Spending Smart on the Road

Posted by BCSAadmin on 06/10/2019

By: Jaimie Cryder, University of Victoria, winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Europe

Without a doubt studying abroad has been the highlight of my undergrad. Over the last three weeks, I have had the opportunity to learn from experts in my field of interest; bond with my peers; and enjoy the unique cultural flourishes of each city I that I have visited. At the same time, studying abroad has not been cheap. After you make the initial investment in the course fees and plane ticket you don’t want to miss out on experiencing your destination because you are trying to pinch pennies. On the other hand, if you are not care...

Tags: University of Victoria Scholarship Winner Study Abroad Stories from Abroad Europe
Category: Student Blog
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Preparing My Amygdala for Studying Abroad

Posted by BCSAadmin on 06/10/2019

By: Pooja Bhatti, British Columbia Institute of Technology, winner of the spring 2019 BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Italy and Austria

There’s a part of the brain that gets activated when you’re about to enter something fearful: the amygdala.  It’s responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response. The day I leave to study abroad is getting closer; I find my amygdala to be on overdrive. 

In other words – I’m scared. 

Years ago, I filled out an application for a study abroad program and never submitted it.  But this time, I submitted my application at the earliest date possible. I bought my plane tickets as soon as I could.  Many...

Tags: Italy Study Abroad Scholarship Winner Stories from Abroad Europe
Category: Student Blog
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Setting Intentions

Posted by BCSAadmin on 06/04/2019

By: Jaimie Cryder, University of Victoria, winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Europe

Your flight is booked and you’ve started packing your bags. Now it is time to set intentions for your time abroad. Once you are on the road, time tends to speed up. Although this is my first field study experience, I expect this to be especially true when studying abroad. This is an exciting opportunity to learn in a new country; fully immersed in your subject of choice. However, deadlines do not cease to exist when you enter a new time zone. You don’t want to find yourself at that the end of your trip feeling like you could have g...

Tags: Europe University of Victoria UVic Stories from Abroad Scholarship Winner
Category: Student Blog
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A view of Tokyo Tower and the city skyline

No longer naïve in Nihon (Japan)

Posted by BCSAadmin on 05/28/2019

By: Bob Emmanuel Mulamba​, Simon Fraser University, winner of the BC Study Abroad: Stories from Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Destination: Tokyo, Japan

A lot has undergone within this past month of living in Japan. I believe that this exchange has offered lots of valuable experiences that will help shape my future professional career and potentially the rest of my life. I began my journey ready to surge forward into this brand-new world sprawling with the unfamiliar. I thought that I would need to change myself to fit in with the new process of life in Japan. However, in trying to fit in, I realized I was sacrificing a part of myself. I would shut off the sides of me which are ambitio...

Tags: Japan SFU Simon Fraser University Tokyo Study Abroad Stories from Abroad Scholarship Winner
Category: Student Blog
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