ISEP student Rachel B. from University of Montana studied anthropology in Malaysia at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. She gives us snippets of how she’s adjusting to three important factors – food, friends and family. … More How to Adjust to New Cultures While Studying Abroad
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
The majority of students who study abroad with ISEP tend to be undergraduate students. ISEP student James N. is an exception to the norm. He is a graduate student from Arkansas State University spending a full year studying history at Universidad Americana in Nicaragua. James shares a few snippets of advice on how to prepare for a year abroad as a graduate student, manage homesickness and have fun in your host country. … More 3 Tips for Graduate Students Studying Abroad
We asked Linda, ISEP Coordinator at American University of Sharjah, to dispel some misconceptions people may have about the Middle East. … More Myth Busting the Middle East
Coming into a new country from the United States was quite the culture shock. I came to Great Britain: a country that speaks the same language and just drinks much more tea, right? Wrong. My first week here was just a blur of back and forth questions between myself and my new British friends. I never realized how many difference there are in our cultures until I spent some time here. What was even more shocking was the fact that they thought things about the United States that I would never have expected. I’ve been asked three different times if high school is like High School Musical! I decided to ask around and find out what students from these countries really want to know about one another. I ended up sending five questions out to university students from each country to find out what exactly we think of each other. … More American and British Stereotypes: A Cultural Exchange
Studying in Milan has been wonderful. After a month, I can definitely say that these are the top five biggest culture shocks that I have experienced while living in Italy. … More Top 5 Culture Shocks in Italy
On my flight to Edinburgh, I reflected on what I wanted to achieve in my time studying abroad. I have been relatively successful so far in exceeding in my study abroad goals, but there have been obstacles along the way to success. … More Overcoming Obstacles Encountered While Studying Abroad
So far, my time studying abroad in Sweden has been an exciting, amazing— and yes, cold!— blur. I’ve gotten to know the streets of Stockholm and kind of gotten to know the public transit system. I’ve spent hours exploring art museums and danced in nightclubs until the early morning. I’ve settled into a cozy apartment after two trips to IKEA, and actually managed to get some studying done in between all the fun. Even in these first four weeks, I’ve learned a lot about studying and living abroad. Here’s what I’ve picked up along the way. … More 3 Things I Learned During My First Month in Sweden
There are still times that being this far away from home is incredibly difficult and I miss it so much, but that’s natural. The push on the limits of a person’s comfort zone is one of the main reasons people choose not to study abroad. I will agree that it isn’t easy, but as author John Green once said, “I encourage all of you to study broadly, and without fear.” … More Pushing the Limits: Moroccan Study Abroad
ISEP Program Officer Lindsay talks about her own experience with culture shock, and why it’s important to stick it out, even if it means being uncomfortable. … More Coping with Culture Shock: The Importance of “Sticking it Out”
ISEP Study Abroad Blog 