Nov
27

How I got accepted by my first choice

admin on November 27th, 2011

I am addicted to traveling, but I refuse to compromise when it comes to my education and career.

Ever since I was in junior high, I haven’t gone a single year without traveling for at least two months. My parents were in the military, so we moved around a lot, but even so, I always wanted to be on the road. Throughout college I traveled as well, changing schools a few times and also leading a bunch of student tours and study years abroad. I decided early on in my college career that I wanted to be a nurse, and the next logical step was to pursue a career as a traveling nurse.

Traveling nurses are in high demand, and the jobs pay well. I had offers from several traveling nurse agencies before I had graduated, but before I had accepted any of them, I realized that I also wanted to lead and manage other nurses – something that I enjoy and which comes naturally to me. Traveling nurse managers are in even greater demand, and the pay is that much better. I needed a graduate degree in nursing. Problem was, I was committed to a semester studying in Portugal – the exact semester I needed to be applying to and interviewing for graduate nursing programs. How was I going to get into a top nursing school in the U.S. from 3000 miles away?

But I got accepted into my first choice anyway. Here is the story of how it went. First of all, sites like Best Masters in Nursing are a God-send. This site gave me a quick understanding of what I’d need to do to apply, and it also gave me a number of schools that met my criteria in a graduate program. First and foremost, I needed to be able to complete my degree quickly without compromising the quality of education. This meant finding a program with top notch faculty and facilities, and of course an excellent reputation.

I made a short list – my top 3 choices. Then I contacted the directors of admission at each school and explained the situation. I was able to make long distance calls via Skype from Portugal. (I don’t own a cell phone and didn’t have a land line.) Fortunately, 2 of them were very sympathetic to my situation, and they made reference to other students being in a similar situation – applying from abroad, and then attending without having visited the campus.

One of the programs had a significant number of students who went on to leadership positions as a traveling nurse. As a matter of fact, one program had students who were working in a nearby city in Portugal. I met several of them for coffee one day, and we hit it off. We had so much in common! I was fortunately that one of them was influential with the admissions committee. It wasn’t a slam dunk, but I did end up getting into my first choice.

Although I briefly flirted with the idea of enrolling in a top online nursing masters program, ultimately I was glad I pursued an on-campus option. I had the flexibility of traveling between semesters, and while school was in session, I was focused 100% on my studies and wasn’t distracted by adventure. So for all of you out there who think that applying and getting into grad school while you’re abroad is an impossibility, I am living proof that it’s possible. Persistence and creativity are key.

Our guest blogger, Vera Young, calls Scottsdale, Arizona home when she’s not traveling the globe.

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Jun
23

Go All-Inclusive

admin on June 23rd, 2011

If there’s one good thing about the spring semester in college (besides the summer break that soon follows it) is Spring Break – a whole week away from classes, the library, long lectures, and homework!

Most students want to get as far away from campus as possible and often opt for warm-weather regions where they can bask in the sun,  swim in the ocean, or just have some fun.  For those of us who can only dream of laying poolside or wearing shorts and tank tops during the winter when the air is too cold for comfort, we need an escape. And Spring Break comes right in time.

If you’re ready for a big trip and want to travel internationally, there are a lot of great places that many students call home during the springtime. According to Student Break Direct and Student Universe, here are some of the top destinations for Spring Breakers who want to travel outside of the U.S.:

Cancun, Mexico
Negril, Jamaica
Acapulco, Mexico
Nassau, Bahamas
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The good thing about planning an international trip to places like Mexico, the Bahamas, or the Dominican Republic is that tourism is one of biggest industries for these regions, so their facilities are top-notch and all-inclusive trips are quite common. Choosing this type of travel is really a good deal because once you arrive at your destination, you don’t have to worry about transportation to and from the airport, extra expenses for food and drinks,  or for any amenities around the resort like room service, or extra beach towels or chairs. Some even include fun activities  like Zumba, water aerobics, yoga, towel folding, or dance lessons as part of the deal.

Most resorts have a lot of different options for dining, so don’t think you’re going to be eating the same thing for every meal throughout the week. Usually, the resorts have a number of different restaurants catered to different types of cuisines and they vary from buffet-style eateries where you can wear your board shorts and flip flops  to white tablecloth tables where  formal attire is requested.

If you’re more of the adventurous type and staying on the resort for a full week makes you want to pull your hair out, many of the resorts also offer excursions to nearby places where you and your friends can swim with dolphins, parasail, snorkel, visit historic sites, or even go shopping at some local markets and malls. The resort has employees who specialize in booking these sorts of trips, so you won’t have to worry about planning ahead or finding information on your own. They are usually locals who know the ins and outs of the area and can direct you to reputable places where vacationers always have a great time. The excursions can be anywhere from just a few hours to a whole day, so you can easily find one that matches your needs and that fits into your schedule as well.

As with any vacation or travel experience abroad, it is important to use safety precautions to ensure that in the event of an emergency, you can get the help you need. With the increased use of EMR, or electronic medical records, you should be able to easily access your files from wherever you are,  but it would be a good idea to have a list of all allergies and medications that you may be taking in case of an emergency. Hopefully you won’t have to worry about any of this, but in the unfortunate even that something happens, you want to be prepared.

If you and your friends are ready to pack your bags and head outside of the U.S., be sure to look into booking an all-inclusive trip to one of the top spring break hot spots. What may initially seem like a big amount of money to spend all at once, you will see that an all-inclusive is a great option to cover all of your expenses in one shot. You will definitely not be disappointed!

 

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Jun
21

Fairy Tales Do Come True

Amanda on June 21st, 2011

Reflecting back on our childhood, we all can recall the times when we were kids thinking that the opposite sex had cooties and pushing our crush on the playground meant we liked them.  As years passed and we grew older, that sensation of disgust turned into interest.  Our interest slowly transformed into like, and eventually to the purest emotion we can possess: love.  The evolution of our heart is a hodgepodge of trials and tribulations and times of absolute bliss.  Just as our heart is in a constant state of motion, both literally and figuratively, new media is also advancing.  In today’s world, it has been a widespread concern that media has changed the way we fall in love.  Rather than helping people find love, it has been criticized for being the root of many problems in relationships.  However, Skype, a form of VoIP technology, has revolutionized communication in long distance relationships.  It bridges the separation gap so that long-distance dating is no longer something to fear, but to embrace.

Speaking from personal experience, I had always been a love pessimist growing up.  I never experienced the allure of having a pre-teen fling, a summer love affair, or a high school sweetheart.  Instead I sat on the sidelines as I watched my friends and sister experience the joys and woes of make-ups and break-ups.   I dismissed my mother’s lectures on finding Mr. Right, but one piece of advice that always resonated in me was that when I do find love, to never let it slip by me.  Little did I know, I was a 21-year-old stuck with the same childish love mentality that I thought I grew out of years ago.  However, mothers know best, and my heart and outlook on love did catch up to me; I found the fairytale ending I always wanted but never knew I could have.

My storybook romance all began when I traveled to Rome, Italy for my college semester abroad.  Upon my arrival, I met a man by the name of Joe, and as fate would have it, he happened to be studying in my same program.  Before I knew it, our relationship went from two friends exploring the streets of Florence together to a couple standing hand in hand in front of the Trevi Fountain as we exchanged the sweetest sounding three words in the English language: “I love you.”  The four blissful months that we spent together flew by, but we cherished each fleeting minute by traveling the world and falling passionately in love.  I felt so far removed from reality as I drifted higher and higher on my own cloud 9, but gravity took hold, and at the end of the semester, I was pulled back down to Earth as our departure day arrived.

As I sat on the plane to London, I laced my fingers with his and gripped so tight as if I never wanted to let go for the entirety of the flight.  While I struggled to fight back the tears, I stared down at the bracelet that Joe gave me as a reminder of him.  As touched as I was by his heartfelt gift, deep down I knew that I did not need a reminder of him because I would never forget him, and thanks to Skype, I could see him as much as my heart desired.

People always say how hard long-distance relationships can be and that the separation strains even the strongest bonds.  I do not deny that long-distance relationships require a certain amount of give and take, but that can be said for any relationship regardless of distance.  Falling in love is one of the best experiences in life and to give up on it due to separation is no longer a sufficient excuse when the core of our world centers on staying connected thanks to innovative technologies such as Skype.

New media devices are criticized for creating a sense of disconnect from the world as people retreat into cyber bubbles rather than engaging in personal interaction.  Skype, on the other hand, blends the two worlds together as it allows you to have that face-to-face interaction via the convenience of a computer screen.  Thanks to Skype, my Roman romance remains as strong as ever back on U.S. soil.  From halfway around the world, back to my Philly roots, I never have to be without the man I love because when it comes to matters of the heart, love transcends any measure of distance.

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Jun
21

Student Travel Organizations

admin on June 21st, 2011

As college students, we want to get out and explore the world, see all of “the sites”, meet new people, and have fun – and we have grandiose plans to do so! And then we check our bank accounts, and then we realize the problem.

While traveling extensively on a student budget sounds more like an oxymoron than a reality, there are some really great ways to follow through with our world explorer plans for a reasonable price.

Student travel organizations are some of the best ways to go to great places all over the globe and make new college-aged friends from around the country while still staying on budget. Of course, you’re still going to have to save up for most of these trips, but they’re definitely the best deal out there. It’s almost like going on an all-inclusive vacation; most of the companies offer one price that includes all airfare, hotels, some meals, and admission to all of the great attractions that you’ll get to see on the trip. Can’t get much better than that!

Here are some well-known student travel companies:

EF College Break
Whether you want to go to Europe, Asia, down under to Australia, or even stay here in the U.S., EF College Break has awesome trips for college students aged 18-26, ranging anywhere from a week to 35 days. I can say from personal experience that this company is awesome and runs really amazing tours. Last summer, I went on their “Europe Up & Down” tour, and for 18 days I traveled through 5 different European countries (The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, and Greece) and had the time of my life! All of their trip itineraries and prices were listed online, so it was easy to browse through and pick the one that was best for me. Once I had booked it, I was able to make monthly payments ahead of time so I wouldn’t have to shell out a big chunk of money all at once. One of the best parts about it was that the price they advertised included all of my flights, hotels, transportation in and between countries, one meal a day, and tickets to really awesome attractions like The Louvre, the Vatican museums, and a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. There was a lot already planned for us, but we also had a lot of free time where we could go out and explore on our own. Right from the start, the company set everything up and kept me up to date with flight information, hotel locations, and helpful emails about what to bring and what to expect when on the tour. When I arrived, I was part of a group of about 40 other students from all over the U.S. and I made some really great friends that I still keep in touch with. I would highly recommend a trip with EF!   *See that picture above? That’s me (in front) with my friends on the EF trip in Rome!

 

Contiki Tours
Contiki is another great travel service for young adults aged 18-35 with trips all around the world. It seems like they know they’re dealing with the budget conscious; they have domestic and international trips for under $1000 and they also offer discounts for repeat Contiki travelers, booking more than one trip at a time, members of our military, and making early payments.  A little searching on their website reveals that some of the prices do not include airfare, so be sure to read all of the details before booking based solely on price.

 

Academic Travel Abroad (ATA)
ATA offers educational trips abroad for everyone, from children to adults, to many places around the world. From their website, it seems as if their travel experiences are loaded with fun things to do and are filled with education along the way. You can go “Digging with the Dinosaurs” or travel through national parks while learning all about the history and culture associated with each place.

 

StudentTravel.net
This online travel company offers a lot of domestic adventures and international trips to Europe and Mexico. What’s cool about them is that if you’re traveling in a group,  they will customize a trip for you based on your interests. They also have special trips for sports fans that takes you on a tour of many of the most well-known sports stadiums and towns, and for those who enjoy the performing arts, you can also go on their specialized tours that go to Broadway in New York or even on cruises.
Now go out and explore the world!

 

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Jun
15

Decisions Decisions…

admin on June 15th, 2011

When making the decision to study abroad, students have a tough time figuring out whether or not it is something they would truly like to do. After all, it is a large investment regarding time, money, and dedication. Besides just having the proper resources, one must be ready to be officially on their own in a new territory.

If you decide to study abroad, you might want to start saving some money, which you could use towards flights, accommodation and important reading material. Why not start by browsing one of the various price comparison websites such as Love Money or a last-minute deal website. They help you find the best available deal for all kinds of products and services, from flights to insurance plans. 

The first obstacle you will need to overcome is funding. Without enough money, you’re not going anywhere. If you or your family can/will pay for the session out of pocket, the burden is lifted rather easily. However, many students aren’t so fortunate. If you have enough time to plan ahead, it’s possible to work and save up some cash. However, most fulltime students don’t have the time to save up this kind of money. A popular option involves utilizing student loans. After calculating all necessary expenses (don’t forget to include spending money), apply for student loans. Exhaust all state and federal grants before doing this. You may end up getting more money than you were even aware of. The less loan money you need, the better off you will be with interest payments in the long run.

Besides making sure that funding will be successfully handled, it’s also important to consider whether or not this is the best educational experience. When choosing a school to study at, make sure they have the program you are interested in. Also, if you are not relatively familiar with any other languages, choosing an English-speaking school is important. It’s going to be hard enough not knowing the customs/culture, so communicating effectively is important.

Set up a plan to keep in touch with your friends and family. Essentially, you’re probably so excited for the trip that you think, “I’m not going to miss being home at all!” However, once you get there and things start to sink in, the feeling of loneliness and homesickness might start to creep up on you. Bring something that makes you feel at home, like your favorite stuffed animal or sports poster. Also, be sure to devise a system to talk with people from home. You can purchase a specific phone or calling card, or plan to remain in contact with a VoIP system, Skype being a popular choice.

Lastly, do your research! Odds are, you’re going to know the exact place you will be studying months before your departure. Take the days leading up to look up interesting attractions, places to eat, and specific customs. You don’t want the culture shock to be so intense that you’re running home crying after the first week.

Studying abroad can be an amazing experience in several different ways. Primarily, you get to have an educational experience that you will be able to learn things you couldn’t have learned by remaining stationary. Also, expand your world socially by meeting people you never would have even come in contact with. Perhaps after graduation, networking with contacts you met abroad could have an impact on your future career. Never take for granted an experience of a lifetime.

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Jun
7

Aruba, Jamaica…

admin on June 7th, 2011

You can’t sit still in class, can’t focus on your teacher. You’re dreaming of beaches, exercising more than usual, compulsively ordering swimsuits and flip flops in every color, and spending all your free time rubbing on tanning lotion.  You’ve fallen behind on your homework, can’t comprehend even the most simple of math problems, and can’t get past your name when writing a paper. You research more about airlines than schoolwork and check the weather more than your email. Your camera is on its charger and your suitcase is mentally packed.

Must be almost time for Spring Break. Well you obviously cannot wait to put on your sunglasses, so what are your plans? With so many places to choose, how can you ever pick just one!

Bodies in the sand

The first thing to take into consideration is your age. If you dream of little umbrella drinks and you’re only 20 then you better look into getting out of the country. Likewise, if you’re only 19 and you’ve got your heart set on slot machines, then your destination choices are restricted to the states that allow under 21 gambling. Being under 21 years of age in the US not only effects drinking and gambling, but could also affect your ability to book a hotel room. Select hotels and beach house rentals set an age of 23 or higher to avoid the damage or noise that can be caused by students who use their vacation as an audition for MTV. Likewise, if you plan on flying to your destination, many companies do not let you rent cars if you are under the age of 25.

Tropical drink melting in your hand

Probably the most troublesome hurdle for any student’s vacation is money. We all know that there is never enough. Here are some ways to be thrifty while still getting your fun in the sun:
*Look for vacation packages. Some tropical resorts are all inclusive, including airfare. Some historical cities offer hotel/attraction packages. Check travel sites for hotel/airfare packages.
* Bond with your family. Ask if Mom and Dad will take their family vacation during your Spring Break. You get to go on vacation, they get to pay.
*Drive instead of fly. It may be longer and more of a hassle, but it can save you money and be a great time with your friends.
*Camp instead of getting a hotel. Camp grounds are cheap and you can cook your own food. Sleeping on the ground for a few nights is worth the hundreds of dollars you’ll save.
*Look into a cruise if you want to see multiple locations in one vacation. For one price, you get a room, transportation, and several destinations.
*Visit a friend or relative. If you know someone that lives far away, take this opportunity to visit them. You get to reconnect, explore a new place, and save money on sleeping accommodations.
*Choose whether the location or the attraction is more important to you. If you love the beach, it’s free, so you can spend the money on airfare to California. If you are dying for the thrill of a high-priced amusement park, skip the long trip and hit one closer to home.

We’ll be falling in love

Next you have to decide on your location limitations. How much time did you give yourself to plan this vacation? Is there time for you to get a passport or any other materials you might need? If you live very far north and want beach weather, you’ll need to make sure you travel considerably south. Can you afford airfare? If not, your destination needs to be within driving distance; taking into account that you only have a certain amount of days off and you don’t want to spend them all on travel.

To the rhythm of a steel drum band

Last but not least, figure out what you want to see when you get there. Are you looking for history, nature, adventure, relaxation, nightlife, or culture? Don’t forget to keep current events in mind when choosing your destination. For example, you wouldn’t have wanted to plan for a New Orleans get away in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina or a Cancun resort stay during the Swine Flu epidemic. A little research can help you find the destination that will give you the perfect Spring Break vacation.

Down in Kokomo

Research, book, then get those midterms done because soon you’ll be lying in the warm sun with a cold drink and your textbooks far behind you.

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Jun
7

Tips for a memorable study abroad experience

admin on June 7th, 2011

Going abroad? Here’s a few things to remember while you’re there!

Take pictures…lots of them
Yes, you will look like a typical tourist, but isn’t that what you are? Whether you’re in Austria for 6 months or New Zealand for 6 weeks, studying abroad is going to be the trip you’ll never forget. Still, sometimes (and, eventually, often times) your memory will fail you, so take more pictures than you know what to do with. Take pictures of scenery, buildings, you and your friends, even seemingly silly things like your dorm/apartment or the bus/train you often take. Someday you will be glad you did, and your family and friends will love looking through them!

Try the local food
Studying abroad is all about stepping outside of your boundaries and experiencing new things, right? As unappetizing as some (or all) of the local fare may seem, try each and every different type of food at least once, especially the popular ones. Food is an essential component to any region’s culture and eating it, or at least trying it, is crucial to having an authentic study abroad experience. Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite food!

Bring home souvenirs
Even if it’s just free promotional products or brochures from places you visit, collect as many physical objects as you can to commemorate your trips. Years from now you will be able to put that Roman Coliseum replica you bought in Rome or that kangaroo water bottle you got in Melbourne on your desk at the office to remind you of your amazing study abroad experience. Also, while your family and friends will certainly want to see your pictures, showing them a brochure from a museum or giving them a keychain from a beach town you visit can make them feel more like a part of your experience.

Stay in touch, but don’t miss out
Of course you’ll want to stay in touch with your family and friends as much as possible, especially when you’re feeling homesick, but don’t let that get in the way of the experience. Sometimes you’ll feel like you just need to videochat with your best friend from home, which is completely normal. However, do not pass up the opportunity to go explore the city you’re in with the rest of your roommates and/or friends. You’ll never be able to experience these few weeks/months again, so make the most of them!

Remember, it’s still school
Yes, you’re going to be having the time of your life exploring a new country and culture with new friends, but don’t forget that it’s still called studying abroad. You’re going to have homework, sometimes a lot of it, so prepare accordingly. And, unlike back at your American school, you probably won’t have much (if any) time during the weekend to get any work done, nor should you. We recommend making your studies a larger part of your Monday-Thursday (or Monday-Wednesday if you like to start your weekend early) routine and leaving your weekends as free as possible so you can travel and experience the foreign country you’re living in.

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Study abroad No comments »
Jun
6

Where should you study abroad?

admin on June 6th, 2011

So you’ve decided to study abroad, but with so many options of where to go, which one is best for you?

Your heritage
One factor to take into consideration is your heritage and lineage, and this can be considered in a few different ways. For example, if your family is mostly Italian, you may feel naturally drawn to studying in Rome or Florence to experience the culture and feel a connection to your family history.

On the other hand, you may already be somewhat familiar with your family’s country or countries of origin, and in this case perhaps you would prefer to experience something completely different. Maybe your family is German and Irish, but you would much rather experience studying abroad in Southeast Asia or Australia. It’s all about preference, so do a little research on your family history before you make a decision on where you want to study.

Experience with a foreign language
Along the same lines, if you are at least somewhat familiar with a foreign language, such as Spanish or German, you may want to study in a country where that language is spoken. Having at least a base of the language will help you become fluent faster, and this can make your study abroad experience that much more rewarding. Having a resume that tells your prospective employer that you are fluent in a foreign language can help separate you from the pack.

Your major
Another factor to consider is what you’re studying in school. A business major may feel drawn to Southeast Asia, where many Asian businesses (especially in the tech industry) are thriving, while an art major may prefer to study Renaissance classics in Europe or ancient works of art in Africa. Getting the perspective of studying the same subject in a very new environment and with a different perspective can enrich your education and help you separate yourself when it comes to applying for internships and jobs. Also, making connections overseas, especially with increasing globalization in the business world being so evident, can be a major asset for you as you enter your professional career after graduation.

What do you want to experience?
Finally, you need to decide what type of experience you want to have. Do you want to be able to travel and see a wide variety of countries and cultures? Perhaps you should consider studying somewhere in Europe, where you can see at least a dozen countries if you plan efficiently. If you’d prefer to be able to go to the beach, or if you’d prefer to experience the different cultures within a single country, perhaps Australia or New Zealand is a better option for you. And, if you want to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, perhaps your best fit is a country in Central/South America or Africa. If you’re feeling adventurous and love being on the water, consider a “Semester at Sea” program.

With such a wide variety of study abroad programs available, make sure you weigh each of these factors carefully before selecting where you want to go. Remember, you’re spending a few weeks, a few months, or even a whole year in this place, and you want to make sure you have the best experience possible!

What factors did you consider when you made your choice to study abroad? Leave us a comment!

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Study abroad No comments »