
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/06/24/the-impact-of-south-africa-after-graduationLife After Studying Abroad in Prague
In the past many of my friends had studied abroad; when they returned from their travels I always asked them, “How was studying abroad?”, However, now that I have studied abroad, I can finally understand exactly how they felt., The amount of places that you visit, tours that you go on, museums that you walk through, cities that you get lost in, languages that you try to learn, friends that you make, and memories that you hold forever…is absolutely unfathomable., Making memories., And when someone asks me, “How was studying abroad?”, Life After Studying Abroad in Prague
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/06/18/life-after-studying-abroad-in-pragueApplying Study Abroad to Life After Graduation
But to friends, family, college professors and future employers, those experiences and life changes won’t be so obvious., Throughout the past two and a half months, I have learned how to handle feeling ignorant and making mistakes., Another important skill I have acquired during my time abroad is cultural awareness., Study abroad has also made me a much better problem solver., Study abroad has been an extraordinary opportunity for me to grow in more ways than one., Applying Study Abroad to Life After Graduation
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/06/14/applying-study-abroad-to-life-after-graduationMale Students in Study Abroad - Alumni Ambassador Conor Farrell Speaks Out
While in Barcelona, I stayed in a residencia with other international students, which gave me the independence and freedom to make my own decisions - from making meals to planning trips with other students in the residence., Conor: Independent decision making was something I considered lacking before I went abroad; I would usually do what peer majority wanted and just go with the flow., Although I would still make group decisions and hang out with large groups of people, I have definitely noticed that I am more comfortable in making decisions that impact my life., Many of my friends at school always talk about how much they want to study abroad but never even take the first step to research the programs available., Second myth - study abroad isn't safe: Studying abroad is as safe as you make it., Male Students in Study Abroad - Alumni Ambassador Conor Farrell Speaks Out
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/content-creator/2013/05/16/male-students-in-study-abroad---alumni-ambassador-conor-farrell-speaks-out