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Mentor Advice

Question

If you could choose one study abroad experience to encourage other students to go abroad, what would it be?

7 Replies from Mentors

  • mentor picture Rae Rae
     
    Rae Rae
    Senior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    As obvious as it sounds, I would encourage people to make friends! I know so many people on...
    As obvious as it sounds, I would encourage people to make friends! I know so many people on my program in England that barely interacted with British people. The whole point of studying abroad is to gain a global perspective and immerse yourself in that culture - how can you do that if you don’t even talk to people? Of course you will want to go to museums, landmarks, and other tourist locations and you should. But the friendships you make in other countries can last a lifetime. It might seem daunting at first to introduce yourself or make friends in a strange place but you will be grateful for it later. I would recommend that you choose a program where you study with natives of that country rather than going to an American satellite school abroad. I mistakenly went to an American school in London and I wish I hadn’t, even though I had a wonderful time, I feel I would have benefited more from learning at a British university.
  • mentor picture Kemi
     
    Kemi
    Programming and Outreach Coordinator at an independent film co-op
    Victoria Society of Independent Film Makers
    The English students who were enrolled at the University of the Americas, where I studied abroad,...
    The English students who were enrolled at the University of the Americas, where I studied abroad, invited me to England. Because of their friendships, I felt comfortable in making plans to participate in the BUNAC program. My work permit allowed me to work in London for six months. I found a job as a hostess at the Texas Embassy Cantina, located just five minutes from Trafalgar Square. I could walk to the National Gallery of Art on my lunch break. My weekly activities consisted of visiting art galleries and great museums. All monies earned were spent seeing wonderful plays at the Royal Theatre. My experiences in London were priceless and needless to say, I did not want to leave London when my six- month work permit and visa expired. I ran around frantically trying to discover a way to immigrate. Does that tell you how much I loved living and working in London?
  • mentor picture Isabel
     
    Isabel
    Junior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    Although I have unending experiences from studying abroad, I would have to say the opportunity to...
    Although I have unending experiences from studying abroad, I would have to say the opportunity to travel to a different country every other weekend was definitely the most amazing aspect of my study abroad experience. While living in Madrid, I was able to travel to Portugal, Italy, England, France, Greece, and many cities within Spain. One aspect of Europe that I fell in love with was the fact that every country within Europe is relatively close to one another. For example, every country I visited with the exception of Greece was no more than an hour and a half away via flight. Being able to visit so many diverse countries throughout Europe allowed me to grow both intellectually and emotionally.
  • mentor picture Additional Mentor
     
    Additional Mentor
    Various students and administrators
    interviewed by the Center for Global Education


    Lilian and Margret, Students, studied in Japan and United Kingdom
    Listen to their interesting experiences abroad.
  • mentor picture Kimberly
     
    Kimberly
    Senior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    Sure, I could list many fun study abroad experiences, such as riding camels in the Gobi Desert...
    Sure, I could list many fun study abroad experiences, such as riding camels in the Gobi Desert while watching the sunrise or biking to a mud cave so we could play in the mud. But ultimately, the friends I made there were the best experience. Nothing beats spending every waking hour with friends that you made around the world. Not only do you make long lasting friendships while traveling and having fun, but you also learn about different cultural perspectives that make you stronger as a person.
  • mentor picture Ashley
     
    Ashley
    Junior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    I would not be able to choose only one experience! The entire experience would be equally...
    I would not be able to choose only one experience! The entire experience would be equally encouraging to students. Everything from traveling throughout Europe to meeting new people are all great reasons to study abroad. It’s amazing how much one can learn while you’re having the time of your life. Study abroad encourages students to expand their learning to things outside of the classroom, and to me, there is no better way to learn.
  • mentor picture Janeth
     
    Janeth
    Junior Year Student
    Loyola Marymount University
    The whole experience was amazing and so it is difficult to just pick one moment! One thing I...
    The whole experience was amazing and so it is difficult to just pick one moment! One thing I enjoyed was the opportunity to travel to another country so easily. Being in Europe, all the countries surrounding Spain are relatively close. It was this ease of traveling that allowed me to explore other European cities, if only for a long weekend. I loved my trips to London, Paris, Lisbon and the Canary Islands. They were all amazing and of course traveling with my new friends added to the overall experience.