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By on October 14, 2015 in Studying Abroad
Image by Liana Ramos

Image by Liana Ramos

This past summer I packed up my bags and participated in a Summer Abroad program with my university. I travelled to Oxford, England to take a Shakespeare course at Oxford University. Two of the best aspects about the program were that I completed a full year course in one month, and that as the course was taught by an instructor from my university, I didn’t have to worry about transfer credits!

Oxford is a small town with beautiful historical buildings. (The picture above is of the Radcliffe Camera, which is a part of the Bodleian Library.) It was such an incredible experience to be immersed in a new culture. I often found myself gazing around as I walked down the street because of the newness of it all.

Completing a full year course in one month was intensive – even though I was overseas, I wasn’t on vacation. There was a lot of work to do, just like in a regular course (readings, assignments, a mid-term, and an exam). But it was an enriching experience because I got to see the material I was studying brought to life. Studying abroad allowed me to experience integrated learning. I got to see plays at Shakespeare’s Globe (in London) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (in Stratford). I love reading Shakespeare, so being able to see his work in action was great for my learning because it allowed me to understand the material better.

The Summer Abroad program is, of course, mainly revolved around academics. However, there was time for fun and to explore. Classes were on Monday to Thursday mornings, so that left Monday to Thursday afternoons, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as free time (although there was a lot of studying to do during those hours!). Some people took trips to different countries within Europe because travelling is much cheaper there. I chose to spend a few days in London, exploring the typical tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

I would recommend pursuing a summer abroad or any international study experience. However, there are some aspects that need to be realistically considered first. It took almost the entire school year to fill out applications, attend orientations, and prepare myself for going abroad (both financially and mentally). It’s a big investment, but many universities have scholarships and bursaries for students wishing to pursue international travel. Before my Summer Abroad trip, I had never travelled internationally before (much less alone!) and I hadn’t been on an airplane in eleven years! But I leapt into this opportunity because I knew it would be an amazing experience. I made some new friendships that will last a lifetime, and this has been my best summer (so far)! Let’s see if I can top it next year.

By on September 25, 2015 in Academic Life
gap-year

By Jack Amick on Flickr

After the four years of hard work, late nights, long essays and meeting deadlines that is college, it’s no wonder that so many people are drawn to taking some time off before jumping into another commitment (careers, grad school etc.). But is a gap year really the best option with regards to your long terms goals? A year is a long time, and if not planned correctly, a gap year after college can end up doing more harm than good. Here are some of the pros and cons of taking a gap year after you turn the tassel and throw your cap into the air:

Pros

1. Time to enhance alternate skills and pursue your passion

A gap year gives you a whole extra year after college to pursue your passion before you jump into a regular routine. This could be the perfect opportunity to further develop an interest you discovered in college. For example, say you realized you were deeply interested in theatre during your four years of college. You could use a gap year to enhance your acting skills, or maybe even research and write a play. Being able to enhance skills separate from those you learn in a classroom environment, that align with your passion, is one of the ways in which a gap year can be most rewarding.

2. Certifications to further build up your CV

A year is time long enough to get a few additional certifications under your belt. These will make you more marketable to potential employers, and could even help you earn a better entry-level salary when starting your career. Online certifications in Microsoft Office, or computer programming are very in demand these days. Other programs such as online medical assisting, emergency first response, CPR and more are very useful to have and could even determine your career.

3. Explorations/Volunteering abroad

One of the most common reasons to take a gap year is to explore the world. Taking a year to travel to different countries, experience various cultures and meet new people can be a very inspiring and amazing experience. It’s one thing to read about different cultures in books and talk about them in a classroom setting. It’s another to be fully immersed within that culture, and truly experience a different reality. In the long term, your experiences traveling or volunteering in countries and “making a difference” so to say, will give you plenty to talk about in interviews and make you stand out as an individual. If the wanderlust bug hit you in college, then this might be a great option should you decide to take a gap year.

Cons

1. Lack of a steady income

Chances are your gap year wouldn’t entail you working full time. This means you won’t have a steady income – or any source of income at all. Getting started with your career after graduation is more likely to yield an income, with the potential to increase as time goes on.

2. Potential to waste time

Having a year at your disposal is a long time, meaning there is lots of time that can be wasted. Gap years taken on a whim without prior planning can work out, but only in rare situations. To make the most of your gap year, it should be planned in advance, so that most of your time isn’t wasted in trying to plan something that will only materialize at the end of the year. Another factor is laziness. Knowing you have a whole year ahead could make you lazy at the start, and cause you to put things off. If you are the type of person that easily gets lazy, be aware that before you know it, the year will be over and you will find you will have accomplished much less than you wanted. Ultimately, this will just look like a giant waste of time on your CV, and be detrimental to your future goals.

3. Expenses

Gap years can be expensive. Depending on the type of gap year you choose, you may have to budget for hefty expenses. For instance, traveling involves paying for plane tickets, accommodation and food. Similarly, getting a certification or taking a course to improve your skills is rarely ever free. Budgeting is paramount so that your gap year doesn’t end up leaving you high and dry.

All in all, a gap year can be a wonderful experience. All it needs is some advance planning and being aware of the potential obstacles you may face along the way. If you take this into consideration, you are more likely to have a fulfilling and purposeful gap year after college.

This article was contributed by guest author Akshata Mehta.

By on August 5, 2015 in Studying Abroad, Travel

Studying abroad can be the experience of a lifetime. Here are five places you should seriously consider when making your decision on picking a location:

1. Paris

Paris

Image by Moyan Brenn, Flickr

This should come as no surprise. Paris is an obvious choice as one of the best cities for, well, probably everything. Although known to be incredibly expensive, Paris offers relatively low tuition fees for students, making it a top contender amongst students. There is also no shortage of great universities in the French capital for basically any program you are interested in.

The best way to enjoy the city is to grab a good book, head to a café and sip an espresso until content. Check out some museums, or just leisurely walk around this beautifully planned city. Leave the Eiffel tower lines to the tourists. You are now a Parisian.

Highlights: Everything…

2. Barcelona

Barcelona

Image by Moyan Brenn, Flickr

Imagine if every day felt like a vacation in Barcelona. Well, here is your chance to make that a reality. With great weather, food, architecture and people, Barcelona may be the destination you have longed for.

Home to the prestigious University of Barcelona and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, the city has a lively and diverse student population. This could be your opportunity to brush up on your Spanish skills, or learn how to speak the local language of Catalan.

It’s difficult to talk about Barcelona without mentioning the illustrious “party scene” which is more than often associated with the city. If this is your cup of tea, you probably don’t need to read the rest of this list. Just be sure you save some time to study.

Highlights: Great weather, relaxing, party city

3. Florence

Florence

Image by Chris Yunker, Flickr

Are you looking to be inspired? If so, look no further. What is more inspiring than the birthplace of the Renaissance? Florence’s beauty has roused the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, so there should be no difficulty winning you over. Located in the Tuscan region of Italy, Florence is home to the University of Florence, Accademia Italiana, and Lorenzo de’Medici, all of which have many options for international students.

The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the world and will leave you speechless with its beautiful architecture. Use your spare time to learn Italian or take a cooking class. The Tuscan region is also world famous for its wine, so be sure to indulge.

Highlights: Culture, cuisine, art

4. Buenos Aires

Buenos-Aires

Image by Gisela Giardino, Flickr

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is the perfect city if you are looking to immerse yourself in Latin American culture. With some of the most prestigious Universities in South America, this large metropolitan city will surely cater to all of your needs.

The city is defined by its dynamic culture, encapsulating a mix of European and South American traditions. Exploring the city on foot will allow you to fully appreciate the artistic beauty Buenos Aires has to offer, with murals and European-style architecture blending together in a way that truly makes it a unique destination.

Be sure to take advantage of the location by visiting neighbouring cities or even touring South America. This growing metropolitan city is definitely one to take into serious consideration.

Highlights: Location, architecture, art

5. Manchester

Manchester

Image by Pablo Fernandez, Flickr

World famous for its music scene, Manchester has produced some of the biggest and most talented names in music: The Smiths, Joy Division and Oasis are just a few of the bands that have come from this famously industrial north west English city.

The city has a large student population, gravitating around the well-known University of Manchester, as well as University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University. The clash between old and new is apparent throughout the city, as industrial architecture remains to be a distinctive quality.

Known for its nightlife, music events and intense football rivalry, you will not have any difficulty keeping entertained.

Highlights: Music scene, large student population, nightlife

Well, there you go. Hopefully this has helped you narrow down where your new adventure will take place. Studying abroad is all about completely immersing yourself in a different environment, so be open to everything that comes your way. Also, be sure to travel as much as you can during your free time; long weekends are a perfect opportunity to check out neighboring destinations. Most importantly, just have a great time.

Good Luck!
OH and be sure to set aside time to “study”.

Studied abroad in the past? Any suggestions on where to go? We want to hear from you! Speak up in the comment section below.

This article was contributed by guest author Rahim Madhavji of Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange.

By on July 20, 2015 in Travel
Image by mariusz kluzniak on Flickr

Image by mariusz kluzniak on Flickr

Summer is a great time for many things — working, volunteering, and travel. The first two are great, but what I personally love doing the most is travelling. I was given the opportunity to travel to Lisbon for a short while earlier this summer. If you haven’t gone to a foreign country before, the whole experience might seem a bit intimidating. There are difficulties communicating if you don’t speak the language, and a lot of the time you won’t know anybody else except those you’re going with. My advice is: take any possible chance you can get to go abroad. The experiences you will have and the people you will meet will heavily outweigh any concerns you might have. To encourage you, I will give a peek into my experiences on my most recent vacation.

Food

This is arguably one of the most important aspects of travel to take into account. Being adventurous and trying new foods in different locations is good, but do some research to see if the cuisine of your designation is to your taste. For example, you might have a hard time in Thailand if you can’t stand spicy food, or your options will be restricted if you go to Japan and have a burning hatred for seafood. These following observations are based on personal experience and do not necessarily encompass the whole of Portuguese cuisine: dishes with potatoes and fish are popular, as are pork and clams. What you will see on almost any street however, is a pastry shop selling Portuguese egg tarts. The most famous store (and allegedly the origin of the dessert) is Pastéis de Belém, located in the area of Belém. If you had to eat only one place’s take on the egg tart, definitely go to Pastéis de Belém.

Things to Do and Places to Go

Okay great, you decided that you like or at least want to try Portuguese cuisine. Next, it is essential to figure out if you would actually be into the tourist sites and places Portugal has to offer. Many of the most famous sites will be interesting to history and/or architecture buffs:

If these don’t pique your interest, then the country’s beaches and the casino in Estoril (about an hour away by train) might be more your jam. Baixa, an area of central Lisbon, offers many pedestrian streets with cafes and shops. There are also many other day trips you can take: Sintra (with its fairytale-like Pena Palace) or Cascais. From either city you can easily reach Cabo da Roca, known for its dramatic seascape overlooking a cliff. It is also the most westernmost point of the European continent. I went to most of these attractions, but the very unique Pena Palace remains a favourite.

Accommodation

Assuming your housing isn’t already taken care of, you’ll want to be on the lookout for affordable yet safe and comfortable options, if you can swing it. I did not stay in one, but hostels can often be one such option. Many sites are available for booking your stay, including Hostel World. If cash isn’t an issue, you can try more general hotel websites like Expedia.

Times to Go

All right, so you’ve decided on Portugal as your destination. Granted you aren’t restricted by available days off or an otherwise tight schedule, you need to plan on what time of the year to go. I went during the first few weeks of June. There were benefits and downsides to this — the Feast of St. Anthony occurs on the 12th to the 14th of June, and the parade, streamers, festivals and celebrations are truly sights to behold. However, it was also uncomfortably hot on some days with temperatures in the low 30s. Try to visit during the breezy and not-too-hot seasons of Spring and Autumn.

And that’s it! The cities I visited were extremely welcoming and I absolutely enjoyed my time there. But as they say, all things must regrettably come to an end. As with all my travels, I found myself wishing I could go back — if you go to Portugal, be prepared to say goodbye.

By on June 26, 2015 in Studying Abroad
Image by greyweed on Flickr

Image by greyweed on Flickr

Social media is the most powerful platform of disseminating information. It has started to guide our lives in ways that not many would have thought possible a decade ago. How you intend to use it is, however, your prerogative. So, why not use it to your advantage?

For those students who travel abroad for their education, social media can be an important research tool. So, here is a list compiled of social media accounts to make your student-traveler life just that much easier and more adventurous.

Facebook:
The ease of posting blogs, pictures, and posts makes it an ideal site for sharing traveling experiences. Here are some must-follow accounts on Facebook that will give you a completely new perspective on traveling.

The Blonde Abroad:
This award-winning blog-cum-Facebook page is engaging with beautiful photography and video segments.

Everything Everywhere:
The Facebook page name means literally what it says. Gary Arndt has travelled over 170 countries and chronicles his travels through photographs. Give this devout traveler a go and do what he does, whether it is bungee jumping, floating in the Dead Sea or riding out a tsunami in Haiti.

Twenty-Something Traveler:
“Why wait to see the world?” That’s the question you will ask yourself after exploring Stephanie’s blog. This travel blogger not only writes about her travels but also gives some very helpful tips on traveling.

Nomadic Matt:
Are the expenses of travel stopping you from planning your trip? Well, Nomadic Matt is here for your rescue as he tells you how to make budget-friendly trips across the world as he has done with 16 million others.

Twitter:
Head over to the Twitterverse to explore tweeps who have traveled and are now here to help you experience the joys of travel.

Reid on Travel:
Unique in its content, Robert Reid will make you look at places anew and at its eccentric best. He is presently the Digital Nomad for National Geographic Traveler.

Chic Travel:
Discover luxury travel on a budget with Melanie Nayer as she shows you the best that the world has to offer. She explores not only the culinary world but also social issues that matter.

Pinterest:
Pin these travel accounts into your life and they are sure to grab your interest. Find out all the to-dos of traveling!

Go Overseas:
The perfect destination for students, Go Overseas combines travel with meaning. Whether for study, volunteering and interning or taking a gap year, their Pinterest account will guide you through it all.

Globetrotter Girls:
Globetrotting since 2010, Dani and Jess will supply you with the to-dos of traveling while showing you the world through their travels. They address everything from budget travel to social issues.

yTravelblog:
This Australian travel couple, Caz and Craig, will help you with anything travel-related. Whether solo or group trips, they have the best advice up their sleeves and they are willing to share.

Instagram:
Travel through pictures. Be inspired to travel by seeing the world through the lens of another.

A New Yorker Travels:
Harry Devert is the New Yorker who travels. Whether high up in the mountains or down below at Madison Square garden, he captures the world with his camera. And what a world it is.

Kick the Grind:
The world is actually incredible and Mike Corey shows it to you. This travel filmmaker will show you why possessions don’t hold a candle over experiences.

Murad Osmann:
Who wouldn’t be envious of the girlfriend who is leading Murad Osmann around the world? His photograph captures the poignancy of each place.

This article was contributed by guest author Sophia Harris.

By on April 28, 2015 in Studying Abroad, Travel
Image by Miquel González Page, Flickr

Image by Miquel González Page, Flickr

Bonjour! I am currently spending the semester studying abroad in Paris, France. Four months in, and it is undoubtedly one of the best experiences I have ever had. If you go on exchange, you probably want to travel as well but don’t want to break the bank. So, here are a few tips to travel cheaply and easily:

Act Fast!

Some people say the best time to book a plane ticket is on the weekend. Others say the best time to book is on a Tuesday. The truth is, the best time to book is as soon as possible! My favourite website is Skyscanner. They include flights from big to budget airlines, always resulting in the best deals. Since the website simply redirects you to the actual airline’s website, there’s no chance that you’re being scammed.

There are awesome features you should look into. First, check out the “Map” option, which allows you to choose a destination and then see a graph of the different prices on different days. The other option is the “Everywhere” destination. Instead of typing in an actual city, simply type in “Everywhere” and Skyscanner will show you the cheapest destinations based on your desired dates.

Hotels or Hostels?

Hotels are always going to be the best option in terms of your peace of mind. Since you don’t have to share the room with strangers and your room is going to be stocked with amenities, there’s no need to worry about a lot of things in hotels. If you stay at a hostel, you’ll need to remember to bring a lot of things such as sandals to shower with, a towel, some soap and a lock for your bags. However, what hostels may lack in safety, cleanliness and amenities, they make up for in character and price. Hostels have a great vibe where you can meet fellow travellers or grab a cheap beer if they have a bar – and don’t forget about the huge savings!

Sacrifices Need to be Made

That 7AM flight to your next destination is $15 cheaper than the one that leaves at 11AM, which means you arrive at your destination earlier and you save money, right? Wrong! Well, you do arrive at your destination earlier, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll save money. You have to keep in mind that you need to somehow get to the airport well before 7AM. A lot of public transportation won’t run that early, so you may end up paying crazy prices for a cab first thing in the morning.

The same kind of situation can occur when you buy a ticket from a budget airline or train that doesn’t land at the city’s main airport or train station. These other airports and train stations are often far from the city centre. Although you save money getting near the city, you still need to find a way to get into the city.

Another example is when you choose where you want to stay. You may save money by staying at a hostel just outside of the city, but getting to and from your hostel can be a pain. It is even worse if you miss the last train or bus back to your hostel!

All in all, budget travelling requires a lot of research and planning. However, if you’re really desperate to get out, do look into last minute deals, especially with trains that want to sell extra seats. Just remember to relax and have a great time!

By on June 16, 2014 in Studying Abroad
Image by The Leaf Project, Flickr

Image by The Leaf Project, Flickr

If you’re looking to expand your horizons, studying abroad can be a fun and safe way to travel, as well as a brilliant way to gain academic credit.

Explore!

Studying abroad is so much more than classroom lectures. It smashes the walls of the classroom down so as to immerse you into a whole other culture. The host country becomes your classroom, as a new language, a new cuisine, and a new way of life are just a few of the things that confront you. In this new setting, studying abroad affords you the unique opportunity to travel with the mindset of a student, not a tourist. This is what is most valuable about the experience, as it truly encourages you to make the absolute most of your time abroad. Further, being immersed in a different culture opens you up to new perspectives. As the trite, yet truthful, saying goes: “travel broadens the mind” and certainly studying abroad will give you a more global outlook on life.

Make Connections

One of the benefits of studying abroad is that it will bring you into contact with a wide variety of people that you would have never met otherwise. Whether it is new friends from class or from your host country, studying abroad gives you an opportunity to forge life-long bonds with rare individuals. It is the people that you will interact with that will make your experience unforgettable and this is really the major reason to study abroad. However, studying abroad also allows you to create contacts with professors that can come in handy down the road too. Whether you need a letter of recommendation for graduate school or a reference for your resume, the contacts you make studying abroad can be very useful in pursuing either an academic or professional career.

Develop Life Skills

For someone who still lives at home with their parents or someone who has limited travelling experience, studying abroad offers a crash course in valuable life skills. For instance, the amount of independence you experience forces you to become disciplined when it comes to following a schedule, lest you be left behind because you were late for the bus. This independence can also foster growth as a person. Whether it is mastering a foreign subway system or picking up some of the basics of the local language, studying abroad affords you an opportunity to navigate your own way. You slowly discover that you can successfully do things on your own or perhaps you find out that you are more adaptable than you previously thought. Studying abroad offers the chance to test your mettle and hopefully, grow as a person, plus, it doesn’t hurt your resume either.

Many students can be constrained by their finances from studying abroad, but most programs have bursaries and awards on offer. All you have to do is apply. Don’t let finances hold you back from an experience of a lifetime!

By on July 31, 2013 in Programs, Travel
Image by kthread, Flickr

Image by kthread, Flickr

Preparing to go on exchange isn’t that different from preparing to go on a trip. However, there are a few extra things you need to do before going on exchange. Don’t get caught unprepared in a different country by reviewing this list of exchange essentials: 

3 Months or More Before Leaving:

  • If necessary, apply for your passport and visa(s).
  • Get to know where you’re travelling. Read up on climate, transportation systems and tourist spots in guide books and on websites like Wikivoyage. This can help you figure out what you need and don’t need to pack.
  • Learn some key phrases and words in your host country’s language. Even though a lot of people around the world can understand some English, it never hurts to know how to ask for the nearest bathroom or for directions in local language.
  • Learn the culture’s social customs. Did you know that direct eye contact is considered rude in some Asian cultures? To avoid accidentally offending someone, Culture Crossing is a great website for learning the etiquette, taboos and gestures of different countries.
  • Create a budget. Allocate a specific amount of money to spend each week on food, entertainment, transportation and any other expenses. Use this to estimate how much you plan on spending for your whole term on exchange so you can start saving up now.

1-3 Months Before Leaving:

  • Get any necessary immunizations and prescriptions. If you require some sort of prescription medication, be sure to bring enough to last you for the whole trip. It is important to note that some medication that is available and legal at home may not be in other countries, so check beforehand that you can bring it. Keep a copy of the original prescription and a letter from your doctor describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs with you. If you need to fill a prescription abroad, ask your program coordinator for help finding an English-speaking doctor.
  • Apply for a credit card that works around the world. Find one that has low foreign transaction fees or one that doesn’t have them at all.
  • Find the best way to communicate with others back home. If you need a cellphone, research your current provider’s fees for using your cellphone in a different country. Alternatively, consider getting an international cell phone or international phone card. You can save money by using apps like Skype and Viber to call or text home.

A Few Weeks Before Leaving:

  • Notify your bank that you are leaving. This prevents them from freezing your accounts, especially when you need it most.
  • Introduce yourself to fellow exchange students. Ask your program coordinator if it’s possible to contact your fellow exchange students beforehand. This can help make your first encounter less awkward and you can go straight to having fun and making memories with them.
  • If you’re staying with a host family, contact them before you leave. Get to know them and tell them about yourself. Get them a gift from your home country to thank them for letting you stay with them.
  • Pack light. You can live without all of your shoes and clothing for the next few months. Bring only the essentials. This will also save room in your suitcase for anything you may buy during your exchange. With that being said, make sure to pack any necessities. This includes a power adapter or voltage converter so you can plug in your camera or laptop. If you’re away for more than one season, you may need to bring a jacket and boots but also shorts and flip flops. Don’t forget that you’re there to study! Bring some school supplies so you don’t waste money buying it there.

By on July 29, 2013 in Travel
Image by hyperakt, Flickr

Image by hyperakt, Flickr

There are few things more exciting than having the opportunity to pack your bags and set off to explore a new place! While nobody really plans on getting sick, injured, or pickpocketed while on holiday, it’s best to be proactive and prepare for events which might pose an inconvenience to your adventure. Before you leave, check out this list of things that will keep you covered in case something goes wrong:

Keep copies of important documents.
Make two photocopies of your passport, flight tickets, hostel or hotel reservations, credit card, and driver’s license. In the event that any of these items are misplaced or stolen, you will still have access to your personal identification. Leave one set of the copies with a close friend or family member, and take one the other set of copies with you. Make sure to keep them separate from the original documents. You can also keep an electronic copy by e-mailing yourself a scan of the documents.

Update your address book
In case you have to make an emergency call, look up the phone numbers and contact information for your insurance company, credit card issuers, or health professionals, and put them in your phone before you leave.

Consider getting travel insurance
Nobody plans on getting ill or injured while on holiday, but unfortunately, it can happen. As someone who once ended up in a Belgian hospital with a broken nose, I’d recommend taking the extra cost into consideration – you never know what will happen.

Read a guidebook
Abandon any pretensions of not wanting to do anything “touristy” and embrace being a tourist wholeheartedly. You’re not a local, it’s not a secret, and it’s time to do your research. Travel websites like Lonely Planet and other travel blogs will not only help you navigate your way around the city and help to tailor your trip to your specific interests – they will have a lot of useful information about the culture, laws, and customs of your destination.

Bon voyage!