Melissa Kreider - Travelography

...how do I feel about studying abroad? I have lived in Florence for 6 months, 26 weeks, or 182 days (but who is counting?). I am not the same person I was before, and I have changed. Better work ethic, different study habits, able to conquer public transport in one fatal swoop...but that's a completely separate blog topic.

If you, reader (is there anyone out there?), are thinking about studying abroad, I urge you to do it. There is never a more ideal time than now to up and leave everything familiar and relocate to a new country to further your studies. No matter your major, your career will benefit, and your character will do a complete One-Eighty. I sound like a broken record, but I don't care. Go to the Office of International Programs at UA or otherwise. Get a pamphlet, make an appointment. Get your passport. The world is your oyster or whatever. Just do it, already!

Oh, and money? With all respect, reader, do not give me your excuses of money. Scholarships and loans are completely worth the trouble; I know how expensive studying abroad can get. Need I drop the term 'invaluable experience' again?

So if you do end up studying abroad, my advice to you is this...

Do everything. Walk down every street, go on trips, don't stay in the city center, eat weird food, speak the language, and make friends with shopkeepers. Take buses. Volunteer. Don't sleep and see your new surroundings in the wee hours of the morning. Get up early and go to the market. Make it into a real, constant adventure.
Make connections with your professors. Get their emails, ask them about their lives, show them your portfolio. You will now have networking in another country that could further benefit you in the long run. Network and make friends. You never know who knows who.
Be humble. Do not assume that everyone speaks English, and if they don't, try anyway. Communicating through gestures can be embarrassing and hilarious for all parties involved. Get your eyes, ears, and mind open for cultural differences and accept them with grace.
Career-wise...take every oppourtunity handed to you. Even if something isn't completely aligned with your career/chosen path, do it anyway. Any experience is good experience, and it will get your name in people's heads.
Have fun! This talk of professors and careers is all quite serious. All in all, let yourself go and be spontaneous. Stay safe, but be dangerous. Don't play by the rules. Do what you want, because in the end, you'll regret that you didn't. Often when you allow yourself to have fun, that's when you learn the most.

As usual, there's more I could say, but above are my top five! I'm always available for more information if needed.

Ciao for now,

-m.