Tag: university of denver

Time to Reflect…

Published on by DU Abroad1 Comment

We loved this particular post by a DU student currently in Argentina… she made two really great points:

“Being the foreign exchange student here has made me feel super guilty for how I have viewed foreign exchange students at DU. Probably 20% of DU is foreign students from China, and a lot of them are cliquey, and I haven’t tried to make any friends with them. I’ve found it a pain to work with people in classes who don’t speak English as well, because I was solely thinking about my grades. But now I’m in that exact position as the weird foreigner who cliques with the other foreigners, sits with the rest of the US kids, speaks English with the other exchange students, and am the one nobody wants in their group for class because I can’t do as quality work. I will never again take for granted how hard it is to switch cultures and be the foreign exchange student, and the intercambios at DU deserve so much more credit from students at DU.  DU prides itself in their inclusiveness, but I don’t think you can really understand the meaning of this until after studying abroad in a country with a different culture, different language, different customs…”

Argentinian street
Argentinian street, Photo by Rachel Firmin

“… It’s a trade off, choosing to travel or immerse myself completely into the city. It’s two different ways of experiencing Argentina and progressing my Spanish, and although I’ve seen amazing views, I wish I could say I’ve made lifelong Argentinian friendships, because I really haven’t. The people in my program are amazing, and we are already talking about reunions, but I can’t say that I have connected strongly with the people of Mendoza. This is probably the one major flaw in my experience abroad.”

You can read the full post here.  

Managing Expectations

Published on by DU AbroadLeave a comment

expectations

Studying abroad is an exciting experience; to say the least. Every fall quarter, hundreds of DU students begin researching all of the great opportunities that the university has to offer through DU Partner Programs. There are programs everywhere from Canada and the UK, to Ghana and India, and everything in between. Once students pick their locations, they begin the long process of applying and preparing to spend a semester abroad. In all of the excitement and busy work, sometimes students forget to manage their expectations.

Here are a few tips on how to overcome the potential challenges that come with being abroad:

Picking a Program:

  • Keep in mind that you will call this country “home” for a few months, please pick a program carefully.
  • Consider the amenities  the country does or does not offer. For example, some countries are not as lucky enough to have hot showers or even constant running water. This can seem trivial now, but it is the small nagging problems that tear away at us when away from home.
  • Wifi is something that is catching on as more countries become more developed but it will probably not be the same in most countries.

Before Departure:

  • Products that are legal in other countries are different to those that are legal in the U.S. If you know that you may be allergic to some or that you prefer some U.S. products, consider taking them from here.
  • Pack small comforts for a “rainy day” like your favorite chocolate bar or pictures of friends. It is acceptable and normal to miss home.
  • Make a list of challenges and how you might overcome them. For instance, “I know that there will not be any Wifi in my home, I will get through this by reading a book for fun, or writing in a journal that I can later show my loved ones.”

While Abroad:

  • Try to get used to the idea that your host country is not worse or better in than the U.S. it is simply different.
  • If you find that you are only noticing the negative aspects of the country, make a quick list of five things you really enjoy about your host country.
  • If you feel like coming home because of the poor living conditions, consider the experiences you can have there that are not available in the U.S.
  • Remember that you have to adapt to the host country and their language, not the other way around.

Upon Return:

  • It is acceptable to appreciate the luxuries (like electricity) as soon as you are back, but also keep in mind the things you learned abroad,

In general, challenges abroad are different based on the country and the individual experiences of the student. Before considering coming home think about the opportunities that the countries abroad have to offer, and remember how lucky U.S. and DU students are to travel abroad. When you are faced with a challenge that you cannot change, take a step back and try to change your outlook on the problem.

Being abroad is difficult in many ways, but it is also a wonderful experience that we should try to get the most out of. If we manage our experiences before we leave, overcoming challenges while aboard will be much easier.

— Adrianna Romero, DUSA Peer Advisor