Category: USA

My Surprising Experience With Reverse Culture Shock

August 15, 2016

I’d like to shed some light on something I didn’t quite understand when I read it in the ISEP handbook: reverse culture shock. This term could seem odd to you. Especially when the handbook describes it as culture shock, but in your home country. If you haven’t experienced a study abroad semester or year, you may be thinking, “How on earth can that happen?” I’m used to my home country and the culture it possesses. How can I feel disoriented in my familiar surroundings? Well, it’s definitely a possibility. … More My Surprising Experience With Reverse Culture Shock

How To Get Involved On Your Host Campus

July 27, 2016

One of the most rewarding aspects of studying abroad is integrating into your host country: meeting people, making friends, participating in social events (or even joining a sports team) and feeling like you’re a part of your new community. At first, that can be a little tricky. Fortunately, many ISEP universities offer programs to help study abroad students feel at home. … More How To Get Involved On Your Host Campus

5 Tips for Using Technology to Your Advantage During Study Abroad

July 20, 2016

During my time as a British international student in the U.S, I’ve realized that using technology strategically has helped me become better immersed in my host community. At the same time, I’ve also learned the value of turning off my laptop and unplugging from my cell phone. Here is my advice regarding the use of technology during study abroad, picked up from my experience as a foreign national in the U.S. over the course of my undergraduate degree. … More 5 Tips for Using Technology to Your Advantage During Study Abroad

What You Can Gain From Studying Abroad

July 18, 2016

As many ISEP students prepare to depart on their educational travel adventures, some of our returned students share their newly-found international wisdom. ISEP student Matthew H. from University of Chester studied abroad at Whitworth University for a year to work on his international business major. Here he shares what you can gain from studying abroad. … More What You Can Gain From Studying Abroad

How I Started a Japanese Language Course on My Host Campus

July 1, 2016

Looking for a way to meet locals and make a difference on your host campus? Get involved in activities! You can even start your own, like ISEP alumni Ryotaro, a Toyo University student who studied abroad at Hendrix College. Here he tells the story of teaching Japanese on his host campus. … More How I Started a Japanese Language Course on My Host Campus

What I Learned From Studying Abroad in the United States

June 20, 2016

After four and a half months of studying abroad, I am back home in Italy. I can’t say I feel the same as when I left in January; staying abroad for a few months definitely changes you. Living within a different culture helps you to become a better person because you learn to see the world with different eyes. You learn to appreciate what you have, to value the people who are a part of your life and to enjoy every moment. … More What I Learned From Studying Abroad in the United States

9 Photos That Will Inspire You to Study Abroad

June 16, 2016

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a big-city lover or an overall adventurer, studying abroad offers endless opportunities. Visiting new places means more than just new sights and views. It means learning to be flexible when the train you planned to take is cancelled last minute, developing cross-cultural communication skills when you have to work through a language barrier, fostering independence through your first solo trip and so much more. But as this is all going on, the views are a great distraction. … More 9 Photos That Will Inspire You to Study Abroad

How The Tragedy in Orlando Will Impact My Study Abroad

June 15, 2016

I will soon step onto a plane and fly more than 5,000 miles away from my permanent home in Wisconsin to my new temporary home in Valparaíso, Chile. There haven’t been many times in my life I’ve been as excited as I am right now, attempting to imagine how different my life will be in just a few days. But simultaneously, I feel sad, scared and helpless because I’m beginning my international adventure as my home nation aches over the shooting in Orlando, Florida. This tragedy has broken hearts all across the United States, and mine is no exception. At this moment, there’s a call to action in this country. A call to contributing more than just “thoughts and prayers” to the cause. A call to honor 49 victims with real change. … More How The Tragedy in Orlando Will Impact My Study Abroad

When You Realize Studying Abroad Changed Your Life Forever

June 13, 2016

I still remember the day when I got selected to come to Eckerd College this semester. I was on the train and I started crying tears of joy and astonishment. I could not believe that my dreams had finally come true and I would come to this amazing college in Florida! Soon after I found out, I met another Italian who attended Eckerd with ISEP two years ago. I was surprised when he asked me if I was ready to study at Eckerd because it was going to change my life forever. I didn’t believe him at first but now, at the end of my experience here, I can honestly tell you that I have never heard something so true in my entire life. … More When You Realize Studying Abroad Changed Your Life Forever