With a population of 118,000, Leiden is a lively university town, with much to explore, having been described as the Netherlands’ best kept secret. Take a walk through the city center and you will notice cozy alleyways bustling with shops, bars, restaurants and cafes full of life, young and old. The charming canals are always in eyesight and set the scene for a relaxing walk or romantic dinner. From the seventeenth century on, painters such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh made their mark, notably a world famous reputation for Leiden, which continues to blossom this very day. Spend time visiting world famous museums and botanical gardens or simply relax on a canal boat-tour and enjoy the beauties and floral aromatics that Leiden has to offer.

CRUISE THE CANAL

Two branches of the Old Rhine River unite in Leiden’s center, and the city is further intersected by many smaller canals. Cruising the canals is a great way to see the city sights.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

This program is offered through Webster University. Webster University – Leiden houses classrooms, offices, a library and a student lounge. An intimate campus (450 students), small class sizes and the personal environment mean that it’s easy for students to get to know most of their fellow students, as well as faculty and staff.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about our study abroad program in Leiden, the Netherlands, visit our website.

I saw the musical Les Misérables at Queen’s Theatre in London. I went to Lisbon, Portugal, Paris, France and even spent a weekend in the Canary Islands. I spent 10 days in Rome, Florence and Cinque Terre, Italy as well. A semester abroad is the best time to scratch that travel itch, and if you do it the right way, you should be able to go to all of your dream destinations.

Here are some of my own personal tips for traveling while abroad:

• Just do it. Don’t skip traveling to a dream destination if your friends aren’t going. GO! I would not recommend traveling alone, but I guarantee you will be able to find a classmate, roommate or new friend to go with you.
  
• Plan ahead. As soon as you get to your host country start planning any and all trips that you want to go on. The earlier you book your flights, train, etc. the cheaper they will be! If you do some research beforehand on some of the things you’d like to see abroad, this makes planning your trips even easier.
• Compare prices. Some of the best deals I got were actually by plane. By flying Ryanair and EasyJet, we saved a ton of money. They weren’t the most luxurious airlines, but they got us to our destinations safely.
• Don’t over pack. Our first trip I brought an actual suitcase for a 4 day trip. By the end of the semester I was just bringing a backpack. It is so much more convenient and cheaper to just carry around a backpack instead of worrying about your luggage in a hostel or renting a locker for it at an airport. There were many times that we had to check out of our hostel early in the morning, but our flight back to Spain wasn’t until later that day.  Carrying around a backpack versus a large roller suitcase is much safer and convenient.
• Stay in hostels. They are cheap, you meet new people and a lot of them will offer a free breakfast. Staying in hostels was one of the best parts of traveling abroad. My friends and I met the most interesting people and always had so much fun.
• Travel and explore your host country. Sure, traveling is awesome, and there is no opportunity like the present to exposure yourself to new places, but don’t take for granted your host location. This way you can really immerse yourself in the culture and a true living abroad experience.

SLU offers study abroad programs in two French cities, Poitiers and Lyon.

Poitiers

Experience life in an ancient city where twenty centuries of Western civilization are still evident in buildings graced by Roman, Medieval and Renaissance architecture. Today, Poitiers is a center for education, agriculture, industry and communications. A university town, it boasts a population of 120,000 and offers students a chance to live in a manageably sized city while still being close to larger metropolitan centers in France.

Lyon

Sitting in the foothills of the Alps, where the Rhone and Saone Rivers meet, stands Lyon. The capital of Gaul in Roman times, Lyon became the headquarters of the French resistance during World War II. Today, this vibrant and cosmopolitan city of more than a million people continues to grow in the world scene, recently hosting the summit of the seven most industrialized countries in the world.

EXPLORE PLACE BELLECOUR

Place Bellecour in Lyon is the largest clear square in Europe. It links the major shopping streets in Lyon, contains the tourist office and is home to many statues, as well as the 60-meter ferris wheel shown in this photo.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Poitiers

This program is offered through the the University of Poitiers, established in 1431. It is the second oldest university in France and counts François Rabelais, René Descartes, and Francis Bacon amongst its former students. Students can choose to spend a semester or year in Poitiers, and may live in residence halls, with host families or apartments (single or shared).

Lyon

This academic year-long, full-immersion program allows students to experience France and its culture firsthand. Students take classes in the French university system with French natives and other international students. They have the option of living in the dormitories, staying with a host family, or sharing an apartment with a French roommate.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about our study abroad program in Poitiers, France, visit our website.

To learn more about our study abroad program in Lyon, France, visit our website.

If you take a moment to think about all the ways you’ve grown during your semester abroad, consider how these experiences have helped cultivate skill sets that will undoubtedly contribute to a successful future. I’m not talking about skills like how many churros you can eat in one sitting or being able to ask where the nearest bathroom is in Thai – I’m referring to skills such critical thinking and problem solving, plus your newfound independence and greater self-confidence.

Let’s face it: studying abroad is a ton of fun, but no new experience is hiccup-free. Booking flights, hostels, trains and tickets in countries whose language you don’t speak, maneuvering through foreign public transportation, figuring out exchange rates and communicating in a foreign language are just some of the many experiences of studying abroad have better prepared you for a successful future. Students who go abroad are forced to be responsible, organized and independent.

You are bound to have an interview at some time in your life where the potential employer will ask you some behavioral questions. These are questions such as, “Tell me about a time when you had to be a leader,” or “Tell me about a time when you conquered a difficult challenge.” The times when you missed a bus or a flight, or lost your passport or got lost in general, and how you dealt with it, will show demonstrate leadership skills and ability to think on your feet.

One story that I have memorized for just such an interview question occurred when I was abroad traveling through Italy, where my friends and I got on the wrong boat and ended up five towns away from the place that we were staying. We had to be flexible, find a solution and carry on. Although none of us spoke Italian, we were able to find someone to point us in the direction of the train station and were able to take a train back to our hostel. Not only did we solve the problem, but we also got to see a part of the country that we wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Sharing this story with a potential employer is a great way for me to tell him or her about my positive attitude despite changing circumstances, and my ability to navigate difficult situations.

To learn more about how to market your study abroad experience, attend our information session in Des Peres Hall, Room 108, on Thursday, Nov. 8. RSVP to goabroad@slu.edu.

Explore Quito, the capital of Ecuador, nestled in a long, narrow valley between the lush base of Pichincha, an active volcano, and the steep canyon of the river Machangara. Quito is generally thought of as South America’s most beautiful capital city, with the incredible natural setting, classical architecture and modern structures.  Discover the historic sites of Quito’s old city and dozens of museums, visit hundreds of shops, cafes and restaurants, and take advantage of the plethora of excursions, hikes and climbs in the surrounding area. Although Quito lies just south of the equator, Ecuador’s capital enjoys mild days and cool nights almost year-round. The climate is divided into two seasons, wet and dry.

CLIMB EL PANECILLO

El Panecillo is a 200-meter hill in the midwest part of Quito. A statue of the virgin Mary is located at the very top. The statue is 45 meters tall and referred to as the Virgin of El Panecillo.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

This program is offered by Pontificia Universidad de Ecuador, a Jesuit University in Quito, Ecuador. Students live with host families, which helps them to improve their Spanish and get immersed in the Ecuadorian culture.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about our study abroad program in Quito, Ecuador, visit our website.

The Christmas before I left for Spain, I received two large purple suitcases. In those suitcases, I had to fit all the contents on my life for the next four months, a task I thought impossible. But guess what? I succeeded and you will too.

Know the Culture
Take into account the kind of culture you are going to live in. For explain, in Spain it was not acceptable for men to wear jeans out to discotecas or nightclubs; slacks and a button down were the norm. Pack clothes that you can mix and match. I packed only a couple of pairs of pants and different tops to wear with them.

Check the Weather
Find out what the weather going to be like while you are abroad. In Spain, it was pretty cold for the majority of the semester, but started to warm up towards the end. Therefore, I packed mostly warm, winter clothes. Packing clothes you can layer is always a good idea, too.  One thing you don’t want to skimp on is the number of socks and underwear you bring.  I was lucky enough to have a host mom who did our laundry, but that is not the case for every program.  If you know you aren’t going to have time to do laundry at least once a week, make sure you have enough undergarments to get you through your traveling.

Stick to the Basics
The key lies in the mentality of simplicity. Ladies, I will tell you right now, you will not need to bring all 37 pairs of your high heeled shoes. Guys, you know that t-shirt collection you have? You might have to narrow down the v-necks as well.  A friend of mine studied abroad in Australia, and when he flew back to the U.S., his suitcase was too heavy. He had to start putting on all the clothes from his suitcase. On the plane, he and his friends looked like giant marshmallows with their 15 layers of shirts and sweatshirts and three pairs of jeans.

Forget the Excess
Only bring things with you during your time abroad that you have deemed necessary. Don’t bring any shampoo or soap or things like that, just buy it once you get to your location. Ladies, if the voltage of your host country isn’t the same as it is in the U.S. – DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN HAIR APPLIANCES. They will fry and break. My roommates and I just went in on a hair dryer and straightener and shared; it was cheap and worked out nicely.

Pack Some Essentials

• an umbrella
• alarm clock
• smaller backpack/duffel (for weekend trips)
• towel wrap (for traveling; some hostels charge you for towels)
• sleep sack – it’s essentially a sleeping bag made out of a sheet that folds up really small and protects against bed bugs (yes, they are real!)
• camera/charger
• scheduler

Helpful Reminders

• Rolling your clothes takes up much less space (Don’t forget, you most likely WILL buy clothes, gifts, etc. during your time abroad. Shipping things home gets very expensive, so don’t forget to leave room for your new purchases).
• If you take any medication, make sure you get enough for the entire time abroad, trying to refill prescriptions abroad is a hassle and the host country may not have the same type/dosage as in the U.S.

Home Away From Home

When people ask me where I’m from, they’re usually asking what place I call home. Ever since I studied abroad in Madrid, this question becomes a little more complicated. While I am proud to say that I am from Kansas, as this is where my family still resides today, there is a part of my heart that will forever consider the beautiful apartment overlooking Calle Arenal in Madrid, Spain my second home. The reason I say this isn’t because of the wonderful location of my residence abroad, nor was it the magic of living in the middle of Madrid, but rather, what made this place my home away from home was my wonderful host family.

All the Comforts of Home

Sure, the idea of living with complete strangers in a foreign country is a little bit daunting. Speaking from experience, however, I can assure you that living with a host family was one of the best aspects of studying abroad. My host family consisted of a host dad, a host mom, a grandmother and a housekeeper. They were all more than welcoming, and really enjoyed having us around. I lived with six other girls in our apartment. That sounds like a lot of people for one apartment, but the accommodations were very spacious. We lived two to a room, but the rooms were so large that we easily could have fit three beds into a couple of them. My particular family had hosted up to nine girls in previous semesters, so we were very comfortable.

For the Madrid program, the host family provides two meals a day (breakfast and dinner), bedding and linens. Our host mom did our laundry and cleaned our rooms weekly and moreover provided us with a warm and homey environment. Talk about being pampered! Living with a host family put living in a dorm to shame.

Authentic Food and Fun

Living with a host family really forced me to immerse myself in the Spanish culture. Not only was living in an authentic Spanish residence a great way for me to practice and improve my Spanish, but I learned more about Spanish customs and traditions through my own personal experiences in my Spanish home.

The food was outstanding. My host mother made a different dish almost every night. I tried paella, tortilla de Espana, all different kinds of fish and some delicious Spanish desserts. My host parents really made an effort to share their lives with us. Dinner was the time during the day when we all came together and sat as a family to eat, talk and just enjoy each other’s company. Dinners were always so entertaining and fun. Some nights, dinner would take up to an hour and a half just because we had so much fun talking and laughing with our host parents. They were always around to answer any questions we had. They helped us figure out how to buy our metro passes, told us about neat places to travel to and encouraged us to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and get lost in the magic of Madrid.

Relationships That Last a Lifetime

I knew about a week after living in Spain that my relationship with my host family would continue past just my semester there. I still keep in contact with them via email and Facebook. The day I left Spain, I left a piece of my heart in Madrid. Living with a host family truly was a highlight of my semester abroad. My experiences only lasted a semester, but the memories I have I will cherish my entire life.

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, and the population of its metropolitan area includes more than 6 million people. Madrid is known for its art, architecture, cuisine, sports and music. It is home to several renowned museums, including the National Museum of the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Centre.

Madrid is home to the largest bullring in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929 and thought by many to be the center of bullfighting. It is also home to Real Madrid, a prestigious soccer team who has won a record nine European Cup championships.

DRIFT IN BUEN RETIRO PARK

Buen Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s most magnificent landmarks. Home to sculptures, monuments and the lake shown in this photo, it’s a retreat within the city.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Founded more than 45 years ago, the Madrid campus of Saint Louis University was the first foreign university to be officially recognized by Spanish higher education authorities. Classes are available in English and Spanish in more than 45 subject areas, ranging from international business to physics. Students live with host families, which helps them become fully immersed in Spanish culture.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about our campus in Madrid, Spain, visit their website.

A visa is a stamp or sticker added to your passport that gives you permission to be in the host country for an extended period of time. You must have a passport in order to get a visa. If you’re studying abroad for less than 90 days, a visa isn’t required, but majority of the SLU-approved programs are semester-long and therefore require a visa. Visa requirements vary by country. It’s important that you check with the consulate of your host country in order to ensure that you have everything you need to make the appointment to get your visa. If you’re studying abroad at SLU’s campus in Madrid, you’re allowed to use SLU’s visa service and the Study Abroad office will go pick up your visas for you.

The Study Abroad website provides much more information on how visas work and what you need to do to apply for one.

Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful cities, known for its friendly, relaxed approach to life. It hosts a wide range of cultural activities such as theater, dance and music, and all types of shops, pubs and sports facilities. Heidelberg is on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany, one of the sunniest and warmest corners of the country.

Heidelberg is the site of the earliest evidence of human life in Europe; A fossilized jaw was discovered there in 1907, and scientists dated it from 600,000 to 200,000 years old. The library of Heidelberg was founded in 1421, and is the oldest intact public library in Germany. The city is also home to Heidelberg Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, and the University of Heidelberg, which is one of Europe’s oldest educational institutions.

ENJOY OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest fair. It is held annually in Munich, attracts more than 5 million people and lasts 16 days. This year’s Oktoberfest began on Saturday, Sept. 22. Festival participants consume Oktoberfest beer, sauerkraut, sausages and other German foods. All beer served at Oktoberfest must be brewed within the city limits of Munich.

Every year, young people who attend the festival tend to overestimate their ability to tolerate alcohol, and forget that Oktoberfest beer has high percentages of alcohol and sugar compared to other German beer. Those who pass out due to intoxication are referred to as “Bierleichen,” which translates to “beer corpses.”

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The program is administered by the American Junior Year at Heidelberg College in Ohio in cooperation with Saint Louis University. All instruction is in German. Students live in a dormitory or in a shared apartment (Wohngemeinschaft) with German students, and choose to spend a semester or a year in Heidelberg through this program.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about our study abroad program in Heidelberg, Germany, visit our website.