Study Abroad Spotlight: Nicolas Glawe (Toledo, Spain)

The NIU Study Abroad office has asked study abroad alumni to be guest bloggers, and share their experiences abroad. Our Guest blogger for this week is Nicolas Glawe!

Photo credit: Jessica Yandun, Toledo, Spain, Summer 2015

1.    Where did you Study abroad, and how long was your study abroad experience? 

        I studied in Toledo, Spain for 5 weeks.

2.     What was the one thing you were most worried/thought about the most while preparing for your trip?

       I was most worried about how my host family was going to be!

3.       What type of housing did you stay in? Would you recommend this to others studying abroad?

        I stayed with a host family. I definitely recommend this to others. It helps you thread yourself into the culture so much more than living in a residence hall.

4.       What do you feel was the most beneficial part of your study abroad experience? 

The most beneficial part of my study abroad experience was definitely living with a host family. I was open to more of Toledo culture than I would have if I lived in a residence hall. 

5.       What are a few unique cultural things that you learned in the country where you study abroad?   (This could be traditions, slang, common sayings, cultural norms, etc.) 

I learned a lot of the Spanish slang. I also learned about Spanish cuisine, television, and middle school and high school culture. I learned about gender inequality regarding sports, professions, and everyday life.

6.       Were classes different or similar from your classes at NIU? 

The classes were similar, but very different all together. With my classes, I learned about the culture and literature of Toledo, Spain, but was able to experience all of it first hand, as my class toured local museums, cathedrals, etc.

    

Thank you Nicolas for sharing your experience abroad, and for all the great insights you provided for prospective study abroad students!

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Study Abroad Spotlight: Reese Wojtas at Oxford

The NIU Study Abroad office has asked study abroad alumni to be guest bloggers, and share their experiences abroad. Our Guest blogger for this week is Reese Wojtas!

1.    Where did you Study abroad, and how long was your study abroad experience? 

      I studied at Oxford for 5 weeks this summer.

2.     What was the one thing you were most worried/thought about the most while preparing for your trip?

        Not knowing how the weather would be in England, it's very unpredictable, so I was worried about not having what I needed as well as over packing/packing unnecessary clothing.

3.       What type of housing did you stay in? Would you recommend this to others studying abroad?

        My program stayed in on campus housing, they were Graduate dorms. I would recommend trying to do a program that has dorms for housing, because you'll have all the basic essentials you'd need. There was plenty of storage for my belongings, as well as my own bathroom, closet and shelves on the wall.

4.       What do you feel was the most beneficial part of your study abroad experience? 

       The most beneficial part of my study abroad experience was how it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Being forced to learn a new way of life, in an unfamiliar country, where I didn't know their social norms or how to navigate around taught me a lot about myself. I didn't know where anything was in the town, so it caused me to be more adventurous and to explore my new surroundings. It was such a euphoric experience. 

5.       What are a few unique cultural things that you learned in the country where you study abroad?   (This could be traditions, slang, common sayings, cultural norms, etc.) 

       This is silly, but the black coffee in Oxford was MUCH more bitter than the black coffee in the U.S. It was disgusting to drink. 

       I frequently would run into people that would speak more proper or pick words that were more formal. 

       When walking on a crowded sidewalk, people don't move out of the way to make room for you. I often times was forced to move into the street because people will only walk in a straight line, and won't move at all.  

6.       Were classes different or similar from your classes at NIU? 

       They were similar when it came to difficulty, but different in the fact that the class size is significantly smaller. My classes only had 6-8 people total, which was really nice, because it allowed for more free discussion and more questions. The classes were 2.5 hours long, rather than 50 minutes or an hour and 15 minutes. But on the bright side, we had at least one program field trip each week!

Thank you Reese for sharing your experience abroad, and for all the great insights you provided for prospective study abroad students!

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Study Abroad Fair 2017: Photo Contest Winners!

Hello there!

Thank you to everyone who joined us on our 25th Annual Study Abroad Fair, which was held on Wednesday, September 20th, at the Duke Ellington Ballroom in the Holmes Student Center from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Study Abroad Alumni students were asked to submit their favorite photos from their study abroad experience for the Study Abroad Fair photo contest. All attendees were encouraged to vote on their favorite photos. We had four categories for Study Abroad Alumni to categorize their photos under:

1. Capture the culture
2. Lets Get Lost
3. Social Media
4. Put the Study in Study Abroad

The photo contest winners: Olivia Hardy, Kristen Amstutz, Taylor Cassidy, and Matthew Pepper will be awarded a large canvas with their photo printed on it!

Olivia Hardy - Madagascar (Capture the Culture)
Country: Madagascar

Kristen Amstutz - Temple by Angkor Wat (Lets Get Lost)
Country: Bali

Taylor Cassidy - Squad Goals (Social Media)
Country: United Kingdom

Matthew Pepper - Alhambra (Put the Study in Study Abroad)
Country: Spain

Students were invited to attend the Fair to learn about international study options such as service learning, internships, independent research, and traditional classroom study. With over 300 programs in 80 different countries, spanning anywhere from two weeks to an academic year, there are many program options to fit within any area of academic study.

Studying abroad has many positive impacts for students, not just from a personal perspective, but from an employment perspective too. Not only does it stand out to prospective employers, it can be leveraged in job interviews and is a completely life changing experience.

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Cool Lemur Video! Madagascar Experience

Hello! Salama! Bonjour!
From English to the two official languages, Malagasy and French, spoken in this amazing country!

Watch this cool video of our recent Study Abroad Alumna, Olivia, as she studied abroad over the summer in Madagascar, through the, Madagascar Past and Present: Biodiversity, Extinction and Conservation Program offered here at NIU!

She was able to work closely with lemurs, study fossils, and conduct independent research! The primary purpose of this program is to provide students with the opportunity to learn first-hand about primate biodiversity, extinction, forest fragmentation and conservation in Madagascar, one of the world’s foremost biodiversity hotspots.

If you would like to learn about the abroad opportunities that are available to you, please visit our website to view all of the programs offered: http://niu.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.Home

You can also visit our office during the weekdays! Our Study Abroad Office is located in the 4th floor at Williston Hall, Room 417, open from 8a.m. - 4:30p.m.

If you want to learn more through a student's perspective, come into our office and talk to one of our Peer Advisors! 

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25th Annual Study Abroad Fair

This coming Wednesday, September 20, 2017 we will be hosting our 25th Annual Study Abroad Fair! Stop by the Holmes Student Center anytime between 10 am to 3 pm to learn all about our great programs!  

This event is a great way to learn more about the programs offered through the NIU Study Abroad Office, and talk to students who have already Studied Abroad. We will also be hosting the Annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. This contest consist of photos taken by previous students, who have studied abroad, and captured their favorite moments in a picture. All visitors can vote on their favorite photos! 

Salzburg Austria

What Can I Do At The Fair?

Browse

With over 300 programs to choose from, we suggest that you take your time walking around, looking at the different programs, photos, and displays. If you see a program that catches your eye, pick up some brochures and information!

Ask Questions

Find out more about programs, financial aid and living abroad by asking questions of any program representative and Peer Advisor. Representatives and Peer Advisors would love to talk to you, so strike up a conversation!

Meeting with Financial Aid Representatives

Financial Aid representatives will be on hand to answer all your questions about funding your study abroad experience. Make sure you stop by their table to discuss different ways to locate financial assistance.

Meet NIU Students that Have Participated in Study Abroad

Study Abroad Peer Advisors will be on hand to discuss their personal study abroad experience.

You may also browse photos submitted by Study Abroad Alumni

Questions?

Please contact the Study Abroad Office

Williston Hall 417

815-753-0700

niuabroad@niu.edu

Bali 2014

So come on out this Wednesday to learn more about Studying Abroad and vote on your favorite pics! 

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Kicking off the Fall Semester Abroad!

Welcome back Huskies! We hope that your first few weeks of school are off to a great start, and that you enjoyed your three day weekend! Wouldn't it be nice if every weekend could be three days long?! 

The SAO is looking forward to the 2017-2018 academic year, and we are really excited about our new student bloggers. These students will be Official Student Representatives for our Huskies Abroad: Student Blog. Every semester there will be several students blogging about their study abroad experience. Their blogs are personal reflections of what it is like to study abroad where everything is new and exciting. As students who will be in another country for a whole semester, we know they will be able to provide so many great stories about their experiences! 

Check out these new student bloggers pages! 

https://dariaromeitaly.blogspot.com/

Daria is studying abroad in Rome, Italy! 

https://camilleherediacostarica.blogspot.com/

Camille is studying abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica!

Be sure to keep up with our student bloggers and the Study Abroad Office events by checking out the blog pages throughout the 2017-2018 academic year! 

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Study Abroad Shout Out!

Wow!  This is pretty darn cool!  Shout out to one of our past study abroad participants, Raychel!  She went to Bali this past winter break to study the arts!  She has a passion for music and she has made NIU and the Study Abroad Office very proud!  Kudos to you, Raychel!  Congratulations!

"During the Arts Venture Challenge, three of the Projeto Arcomusical members: Daniel Eastwood (’12), Alexis Lamb (’16) and Raychel Taylor (’17), became founders of their own entrepreneurial teams.  NIU alumni led three of the nine teams formed at the event.  Those teams won all three group awards presented during the SAVVY Reveal presentation on Friday, June 9. Lamb’s team took first place in the Exhibit Awards, Eastwood’s project received an honorable mention in the Pitch Presentations and Taylor’s “Girls March” project took first place in the Pitch Presentations.  Taylor’s project gained tremendous momentum. “Girls’ March” has received inquiries of interest for start-up funding and will kick-off its activities in the summer of 2018 at The Citadel in South Carolina."

Read the full article below:

NIU scores at 2017 SAVVY Arts Venture Challenge and Chamber Music Competition

Slider Photo Credit: Yusen Xia

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The 24 Most Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Scotland (via Buzzfeed)

Wow...

The 24 Most Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Scotland

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Cool Video! 100 People of Dance, by ProjectOneLife

Check this out!  This awesome video features a few places right up the road from NIU...Naperville and Chicago!  Explore, meet new people, live your best life!

100 People of Dance

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Guest Blogger: Leah (Russia)

 

 

Prep Time for Your Study Abroad Program

When getting ready to go on your study abroad program, there are a lot of things to take care of. Paperwork, passports, packing lists, etc. are all important parts of getting ready to leave for an experience like this. Remembering them all, however, can be a challenge, so I have included below a handy to-do list that you can print off and use when getting ready to go. I wrote standard things that would apply to almost most any trip, but make sure that you check with the Study Abroad Office or your faculty mentor about anything that might also be applicable.

To Do List:

 

1. APPLY FOR YOUR PASSPORT!!! 

This can take 6 months to process, and you don't want to be unable to go on your adventure because you didn't have a passport. If you already have one, make sure it isn't expired and won’t expire within 6 months of your trip. 

2. Research the country you are visiting. 

Although this may seem obvious and boring, it can be incredibly helpful for making sure you get the most out of your time abroad. Look up places to go, food to eat, and unique things/events that happen during your time there. Be sure to look up any cultural things that might be appropriate in the U.S.A., but not there. I went to Russia, and my professors got seriously offended when my classmates and I ate in class, but we had no idea that it would be offensive! 

3. Bring clothes that are weather appropriate. 

When I went to Russia, I brought a pair of sandals I never wore, even once, because it was cold and wet the majority of my time there. Be sure to look at the climate you are going to and what it is typically like there so you can be as prepared as possible. 

4. You don't have to speak the language, but know the alphabet. 

Going to a foreign country where English is not the primary language can make your experience a very cool one, and really help you learn a lot more about the culture. However, learning basic phrases such as "yes," "no," "I don't understand Russian," "May I have..." etc. can be incredibly helpful and make your travel there and trip overall a lot easier. I went to Russia without learning the alphabet for their country, and that made it a lot harder to learn the language. Do a little homework, and it will be well worth it in the long run! 

5. Be ready for classes. 

Although you are going to be living in a foreign country, you will still be taking classes. Don't forget that these are college level courses that can be demanding. It's easy to get distracted by the amazing culture around you, but keep in mind that your classes should be a priority while you are there. They are a great way to learn about the country you are in too, as well as your professors. Ask them some of their favorite places to go or restaurants. You won't be disappointed. 

These are my tips and tricks for today, but there are many more out there. Check out the social media for the Study Abroad Office and learn more ways to have an incredible study abroad experience!! You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. 

 

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25th Annual Study Abroad Fair!

 

Want to explore the world while learning, completing an internship or research? Please join us for the 25th Annual Study Abroad Fair at NIU!

The Study Abroad Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the HSC Duke Ellington Ballroom. Many of our study abroad program providers and faculty directors will be in attendance to answer any of your questions and talk to you one-on-one about all of our wonderful study abroad opportunities.

There will be a ton of exciting and fun things happening - Photo contests, giveaways, program brochures with an abundance of program information, etc. Come explore the 300 program options that the NIU Study Abroad Office offers in over 80 different countries!

It's time to see the world!

This is an event you DON'T want to miss!! #GOHUSKIES #NIUStudyAbroad

 

 

 

 

 

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Guest Blogger: Kara (England)

 

Nothing can describe the view from the top of University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Four pounds to get in—unless the person ringing you up is cool, then it’s three pounds—and several trekked steps will get you to the end of the spiral staircase. There’s room for only one person to go up or down, and window ledges to step into in case you come across another person going the opposite direction. That staircase is not for the claustrophobic. The railing is the wall on each side of you, and the steps become steeper and narrower the farther you climb. Then, the final corner appears, you can see light from outside and then…All of Oxford is right there for you to see.

Moving around the ledge, staring at the place I had been walking around for weeks, finding all the carvings in the walls (one from the early 1700s—that’s older than America!) and thinking about the history of the place I was in. Up on that ledge, I realized how lucky I was to be in another country.

My footprints have been somewhere I never thought I would be. I walked the same paths some of the famous authors I’ve read about might have. I miss England more and more each day; I can’t help it. 

I was in Oxford for five weeks and I stayed an extra week to go on other adventures, and each day I long to return.But I’ll be honest.  By the end of that week, I was ready to get on that plane and embark on the eight-hour journey home: I missed my family, my animals, and my friends. And as soon as I got off the airplane being shuffled through various checkpoints, England called back to me. Studying abroad was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I wish I had taken more time to appreciate what was around me. I think I took for granted how much time I had there because I thought I could do so much, but five weeks is a millisecond when you’re taking a trip to Stonehenge or to London to see Shakespeare’s plays at The Globe.

There’s something about learning and living in a new place that gives you a stronger sense of who you are and what you are like on your own. Nothing ever happens the way you think it will happen. I planned on keeping up a blog while I was abroad, and I ended up just posting once. I was SO busy. Between field trips, homework, and wanting to explore, I had no time to blog like I thought I would. I thought I could wait and do all of my traveling near the end of my study abroad program. 

As much as you think you’ll want to go home, once you actually are home and surrounded by your routine, the places you’ve been, the people you’ve met, and the memories you have will always pull at you. You’ll want to talk about your experiences as much as you can. When someone asks you at a family event about your experience, you’ll perk up so much more than you would if they would have asked you about school or work. You’ll be a completely different person than you were when you stepped onto that plane to leave.

To anyone who has ever thought about studying abroad: do it. If there’s even the slightest chance, take it. Apply to a program, scavenge the internet for as many scholarship opportunities that you can because any application is worth it to see the world.

To anyone who is studying abroad: do as much as you can while you’re there, enjoy where you are staying, and don’t worry about going home. You’ve been given an opportunity so you might as well make the most out of it.  Your friends and family will be there when you get back. You’re there to learn and explore. So never take it for granted because it will be one of the coolest things you’ll ever do.

To anyone like me, who thought they could only stay in their comfortable bubble and would never see the world: I saw the world from the top of University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and it was beautiful.

 

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Spring Study Abroad Fair!

 

 

 

Join us for our Spring Study Abroad Fair, focusing on Faculty-Directed Programs!!!

 

February 9th from 12:00-4:00 in the Glass Gallery Lounge, HSC!!!

 

 

 

 

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Guest Blogger: Mathieu (Italy)

Mathieu: Study Abroad Office Peer Advisor and ISA Global Ambassador

My free time while abroad was mostly spent exploring the city of Florence. My typical weekend consisted of either taking a trip to another city like Venice or Pisa. Otherwise I would spend Saturday going to see a museum, sometimes hitting up more than one in a day.  Sunday would be spent checking out free events or festivals across the city. The art museums have free days once a month so if you coordinate you could go to all of the expensive touristy things for nearly free. I really liked to find a new café or new restaurant too while I walked around. Florence has a lot to offer if you know how to look for it. ISA (the provider I went abroad with) did a good job of letting us know when major holidays or festivals were happening. Visiting each Catholic Church was also a fun little activity to do, especially since Michelangelo was buried in Santa Croce. Visiting churches is fairly inexpensive however there are dress codes, such as no open-toed shoes or hats. I’m glad I stayed in Florence and not Rome because I felt like I could get a lot done in Florence and still feel like I accomplished seeing all the major sites.

During my travels in Italy, I used almost all forms of transport. I would say trains are the most useful. Regional trains are not as fast as the high speed trains. They run from the major cities to the smaller city centers such as from Pisa to Florence. The high speed trains ran through all the major cities. A bus ride that takes four hours only takes two if you go by high speed. Buses are cheap if you’re willing to be on them for a long time. Planes are also cheap if you know where to look. When it comes to transport within Florence, I only ever used the buses if I was leaving the city center. It is very easy to walk from one end of the historic district to the other. I would say it’s about a 25 minute walk if you’re not making stops. If you want to use a bus within Florence, you can just go and buy a one use ticket at one of the many convenience stores around the city. Some cafes even sell them. If you want to book a high speed train, you need to reserve a seat beforehand, usually the day before when I would do it. You could also book them online. My experience on high speed trains is that they are super comfortable! I was usually always by myself and the cars were usually fairly empty. Although I bought first class tickets and it was before tourist season. They usually have a restaurant car but if you are in first class they always gave me a free drink and a snack. They have someone who walks through the entire train checking tickets so don’t just hop on one. You could get in trouble if you didn’t pay for your seat. When it comes to city and trains alike you must make your ticket valid by sticking it in this machine that marks the time you are using the service. If you don’t do this you can get fined. These machines are usually on the buses themselves, but are on the platforms for trains.

Slider Photo Credit: Mathieu Berube

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