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.

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.

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.

Scholarships and Financial Aid
The cost to study abroad varies by program, but for the most part it is VERY comparable to SLU tuition, usually a little bit less. Something unique about the SLU-approved study abroad programs is that any financial aid or scholarships that you have from SLU (except athletic scholarships) travels with you during your semester or year abroad. During my own semester abroad, due to the amount of my personal financial aid awards and the cost of tuition in Spain, my parents actually received a check back from SLU. Granted, that money was quickly spent due to my shopping habit abroad, but nonetheless, it saved us some money.

Help with Travel Expenses
As far as those extra costs such as flights, shopping and traveling while abroad, there are tons of scholarships out there to help absorb some of those costs. At studyabroad.slu.edu, you can find links to all kinds of external study abroad scholarships. Some of these scholarships are for students studying in a specific country or studying a certain language, while others are for anyone who wishes to study abroad. The SLU website also provides links to some study abroad scholarship databases where you can put in your specific criteria and search for scholarships that are applicable to your specific situation.

Additional Scholarships

• The Boren Awards look to serve students dedicated to pursuing an international and/or language intensive study abroad experience.
• The Gilman International Scholarship allows for students from lower income families to have the opportunity to study abroad. You must currently be receiving a Federal Pell Grant to be eligible for the Gilman Scholarship.
• Rotary Club or Kiwanis International provide scholarships to students who wish to cultivate their education through international study.

The resources to afford studying abroad are there, you just have to do a little research and apply!

If you would like to find out more about study abroad opportunities at SLU, please contact the Office of International Services at goabroad@slu.edu, 314-977-4081 or SLU’s Study Abroad website.

You’re Studying Abroad – Now Which Program?

Congratulations! You’ve just made one of the best decisions of your life, the decision to study abroad. Whether you’ve always wanted to travel abroad, or if it’s a relatively new idea of yours, I can assure you, studying abroad will be not only a highlight of your college career, but of your lifetime.

Picking the right program is an important part of making sure you optimize your time to study abroad. Here are some things to consider when trying to decide:

What Are You Looking for in Your Study Abroad Experience?
To help you figure out where to go, ask yourself some questions:

• Are you looking to really master that French language?
• Are you interested in learning more about Asian cultures and want to finally see the Great Wall of China?
• Do you want to immerse yourself in family-centered culture of Central America by living with a host family?
• Are you a music enthusiast ready to live in the very same city that inspired the music of composers such as Mozart and Strauss?
• Do you want to study abroad in a location where you have ample opportunity to travel throughout the region?
• Have you always had the dream to travel to Australia, swim in the Great Barrier Reef, learn how to surf, and embrace the laid back Aussie lifestyle?

Remember, no one study abroad location is “better” or “worse” than another. Each program SLU offers is different and unique. Each student’s study abroad experience is also vastly different from the next.

What Should You Research Before You Pick a Program?

• Check out  SLU’s Study Abroad website. It has a lot of information on the program specifics such as living arrangements, host universities, any language requirements, etc.
• Talk to former students who have studied at that location. The study abroad office can provide you with a list of previous students if you don’t know any.
• Look up some of the different trips you can take while you are abroad. For example, if you decide to study abroad in mainland Europe, traveling around Europe itself is fairly easy and inexpensive. Or, if you decide to study in Ecuador, you could potentially visit places in two of the world’s hemispheres.
• Cost of living and culture may be some other factors to take into consideration. If you want to study abroad in Thailand, it might be helpful to read up on some the customs and norms of that culture.

Once you have done enough research, talked to some people and asked all of your questions, it might be beneficial to make some pro and con lists for each program to help you make your decision.  The study abroad counselors are also always available to help you make your decision as well as guide you through the application and preparation process.

When Should You Start Your Study Abroad Experience?

• Decide if you want to go for a summer, semester or year. Take into consideration what would be best for your major.
• Sit down and make a list of what you want to do and see during your time abroad. Do you want to see what winter’s like in Austria? Or what spring is like in France?
• Talk with your academic advisors NOW to get the logistical timing of going abroad squared away.  This way, when it comes time to apply for a program, there are no surprises and you stay on track to graduate.

Studying abroad is a fabulous way to explore a new part of the world, broaden your cultural horizons and learn something about yourself. Whatever it is you’re looking for, SLU has a program that is a good fit for you. Wherever and whenever you decide to study abroad, you will cherish every moment of it.

Contact the Study Abroad Office for more information.