The Study Abroadcast

"I think you build a lot of empathy and compassion for how others live and you can use that as a tool for the rest of your life" — Timmy Bishop When the system 'just works' I get excited. That's exactly what happened for Timmy Bishop. This UW - Madison Alum decided to study abroad in Bangkok, Thailand during the spring semester of his junior year.  He's since graduated, but he talks about his trip like he just got back yesterday.  If you're interested in Thailand, marketing, or a great story you should listen to this interview.  Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire

"It showed me that I didn't know as much as I thought I did" - Chelsi Colleton Chelsi Colleton knew from a very young age that she wanted to study abroad, and she did just that when she went to South Africa. In this episode we'll hear about her multiple trips, and how Amherst College reacted to / is reacting to Covid-19, and what's changed since the pandemic. This is a very good listen if you're interested in international education as a possible major or career choice, but still checks all the boxes if you're down to hear some classic study abroad stories.

SHOW NOTES The birth of SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARS [2:08] The application process ✍ [4:10] Eligibility requirements [5:16] Defining and defying your version of leadership [7:37] Collaborate and playing well with others [8:52] Number of scholars currently selected annually through a competitive process [10:37] Sharing stories and carrying out the mission through a steadily growing alumni network [12:16] Duration of trips [12:50] Recognizing the knowledge and network of China [14:32] Going to the same university as current and past presidents of China [16:10] Recruiting an eclectic group of students from around the world [16:52] Application deadlines for both processes and what happens upon selection [18:57] The role language plays in the process [21:40] Doubts recipients face prior to their trip [24:21] Learning from diverse backgrounds [27:50] Schwarzman College [30:10] The capstone project [34:15] Excursions for the scholars [39:46] Schwarman's Youtube channel [43:48] The magic of the mundane [46:07] When is the best time to apply for the Schwarzman [49:18] Christian's Book Recommendations [53:10] Media recommendations [56:42] Re-applying for a Schwarzman Scholarship [59:00]

Brandon Losh and Johnny Felsenthal are basically best friends who studied abroad at the same time, and had two vastly different experiences. After listening to the interview, if you listen to the interview in its entirety you walk away scratching your head wondering who had a better time.  It's packed with stories, life lessons, and tips that you can take on your own study abroad trip.  Berlin (but basically Europe), and Semester at Sea....Annnnddd Go!

Getting an early start in high school with an exchange to Germany [1:43] Obtaining an internship with the United Nations in Geneva as an undergrad [2:15] Darla's dissertation which can be found in the NC State library [4:03] She's written eight books to date Looking at WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO GET ALONG TOGETHER AS HUMANS? What does one do after getting as many diplomas as you can get? [7:47] Darla's current role @ Duke (past & present) [9:24] Working with Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) [10:43] A focus on those who are leading internationalization efforts at their higher education institutions Leaders In International Education  Receiving invitations to speak at different places around the world [12:23] Darla's favorite food from her travels... [15:33] I mentioned above she's written eight books [16:32] Chimamanda Adichie [19:42] Darla's advice to students thinking about studying abroad [20:45]

Living in Nigeria as a child 🧒 [1:59] Learning a difficult language 🎓 [3:33] Doubts before leaving 😕 [4:17] Living in Nigeria after receiving the Boren Awards 🇳🇬💸 [5:23] Exactly what Kelly did while she was in Nigeria 😇 [6:26] Going on an African road trip 🚍 [10:10] Visiting SOS Schools ✏️ What you see in Africa 👓 [12:32] If you like spicy food... 🥘 [14:49] How this trip affected the trajectory of Kelly's career 😎 [16:19] Why Kelly decided to enroll at George Mason University 🎓 [18:08] Kelly's  recommendations 🙌 [19:55] Wrapping up 🔚

“I would’ve never imagined I could have gone to Japan if it wasn’t for these people meeting me and inspiring me to do more ” — Cameron Peagler (truhiro)

Latest episode of The Study Abroadcast

When you take all of your classes in a different language, it's pretty safe to say you're going to come out professionally fluent. That's exactly what happened for Sarah Eiden in this terrific interview I did from her time in Bologna, Italy.  “I’m definitely more open minded and patient with people who have a different world view than I do” — Sarah Eiden "She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, bit because she continued on despite them.” — Beau Taplin   SHOW NOTES Why Sarah chose Italy 🇮🇹 [1:34] (it went back to 2nd grade!)  How she chose Bologna, specifically 🧐 [3:54] All her classes were in Italian Scholarships and grants @ IU 💸 [5:45] “They’re giving money away!” A day in the life in Bologna 👩‍🏫 [7:41] Seeing the rest of Italy, like a true Italian + Spain and Austria 🧳 [11:30] Getting caught in a protest 👊 [12:09] Learning how to make pasta from the masters of pasta making 🍝 [16:30] Coming out ‘professionally proficient’ 🗣 [19:39] How studying abroad made Sarah more comfortable 😇 [21:04] Why Sarah decided to go to Indiana University 🎓 [25:46] Duolingo, Memrise, and Cram 📱 

“It’s so important to get out of what you know. It’s so important to try something new and have that fish-out-of-water experience while you’re young.” - Alison Healy Alison Healy is our first guest on the podcast that didn't study abroad. And like any good teacher, she morphs her story into a learning experience for pretty any other student going through the same thing she did.  It wasn't her fault...really! She got shot; with cupid's arrow. It ended up working out for the best, but I'll let Alison tell you the rest, herself. We also learn about Dominican University (@dominicanu), how they're a hispanic serving institution, and rival pretty much any school in the country as far as making study abroad accessible to their students.

“One week, being in another country, you’re going to forget about what everyone else is doing in the U.S., and you’re going to be having so many of your own adventures that you’re not going to be homesick at all.” — Lexa & Caroline (@sippin_sangria) This interview couldn't have come at a better time ⏰. Why? Because I just wrote a post about making lifelong friends abroad and Lexa Muehlbauer and Caroline ZuHone have done exactly that. It's really a great story, too: They were at the same school and didn't know each other; they went abroad, and then they did. A website ensued, and the rest is history.  If you're looking to learn Spanish, get lost, make friends, or start a travel blog you should listen to what these two have to say. We also get into what you should do after you graduate. I'm so glad I was able to get them on the show.  “I’m not lost, I’m just exploring”

Brielle (@briellesajz) is serious about fashion, and the breadcrumbs prove it. She's slowly making her way around Europe and determined to make a name for herself in the industry. She's interned at both PVH and LUCKY BRAND, has passion for art, travel, and food, and it all comes together in her interview. *Point of fact: It costs exactly €17 to get into the Louvre which = $19.05. (We were trying to figure this out 😂) Wine tasting, French politics, Portugal, riots, internships, and job searching are also covered.  “Lions do not lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.” - Anonymous

First Chile interview...on the board; thanks to Rachel! She's also are first finance major, too, so she's really checking off all the boxes. And honestly, in this interview this interview was pretty much cruise control. Rachel remembered her trip vividly, like she just got off the plane.  The Butler University alumnus is the current Study Abroadcast champion as far as length of time goes. I wish they were all this long. Thanks, Rachel! It's a great interview, too: Chile turns into South America South America turns into earthquakes Earthquakes turn into food Next we're talking about entering the workforce And finally she talks about her return trip to the exquisite continent "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" —Neale Donald Walsch SHOW NOTES Why Chile? 🇨🇱 [1:32] Where specifically in Chile? 🗺 [3:24] Moving around (and abroad) a lot as child 🚚 [5:07] Living in Australia from age seven to age nine 🇦🇺 [5:30] Going first semester, junior year 📆 [6:13] Scholarships, grants received 💸 [6:30] Setting up a direct exchange 💱 [7:15] What classes Rachel was taking 👩‍🎓 [8:05] Living situation and 'a day in the life' in Valparaíso 🏘 [11:45] Seeing the rest of South America 🦜 [18:02] Being grounded because of an earthquake 🛬 [23:10] Chilean cuisine 🥘 [27:42] Reineta fish & pisco sour 🐠 [28:53] Chilean wine and touring a vineyard 🍷🍷🍷 [34:03] Life after graduation 🎓 [35:38] How studying abroad helped rachel get gain employment 👩‍🔧 [36:27] Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island  📚 [41:10]  The EVERYGIRL 💻 [42:50] Rachel advice to perspective study abroad students 🙌 [44:19] Her recent trip to Ecuador 🇪🇨 [48:45] Revisiting Chile with her brother 👫 [51:56]

“Every aspect of our program is designed to immerse the student culturally, not only by staying with a home-stay, but also with all of our cultural activities and excursions.” - Monica Guajardo  Spanish language immersion in Argentina through SOL  📓 [1:36] Learning the city through public transportation 🚍 [3:54] Classes and weekly museum visits 🏫 [5:10] Vineyard tours and hiking in the Andes in Mendoza 🗻 [6:14] How SOL offers a high-quality, unique Spanish learning experience 🙏 [7:00] Yearning for empanadas and dulce de leche 🍮 [10:40] How to get started with SOL 📝 [11:24] Gaining confidence in speaking a different language because of studying abroad 💬 [12:52] Final advice for studying abroad and applying for scholarships 💰 [15:10]

“To be in a country where you don’t speak fluently and you struggle to express yourself [. . . ], it made me so sympathetic, empathetic for people who are in countries where they’re not a native speaker but they’re trying, because I never really knew how difficult it is to represent yourself in a natural way.” — Tiffany Ferguson (@tferg__) Tiffany Ferguson is hustling. She's got a wildly successful Instagram page (linked☝️),Youtube channel (linked👇), and Twitter account (linked right here) 👈 Tiffany hasn't graduated yet, but it seems like she has. She is a great example of blending your interests with your major, and how to have fun while you're doing it. If you want to graduate and have more than a piece of paper to show for it you should listen to this interview. TRANSFER STUDENTS!!!!! I transferred (twice) and so did Tiffany. She addresses the moving pains in her interview, but is happy she made the switch. Oh, I almost forgot...she studied abroad in France 🇫🇷, which is where her "mandatory baguette" picture above is from.  SHOW NOTES Deciding to study in France through ISEP ✈ [1:30]  Immersing in French Studies with the SUFLE program 📝 [7:19]  Sightseeing in and around France via Flixbus 🚌 [11:29]  Living out of a backpack while traveling 🎒[14:56]  Eating vegan in a culinary capital 🍞 [18:44]  Gaining respect for non-native speakers living in different countries 🙌 [20:43]  The troubles of transferring schools while studying abroad 😧 [22:47]  Future studies and the impact of studying abroad on her Youtube channel (166K subscribers and climbing) 💲[25:35] Media recommendations and final quote  📖 [29:15]  The Sky is Everywhere and I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson 📚 The Purple Palace 📺 Previously Gifted (Tiffany's Podcast) 🎙🎙🎙(Hooray for podcasts!)

The first interview I had with a student who studied abroad with Global Experiences was wildly popular. "Man, I wish I could get more interviews like that," I thought. As luck would have it, a few weeks later I ran into Melissa Buerkett at the annual IIE Summit in NYC, and we decided to get an interview on the books. Melissa's above quote is what Global Experiences (@globalexperiences) does. She explains it in greater detail in the interview, but I'll come out and tell you: "almost anywhere can set up an internship for you abroad, but not everywhere can match you with one that'll align with your strengths." — Chris Carlton  I don't know if you're aloud to quote yourself, but I just did 😊. The bonus is that the interview is peppered with Melissa's own global experiences that truly live up to the name of the company she now works for.

Nick Trifelos (@nick.triff) understood his international internship better than anyone I've interviewed to date.  He went against the grain and traveled to Europe with a friend. (Why not, right?!) Him and his accomplice strategically selected their study abroad location as if they were setting out to conquer Europe.  Mic drop 🎤

“We’re all about pushing people outside their comfort zones and really inspiring people to get out there and see the world, because we’re so passionate that travel can completely change your mindset and completely reinvigorate your life.” — Meg Jerrard Given that this a website that focuses on study abroad, it is only natural that you get students who are rather bullish on the subject. Many have studied abroad twice, I interviewed one student who studied abroad four times and is actually planning a fifth trip.  Meg Jerrard studied abroad three times. But as we learn in her interview, that was just the beginning. Meg has been fortunate enough turn her passion for travel into a career, and we actually hear how (and why) she was able to do it.  SHOW NOTES Transforming travels from a gap year in the UK to a full time career blogging 🛫✒️ [1:42] Post-graduation life while traveling and trying to keep a blog afloat 🎓 [5:21] Standing out by sharing accessible adventures 🧗‍♀️ [6:38] Planning for hobby vs business blogging 🗺 [8:10] Marketing and social media strategies for a successful online identity 👩‍💻 [9:54] Best food in the world in Italy with pizza, gelato, and wine all day 🍕🍨🍷 [13:49] Recommendations and final quotes 🙌 [15:03]

“I’m not going to say that every single day was easy during my time abroad . . . but looking back, the fact that I was able to persevere through those times is priceless to me.” — Erica Biagini I've interviewed many a student who studied abroad in Spain, but none that lived in Bilbao; a city with a population of 345,000 that's nestled in the north of the water surrounded country. "Cozy up with a good book" is how I'd describe Erica's interview. Only in this case, the book is your headphones and it's Erica on tape. She does a great job of telling multiple stories inside of her own story and we had a lot of fun doing this one.  My favorite part was her unsuccessful attempt to have a traditional Thanksgiving in Spain.  🦃not so much, so she had to settle for 🐓. I'm excited about the graphic 🎨that goes along with this interview, too. I've been weaving this theme into the interviews and articles and it deals with the selection process. “Everything that you need is already within you.” (“Todo lo que necesitas, ya esta dentro”)

I've been waiting a long time for this because I have heard only good things about this country and can't wait to go myself. Martina Mazzei studied abroad in Vietnam because her school actually has a satellite campus there. Her dorm came with a cleaning service, she was able to hop on the back of a motorcycle to get to class, and she got to see the entire country in all its beauty on the cheap. Thailand and Cambodia? ✔️ Sometimes schools just get it and it sounds like Loyola is one of those schools. After factoring in scholarships and cost of living Vietnam, Martina actually saved money by taking her trip. I know most schools won't have satellite campuses set up like this in Vietnam, if anything, listening to this interview will help you pick up a few pointers as you craft your own journey.  “Go forth and set the world on fire” - Loyola quote