I have learned many things so far about studying abroad, even though I haven't left the country. Here are a few tidbits that may come in handy for anyone else seeking this experience:
Paperwork
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of scouring every school's website (your home school, partner program school, and your destination school) for paperwork. You need to literally click on every link, read every page, and scope out every pdf file. Even after you have done all of this, you're still going to miss things. So, email or visit the international centers and your advisors about missing paperwork. Check every date associated to that paperwork, and make sure that it's in not on time, but EARLY. At least a few days, by my advice. Then, you will have time to email the receiver to make sure they got it. And before you turn anything in, copy it. Copy everything. Every piece of paperwork you turn in has the potential to disappear into a black hole, and as long as you have a copy, you'll be fine. I also found that much of the information I turned in came in handy when filling out later paperwork. For instance, I needed the course proposal list I turned in last April to fill out paperwork I did in October. I hadn't realized the importance of copying before I turned in my course proposal, and was given the run around trying to get another copy of it from the international center. I did, and everything was fine, but it could have gone smoother.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Talk to everyone you can about scholarships. Your academic, financial, and study abroad advisors at all the aforementioned schools are great resources for scholarship information. Also, talk to anyone who has previously studied abroad about who and where they got their money from. And if you are qualified, apply. I applied for 5 different scholarships, and only got 2, but that's far better than none. Don't be afraid to ask your professors for letters of recommendation. I know that I am highly guilty of this. I have an almost paralyzing fear of asking for recommendations, even though I have never had a negative experience. I remember pouring over each email request, double checking my grammar and spelling, and immediately assuming they would turn me down because of my GPA and lack of practical experience. But I sent them, and all three professors gave me great reviews (the scholarships requiring the letters were the scholarships I received!). Even if your professors don't know you that well, you can send them information about yourself, and they'll fill in the blanks.
Since you most likely will not cover the cost of the trip with scholarships and grants, loans are the next step. Once again, talk to everyone you know about loans, and make sure you understand the ramifications. I was unable to obtain a co-signer for my Sallie Mae loan, and thus have an absurd interest rate (which I may add, is variable). Just paying the interest alone is $100 a month... a sobering amount considering the fantasy I was living in prior to joining the crowd and entering debt. Speaking of which, even though almost everyone graduates their studies with gobs of debt, it is not something nonchalant. I felt like everyone around me was making debt into a lesser deal than it is. It is a serious ordeal and if you aren't able to make the payments at any time, you can become part of a downspiral that can affect your ability to purchase a car, a house, or own a credit card. In any case, it's up to you to make the decision. Just be ready for the sting of repayment.
Parents, Family, and Friends
Recognize that the people who care about you are going through this, too. My grandparents, who are my guardians, have been very hesitant in their support for my endeavors. And if I take it personally, it seems as if they don't care and would rather I just stay home. Yet, only half that is true. They care a lot. They are very fearful. I am the air they breathe, and I'm going half-way across the world for almost 5 months, basically by myself. I'm sure that they feel powerless in the situation, and that's the reason for their bitterness, so I just try to understand their point of view and NOT take it personally.
As far as the rest of my friends and family go, they have been overwhelmingly supportive (thanks, guys!). Yet, in my insatiability, I still tend to expect more excitement than what is solicited. I just remind myself that this is my trip, not theirs, so it is not something they can readily relate to. I have tried to contact as many past and future study abroad students in Australia as possible to share my feelings with, and that has been the greatest source of fuel for my excitement.
This is just some of the pre-departure advice I can give. I'll start blogging more regularly in the coming weeks, and offer more personal experiences. I may also start a video blog if there's interest.
Thanks for reading!
