Study Abroad Tips

Want to know how to have an unforgettable study abroad adventure? Here are some things to remember...

1. Host family: Try to stay with a host family if it's possible. They are the best way to get to know what life is truly like in another country. Yes, there's always the fear that you'll end up getting stuck with a nightmare host family, but I felt that the risk was worth taking and was lucky enough to be set up with an awesome Scottish family living in Amman.











2. Bring your 'church' clothes: When I packed my suitcase I had clothes for going out, going to class, working out, and for every type of weather I would be facing. Why did I need 'church' clothes like khakis and cardigans? Because every single weekend in Amman I was invited to a friend's house for dinner, and as the guest of honor I always felt miserable showing up in jeans and a Hollister shirt when the family wore their best dress clothes. Also, I had unexpected part-time job and volunteer opportunities open up but nothing to wear to the interviews. 





3. The Registrar's Office: No matter what study abroad program you are doing, its very important that your credits transfer back home. In order for this to happen, you MUST talk to the Registrar's office at the university you are going to. I don't care who you've spoken to, the professors, your adviser, the financial aid office, the dean of the college himself... when it comes down to it and you actually arrive at your new school, the people in the Registrar's office are the ones who you'll be dealing with. They are the people who truly know the system and will be doing all of your paperwork. So, get in touch with them directly before going abroad and they will give you the skinny on everything from getting a student ID to signing up for classes.

 4. Meet as many people as possible: I know there's a lot you'll want to see when your abroad, but trust me stuff the Eiffel Tower and art museums aren't going to be what makes your experience life changing. It's the people you meet that will define how your adventure turns out.

5. Be positive: I generally try to live by this in my normal life, but I think when you are abroad the more open-minded you are the more you are going to get out of it. And in general I think that life is less organized once you leave the States, so don't try to control everything that happens. Go with it.