Q&A with the panelists in the Europe room
What kinds of expectations did you have going into your experience abroad? In what ways did the experience live up to these expectations and how did you adapt when things weren't what you expected?
Going abroad I expected to travel loads, meet lots of locals, and have a more relaxed demeanor in general. As someone who is studying abroad during lockdown and other COVID-controlled periods, I did not get to travel the way I imagined, but it pushed me actually to explore the countries that I was living in further outside the city I was studying in. This is something I highly recommend as you will feel a lot more connected to the culture and community of the place you are. At first, it definitely seems easiest to connect with Americans, other International Students, or general English-native speakers because they at first glance seem to understand you a bit better. But I urge really trying to find those spaces such as student orgs and classes where you can actually connect with locals because they can show you the best-hidden gems (and you can visit them if you want to go back).
Sam Goldberg, GBP Belfast Cohort and GW Exchange-Vienna University of Economics and Business
What is your advice for someone living in a homestay?
My advice for someone living in a homestay is to keep an open mind and be flexible to trying new things. It is a really good opportunity to be immersed in a new culture so take advantage of that by having meals with your family and also teaching them about your culture as well! Obviously, it is important to be open because you will be living in a house in a country where the customs can be vastly different, so be mindful of how you are behaving and always try to be respectful. So many great things can come from a homestay whether that is local knowledge, friends your age, and even lifelong connections on another continent.
Genevieve Mumma, GW Madrid
In your opinion, what are your best practices for maintaining a positive mental health while abroad?
Fundamentally, you need to remember to be kind to yourself and not to let your expectations for study abroad taint your reality. A big stressor for me was that I wasn't capitalizing on being abroad, and I was holding myself to unrealistic expectations. For some people, travelling every weekend was entirely within the realm of possibility whereas for others, including myself, this was difficult for a multitude of reasons. Learn to enjoy and explore the city you're staying in. Allow yourself a day off. It might have made me feel guilty in the moment, but the days where I just stayed in my dorm and relaxed were very needed. Remember you're a student, and you are still balancing that along with living in a new country, and that it's okay to slow down. Also, just because you're abroad doesn't mean regular mental care isn't needed. If you see a therapist, check if they might be able to do tele-health appointments or try planning for an alternative source for therapy. Ensure you're taking any necessary medications and have enough for the duration of your trip. It can be hard, but definitely make the effort to talk to close friends and family so you still feel connected to your support system at home.
Anushka Hassan, IES Rome
What advice do you have for how best to go about making new friends, especially for maybe more introverted students?
I remember being really nervous about making friends while abroad, but the programs I was in did a really great job making sure you got to know the other GW students in your cohort or and other exchange students. I wasn’t able to become friends with as full time students as I would've liked to but got to meet and become friends with people from Belfast and Paris through mutual friends, classes, and when I went to bars or concerts.
Something that helped me get over my anxiety about making friends was realizing that everyone else studying abroad is also looking for friends, so you’re not alone. It’s sort of like being a freshman again but maybe easier because you’re surrounded by like-minded people and if you’re in a cohort, you go on excursions and do activities together which gives you lots of opportunities to get close to that group!
Something else I found helpful was talking with other study abroad students about where you wanted to travel because most of the time people are more than willing to plan a trip, and traveling can help you get close to the people you’re with.
I think it depends on the program you're in, but for the Sciences Po program with GW Paris, there was an orientation week where you’re separated from the other GW students and are paired with other exchange students from around the world. You spend a lot of time with this group exploring Paris, learning about the French school and grading system, and doing fun activities so you naturally get close with people in your group and I made some really good friends this week!
Something else that was really helpful for me to make friends was spending time with people outside of class or inviting people to grab lunch or check out a museum or new neighborhood with me. For example, I made a friend during orientation week and we talked a lot about our mutual interest in history and museums. Then she texted me to grab dinner a few days later and then we just started hanging out and traveling together! I also became close friends with a girl in one of my classes after making it a regular thing to grab lunch or study after class together.
I also think joining student orgs is really helpful in making friends and a great way to get involved in student life at the university you’re studying at. I joined the Art Society at Queen’s University Belfast and that was a nice way to stick with my hobbies while abroad and also meet new people while doing it. It can definitely be intimidating thinking about making new friends, but it can be exciting too! I have some social anxiety, but studying abroad has helped me with it and I’ve made some great friends!
Elizabeth Palumbo, GW Paris - Sciences Po Paris
What was most surprising to you academically about your program/experience whether that be in regards to professors, academic culture, grading, dress codes, etc.?
I studied at the Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL). The academic system in the UK differs immensely in comparison to the academic system in the US. For example, grading is very different; a 70 and above is an equivalent of an American “A”, whereas we at GW are used to a 93 and above being an “A”. It is nearly impossible to get above an 80 on any assignment in the UK; if you do, that means your work is considered publishable! So, therefore, I had to adjust my expectations considerably. Next, students are typically graded via one or two big papers or exams; attendance, participation, projects, and homework were not a thing whatsoever. For one of my classes, my final grade was off of one paper only. For other classes, it was two papers or two exams. Additionally, academic culture in the UK is very different in comparison to the US.
In truth, most British students do not really attend lecture or seminar (discussion). Oftentimes, I would be the only student sitting in a seminar—just me and the professor. Or, I would be one of a handful of students in the lecture hall. Another thing that surprised me was how many students are commuters; most students do not live on campus, but rather commute from distant areas of greater London and surrounding suburbs. The only students who lived at QMUL were first- years, so those are the people I shared residence halls with. All of these realities were very different to life at GW, which was an adjustment.
Taarika Gopinath, GW England-Queen Mary University London
Q&A with the panelists in the Asia room
What is your one biggest piece of advice for a student looking to study abroad in a more non-traditional location outside of Europe?
I think the biggest piece of advice that I have for students looking to study abroad in a more non-traditional location outside of Europe is to search about the country that you're going to. Learn about their cultural habits, what is considered acceptable behavior, what is considered inappropriate behavior, what do you need to know to live comfortably there. Nobody wants to be the ignorant student abroad that does things that would annoy the locals. East Asians in general value face a lot, thus if you know what NOT to do you can avoid conflict with locals. Also, if you search about the country you will be studying abroad you will have an easier way adapting to it. For example, in Taiwan where I studied abroad they use more hard cash compared to credit cards, some shops, especially more traditional breakfast restaurants don't accept credit cards. While in comparison in South Korea, where I also studied abroad, credit cards are used more often. In both Taiwan and South Korea it is considered disrespectful to talk or speak loudly in public transportation in certain scenarios, especially if everyone is quiet, for most, specially in the morning, is a time to rest before a long day of working. However, I think the most helpful thing to do before going to any East Asian country is to learn at least a little of their language. In the case of Taiwan, I took three semesters of Chinese before going there, and thus I had an easier time communicating with locals compared to some of my peers that did not have any Mandarin Chinese knowledge. In the case of South Korea, I learned Hangul, the Korean alphabet, before coming to South Korea which helped me a lot to find out the name of places and to order food. In East Asia, most public transportation is bilingual with one of the languages being English. Yet, some places might not have English signage which makes it harder to get around when you don't know nothing about the local language. Also some restaurants might not have English menus, so learning a bit of the local language is a must.
Patrick Ko, CET-Taiwan and GW Exchange-Yonsei University
What advice do you have for how best to go about making new friends, especially for maybe more introverted students?
I am certainly an introvert and I lived alone in Korea, so making new friends was a struggle for me. Two things that helped me initially were the GW Study Abroad Office, which connected me with the other students participating in the GW Exchange at Korea University, and the orientation groups at Korea University, that hosted a series of events during the first week and throughout the semester. I would also advise people who may be introverted to not shy away from individual experiences as well. I really enjoyed doing solo activities throughout my time abroad. I booked a lot of them through Airbnb Experiences (I went to a rice cake making class and went on a vegan food tour of Seoul). I also traveled solo for the first time (to Jeju Island) and although it took some mental fortitude to leave my hotel alone, I ended up having an incredible time and loved getting to do more independent adventures as well as looking for opportunities with friends.
Miya Libman, GW Exchange-Korea University
Q&A with the panelists in the Latin America room
Was staying connected to your family/friends back home important to you? If so, how did you do so in a sustainable way?
Before going to Ecuador, I spent a few months away from home in Japan. I had just left high
school and was really attached to my friends at home. However, upon returning home, I realized
that a lot of my attention was given to people in the states rather than where I was. Based on that
learning experience, I took that into consideration during my time in Ecuador. My family and friends are a top priority for me and true friends and family will always be there for you. Before I left, I made an effort to connect with everyone and set expectations that I may not always be able to talk about. Once in Ecuador, I touched base with my friends and family when I had the opportunity, however, making time for this once in a lifetime experience was a priority over talking with my family as often as I would in the states. Make sure you are not giving a considerable amount of your time to being present in the states and your host country or you will become exhausted. My biggest piece of advice is to be present in the moment but know when to call your friends and family (my family was usually once every two weeks and friends were usually monthly). I usually called my friends and family when I was walking to school or had a
free moment that couldn’t be used to integrate myself. For example, many international students between classes talked to friends or family members back home whereas I tried to always talk to my classmates during that time. Make sure you are checking in back home but do not feel like you need to be in two places at once. I understand that everyone has different family situations though so feel free to connect with your family in a healthy way.
What is your advice for someone living in a homestay?
To preface, I had two host families during my time in Ecuador. Homestays are such an integral way to become acquainted with your host country. My first piece of advice would be to not have any expectations of your host family and their involvement. Before I left, I had expectations of being really close with my host family and feeling like a part of their family. I was really disappointed with my first host family because I felt like they had their own lives and I wasn’t really integrated that well. I talked to other people in the program and realized that some felt similarly but others indicated that their families tried to be more involved. Because I wanted a more involved family, I asked my program coordinator if I could move in with a friend from their program as their host mom had offered that to me. My program coordinator and I had a really open and good conversation and at the end she asked me if I felt comfortable telling my first host hom I was leaving or if the program coordinator could. I talked with my first host mom about my feelings of loneliness and it was probably the biggest growth I had while abroad. It was one of the most difficult conversations that I was dreading but in the end, it was a conversation full of mutual understanding. Without this difficult part of my homestay experience, I really do not think I could have grown as much as I did because of this. Because of that, I would encourage you if you decide the host family is not a good fit, try to have that difficult conversation. At the end of the day, my first host mom opened up her house and that should be respected. My biggest piece of advice is that studying abroad is your experience and you are entitled to leave if you feel you are not having the best experience possible. However, make sure to realize that the families are people too and you are living in someone else's space.
Sarah Glenn, IES Abroad- Direct Enrollment in Quito
What advice do you have for how best to go about making new friends, especially for maybe more introverted students?
There are so many ways to make new friends, and although it’s easier said than done, it’s definitely possible. I, for example, did a language exchange program with a student from the university that I was going to study at prior to ever going abroad which essentially guaranteed me at least one contact on campus. I also knew people who joined art or dance workshops and met other international and native students that way, my classes did a lot of group projects so that was a great opportunity to get to know people more, and then obviously spending time with the students from your program is crucial because they are most likely the people that you are going to return to the States with and cultivating those relationships is meaningful and important, too! Long story short, both introverted and extroverted students have to put themselves out there more than they would in the U.S. but this is a great way to get to know yourself and native students/staff/community members. You just have to practice doing it scared!
Maddie Dostal, GW Chile
What is your one biggest piece of advice for a student looking to study abroad in a more non-traditional location outside of Europe?
My advice would be to try not to compare your experience with friends that are abroad in Europe because it will be very different. You realistically won't be in a new country every weekend, although it can be done. It is a bit harder in Latin America and more expensive to travel internationally. Also, my number one piece of advice is to make friends with locals. Either at your school in classes or through events/clubs in the community. Look for ways to be involved in the culture and connect with other people. It is worth the effort!
Tess Jensen, GW Chile
What advice do you have for how best to go about making new friends, especially for maybe more introverted students?
I would say the best advice is you have to be prepared to be uncomfortable. To make friends you must assert yourself and push your boundaries. You must initiate conversation and put yourself out there. No one is coming to save you, you must express yourself. I recommend joining clubs, going to class, speaking to the person next to you, normal things you would do in the US. People in Latin America are more open to talking to you and many want to know what you are doing in their country. You can make friends outside of universities by just speaking to the people you meet in restaurants, Ubers, etc. If you are taking the risk to study aboard and putting yourself in a completely new situation you might as well push yourself to change your socializing habits.
Lucas Werner, IES Abroad- Direct Enrollment in Quito
Q&A with the panelists in the Middle East and North Africa room
What was the hardest adjustment you had to make during your time abroad and how do you feel it helped you grow?
The hardest thing for me was the difference in culture, especially in terms of gender norms and treatment. At first it was novel and registered as interesting to me, but after months it definitely started to wear on me. For example, as a female-bodied person, I had to always sit in the back of Ubers and taxis, while my male-bodied friends would have to sit in the front, and there were certain spaces only they could enter, etc. Eventually it started to get to me in the sense that I started to really feel that I was seen as a woman and therefore as having a certain role and associations attached that I don’t necessarily have or feel as strongly back in the U.S., which was uncomfortable and the way this was made clear made me sad/felt dehumanizing. I think the key for me was seeing everything as educational. Most of my study abroad experience was excellent, but even things like this that were harder for me I just saw as an opportunity to learn. Even though living in this space was challenging, it was still important for me to understand the reality of the culture. Having this approach also provided an opportunity to learn more about why people in my host country live that way, what merit they see/how such a system came to be, etc. I grew because I saw it as an educational opportunity, and instead of judging or rejecting the culture, just held respect for it along with a level of curiosity and observation.
Sophie Spiro, CIEE-Middle East Studies in Amman
Q&A with the panelists in the Sub-Saharan Africa room
Did you feel you experienced culture shock or feelings of homesickness during your time abroad and how did you adjust or react to these feelings?
I actually didn't feel homesickness during my time abroad because I fully immersed myself and created a community of friends that made me feel at home. I don't think I actually missed DC or New York but rather I wished that I could take my friends and family along with me on my journey and experience all the exciting things and people that made me feel at home in South Africa.
What was the hardest adjustment you had to make during your time abroad and how do you feel it helped you grow?
The hardest adjustment I had to make during my time abroad was the loadshedding schedule. Many times throughout the idea we wouldn't have access to electricity or wifi and you had to find a way to work around it. However, it also forced you to slow down and provided me with the best opportunities to have enriching conversations with my friends and other local students. I learned that you can be productive in ways that don't involve technology and make up for lost time.
Ayooluwa Akintayo, CIEE - Arts & Sciences in Cape Town
What were the top 5 things you prioritized doing in preparation for studying abroad that you think students should remember?
- Making sure I had all my prescriptions and possible medications for my abroad experience.
- Effective packing for optimal space for souvenirs and variation in my clothes since the weather is known to fluctuate.
- I made sure I had copies of all of my important documents secured including my passport, visa, and insurance.
- I reached out to past participants from 2021 in the CIEE Cape Town program since the information provided by the actual study abroad company was very minimal in terms of student testimonials. The advice given by people who had gone on the same program you will partake on was extremely helpful in my preparation.
- I researched the technological necessities of the area including adaptors/chargers and cell coverage options since I knew that services such as Amazon is not readily accessible to the population in South Africa and obtaining these materials would be difficult. Further, I knew that my cell service plan in the United States did not cover sub-Saharan African nations.
Rachel Loren, CIEE - Arts & Sciences in Cape Town
Q&A with the panelists in the Oceania room
What was the hardest adjustment you had to make during your time abroad and how do you feel it helped you grow?
My hardest adjustment was my new social circle. Being on GW campus for so long, you get used to your usual social circle, and often seeing familiar faces. However, when you're abroad, no matter where, you will be around completely new people which can be very discomforting. This evidently gives you the biggest opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and connect with new people with a different culture.
In your opinion, what are your best practices for maintaining a positive mental health while abroad?
Initially you might feel very much out of touch with your normal life, you will feel discomfort and challenged from several different things. I found that the best way to combat this is to first understand that it is normal, that you're not the only one experiencing this, and that it would rather be concerning if you didn't feel this way. Second, and more practically, I learned that setting up a daily routine and consistently sticking to it can make you feel more in control of your life which consequently translates to a more positive mental health.
Khabib Musashaykhov, GW Exchange - University of New South Wales