Got Application Jitters? Don't Worry Me Too

As are most applications, the study abroad application is a long and strenuous process to get through. Not to mention, this will be my first time traveling to another country and it has got me quaking in my boots. I hope that through this blog others who might be in the same shoes as me will find this helpful and what better to start out with than advice on how to get through the application process!

To start, the very first thing you should do is connect with any advisors that will be able to support you during the application process. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without my study abroad advisors here in USF. They certainly saved me many times during my application when it came to filling out forms correctly and making sure everything got in on time. Seriously, I definitely had a few close calls when it came to waiting for a form to be filled out and sent back to me. So definitely get in contact with whomever manages or advises the study abroad center at your school/location, and make sure to turn in all mandatory forms ahead of time just in case. 

Not to mention, I’m sure there will be a lot of added confusion on top of stress during the application process because I felt the same way. For this I have a Band-Aid cure- check and read the IES Abroad handbook. It does an excellent job of breaking down confusing instructions into understandable bitesize pieces. I can’t even begin to count how many times I referred to the handbook to get a better understanding of the instructions given to me. If all the information is readily available why not use it? 

So, you applied, got accepted, and are now ready to fly away to your abroad destination, right...Right?

Well not exactly, there is still a lot of preparation that goes into leaving your home country. For me that was taking my personal finances into account and mapping out what that money would be used for. To combat the stress of low funds and make it easier to figure out where my money would end up going, I had made a google spreadsheet to better visualize my earnings and spendings. It has been a great help in sorting out what I can and cannot spend on. I also made sure to jot down the currency exchange rate of the U.S. and my host country. Allowing me to have a better understanding of how much money I will be spending.

You might’ve figured out my destination based on my profile, but just in case you didn’t I will be going to Tokyo, Japan. Knowing this I have been doing meticulous research and planning to ensure everything runs smoothly. For me preparation had started well in advance, even before my official application. Some of the most valuable things that everyone should do is learn key phrases in the language of their host countries. Not only will it make your lives easier during your time in a foreign country, but it will also show you are making an effort to learn more about that specific place's culture. 

I myself took up three semesters of Japanese during my time at the University of San Francisco in preparation to go abroad to Japan. If you know some of the language you will feel a lot less stressed and more comfortable in the new and unexplored country. Though learning the language is not all you should do in preparation, oh no you also should learn about some of the history and culture that you will soon be immersing yourself in. For me that meant watching blogs about people's experiences, reading up on Japanese history, and finding various sources of information that goes in depth about daily lives in Japan. I have been trying to allocate a couple minutes each day to learn something about Japan before I even arrive. 

Key Take Ways: 

• Check in with your advisors
• Read the IES Abroad or Student Handbook 
• Get those Important documents in EARLY 
• Research your chosen destination ahead of time!
• Remember to breath and not get buried under that stress

I can’t wait to give more updates on my life abroad going forward and I hope at least a handful of people will find it helpful to whatever their future plans may be! :D