A Field Guide to Study Abroad

The Collegian interviewed several juniors returning from abroad this semester from countries including Argentina, France, India and Switzerland.

Caitlin Manak, Junior

Jaipur, India/Minnesota Studies of International Development

Why did you pick that place?

I've always loved Indian food and I wanted to experience India's vibrant culture and rich history.

Best part:

Excellent food, Indian hospitality, taking a two night/one day sleeper train north to the Himalayas, and going clubbing in Mumbai.

Worst part:

Not being able to converse in Hindi. Also, having less independence as a woman.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

I wish I'd known not to pack so much! I ended up buying a lot of kurtis (Indian tunics) and I didn't need half of the clothes I brought from the United States.

Stephanie Black, Junior

Uppsala, Sweden/Uppsala University

Why did you pick that place?

The majority of my ancestors came from Scandinavia, so that initially led me to look into the programs offered there. Also, my best friend is Swedish and most of her family members, many of whom I had met, still live in Sweden. Then once I read about Uppsala University and Uppsala as a city, I was sold.

Best part:

The student nations are amazing. There are fourteen of them and they function similarly to fraternities/sororities, but on a much larger scale. Each nation has its own building that dates back to the 17th century, and the building has a restaurant, club, library and more, all of which is run and used by students only.

Worst part:

There were no bagels anywhere.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

My advice for anyone who goes to Uppsala is to make sure you befriend a lot of Swedes when you're there. It's easy and normal in Uppsala to make mostly non-American friends -- most of my friends, for example, were German, English or Australian. Swedes, on the other hand, are extremely friendly and amazing at English (they start learning at around 8 years old and barely even have an accent), but it takes a lot to get them to really open up and let you in. Once they do though, they're some of the most fun, hilarious, smart and kind people you will ever meet, so it's definitely worth the extra effort to get them to open up to you.

Nikolina Talijan, Junior

Jaipur, India/Minnesota Studies of International Development

Why did you pick that place?

Randomly. My original plan to go to Russia did not work out in the last moment, and in the meanwhile I'd heard about the program in India. Therefore, instead of doing another program in Russia, I decided to go to India! The program I did was a perfect fit for my major in International Studies (International Economics) and passion for development. I would definitely choose India again!

Best part:

The best part was going there without any expectations and exploring. I learned so much about myself just from learning about others. One thing I love about India is people! I have never seen so many big and honest smiles in my life.

Worst part:

Re-adjustment after leaving India.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

When traveling it is always OK to be who you are as long as you try to keep your heart and mind open. Even if I try hard to fit in within the local culture, I still know that spending a short amount of time there will not make me become one of the locals. No matter where I am in the world, I am always me.

Miriam Eapen, Junior

Bangkok, Thailand/Thammasat University

Why did you pick that place?

I knew I wanted to travel around Southeast Asia.

Best part:

The people and the food and tubing in Laos and taking a ferry to school.

Worst part:

The weather ... being able to wear shorts every day was pretty terrible.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Do something crazy everyday because before you know it your semester abroad is over. Keep a journal so you remember what you did.

Dylan Schrode, Junior

Buenos Aires, Argentina / Universidad Catolica Argentina

Why did you pick that place?

Because of friends' recommendations.

Best part:

Climbing Machu Picchu in Peru.

Worst part:

Getting stranded in Puerto Madryn after seeing penguins. I had all my luggage and was waiting for a bus in a very shady neighborhood.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Argentine Castellano is really different than the Spanish we're taught. Che!

Dylan Schrode, Junior

Buenos Aires, Argentina / Universidad Catolica Argentina

Why did you pick that place?

Because of friends' recommendations.

Best part:

Climbing Machu Picchu in Peru.

Worst part:

Getting stranded in Puerto Madryn after seeing penguins. I had all my luggage and was waiting for a bus in a very shady neighborhood.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Argentine Castellano is really different than the Spanish we're taught. Che!

Joshua Ginsberg, Junior

London, United Kingdom / Queen Mary University of London

Why did you pick that place?

I chose London and Queen Mary due to the international nature of London as a major metropolitan area and Queen Mary because of the highly regarded political department there as I am a politics major.

Best part:

The lifelong friends that I made and hopefully will remain in touch with forever.

Worst part:

Leaving all the people I had met over the semester.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

That Sainsbury's is the best place to buy groceries and not the small shops near campus!

Maureen Rohrbaugh, Junior

Coleraine, N. Ireland / University of Ulster

Why did you pick that place?

Coleraine is a town along the Antrim Coast of N. Ireland, and I wanted to study there because the landscape is absolutely gorgeous. Many things to see and do are located less than an hour away from the campus -- beaches, mountains, castles and cliffs -- it was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I'm also of Irish heritage, so I wanted to experience Irish culture.

Best part:

I met the most amazing group of international students. Some were also American, but I also became great friends with people from all over Europe. It was interesting to see how their culture was different from mine and how each person experienced the Irish culture in a different way. I still keep in touch with many of them so I always have someone to talk to when I miss Coleraine.

Worst part:

The exchange rate. The British pound was 1.6 to the dollar, which meant I had to pay about $10 every time I needed to do laundry.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

It can be difficult to adjust to life outside of the U.S., but try not to let homesickness overwhelm you. You only have one semester to enjoy the experience of studying abroad, but you have much more time to spend at home once you get back. Try to meet new people and get involved as soon as your program starts. It can help you overcome the worries you have about being away from home.

Adam Davis, Junior

Lille, France / l'Universite Catholique de Lille

Why did you pick that place?

I wanted to go to France, be able to visit Paris, but actually improve my French.

Best part:

Tie between the architecture, so unbelievably beautiful, and the fresh bread, so unbelievably delicious.

Worst part:

Tie between the dog poop covering the sidewalks and the exhaustingly monotone French lectures.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

The French are NOT as open and friendly as Americans. For someone like me who walks up to someone and expects to be their new best friend instantaneously, this can be an issue. Don't take it personally. The French merely require a little more time, or a splash of alcohol, to open up. Also, brace yourself for the intense differences between the American and French academic systems. These were unexpected for me, and I found myself near death from boredom listening to a professor talk at me for three hours straight.

Heather Thornton, Junior

Jaipur, India / Minnesota Studies of International Development

Why did you pick that place?

In current reports and news, India is described as a rising world power. Most often, increases in GDP and production are the criteria by which this success is measured. As a student of international development; however, I wanted to focus on the degree that India's current capital accumulation translates into higher standards of living. I was also intrigued with the immense linguistic and ethnic diversity present within India's populace. As a person who has a passion for experiencing other cultures, I realized that India was an ideal location for me to flourish.

Best part:

The colors, vibrancy, spices and strength present within every crevice of Indian life. Almost everywhere I went in India, I encountered ancient structures, forts, and sculptures depicting holy scenes. Bright colors from women in beautiful saris and strong scents from the local food vendors always awakened my senses. Lastly, the people -- in short, they're incredible.

Worst part:

Initially, India is shocking, overwhelming, chaotic and scary. I felt lost in the thousands of people I encountered every day and was uncertain of how to find any solace from the business. Seeing poverty on such an extreme scale was also difficult for me to cope with. I've encountered poverty before in America, but never have I seen such terrible suffering as I did in the poorest regions of India.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Don't come to India with any expectations. Most likely, they will be wrong.

Jack Wisnefske, Junior

Geneva, Switzerland / International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Why did you pick that place?

I picked Geneva because of its relevancy for international studies and multinational organizations. Switzerland was also enticing because of the beautiful scenery and awesome outdoor activities. The chocolate wasn't bad either.

Best part:

Hiking on top of a glacier at 13,000 feet.

Worst part:

Not having all the resources I enjoy at UR.

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Try and make each day you spend abroad as fulfilling and exciting as you can; it goes by faster than you can imagine.

Tamara Shanker, Junior

Bangkok, Thailand / Thammasat University

Why did you pick that place?

I wanted to go somewhere that was out of my comfort zone where I could learn about a new culture, new religion, new way of life.

Best part:

I was able to travel all over Southeast Asia and see the most incredible corners of the world.

Worst part:

Rabid dogs bark all night!

Advice/what you had wished you'd known:

Contrary to popular belief, most Thais do not speak English! Learn basic vocab before you arrive!

Contact staff writer Alice Chaosurawong at alice.chaosurawong@richmond.edu