Study Abroad Fair 2018 Photo Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 26th Annual Study Abroad Fair, which was held on Wednesday September 26th at the Duke Ellington Ballroom in the Holmes Student Center. Students were invited to attend the Study Abroad Fair to learn about all of the international study abroad program options, which can include 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!

Study Abroad alumni students were asked to submit their favorite photos from their time abroad to the Study Abroad Fair Photo Contest. Fair attendees had the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos!
The four categories were as followed:

1. Capture the Culture
2. Let’s Get Lost
3. Social Media
4. Put the Study in Study Abroad

Below are the photos of our winners!
*Each winner will receive their winning photo on a printed canvas on behalf of our office!

CAPTURE THE CULTURE
Lei Fan
Program Location: Bangkok, Thailand & Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

LETS GET LOST
Victoria Graves
Program Location: Barcelona, Spain

SOCIAL MEDIA
Andrew McComb
Program Location: Bangkok, Thailand & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PUT THE STUDY IN STUDY ABROAD

Melissa Brant
Program Location: Berlin, Germany

It’s not just about getting the perfect Instagram pictures! Studying abroad has many positive impacts on students, not just from a personal perspective, but from an employment perspective as well. Not only do study abroad alumni stand out to prospective employers, but it is also an experience that can be leveraged in job interviews and completely change your life!

 Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of the students whom participated in our contest and submitted their favorite photos with us. We cannot wait until next year’s photo submissions to check out some amazing places!

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Helpful Apps to Have While Studying Abroad!

Are you studying abroad soon and want to know about some essential apps to download that may be useful?


In the age of technology, more and more phone apps are being developed that help people facilitate their experience while abroad! Phone apps can be useful tools to help you find the conversion rate of your dollar, translate something you want to ask, find your way around your host country, seek cool places to have a cup of coffee or explore some of the best beaches in town, and of course, communicate with your loved ones back at home!





Check out these essential apps that will facilitate your time while abroad!

Communication

• Facebook Messenger
  You don't have a Facebook account? That's okay! The Messenger app is accessible to all! Besides being able to send you friends & family messages via this app, you can also make audio and video calls! Send your parents a picture of you at the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru or a video of you hiking the Wall of China! Although it has many cool features, you will need data or wifi to use it without any problems. Tip: If you are in a country that requires you to purchase calling cards to make international calls, but have access to wifi hotspots, connect to wifi and use this app, free of charge!😉 Good for Android and iOS devices. 

• WhatsApp
  This is just a growing and growing communication app throughout the world!  WhatsApp is a free app that allows users to send via chats: text messages, audio, images, your location, contact information and document attachments. You can form group chats as well to share information and stay in communication with friends and family. Did we mention you can make calls as well? If texting or voice calls aren't enough, you can also have face-to-face video calls from across the world!

• WeChat
  This app is one of the best rated communication apps to use in places like China. In order to successfully be able to communicate with loved ones internationally, the person you will be communicating with, should also have this app on their mobile device and access to wifi, if you do not have accessible mobile data. You can send text or voice messages, pictures, videos, your location and much more! Wanna hear more? You can link your bank account and transfer or send money to friends/family. Gone shopping and forgot your wallet? You can pay for your items with WeChat!

Currency Converter

• XeCurrency
  By downloading the conversion rates of whatever country you will be traveling to before you depart, will allow you to use this app without the need for wifi. This app provides you with live exchange rates. This app is available on both Android and iOS devices. 

Translator

• SayHi
  How do you say...? ¿Como se dice...? Comment dit-on...? Although to study abroad you are not required to know the host country's language(s), you may come across locals that only speak their native language. If so, the SayHi app is here to save the day! This app allows you to translate up to almost 90 different languages and dialects. This app allows you set the language you will be needing translation and speak into your device's speaker. The voice-operated app, will repeat what you have said in its translated language, plus, maintain a transcript of your conversation with the other person, translating everything for you to keep for future reference. Good for Android and iOS devices. 

How to Get Around

• Maps.Me
  This is a great app to have if you will be departing to a country with limited to no access to wifi, like Cuba! Maps.Me allows you to download maps (with the help of wifi) of different countries and use offline. Once you've downloaded the map, you can look for food options, hotels, sights, wifi hotspots, transportation, ATMs, Hospitals, etc. under the "Categories" section in your map. This app also provides you with directions on how to get to places via: driving, walking, train and bicycling, so you will get there in no time! 

• Google Maps
  Having trouble finding your destination? Google Maps is the app for you! This app is best to use in countries where you can use your mobile data (make sure you don't get charged roaming fees) or you have access to wifi. Need to get from A to B? Get directions on how to get to places via: driving, train and/or walking. You can explore your local spot by checking out all of the nearby things by surfing their categories section. 

Find Cool Things to Do

• Like A Local
  New to town? Let this app help you live like a local by looking up your host city and checking out some of the recommended places near you. You can get tips on places to tour, eat, see & do, shop and more! You get to read people's comments whom have visited these places and read truly why locals love it and why you should visit. You are equipped with the location's information like days and hours of operation, in addition to directions on how to get there. End up loving the place? Save it to your personalized list of locations for next time that you visit!

• GuidePal
  This app is great to use in locations with or without wifi! If traveling to countries with limited to no wifi, make sure you download your "guides" prior to departure. Once you have downloaded all the guides you may find useful abroad, you can access them via your personal profile under "Offline Guides". Guides can vary from top 10 places to eat, best activities, best shopping, top 5 coffee shops and more! If it's your first time traveling to a specific city, you also have the opportunity to learn some interesting facts about your host city under the "Facts" section. 

Checking Flights

• FlightView
  Up, up, and away! But what time is your flight? Keep track on the status of your flight and its details by downloading this app that facilitates the whole flight experience. Add your flight details to this app or simply forward your itinerary to their provided email and they'll take care of the rest for you. You can save future trips on your homepage, look up  nearby airports to you and see if your airport is experiencing any delays in live time. 

• SeatGuru
  Preparing for a flight heading overseas can be a little overwhelming. Let this app pass down some wisdom and help you book your flight, choose the best seat in the house and/or check the status of your flight. Had a good experience? Leave your review by submitting a comment or pictures of your experience. Let SeatGuru facilitate your flight experience! Good to download on Android and iOS devices.

Miscellaneous

• Airbnb
  Getting away with your colleagues for the weekend but don't know where to stay? Airbnb provides you with different lodging options; from reserving an entire home/apartment for you and your colleagues, to reserving a bed in someone's home for the night. This type of lodging has grown more and more over the years, making this style a more popular one and a lot of times, a lot more inexpensive than at a hotel. 

• SitOrSquat
  Where do you go, when you gotta go? Download this app to find local spots where restrooms are available to the public. With more than 100,000 public restrooms, SitorSquat will help you locate one near you! Just search your location and it will provide you with "Sit" or "Squat" locations. "Sit" locations are those in green, which symbolize that these bathrooms are clean, stocked and ready for you to go. Squat locations are those in red, which signal that they may not be the most tidiest or the most stocked restrooms in the world, but still provide available space to you. This app provides you with a map to help you navigate through the town/city to get to your destination!

Now that you're set, get ready and explore the world! 

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Adventurous Pages to Follow!

Do you still check your Facebook page on the daily? Alternatively, are you one of those individuals that seems to be fading away from the daily Facebook scrolling? If you are, these adventurous travel pages are bound to grab your attention, and have you checking out their post every day!

Nomadic Samuel - https://www.facebook.com/nomadicsamuel/

Nomadic Samuel’s page was the first page I stumbled upon as I started out on my search for the best pages for our blog followers to check out! There is so much wonderful content posted on this page, ranging from amazing photos to visual journeys from their journey across Kyrgyzstan.  After you complete your visual journey with Nomadic Samuel, stop in to check out his website http://photos.nomadicsamuel.com/ where you can purchase unique photographs and learn more about Nomadic Samuels story.

Adventurous Kate - https://www.facebook.com/AdventurousKate/

Adventurous Kate cracks you up while taking you on her escapades, with her most recent one being Antarctica. Um, can you say cold?! We live in Southern Illinois, and I can hardly make it out the door on a frigid winter morning, let alone ANTARCTICA. Her pictures capture the freezing and awesome moments she had abroad. Even with the bitter cold weather, Adventurous Kate will make you want to plan a trip to Antarctica. Check out her page to see all the unique species she saw there!

Traveling Canucks- Family Travel Blog - https://www.facebook.com/travelingcanucks/

What if you have a family, but still want to go on awesome adventures!? Guess what.. you can! Traveling Canucks is a family travel blog that takes you along on their family trips to Mexico, around Canada, and many other places. They provide wonderful tips on activities, like what to do when visiting Niagara Falls with young kids! Also follow their blog https://travelingcanucks.com/ to find trip ideas, how to plan your next trip, and to check out where they have been! Now go get the family, pack up, and head out to create unforgettable memories.

Tieland to Thailand - https://www.facebook.com/pg/tielandtothailand/about/?ref=page_internal

Interested in uprooting that day to day office life, jumping ship, and going to live abroad?? Well if that is in your future, this page is perfect for you! Chris and Angela did just that. Now they have a great page for their followers to find out all the information they need to know about living in Thiland, and how they made it happen. You can also read their blog https://www.tielandtothailand.com/ to find out more!

Aarons Worldwide Adventures - https://www.facebook.com/traveladventurous/

Are you looking to find a cheap route to Australia or plan a Safari on a budget? Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures page is a fantastic resource to find the answers you are looking for! Aaron discussed how he was able to book a flight from San Francisco to Sydney and then to New York City for only $579. Crazy! You also cannot beat the sunset pictures he has posted from Caalan Beach, El Nido, Palawan. Go check it out!

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Study Abroad Shout Out!

Study Abroad Shout Out! 

We A few weeks ago, two NIU teams competed at the American Mock Trial Association’s (AMTA) Regional Tournament in Joliet, IL – one of 27 sanctioned regional tournaments in the country held over three weekends in February. There were a total of 26 teams at the Joliet regional from schools in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

Photo Credit: NIU Today Article, Northern Illinois University
Matthew Moore, Second to Top Left

One of our Study Abroad Alumus, senior Political Science major, Matthew Moore, whom studied abroad through the NIU at Oxford program in the summer 2016, was one of seven members of the NIU A Team. The NIU A team finished 6-2, earning one of seven bids to the next round of the national competition, the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS).

 NIU will be co-hosting the ORCS tournament at the Kane County Judicial Center in Geneva, IL, on  March 16-18, at which 24 of the top college mock trial teams from around the country – including NIU – will compete for an opportunity to advance to the National Championship Tournament in April. The tournament is open to the public for viewing.

We wish Matthew and his team the best of luck!!! #GoHuskies #StudyAbroad

Source: https://www.niutoday.info/2018/02/21/niu-mock-trial-teams-excel-competition/

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Guest Blogger: Emily Eckles

The NIU Study Abroad office has asked one of our student workers to be the guest blogger of the week! Emily studied abroad in Germany in 2017, and created a fantastic blog to share her journey with all of us! Please click on the link below to view Emily's blog 😊

https://adventuresindeutschlandblog.wordpress.com/

Thank you Emily for sharing your experience abroad!

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Study Abroad Spotlight: Sammy Mallow (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

The NIU Study Abroad office has once again asked study abroad alumni to be guest bloggers and share their experiences abroad. Our Guest blogger for this week is Sammy Mallow!

I am a graduate student in the Geology department and I studied abroad in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for 8 weeks learning Khmer language at the Khmer School of Language. The Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship through the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at NIU supported me to study abroad.

Before departure, I was concerned about being able to relate to my soon to be Khmer language teachers. Cambodian culture is very different in general from American culture. I was specifically concerned about how to show respect as a student to my Cambodian teachers. It turned out my teachers were incredibly understanding, patient, and hospitable and my worries quickly dissolved after arrival.

Photo Credit: Kristen Amstutz, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Summer 2017 

On the weekends, my teachers would take my fellow students and I on various cultural sight seeing outings. One of my favorite trips was to Phnom Bokor in Kampot province. Phnom Bokor is a 3,400ft tall mountain located right next to the Cambodian coastline. The views from the mountain at sunset were spectacular. I saw a long beach stretching all the way to the coastal town of Kampot and large islands in the distance. It is the only place I have been to with a mountain rising up from lowland topography right next to the ocean.

I highly recommend studying abroad while you are in college. It opens up a whole new world of people and places. I would not be surprised if you find that people abroad are more than willing to help you navigate in your new environment. All you have to do is ask them for help. The friends I made overseas, I will remember for the rest of my life because while they are so different from me in terms of language and culture, we share so many of the same human experiences. If you have not already studied abroad, get out there and explore the world!

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

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