While growing up my parents have always stressed to my older sister and I to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and to view situations that are thrown at us from different perspectives. I will now be putting these “life-lessons” into action by studying abroad this semester in Scotland. To some people, moving away from not only your hometown but also Lawrence, my second home, and moving to another country may sound scary to some people. I will be the first to admit that I am a bit nervous but I am definitely more excited than anything. After planning since January, my trip abroad is finally here and I cannot wait to take part in this enriching adventure.
If you are interested in studying abroad or curious about what goes into getting ready for a trip like this, then you are definitely in luck! While juggling school, extracurricular activities, and planning for my trip abroad my previous semester was stressful at times. I came up with a helpful list of things one should do before going or deciding to go abroad:
1. Plan in advance for any study abroad program you may choose. At the University of Kansas they have a study abroad fair for students interested in studying abroad, and almost any place you may want to travel to is represented there. I went to this fair my freshman year and it was helpful to see where I could and how much it would cost to get there. Also, it may be helpful to speak with someone that has studied abroad and with your family.
2. Make an appointment with your advisors. If you haven’t figured out that your advisors are an extremely important resources throughout college, then I guess you just did! Speak with an advisor in your department or in a department that you are interested in majoring in. They will be resourceful when it comes to choosing a program or finding out if you should go based off of strictly your academics. Then, make an appointment with an advisor in the study abroad office. Your study abroad advisor will be resourceful when it comes to choosing a program, gathering paperwork and being a contact back in the U.S. if a problem would arise while abroad.
3. Speak with the financial aid office and seek scholarships early. Sit down with the financial aid office to see if the trip you have chosen is in your price range/budget. Then, make sure everything is squared away before leaving. Also, there are scholarships available for a majority of the trips. Check with the financial aid office, the study abroad office and your department to see if you are eligible for them.
4. Book your ticket as early as possible and start getting ready to pack! I took a week or two to find the best deals and airlines to fly with. In fact I had multiple browsers open all at once to compare prices. Finally, being a girl, I was worried about what to pack and if I could pack 4 months worth of clothes into one or two suitcases, and come to find out it is doable. Being organized was key to my packing process. I would suggest making a spreadsheet or some type of list that lays out in detail what you are packing or any last minute to-dos you need accomplished before leaving.
After meeting with my advisors, creating multiple to-do lists, and one packed suitcase later I am finally ready to make my way to Scotland! I hope you all have a fabulous semester and I’m excited to update you all throughout my amazing semester in Scotland!