An interview with Indigo Baloch (BA Creative Writing and Journalism, 2017) by Sarah Bangley

Indigo studied abroad in Taiwan (Maymester 2016) and Japan (summer of 2016).

Sarah Bangley (SB): Did you receive any scholarships?

Indigo Baloch (IB): Because I took more than 6 credits I was able to use both my study abroad voucher ($1200) and the International certificate voucher ($1800), I also received a scholarship from from the institution I was studying at in Japan.

SB: Tell me about your experience—what did you enjoy the most?

IB: I loved all of the amazing things that were planned for our trip. On the Maymester to Taiwan, Dr. Kingsbury and Dr. Chung curated so many incredible experiences for us. And my program in Kyoto planned out so many field trips and club meetings—so I could get a very rich idea of the culture and area.

SB: Did you travel anywhere fun?

IB: Definitely! On both trips I had countless adventures! My favorite in Taiwan was going to the town of Jiufen. My favorite in Japan was going to the Ghibli Museum with a family friend.

SB: What do you miss?

IB: Everything—but especially the food!

SB: What large-scale challenges did you face?

IB: I did face a lot of exhaustion. There was a lot to do all the time and I wanted to do it all. However, especially once I started my program in Kyoto, I also had schoolwork to worry about. I wanted to do so many things, but my body couldn’t always keep up with me.

SB: What was the take-away from your experience? Do you feel like you’ve changed or grown?

IB: Definitely! I’m so thankful for my time abroad, and thankful to everyone who helped make it possible. Because of my experience, I’d love to teach in Taiwan or Japan some day.

SB: How did you discover your study abroad program?

IB: Dr. Kingsbury was the person who told me about the program at Doshisha University in Kyoto. And then the Maymester in Taiwan was planned facilitated by her. I couldn’t have done any of it without her.

SB: What words of advice would you give to a student considering the study abroad program?

IB: Think about your goals for your time abroad and sit down with Karin Chipman in the study abroad office.  If there are any gaps or problems, she can help! She will make sure you have the most perfect experience possible.

SB: Any final remarks?

IB: I’m so thankful to have gone to a school that really tried to promote studying abroad and I hope more students go for it too.

By Sarah Bangley, Chatham Undergraduate Student, ELP Intern

In the spring of 2016, Allison Albitz (‘17) studied abroad at Goldsmiths University, located in London. I sat down with her to talk about some of her experiences while in the UK.

SB: What did you enjoy the most?

AA: Being in the city was the thing I enjoyed the most. The whole geography of London is mapped into zones. One is the center of the city; we were in zone two, in Lewisham. I loved exploring and being able to go from quiet to bustling and back again.

SB: Did you travel anywhere while in Europe?

AA: I actually got to take a few trips. I took a tour to Stonehenge and stopped in Bath along the way— they had incredible Roman baths. I took a tour group trip to Ireland and visited Dublin and Galway. It was good and bad— I didn’t enjoy being in a group. I wish I could have just done it with friends, but I did get to see more of Ireland than I would have on my own. Our trip to Scotland was my favorite! We got to explore castles. That was one of the benefits of being in London: being able to travel to all of these places fairly inexpensively.

SB: What kind of classes did you take at Goldsmiths?

AA: I only took 4 classes while I was there. The Art of the Novel was a great lecture course in which we studied various novels, and it felt a lot like a class at Chatham. Modern American Lit was another English course, and I had a very interesting perspective to bring. It was more discussion-based, and I had a great time hearing about the impact American literature from an international perspective.

I took a course called London Theatre, which was made for study abroad students. Each week we saw a production at a different theatre in London, and it was a great opportunity to not only see various productions, but also experience different areas of the city. Finally, I took a class called Urban London in which we travelled to different parts of the city and learned about the histories of various areas. That too gave me the opportunity to go to places I wouldn’t have sought out on my own.

SB: What do you miss?

AA: The candy— that was one thing, especially with brands you can’t get here. I wanted to try as many authentically British things that I could. Anything Cadbury was always my favorite. I loved Wagonwheels— candy made with marshmallow and chocolate and cookie with jam in the middle— they blew my mind! Less specifically, I miss the free access to museums— my friends and I went to museums every weekend. I feel like that educated me a lot.

SB: What large-scale challenges did you face?

AA: I think I dealt with a lot of homesickness that I wasn’t expecting. I live in Dallas, so I already went to school far from home. I remember missing familiar amenities like grocery stores. Especially in the middle of it, two months in, it really hit.

SB: What small-scale challenges did you not expect?

AA: I think navigation was something that was definitely a learning curve as getting lost is not my favorite thing! I had to get more comfortable with getting lost since I was traveling so much. Also money— trying to figure out pounds (and pence!)

SB: What was the take-away from your experience?

AA: I generally learned a lot more just by being there than I did in the classroom— just a sense of self-sufficiency. I found myself very confident that I could go to an unfamiliar city, make friends, and navigate, just in the few months that I was there.

SB: What words of advice would you give to a student considering the study abroad program?

AA: Do it! I was terrified before I went. I was very anxious about the prospect of not knowing anyone in my program, but I ended up having experiences I never expected and made great friends. Don’t let fear stop you!

Use the resources that the University gives over there, because they’ll provide you with opportunities like trips and mixers that you wouldn’t get otherwise. Do the touristy things you want to do, but branch out and explore as well! We went to the big restaurants and museums, but we also went to the tiny restaurants nearby. And make sure you take a good camera!

by Jess Turner

Traveling alone to Grenoble, France changed my sense of self. Through this experience, I learned to become independent and strong. Everyday, I had to communicate in a new language.

At first, I didn’t have any friends, so I had a lot of alone time. In that alone time, I found a clear identity, and I began to admire myself. After a few weeks in the program, I was able to make friends. I established special connections with people from France, Saudi Arabia, England, South Africa, Mexico, and Spain. These are connections that I will maintain throughout my life.

By the end of the program, I was able to speak and understand the language with confidence. It is such an intimate experience, to be surrounded by a new and beautiful language. I miss hearing it, so, I am excited to go back this summer. I had such a life changing experience that I am currently looking into programs to teach and live in Grenoble. I fell in love with the city—the mountains, the people, the rivers, the food, the wine.

My host mom was a perfect match for me. Each night she made me a home cooked meal. She was very patient with my French, considering that I only speak at an intermediate level. She gave me the perfect amount of space, and she always invited me out with her friends and family.

One of my favorite parts about Grenoble was taking the tram every morning to my university. The ride took about 10 minutes and along the way, I watched the mountains pass by and listened to the people around me chat quietly in French. Altogether, studying abroad changed my life. I wish that I could have stayed longer than 6 weeks, but I am sure that one day, I will call Grenoble home.

Jess Turner studied in France in spring 2017.  When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

by Christin Cook

One of my very first impressions of Thailand was how different the transportation was from that found in the United States.  After disembarking from the plane, after far too many hours spent awake, the hour-long drive to Salaya provided me with a dizzying view from my window.  This impression was reinforced during my semester there, as well as my time spent traveling to other regions in Southeast and South Asia.  I wanted to share some of the interesting modes of transportation I saw during my 5 months in Asia.  This list is by no means comprehensive, but it gives a glimpse to the eclectic and always interesting mix that can be found, from the gravelly back roads to the massive highways.

Motorbikes

Motorized Food Stalls

I quickly found that many of the best restaurants in Thailand could roll away on a moments notice.  Most street stalls have wheels but the level of power greatly differs, for example, some are attached to motorbikes and others to bicycles.

Auto Rickshaws

Auto rickshaws, or Tuk Tuks were ubiquitous in all the countries I visited.  They can be a fun way to see a new city, but keep in mind they vibrate intensely and offer no protection from the often-horrendous traffic pollution.

Cars

I saw a huge variety in the types of cars driven in Southeast Asia.  In Thailand, I found that the majority was in very good repair, sometimes more so than in my home city it seemed.  This is a picture of the old fashioned white cars that appeared to be popular among politicians in India.

This is an image from the New Year’s water celebration in Laos, in which people both in and out of the cars douse each other with water.

Buses

This is a typical bus that I would take to classes in the morning.  The doors did not function anymore, which was nice as it provided a breeze on hot mornings.  Large buses, often double decker, were also very common for tours and trips both domestic and international.

This is an image from a University club field trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand with Thai and other international students.

Boats

Waterways remain an integral part of everyday life in Southeast Asia, whether for transportation, shipping, or recreational purposes. In central Bangkok, boats carry passengers and cargo through the canals.

In this image you can see brightly painted boats that carry passengers from the mainland to smaller islands off the coast.

And in this image, rows of boats are moored along the sleepy Mekong River.

There are so many more that could be added to the list…from the crowded overnight buses, to the speeding vans, to the converted pickup trucks, Southeast Asia has it all.  To me, this fascinating variety seems entirely at home among the vibrant, often chaotic, bustling everyday life that attracted me from my very first day there.

Christin Cook studied in Thailand in spring 2015.  When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

Although some study abroad programs have a set housing arrangement, some programs offer students a choice of housing. These options may include a homestay, dormitory or student apartment.  How do you choose the right option for you?

You should carefully consider your study abroad goals before making a housing choice. There are pros and cons to every option.  Note that standards of living vary by country.

Homestay/ Living with a Family

 This is a good option if your goal is to increase your language proficiency and/ or experience the local culture in an informal setting. Living with a family will provide insights you would be unlikely to obtain in other housing options.

 Accept differences between your host family and your family at home with an open mind. There will be an adjustment period, but try to get involved in their lives and to contribute to the household.

 A small gift for your family is nice gesture. Ideas: US calendars, chocolate, small toys for the children (not too noisy).

 Check with your family before giving out their phone number, address, or inviting guests over.

 If you smoke, check with the family regarding rules for smoking in the house. If you are a non-smoker be aware that in some countries, there are more people who smoke.

 Use electricity and hot water conservatively. Utility costs are much more expensive abroad.

 Communicate your travel plans with your host family, especially if you are going to miss meals.

 If you have concerns about your host family, talk to your on-site resident director.

 Residence Halls/Student Apartments

 Students who are used to having the freedom to come and go as they please, stay up as late as they’d like, and have guests at all hours may prefer student apartments or dormitories.

 Accept differences between you and your roommates with an open mind.

 If you smoke, discuss rules for smoking with your roommates. Non-smokers should be aware that more people smoke abroad than in the US.

 Consider establishing rules for overnight visitors, cleaning, etc., before it becomes an issue.

 Be considerate of others and communicate respectfully when differences occur.

When deciding on housing, students should assess and prioritize factors like commitment to cultural immersion, importance of meeting the local community versus importance of meeting other students, as well as their dedication to the language, No matter what decisions are made,

When will you study abroad?  For more information about study abroad options, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.

by Karin Chipman, Study Abroad Coordinator

In December, I had the pleasure of participating in a five-day Higher Education Workshop jointly sponsored by the Embassy of Spain -Trade Commission Miami and Eduespaña (Study in Spain).  This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with many institutions, visit numerous Spanish campuses, and learn more about what Spain can offer Chatham students.

The workshop began in the capital of Spain and its largest city, Madrid.  The first order of business was an official welcome from the US Embassy and the Spanish Trade Commission.  Next, over the course of long two days, along with study abroad professionals from thirteen other US schools, I met with institutions and language schools from all over Spain.   Each Spanish institution had twenty minutes to explain what makes their school unique and why Chatham students should study with them.

In the afternoons we toured local campuses in Madrid, including the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija (http://www.nebrija.com/), which offers some unique English courses during summer and semester study  as well as a Spanish and internship option for a minimum of two months.

Midweek we traveled to Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region. There we visited several institutions, including the Universitat de Barcelona (www.eh.ub.edu), founded in 1450 by King Alfonso V.  Our group was lucky enough to visit the university’s Special Collections library and view rare and beautifully illustrated medieval texts.

On our last day in Catalonia we traveled south to Tarragona, a picturesque city from the Roman era, and the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (http://www.urv.cat/en/).  In addition to touring the city’s ancient ruins, we visited the university’s conservation laboratory and saw paleontological artefacts from their research sites in Spain and other parts of Europe and Africa.

Obviously, Spain is a great location to learn or improve your Spanish. More and more, however, even if students haven’t studied Spanish, there are many opportunities to study various subjects in English.   As just a few examples:

At the Universidad de Deusto in Bilbao (www.cide.deusto.es), students can study business, international relations, culture and Spanish language courses.

At the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville (https://www.upo.es/intl_EN/Programs/Hispanic_Studies/courses/index.jsp), students can study business, communications, science, and history in English, as well as study Spanish at every level.

And at CETT, the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy of the Universitat de Barcelona (www.cett.es), courses are offered in English in culinary arts, business, leadership and sports management.

I studied in Spain myself when I was an undergraduate and the country was just as welcoming on this visit as when I was a student.  Spain is an affordable destination compared to most of Europe, Spanish people are very friendly and the food is delicious.  Do yourself a favor and study in Spain!

When will you study abroad?  For more information about studying in Spain or other study abroad options, study abroad vouchers, scholarships and the study abroad process, please contact internationalaffairs@chatham.edu or visit us at the Office of International Affairs in Falk Hall, lower level.