Study Abroad - Tumblr Posts

24/06/2024

moving abroad diaries part 1

I'm moving to England by myself in two months. Two months - that's nothing. There'll be regular updates like this because I need to soothe my anxious mind and writing/planning things out usually helps a little

First, a short list of things I need to check/plan for/stay on top of:

visa application

living accommodation (ask about date so I know for when to book my flight)

flight booking

study info, (like schedule, course literature etc)

plan for what to pack, (fall/winter wardrobe)

sort out the renting-situation for my current apartment

start up a bank account in the UK (upon arriving)

get all my insurances

start up a phone subscription (upon arriving)

clean out the apartment I’m renting to a lovely couple

19/07/2024

moving abroad diaries part 2

study plan

my courses for the first year:

1. Criminal Justice

2. Essential Skills for Criminologists

3. Psychology for Criminologists

4. Social Psychology

5. Understanding Criminology

a typical week

it is recommended to spend at least 35 hours studying/week including the 9 hours/week that is scheduled - which makes for about 4 hours of studying/day outside of scheduled lessons to spread across the day

some general study tips & guidelines

keep a study diary where I make schedules and clear task lists, for every project and every day of studying

make my desk a neat and ideal place for studying (desk makeover/layout as a separate post) & finding other quiet nooks to study at the library, university and cafés

study studying-techniques and document in study diary what works best for me

! don’t stop reading outside of coursework !

rest and take small breaks + reward myself when reaching a milestone, accomplishing a goal; a sweet treat, a movie etc

try to help and receive help from others more (God knows I struggle with asking for help)

eat enough, focus on nutritious foods and prioritise sleep and movement (helps with studies in the long run + prevents burnout) especially when stressed

watching videos, mood boards, generally cute and motivating posts about studying helps me a lot

note taking

before class/lecture, review any assigned readings or materials. identify the main ideas and concepts that will likely be discussed

check the course syllabus to understand the day's focus. note important topics

briefly revisit notes from previous class sessions to connect new ideas

write down the main concepts, helpful details, and examples

organize your notes strategically for post-lecture annotation and later review

use visual aids, such as pictures and diagrams, throughout your notes to illustrate concepts visually

include your own questions, observations, and reflections

pinterest motivation

A 2015 bratz cloe doll favorite?

A 2016 bratz cloe doll favorite?

23.06.2024

1 day before the exam! I cannot wait for it to be ✨️over✨️

College Dilemma

Part 2 / A gazillion 

So, I’ve been researching college abroad lately (because it sounds like a dream 💖) and I have some questions. 

First, I’m not entirely sure if I would want to do all 4 years, transfer, or just do my master’s degree abroad. I love love LOVE the idea of exploring another country with friends from all different parts of the world and improving my French (or another language?) so that sounds awesome, but I have my heart set on Smith College, which is an all-women’s liberal arts school in Massachusetts. I want to do both, so… idk. Plus Smith is expensive and somewhere like AUP would also be very expensive.

So, here are my questions:

1. What are the benefits of attending university abroad vs study abroad with an American University?

2. Would it be a good idea to transfer to a university abroad? Or just do a master’s abroad?

3. Would it be a better idea to attend an American/International school in another country, or a French one that has classes in English? Or…

4. What would be the financial differences between all these options? *I know these are all kinda expensive, but I think I’d rather have an amazing experience than attend community college just to save money*

Additional Question:

5. Does anyone have any suggestions for universities in Europe (specifically in France) that I should be looking at? *I’ve heard mixed things about AUP, and it doesn’t have to be in Paris either*

I’ve also heard that you can get a student visa, and a work visa after you graduate, so that’s cool.

Let me know if anyone has any experience with any of these things or advice for me! It would be very much appreciated! :)

Would anyone recommend studying abroad during high school as opposed to college? I’m currently in the first semester of my junior year, so ai would probably have to do it first semester senior year. That’s when college applications are… but I would still get to see my friends in the US before we all went to college. It would be scary and expensive but… I wonder if I would regret not doing it and I’ve heard that it would improve my French immensely, which is wonderful because I want to be an expat and see the world when I’m older. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations of programs? CIEE came to our school last year…has anyone done programs with them?

Would it be a bad idea to study abroad during my senior year of high school? Even for just a semester?  I’m too late to apply for anything earlier besides a summer program, which I might do but would be an entirely different experience.

Foreign Universities

Hi!

Are there any Americans on here that have gone to/are going to college in a different country? Like, not just for a semester or year. I’ve seriously been thinking about doing this because 1. It’s cheaper, 2. I want to improve my French, 3. I am very interested in other cultures & I want to major in Global Studies or something

I was thinking Quebec, like Concordia or McGill because I don’t know of any other English-speaking colleges there, and then doing a year or so in France. But I know that college works differently in other countries, like, people go to a two-year school after high school and only 3 years of college or something, and nobody lives on campus... And my college counselor doesn’t seem to know anything about going to college abroad so she’s no help. 

It would be very helpful if you could tell me about your experiences, especially if you transferred from a US school to one in a foreign country. I’m not in college yet but there is a lack of info out there about this specific topic; I guess it’s very uncommon for Americans to enroll in a school in another country. Thanks!

hi angels,

i'm moving to spain in a couple of weeks for university, do you have any tips or advice for me? it's the first time i go abroad for a long period of time (one year) and also the first time i live without my family. i'd be lying if i said i'm not scared lol.

saturday morning. making pancakes for me and my flatmates in my apartment in madrid. planning to finish up my assignment for next week and going out shopping. life sounds good.

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗺𝘂𝘀 pros and cons

a girl asked me to talk about my erasmus experience in the questions box and she inspired me to make this post. if you have posts to request don't be shy! unfortunately i don't have all the time i would like to uptade but i will try to keep up.

erasmus is a student mobility program of the european union that allows a european student to attend a school in another EU country for a period of time legally recognized by their home institution.

it is a temporary experience with many benefits, enabling students to engage with different cultures and customs. due to its non-permanent nature, i believe it is one of the most beautiful opportunities for a student to feel completely free to explore and understand themselves, to figure out what they want and do not want from their life and educational path.

but let’s start by discussing its downsides. unfortunately, not everything is perfect.

𝟭. paperwork ( 📄 )

hey, i know, guys, i'm not the first or the only one to say this, but the paperwork for erasmus is a pain in the ass. it's not only extremely complicated, but universities (mine for sure, but i know it's a common experience) provide zero help in filling out the documentation. especially if you're not familiar with bureaucracy (and at 20 it’s normal not to be familiar with these things), it can seem like an insurmountable mountain. but if i, someone who doesn’t understand anything about this stuff, managed to get through it, you can do it too. typically, the documentation includes:

various information like ID, health card, and the IBAN of an account in your name (or joint name) where they will deposit the scholarship.

learning agreement, another plague sent from hell because you usually have to deal with two professors, one from your university and one from the host university, who clearly would prefer to mop the sea than help you fill out your learning agreement.

financial agreement for the scholarship, which has specific deadlines by which you need to submit documents (usually IBAN, learning agreement, and acceptance letter from the host university). fun fact: i almost missed this and didn’t receive the scholarship because these deadlines were buried deep in my university’s website (don’t be like me, make sure to be informed well about the financial agreement or you risk being left without money).

the best advice i can give you is to find someone from your university who has already done the erasmus where you’re supposed to go and ask them for some information. they, having gone through it, know what mistakes to avoid and what’s best to do. the offices often assume too many things and give you insufficient and hasty information.

𝟮. finding an accomodation ( 🏡 )

this too, another pain in the ass. it depends on the city, but here in madrid, finding a place to live has been a nightmare (and indeed, i've significantly overshot the budget i had set for rent). you have various options for accommodation:

student dormitories these solutions may seem the best at first glance, but they aren’t always. here in madrid, the fees for the dormitories at my campus cost more than my current rent, plus having only one kitchen for an entire floor is not exactly optimal comfort, especially if, like me, you cook a lot.

apartment studio/flat this is definitely the most comfortable option, but also the most expensive. a studio outside the center in big cities can cost up to €1000 a month. however, if you can afford it and prefer privacy, then go for it. at first, living alone might not be easy, especially if it’s your first time away from family, but you’ll get through it quickly.

room in an apartment this can be the best or the worst option depending on your luck because having flatmates means cohabitation, which is not always pleasant. if you're going in erasmus with someone you know, it might be optimal to share an apartment or take two rooms in a larger flat. personally, i rented a room in an apartment with three other people (two bathrooms and a kitchen), and i couldn’t be happier; i love my flatmates, and we quickly became friends. we cook together, go out together, spend entire evenings chatting and joking and they helped me a lot overcoming the first crisis. i realize, though, that i am an exception, so choose your accommodation carefully.

in short, consider your choice based on 3 factors:

proximity to the university/public transport links i study outside of madrid, almost an hour by bus from my place, but i live practically across from the bus stop, so it’s not a problem at all.

centrality/connection to the city center you're in erasmus to experience the city!

comfort of the place such as private bathroom (very hard to find but not impossible), utensils, AC, appliances (we have a dishwasher at home, and i assure you it saves our lives everytime).

𝟯. homesickness ( 🤧 )

yes, everyone feels homesick, even the most stoic. but guarantee you, you'll get through it. first of all erasmus, fortunately or unfortunately, isn’t forever. it’s a 6 month/1 year experience that is incredibly valuable for your personal growth, at the end of this period of time, you'll be back home. secondly, you can always stay in touch with friends and family in the age of technology. those who truly love you will support you in this project and do everything they can to make you feel less lonely. lastly, during erasmus, you’ll make many amazing friendships and connections that you otherwise would never have the chance to make.

𝟰. language barrier ( 🦜 )

i can’t say much about this, i've never studied spanish in my life, but, since i'm italian, i have no trouble following the lessons and understanding people when they speak, even though i'm still not able to express myself well in this new language. however, by living in another country, you’ll learn the language much faster and more effectively than with any academic course. in just a month, i already feel much more comfortable with spanish, and everyday i learn new things.

and of course, i could talk for hours about the benefits of erasmus, but i might save my praises for a post i'll write later, towards the end of this experience.

i can tell you that in just a month here, a whole new world has opened up for me. not only is the thrill of being in another city, in another country, an electrifying flow of continuous energy, but i’ve also realized things about myself that i might have ignored before.

i have much more confidence in myself; i feel freer, less afraid of making mistakes. it’s true, i’m far from my family and friends, but this also means i’m far from all those eyes under which i always try to appear perfect.

i crave to see and learn, i'm eager to discover new things, and this drives me to do things i probably wouldn’t do in my home country, to appreciate their flavor and indulge in the uncertainty of "maybe i’ll like this".

for the first time, i’m experiencing a new country without the rose-tinted filter of a short vacation. i’ve never felt as rich and full of gratitude as i do now, and i hope this is a feeling every student can experience.

so, erasmus, yes or no? absolutely yes.

i’d love to keep updating you on my experience abroad. what do you think? would you like that? let me know in the comments! star kisses ⭐

Hello, I hope you're doing well! My name is Mahmoud Abu Swierh, and I'm a 17-year-old from Gaza. The ongoing war has devastated my city, destroyed my school, and made daily life incredibly challenging. Despite these hardships, I'm determined to continue my education and build a better future. I've been given a chance to study abroad, but I need help to cover the costs of leaving Gaza, as well as living expenses and other essentials abroad once the crossing opens. If you can, please consider donating or sharing, your kindness can truly make a difference. Thank you. https://gofund.me/bd3ccf0b

Of course I would be happy to help by sharing/reblogging some of your posts. And I'm proud of you for working towards your future. Blessed be.

20231002 (day 1)

gonna start trying to make a little daily update post/journal entry on here so hi heres day 1

cultural anthro got canceled so i scheduled a study abroad meeting during that time. i started my applications for summer 2024!!! i’ll be spending two months somewhere that ill reveal later when its all confirmed (ive wanted to go to this place for years now, my fingers are crossed so hard theyre gonna break). also started planning my spring semester since the course listings came out. spent most of the day on campus and explored the library a bit more, its 11 floors ??? and thats only 1/2 libraries on campus. made plans for my partner to come to campus w me one day to check out our museums and more of the beach/harbor.

currently at the dance studio i intern at, just took a class and am dying. but ! might be able to perform or be part of a project here soon :) gonna try and do some homework or reading while i wait to film for the next class then ill have to lock up and go home.

quick question before i go, can people tell me about their study abroad experiences? like where’d you go, how long, did you have scholarships/price of the program (if youre okay with sharing), etc

Since my first term at my new school is over and I have above the required gpa I am finally eligible for study abroad!!!

I submitted my application for the program yesterday and have already been conditionally accepted to go by my school as long as i’m accepted into the program.

and the country i applied to is….. 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

Taiwan!

the program is in taipei specifically, and on a university campus. if accepted ill also have a chance to visit tainan and taitung.

i’d be going for about 2 months over the summer for an accelerated/intensive mandarin course. it’d be the entire intermediate level (= CHN201+202 in U.S. college credit). as far as I know I’d have class 5 days a week while there. i’m taking CHN 102 (upper elementary) in the spring here at home to prepare and spending my break reviewing stuff from 101 as well as teaching myself zhuyin/bopomofo.

if anyone has good resources for zhuyin, traditional characters, and/or taiwanese mandarin lmk!! im trying to find everything i can then i’ll compile a list of what was most helpful sometime during or at the end of the semester :))

GUYS THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE I SWEAR. I THOUGHT THEY WOULDNT LET ME KNOW FOR A WHIIILE OMGOMG IM GOING TO TAIWAN

i want to make videos while im in taiwan studying abroad, is there anything people would want me to cover about studying abroad or studying in taipei specifically?

HIII im back fr this time lol here are updates on life and my studies

- did not get enough funding for my planned study abroad in taiwan sadly, BUTTTT i last second was able to get into a summer program at korea university in seoul!! (will post summer + fall schedule after this)

- ended up failing a class this semester because the listed grading system on the syllabus was apparently not what was used but its fine ill live, just need to do reallly good in the fall to bring my gpa back up (it went from 3.425 -> 3.0)

- im either switching my minor to east asian languages or dropping it all together and focusing on anthropology/archaeology in school and languages in my own time :) i already dropped the chinese minor as i dont want to continue taking courses with the single professor at my uni but still want my credits for the mandarin and japanese courses ive taken to count towards my degree if possible

- currently trying to rest during my short summer break before i go to korea so im not burnt out there or in the fall but also starting to read ahead on the classes im taking there when i have the energy

finally comfirmed all my summer courses so heres the schedule!

for context: im studying at Korea University in Seoul for a 6 week semester abroad.

Period 1 - North Korea: History, Society, Politics

Period 2 - Media & Popular Culture in South Korea

Period 5 - Beginning Korean 1

im very interested to see how the class on North Korea will be, i have started some of the recommended reading as well as doing my own research & finding friends in the class and looking forward to it. definitely not a course i could ever find/take at a university here at home.

media & pop culture also super excited for bc i want to dive deeper into studying pop culture, performance art, fandom spaces and more within the realm soso bad

korean 1! i do have some korean learning and time in the country under my belt already but ive never taken an actual class (my speaking is very casual/informal bc of who/where i learned from lol) i feel like i definitely have missed or not fully understood a lot of grammar in the past also so i wanna kind restart the learning process w more structure :)

if anyone has questions abt the classes/program/study abroad/ etc lmk and ill do my best to answer !! excited to be back and motivated and study the things i love after a pretty difficult spring semester

26.01.19 // 15:13 pm //

Studying again at the so-called reading hall at uni. Today I've got Norwegian literature and information technology at my to do list. And I'm doing my very best, which isn't easy when the room is freezing my fingers off.