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slavic-roots-western-mind · 3 months

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The right mindset for an exchange year abroad

There's no singular correct mindset or way of thinking when it comes to planning and preparing for a year abroad. However, there are some aspects that can make life a little easier so here's what you should consider doing.

Accepting being an obvious foreigner If you're doing a year in a country such as China, then be prepared to be the odd person. Yes, chances are you will get stared at. You may hear "waiguoren"!, especially if you got travelling outside of the more international areas. Yes, you will sometimes feel like an outsider, like you'll never fully integrate. And that's ok. A reality that I had to accept is that whilst I may be welcome to stay here, I will remain an obvious visitor here.

Trying new things An obvious one, but don't just stay in your dorm watching tv-shows all the time. Get out and explore the city. Even if you decide to talk a stroll in the local park, that also counts. Obviously there wil be days when you need to recharge and spend some time by yourself, but going out and leaving your bubble can be the greatest kindness that you show yourself.

Break out of your shell Similar to point #2, but this one can be tricky. Trying new things e.g. trying a new dish at your school canteen vs going to a local restaurant by yourself are a tad different. This one takes time, and even the most outgoing person can struggle with this in a foreign place. Baby steps are the way to go here. If you feel anxious about going to the restaurant, try a cafe in a student/university area first. You can order your drink and if you feel comfortable enough, you can find a spot there and do some reading/studying. In time, you'll feel confident enough to try other places that you may have previously found intimidating. Breaking out of your shell takes time, so don't push yourself too much.

The local customs will endure long after you have left My professors back at my home uni always said "the local way trumps your way", and they were proven right time after time. Certain things are done a certain way, and whether you like it or not they will continue. The best thing to do, is to research in advance and try to adapt to them. Who knows, maybe in time they'll grow on you (aka me almost forgetting how to use a fork after using chopsticks for so long).

It's usually curiosity, not malice Sometimes you will get stared at, or you may be asked odd questions that in your culture would seem bizzare or perhaps a tad offensive e.g. how much do you/your parents earn? are you married? do you have children? Usually it's asked out of curiosity, rather than to cause offense or malice so try to keep that in mind.

Overcome the feeling of temporariness This is an odd one, but the fact that I'm here in China only for a while sometimes gets to me. Like why bother decorating my dorm room if I'll leave in the end? Why buy an extra blanket if I'll have to donate it if it doesn't fit into my suitcase? Forget this mentality. Yes, you're here for only a year, or maybe even half a year. But. This doesn't mean that you should neglect yourself and your living space. If its affordable and if it'll make your life much more easier and comfortable, then get that thing! If you don't have space in your suitcase, then either ship it back home, sell it, give it to a friend or donate it.

Don't forget about your life back home Keep in touch with your friends and family. You don't necessarily need to call them everyday, but do sent a message every once in a while. A simple "good morning!" text can be enough to reassure your parent(s) that everything's ok. Make sure to keep in touch with your home uni academic advisors, and to make sure that you're meeting all the necessary requirements. Mark the application deadline for those summer internships in your calendar, and don't forget to send your auntie that happy birthday message. You have your current life, but please don't neglect your relationships with your loved ones back at home.

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lanshappycorner · 1 year

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U know twst is such a mindfuck because all the personal stories and events are canonly confirmed to be like alternate universes/events outside of the main story, so you can be besties with this character in one event/story and then you go back to the main story and they fucking hate your guts (sebek)

#also just saw someone talking abt how malleus has gone to so many places like jamils homeland or the camping trip...NBC...#malleus had a halloween party with NRC students in the endless halloween event...he has experienced many things and made many bonds w ppl #but the malleus in tbe main story did not experience any of that :( he did not make any new friends or form bonds w the other students :((#he did not visit NBC and did not fight alongside azul and idia against rollo and he did not get to have a halloween party w his classmates #he did not go travel abroad with jamil to his hometown....the malleus in game has always been stuck at NRC #head in hands #girl help i just made myself sad

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cjtheghost-14 · 5 months

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Hi everybody, I don't usually post directly on my blog anymore but I just set up a gofundme and figured this was the best way to reach people. (and cause this is the only platform I really use lol) It is by no means an emergency, but I would greatly appreciate the help nontheless. My household is extremley toxic and stifling, and I was just presented an amazing opportunity to travel to Paris and Barcelona for my school program. The past few years I have been very active in my school and community in order to make the best of my time in this enviroment, and to set up the stepping stones for my eventual escape. My family is very poor, and those who are not are focusing on being able to pay my college tuition. In addition of myself trying to earn money without a steady income, I could really use some help if anyone was feeling generous. Thank you for your time.

#gofundme #fundraising #fundrasier #go fund me #go fund her #travel abroad #money #please donate #donate if you can #donations #poor student

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b10000p · 2 months

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Hi everybody!!

My name is Venice, and I have a gofundme!

I've lived in California my entire life; I've never left my hometown, but I've dreamed of traveling to Italy since I was a kid. I used to collect books, art, music - basically anything I could get my hands on that connected me to the country. As I grew older, I accepted that traveling would remain, at the very least, something to look forward to for after I retire.

Imagine my surprise then when I was accepted into my school's study abroad program for study art in Florence + Rome! At first I considered turning it down, but some dear friends and family convinced me this was the opportunity of a lifetime. But now I need your help! The ability to study in your namesake city isn't one that comes lightly - although I am working and saving dutifully, the deadline is approaching fast.

If 300 people gave 10 dollars, we would reach 3000 faster than I can count. But of course, anything helps! If you can't give (which I completely understand in this economy), then please please share, reblog, or tag your friends. Thank you all so much in advance!

#gofundme #donate if you can #or reblog #anything helps!!#travel #italy #venezia #study abroad #study in italy #art #culture #fundraising #college #student #broke college student #thank you everybody in advance!!!

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shu-bullshit · 4 months

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The longer I've stayed in the US the more I doubt whether I really should continue to stay, as every rule seems to be made against you staying.

#just found out even the artist visa which you need to be “excellent” to get is single entry. for a 3 years+ visa.#which makes traveling abroad difficult and stressful #US is also like the only place that doesn't allow international students to work while at school lol #my bullshits

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worldimmnetwork · 2 months

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Consult Mohali's immigration consultants for professional advice. Our consultants help with everything from immigration services to support for visa applications, offering specific guidance to ensure a smooth and easy process. Call (91-95177 79002) now. #StudyVisa #Mohali #ImmigrationAdvisers

#student visa #immigration #canada #study abroad #immigrate to canada #education consultant #study in australia #international education #uk travel #australia

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reachingworldlive · 2 months

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Four Reasons to Study Aboard

#Education #Abroad #Career #Students #Study #Study Abroad #Travel #Travelling Abroad

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oatzmeal · 22 days

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˖⁺‧₊˚ about me ˚₊‧⁺˖

hey guys! i recently changed my url from downtuwn → oatzmeal ! i'm also transitioning from a fandom-centered blog to a photography & study blog.

name: cam

— university student, currently in graduate school for business

— based in new york city

interests: travel, literature, music, photography, and learning languages!

emojis that describe me: 🎧📷🤍🍵🌃

i'd love to connect with more study blogs! always trying to find motivation and peace within the chaos ~~

→ also listen to my lofi study beats playlist on spotify! 25+ hours of chill background music for studying, homework, and productivity

⋆｡°🎧ྀི.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°♡.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°🎧ྀི.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°♡.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°🎧ྀི.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°♡.⊹₊ ⋆⋆｡°🎧ྀི.⊹₊ ⋆

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astriiformes · 9 months

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Out of curiosity, do I have any followers who are particularly familiar with (have lived in or otherwise) either Marburg, Oslo, or Graz?

I am poking (very) tentatively at my school's study abroad options, since with scholarships it might actually be a more affordable option for the spring semester (and has long been a dream of mine, so it means a lot that it might actually be within reach) and I've narrowed it down to one of those three programs. Beyond the costs and academics though, I'd be curious to know if anyone has anything else to say in favor of or against any of the cities, since I would obviously also be picking a place to live for 4-5 months.

#my school lets students apply their financial aid towards study abroad which i did not realize until recently and changes everything #especially since i could maybe make up some of the money i'm not getting from the state this year with school abroad scholarships #leaning towards marburg at the moment because it's fairly central and i'd want to travel while i'm there #and close enough to frankfurt that i could visit the synagogue there sometimes which would mean a lot to me #i speak more norwegian than german but tbqh that's actually a point in favor of germany/austria (could learn more while i'm there)#also yes. european friends. on top of everything else this is my latest scheme to maybe finally visit some of you

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suziesdiaries · 2 months

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Newsletter / Edition 2024.03.04 / 01

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lunarmote · 1 year

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Week 6: What are you doing in Japan?

Week 6. Maybe the title is confrontational, but I meant it as such.

I’ve been thinking about the absurdity of doing a study abroad while doing tourist activities. I have given names/descriptions to the various “lifestyles” one can adopt here, as a student with a year-long visa.

You can treat it as one long travel, foregoing the “student” part of your visa. Your weekends will consist of morning-till-evening trips, you’ve probably been on the Shinkansen 4+ times by now to Tokyo, you’ve flown to Hokkaido and Okinawa, you and your friends have booked an entire onsen in the mountains. (The biggest obstacle to this lifestyle is, of course, money)

Travel lite — you search up all the Michelin restaurants, aesthetic cafes, plush outlets, vintage thrift shops, botanical gardens, and try to squeeze them into the little gaps in your day. You probably have some “top 100 landmarks” list you want to hit or your goal is to do a power-ranking of all cat cafes by the end of your stay.

Attempted balance — You realize you’re staying long-term here and you have to study and past tests, so you establish some kind of routine (an extension of your routine back home). You focus on making close connections with the international students and maybe 1-2 clubs. You cook meals most of the time but make day trips occasionally. You are the most acquainted with the shrine 5 mins away from you but you’ve visited most of the other landmark shrines.

Attempted assimilation — I haven’t actually met anyone with this approach so my sketch will be quite fantastical but… you do all your courses in Japanese, make friends with the locals when possible, spend a lot of time at club meetings. Participate in less flashy, slow-paced, cultural activities but with the same frequency that the natives participate in them. You stay away from one-stop tourist attractions.

There is something about #1 and #2 that make me uncomfortable and I will also have something to say about #4 later. It’s only now, a month-plus in, when I’ve hit a slight dip in energy that I’m able to see #1 and #2 for what they are a bit more clearly. During the honeymoon phase everything sparkles and entices. I told my friend that the granularity of the world changed for me — that in stepping out of Kansai International Airport I suddenly became aware of every pebble on the ground and the texture of every tree trunk, because even as you do not actively take account of these things, your brain “feels” the cloak of familiarity lift. As such, whether I was going to a famous landmark or staying at home trying to count my yen coins produced similar feelings of overwhelm and positive bewilderment.

As you settle into routine, certain things that used to make you pay attention don’t anymore and you start to do things on autopilot. I’ve observed that the way classes are set up at my school is such that you almost never have to interact with Japanese natives at all. You spend your morning in the dorm with international students, your day in class with international students, hang out at a restaurant with international students, go back to the dorm or go to a bar with international students. Faculty-student interactions are in English; PANDA (the equivalent of Canvas) can be translated with a click of Google. You go to Kawaramachi and all the signs are translated into English. I have also noticed the classes I have which introduce some element of interaction between English-speakers and Japanese-speakers always cater towards the former and produces unintentional (?) pressure on Japanese students to exert themselves more as the non-default. The teacher will sometimes chuckle and say “This is how the Japanese are, so modest and unresponsive in class,” providing commentary to those who “get it,” the foreign students who are waiting for a Japanese student to raise their hand.

And of course, the beauty of a program like is is its flexibility, the opportunity for such freedom in interaction choice, travel choice. Yet… I feel like this experience has been too easy for me, as if everything were being delivered on a silver platter.

To tie this back to my earlier point, I think what bothers me is how close and so utterly far assimilation and cultural osmosis are to an international student like me. A lot of it isn’t on us, but a lot of it also is, because an experience is always in the making and pieced together every single day by the actions we take. A statement is made when our finger snaps to the “English” option on ATM machines like a magnet before attempting to make sense of any other part of the machine (which, with its bright icons and interface, can be quite intuitive), we lock on to that which has always served us. The fact that we can afford to, because some part of this world caters to people like us. I am a bit ashamed by my lack of effort sometimes and how kind [some] Japanese are when I launch into broken compensatory English because I’m weighing it to an equivalent experience back in the US. A failure to speak English in the US is usually met with some condescension or at least impatience.

I wonder as I am pacing in front of Yoshida-jinga as identically-dressed schoolchildren hop down the steps, if living among such preserved cultural monuments desensitizes them to the beauty of it, or if it enhances it because they will have had a decade and a half of a lifetime to appreciate it. How many Kyoto natives end up going to university here and among them, how many decide to choose a free afternoon (and rather than simply paying a visit to a shrine), make a “spectacle” out of it in the way that travel brochures advertise a shrine as a day trip? I do not wish to call the telephone poles here, so iconically portrayed in animes, objectively beautiful, though there seems to be no alternative to me. Perhaps the same student studying abroad in California will find our sidewalks beautiful.

But, to comment on #3 and #4 now — how is it even possible to be less trend-driven and more “authentic?” How possible can it really be to live like the locals? More importantly, why would you want to? You are not a local. I am not a local. Certain aspects of being here are [humbly] shocking. My navigation around Japanese society is wobbly at best. The internal experience is one of cultural exchange, not supplantation — we are always reconciling what we know of the world with what we are learning of the world.

On a personal note...

I feel like I am surrounded by people who always know the best restaurants, most beautiful temples, most hip music festivals, and the most picturesque mountain peaks.

I used to wonder why I couldn’t be like them too, until I [am in the process of realizing] I am not really interested in those things.

What am I not interested in?

What am I interested in?

Let’s start here. 🙂

I’m not much of a foodie although the idea of sharing a meal with someone is something that tugs on my heartstrings and gives me a reason to live. I don’t taste the food itself. It can be McDonalds or some dish I’ve had a hundred times. The poignancy of a meal can only be measured by the relation of the place, ambience, company, conversation to one another. So it is a little bit strange to me, that picking out all these aesthetic restaurants carries with it some element of “this is going to be great! You’re going to make an experience out of it!” when that sort of judgment can only be made by looking at the past.

As much as I plan to visit as many shrines/temples in Kyoto as possible, I’m not interested in checking off a list or visiting the “most famous” ones. That focus is wrong, to me. I need more space in between to process what I’m looking at and why I’m looking at it. I need more time to connect with the world outside myself and even if this requires me to stay at home and do some research then it’s worth it.

I’m not… hmm…

I’m not interested in doing things with other people all the time. This is future me speaking to present me. I cannot feel it right now, because of FOMO and riding the tailwind of the honeymoon phase, but it’s true. In the end, the decision to come here was entirely my own; I did not know any of these people a month and a half ago; I did not make the decision to come here knowing I would meet them and preserve these memories. We will go our separate ways in the end and I will be left to stew in what I could personally make out of these 5 months.

There are two types of things I came here with: wishes and burdens. I wished to challenge myself and to learn to be more independent. I wished to be more proactive and more others-conscious. I wished to shed expectations of perfection. I wished to take many pictures and draw many drawings. I wished to make people smile. I wished to improve at intercultural communication and Japanese.

I also carried some sadness with me. If you’ve been reading my blog you may know the kinds of things I’m talking about. I’m always hyperconscious of time passing, of how privileged I am in relation to the world, of how much miscommunication exists and how fragile human connections are. I don’t think living in a foreign country for 5 months will remove this sadness, but I am hoping for more perspective, more humility, and more strength. This stuff... requires a lot of reflexivity. A willingness to tolerate (in Dr. Alan Robarge’s words, “the acid of loneliness”) and alchemize it into solitude, the intentional, purposeful state of being with yourself.

#travel diary #study abroad #exchange student #japan #kyoto #personal

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studyabroad21 · 7 months

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Pre-Departure Documents and Packing Checklist for Study Abroad

A pre-departure checklist is an essential tool for international students preparing to study abroad. Collegepond, a trusted source of guidance and support for students pursuing higher education abroad, understands the importance of a comprehensive checklist to ensure a smooth transition to a foreign country. Here's a pre-departure checklist by College Pond to help you prepare for your international education journey:

Passport and Visa:

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended return date. Carry multiple photocopies of your passport's main page and visa documents. Double-check that you have all the necessary visas and immigration documents.

Financial Matters:

Notify your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with your accounts. Set up online banking to manage your finances from abroad. Familiarize yourself with currency exchange rates and options for money transfer.

Accommodation:

Confirm your housing arrangements, whether it's a dormitory, shared apartment, or homestay. Ensure you have the contact information for your landlord or housing authority. Know the address of your accommodation and how to get there from the airport.

Health and Insurance:

Review your health insurance coverage and understand how it works abroad. Pack necessary medications and prescriptions, along with copies of your medical records. Research healthcare facilities near your destination and keep their contact information handy.

Packing Essentials:

Make a checklist of clothing, toiletries, and personal items you'll need. Pack weather-appropriate clothing for the destination and consider local customs. Don't forget adapters and converters for your electronics.

Travel Documents:

Organize all your travel documents in a secure folder or travel wallet. Include your flight tickets, itinerary, and any other relevant documents. Carry digital copies of important documents on your phone or cloud storage.

Academic Preparation:

Ensure you have all the required textbooks, school supplies, and course materials. Familiarize yourself with the academic calendar and deadlines. Communicate with your academic advisor or professors about your arrival date.

Communication:

Set up an international phone plan or purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. Share your contact information with family and friends. Install useful apps for navigation, language translation, and communication.

Cultural Awareness:

Research the local culture, customs, and etiquette of your host country. Learn some basic phrases in the local language for communication. Understand any potential cultural differences or challenges you may encounter.

Safety and Emergency Contacts:

Know the emergency numbers in your host country. Share your itinerary and contact details with family or a trusted friend. Register with your country's embassy or consulate in the host country.

Transportation and Arrival:

Arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation in advance. Have local currency for immediate expenses upon arrival. Keep important contacts and addresses handy for reference.

#student travel checklist #things to pack when going abroad #abroad packing list #packing for study abroad

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ventebleck · 1 year

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I'll study abroad!

It's finally official, next September I will be an exchange student, and I'll spend 6 months in another country without knowing anyone there. I'm afraid lol.

I'm excited, of course; It's an opportunity to meet new people (god knows I need help with that), and have a taste of what it's like living alone. Of course, studying and doing chores and just, living, I guess.

But I'm also scared. I've seen that even just rooms are very expensive to rent, and i don't have that kind of money. I'll start working until i leave, but I don't know how the renting, food, clothes, and all that will go. Stay tuned, I suppose!

Also, the place I'll go is a small city in the Netherlands, but it's actually closer to Germany than to anything else in the country, lol. It's called Enschede, and it's beautiful. Look!

I'm not used to snow or cold, and i'll go during winter. I've never been to a place with temperatures below 0 degrees! Help lol.

I've been told that the university where I'll go is kinda disorganized, but I've discovered that in this uni and this city they take good care of exchange students. They have an Instagram Account dedicated to informing people of new activities and stuff to do, and I think that's amazing! One example is a post about how if you stay during Christmas, they have “Winter Buddies” to enjoy doing stuff with, like going ice skating. How adorable is that?

Honestly, as long as i figure out my money/renting/food issue, I know I will have a great time. Plus, it's only 2 and a half hours away from Amsterdam by train, I will go there on the weekends If I don't have anything better to do lol. I have six months to do whatever I want! (Well, not whatever, you know what i mean).

I want to go there now, I'm excited. Wish me luck!

#ranting #media #enschede #netherlands #erasmus #exchange student #university struggles #university student #exam #abroad #abroad study #Erasmus experience #traveling #beautifuldestinations #explore #studyblr

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