1. What year should I study abroad? (Soph/JR/SR)

It really depends on your degree path and what kind of study abroad experience you want to have! For semester long or summer programs, it’s most common for students to study abroad during their sophomore or junior year, but it is not uncommon to see seniors studying abroad. If you want to do a semester or a year-long program, it’s probably best that it occurs before the last semester of your undergraduate program, just to make sure that the credits will transfer correctly to fulfill your degree requirements without any delays. If you choose to go on a short-term program, then the timing of it doesn’t matter as much. We typically can find a program for anyone that wants to study abroad regardless of their academic level.

2. Do specific majors go on study abroad trips together?

Specific majors can absolutely go on study abroad programs together! In many colleges on campus, there are professors that will lead a Short-Term Faculty Directed Education Abroad program once a year for specific majors. For example, if you are an Anthropology major, there is a STFD titled, “MSU Short Term: Andes to the Amazon” that has an Anthropology credit available to take!

Of course, students can also coordinate with others in their  degree program to plan a semester abroad together. If you’re interested in finding a program that offers multiple courses in your field that you can take, come talk to us in PSU 209!

3.  Do you have any specific programs for graduate students?

While we don’t have any programs specifically for graduate students, there are many short-term programs that offer graduate credits!

4. I’m a nursing student. Can I still study abroad?

Of course! Many nursing students have studied abroad! Right now, we have a short-term program going to Jamaica for nursing students that exclusively offers credit for NUR 297.

There are also options for nursing students that would prefer to go on a long-term program!

Lots of majors worry they won’t be able to find programs abroad. With flexibility and planning, we can ensure any MSU student can find a program that’s right for them, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

5. Can I use my Pell Grant while abroad?

Using the Pell Grant for your study abroad is case dependent, but typically students can use their financial aid if they are going for either a semester or a full-year program. Short-term program participants can sometimes use financial aid as well, depending on when their program goes out. For more specific information about financial aid, I would recommend scheduling a meeting with Vicki White. She is a great resource, and her meeting link can be found by going to the Office of Education Abroad website, clicking on the “Financial Considerations and Scholarships” page, navigating to the “Using your Financial Aid” tab, and clicking on “Meet with Financial Aid”.

6. Can first-gen students study abroad?

Absolutely! First-gen students make amazing study abroad participants as they are typically more willing to step-outside their comfort zones. The Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) Office even has an Education Abroad scholarship specifically for first generation students at Missouri State!

7. Do I have to speak the host language of any place I want to study?

No, you don’t have to be fluent in any other language! Nearly all of our programs offer courses in English. Language is inherently linked with culture, so it’s always nice to know a few phrases and have a basic understanding of the language in your host country, but it won’t be required to take your courses. Many of our programs are set up so that you are either with English speaking on-site support staff and/or other English-speaking students!

If you have any more questions, feel free to schedule a meeting with our office!

Written by: Delilah Boggs

The post Our Answers to your Education Abroad Questions appeared first on Blog Away!.

     Jeremy confirmed that studying abroad not only expands your worldview, but also teaches flexibility and problem solving. He shared a few favorite memories, such as traveling around the wetlands on a boat, and getting to see the beautiful nature in Argentina. He also shared chaotic memories, such as exploring the city on the day that he arrived in Argentina, and then being shocked when the subway was closed, and he had to figure out how to get back home!

The post Let’s Travel South! A Student Spotlight of Jeremy in Argentina appeared first on Blog Away!.

Today I am excited to dive into the story of Milana, a student who spent her fall semester in Valencia.

Getting to Spain

When asked about her program, Milana jumped into quite the story of getting to Spain. While many students adjust some plans while going abroad (in the midst of a global pandemic), Milana was surprised to hear that her program was cancelled – TWICE! Her first cancelation was with USAC (her program provider) in Chile. Fortunately, she was able to transfer to a USAC program in Madrid. Then, just two weeks before she left, she found out that this program was also canceled. Milana, an expert at this point, contacted the girl who was supposed to be her roommate, and together they swapped to a third USAC program in Valencia, Spain.

I later asked about Milana’s highs and lows for her time abroad, and I was surprised to hear that a favorite moment was shortly after she arrived. Walking into Valencia, she looked around the crowded streets to see lights, art, monuments, and a giant celebration: it was the festival of “Las Fallas de Valencia.” Shewas able to spend her first week celebrating the beautiful festival, and then observe the traditional last night where the city burns all the monuments created for the week! While the chaos of getting there was a lot, the arrival seemed to make everything worth it for Milana.

COVID Norms in Europe

While some European countries are in lockdown, Milana’s days seemed to be relatively normal. She spent her mornings enjoying coffee on her balcony, while her afternoons were in class, and her evenings were filled with her language exchange partner whom she met in Spain. Milana traveled on weekends, learning about other regions of Spain and Europe.

“Honestly, I felt safer there in the global pandemic than I do here in the U.S. Everyone wore the N95 masks everywhere. And everyone was respectful about it,” Milana explained. She went on to express that the entire country was celebrating because over 90% of the population was vaccinated. “I never had one COVID scare, and neither did any of my friends.”

As for traveling around Europe, COVID didn’t seem to stop Milana. She traveled a lot within Spain, including Alicante, Madrid, and Barcelona. Outside of Spain, she went to the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Italy. She talked about how anywhere in Europe, she would have to show a negative COVID test or show a vaccine card before entering certain restaurants or museums. “Everywhere was rather safe, and if someone wasn’t feeling the best, they would always sit in a different part of the classroom to be respectful.” To clarify, I asked “So, it sounds like everyone was pretty unified?” “Absolutely,” Milana replied.

The Biggest Challenge Abroad

Knowing that Milana was abroad during COVID, I expected her biggest challenge to be wearing masks or something of the sort, yet her response surprised me: “Culture Shock! I was not expecting that because I have traveled so many times, and I had spent the summer in Africa, so I didn’t think I would have it.” Yet, Milana found herself caught in culture shock for about 2-3 weeks. “I didn’t understand why I was so anxious and stressed all the time. But then I remembered from the study abroad pre-departure orientation that I might get culture shock. I remembered that I wasn’t supposed to isolate myself. So, I reached out to USAC (my program provider), and they ended up connecting me to counseling.” She did counseling for her entire time that she was in Spain with someone who spoke English, and she spoke on how it was incredibly beneficial for her.  “It would have been 10x harder to integrate myself into the community and feel at home if I hadn’t reached out for help.” Milana serves as an incredible example that mental health and life struggles travel with us abroad: luckily, our office and our program providers work hard to meet these needs, even in the light of a pandemic.

Final Thoughts

At the end of our time, I asked Milana for any final advice for all the students who are maybe a little nervous about going abroad. She explained to me that the hardest part was finding the courage to go. “You have to factor in going to a different culture, being away from family, and many other things. But it is the most life-changing experience once you finally make the decision to go.” With a big smile on her face, she reflected back with awe on the fact that she was almost hesitant about going. I could see the stories flashing through her eyes of her favorite parts – being surprised by all her friends on her birthday, volunteering regularly with Spanish children, and her extreme growth in the language after a mountain of effort. “You don’t go back to the ‘pre-seeing the world’ life. Travel changes us because we grasp onto these little things, and we add them to ourselves. It has made me into a more independent caring person who is able to see things in new ways.”

Warm regards,

Hannah Kassing

Graduate Assistant, Office of Education Abroad

https://international.missouristate.edu/educationabroad/

The post Student Spotlight: Milana Hainline – Studying Abroad During COVID appeared first on Blog Away!.

The Office of Education Abroad staff is very excited to welcome your students to campus in a few days! August is full of new beginnings! New friendships, classes, goals, and opportunities…and we are ready for a new year in education abroad.  

While Welcome Weekend always kicks-off the year with much celebration, it’s also worth considering the end of the year. I’m a fan of Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. One habit Covey cites in his book is Begin with the end in mind. In other words, what outcome do you desire at the end of your (fill in the blank) …semester, school year, career? With the end in mind, students create plans to move them forward on their path to success, as defined by each student. MSU faculty and staff are intentional in their support of students’ goals. The MSU community fosters student growth so that our Bears don’t just “get a job,” but become well-rounded persons who contribute to society – a goal that is exemplified in the Citizen Scholar statue on campus.  

For students seeing to build career skills and develop as a person, an international experience is one of the most important components of a 21st century education. Many studies show a direct impact of study abroad on creativity, cognitive ability, and student success. In addition, studies show that study abroad plays an important role in developing a global mindset and skills necessary to succeed in the workforce. The skills and competencies cited by MSU study abroad students include: 

• Intercultural competency 
• 
• Adaptability 
• Tolerance/embracing differences 

• International perspectives on subject areas or work culture 
• Language skills 
• Ability to learn new ideas quickly 
• Ability to work in a team 
• Problem-solving skills 

• • Dealing with ambiguity 
  • Professionalism

• Cultural awareness 
• Interpersonal communication 
• Locating and evaluating information 

• Networking skills and contacts 
• Cross-cultural understanding 
• Self-sufficiency/resilience 
• Appreciation of differences 

Clear signs of the benefits of study abroad exist. Many of the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) highly ranked career competencies, including teamwork, professionalism, and communications, can be bolstered through study abroad experiences. Nearly one in three employers (31.1 percent) surveyed in NACE’s Job Outlook study rated global and multicultural fluency as an essential attribute for college graduates entering the workforce yet found that only 20 percent of their incoming employees were actually proficient in these cultural skills. “Employers see skills gaps in these areas,” the NACE report states. 

The Office of Education Abroad works collaboratively with the Career Services office to offer a Marketing Your Study Abroad Experience workshop for students who’ve returned from abroad. The workshop is focused on exploring the abroad experience and its relationship with career readiness, employer perceptions, unpacking skills, and selling the student’s story, which includes practical focus on customizing resumes, tailoring cover letters, and crafting elevator pitches.   

As your student considers their end-goal, please encourage them to attend the Education Abroad Fair on September 23 and the presentation, You CAN Afford to Study Abroad, on September 29.  

Again, welcome to Missouri State University. The Office of Education Abroad staff looks forward to working with you to develop the global leaders of tomorrow! 

Warm regards, 

Elizabeth Strong 

Director, Office of Education Abroad 

https://international.missouristate.edu/educationabroad/ 

The post How Study Abroad Contributes to Career Readiness appeared first on Blog Away!.

Welcome to Missouri State University! The Office of Education Abroad is pleased that you’re a part of our community, and we’re excited to introduce you to all we have to offer you and your students.  

I’m sure you’re familiar with study abroad from your own academic experiences.

 At Missouri State, our office offers domestic academic experiences in addition to traditional overseas programs. More than 60 percent of Missouri State students who study abroad do so on short-term faculty-directed programs. These one-to-eight week courses take place over intersessions, spring break, and summer term sessions. Other students study abroad for a semester or year through one of our exchange agreements or affiliate partner programs.  

As you can imagine, 2020 was a challenging year for Education Abroad. Our disruption began in January, with the first reports of a new virus in China, moving to evacuating students in S. Korea, then Italy, and then the cascade of short-term program cancelations and long-term student evacuations. Disruption continued as it impacted our nation, city, and campus. The silver lining of the pandemic is that we’ve coalesced and strengthened the ways we work together and have solidified our commitment to global education.  

During the summer of 2021, three domestic short-term faculty-directed programs traveled, and five students studied abroad internationally. MSU’s international travel policy on restricted travel areas includes a petition process which enables faculty and students to advocate for themselves. Our office has already accepted a dozen proposals for 2022 faculty-directed programs, and we are cautiously planning for the year ahead.  

You may be interested in reviewing Institute of International Education data regarding U.S. study abroad during health crises. If study abroad trends post COVID-19 follow the pattern of study abroad after the SARS epidemic (2002-2003), swine flu pandemic (2009-2010), Ebola virus epidemic (2014-2016), and zika virus epidemic (2015-2016), then we can expect study abroad to rebound, even to areas that have been most impacted. While 2020 and 2021 were periods of limited travel, I’m encouraged by student and faculty planning for 2022. I look forward to working with my colleagues across campus as we rebuild participation, and I am confident of our abilities to work collaboratively to strengthen programming in the (almost) post-COVID era.  

In the meantime, please consider encouraging your student to attend the Education Abroad Fair on September 23 and the presentation, You CAN Afford to Study Abroad, on September 29.  

Again, welcome to Missouri State University. The Office of Education Abroad staff looks forward to working with you to develop the global leaders of tomorrow! 

Warm regards, 

Elizabeth Strong

Director, Office of Education Abroad 

https://international.missouristate.edu/educationabroad/ 

The post Welcome Back to MSU! A Letter From Our Director appeared first on Blog Away!.

However, he couldn’t have imagined that his senior semester in Barcelona would’ve turned out the way that it did.

Stay or leave?

The semester started like any other while studying abroad.

“When you’re studying abroad you’re living the dream, living your best life.”

However, news started to break about how the coronavirus had made its way into Spain.

“At that point everybody was going home but we were a little bit optimistic,” he said.

While his other classmates opted to return home, Manny and a select few other students decided to stay and complete their studies in the country. This process was not easy.

Manny was required to petition to Missouri State University on why he should be allowed to stay. His request, as well as four other student petitions, were approved.

Life in lockdown

Shortly after, Barcelona went into a strict lockdown. Residents could only leave their homes for groceries or to go to the pharmacy.

“I was stopped three times by the police even when I was following the rules. Had I not, I could’ve been fined up to $6,000,” he said.

The first month of the lockdown wasn’t too bad as this was a new experience for everyone involved. Manny and his roommate, Oscar, took advantage of their new free time.

Because they had to make all of their meals, they developed excellent cooking skills. Homework was no longer a burden since it was one of the few things they could actually do.

The highlight of the lockdown was their access to the roof where they were joined by residents to cheer in support of the healthcare workers who worked tirelessly on behalf of COVID patients.

Making the best of things

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, morale was impacted.

Manny and his roommate shared a very small apartment with only one television. However, Manny chose not to dwell on the negative. Instead, he decided to look at the bright side of the situation. “Life can still be enjoyed, even in the middle of a pandemic,” he said. He went on to explain how it was nice to have his friend Oscar with him throughout the entire experience.

One of his favorite memories was celebrating Oscar’s birthday in which they dressed in their most elegant clothes and popped a bottle of champagne together on the roof.

During the lockdown, he grew very close to his family. He was able to video chat with them most days about the things they were doing and how the situation was.

But at the end of the day, his faith is what got him through and where he grew the most.

“We’re made to enjoy this life, not let it tear us down. What do you rely on?” he said.

Manny ended up finishing his spring 2020 semester in Barcelona. By the time he came back in May, a lot of the initial craziness had died down.

Manny’s study abroad experience will definitely be something that he nor the world will soon forget.

You can now find him working at the Jim D. Morris Center helping incoming international students pursue their dreams of studying in the United States.

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Elizabeth shared her thoughts after the recognition:

“After spearheading Missouri State University’s Quality Improvement Program (QUIP) team in 2018, the Forum recognized Missouri State in 2019 for meeting the field’s Standards. This positive learning experience led me to pursue this certification, and I was pleased to virtually join colleagues for content-rich workshops and enriching conversations in 2020. The subsequent module assignments and culminating project were capstone experiences. I look forward to building upon this professional development opportunity as a Forum Certification Assessor and as education abroad participation evolves in 2021 and beyond.” 

The post Director Earns The Forum on Education Abroad’s Certified Professional Spotlight appeared first on Blog Away!.

As an economics major, there was no shortage of amazing programs available to me for studying away. In my time as a Global Ambassador working in the Study Away office, I have been convinced that economics is the single-most flexible subject for study abroad. Nearly every university I have encountered has courses in economics. In addition to this, economics courses around the world cover very similar curriculums to those taught at Missouri State. This makes course conversions straightforward and electives bountiful. 

I studied at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland through ISEP Exchange. Originally only planning on taking French classes, the day I learned I could take economics changed everything. I immediately signed up for International Money and Finance. Not only did my professor have some truly incredibly credentials, but I was able to gain an international perspective of my major. Being able to learn about world finances in one of the most financially illustrious nations in the world came to be one of the many highlights while abroad. However, it is important to note that entire semesters abroad are not for everyone. 

The past several years, Missouri State economics faculty member Dr. David Mitchell has led a week-long short-term study away program to Berlin. This program is called “East Meets West: The Economics of German Reunification and the Path towards Greater Regional Parity.” Students are able to learn about the history and economic impact of German reunification alongside their Missouri State peers. This program is a top choice for Missouri State Economics majors due to its hands-on approach and one on one guidance from a familiar faculty member.

Another incredible program for Economic majors is that of Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea through our program provider USAC. One of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, Yonsei offers economics courses in nearly all fields of study. R and Python Programming, Game Theory, and Regression Analysis are just some of the many specializations that students can explore. Many courses at Yonsei (for example: Business Cycle: Theory and Forecasting) are not even available at Missouri State. Worried about not knowing Korean? Never fear, the majority of economic courses are taught in English. Students can spend anywhere from a summer to a whole academic year at Yonsei. 

Study Away is one of the most under-utilized resources available to economics students. Especially in a globalized world, an international perspective of economics is becoming even more important. Students can take a wide variety of classes abroad while keeping maintaining pace with their planned studies. Whether it’s a week-long program in Germany or an academic year in South Korea, Study Away has options for economics majors of all kinds. 

The post So You’re an Economics Major and You’re Thinking About Going Abroad appeared first on Blog Away!.

Start Planning Now

Currently, we are planning on allowing students and faculty to travel for the spring 2021 semester. This of course could change depending on how the next few months go. Regardless, we always encourage our students to start earlier rather than later when it comes to meeting with us. It is not uncommon to plan your study away experience two or even three years in advance. This gives students the chance to make a final selection on a region or country, start the visa and passport process, and give them time to apply for the multitude of scholarships available specifically for Study Away Programs.

Know the Refund Policies if Going Through a Provider

For some of our programs, students choose to apply through a third party provider that we partner with to facilitate study away programs. These programs generally offer more perks than a traditional exchange program directly through Missouri State University. These providers generally include meals, excursions, and other in country cultural activities that are usually baked into the price of the program. While researching with your student to see if a certain provider is right for them, be sure to ask them about their refund policies for different circumstances, like panemics. 

Know the Airline Refund Policy

Virtually all airlines have been issuing refunds and at the very least, extremely flexible rebooking policies. Some airlines are giving customers until the end of 2021 to use the flight vouchers for cancelled flights. Check with your preferred airline and see what policies they’ve introduced. You might actually discover that a competitor is offering more flexibility and aligns with how you would prefer to receive a refund if the need arises. 

Consider Purchasing Trip Insurance

Most people are aware of the trip insurance that you can buy directly from airlines and third party travel agencies. However, most travel focused credit cards offer generous trip insurance benefits. These benefits can range from coverage for simple flight cancellations and lost luggage, all the way to even reimbursing you for purchases made while a flight was delayed such as hotel expenditures. Whichever route you choose, trip insurance is just another safety net available to utilize. 

Have a Backup Plan In Case your Program is Cancelled

Programs can be cancelled for a variety of reasons besides the pandemic that we are living in currently. Though this happens rarely, programs have been known to cancel due to instances of social unrest in the area or natural disasters. It’s always good for your student to have a backup plan of classes approved to take here domestically just in case they can’t participate in their program. Some students even go as far as to have backup countries that they would like to study away in. This is especially true for students choosing to study away in Europe as the countries are so tightly together, not much has to be done to simply take a bus a couple hundred miles away to a different country where their new program is located.  

Doing all of this might seem a bit overwhelming at first. That’s why our office is here to help and answer any questions you or your student might have. The best ways to reach us this fall are via our email studyaway@missouristate.edu and via phone at 417-836-6368

The post Planning to Study Abroad in the Midst of a Pandemic appeared first on Blog Away!.

Hello! My name is Catherine Brand and I studied away in the fall of 2019 through the Magellan Exchange in Dornbirn, Austria.

To sum it up, it was the best thing I’ve ever done – for my career, my perspective, but most of all for myself. I met friends I still talk to every single day from all across the world. I learned how to communicate in German with the locals. I traveled to 8 different countries and countless cities within those countries, all while going to school at a university nestled in the Alps. Sounds perfect, right? I arrived with very few expectations and left with more than I could ever ask for.

Although I could easily go on forever (just ask my friends), let’s start from the beginning.

There’s a lot to do in the pre-departure stage when preparing to study away, but Magellan never leaves you lacking resources or someone who will gladly help. I can’t recommend getting a planner enough or using that handy OneDrive calendar because between Missouri State and my host university, FH Vorarlberg, there were plenty of deadlines to be aware of. Nothing was all that difficult to obtain, mostly just personal information and picking out classes, but I lived by my planner in those preparatory days. Obtaining a visa was probably the most difficult thing, mostly because I had to go out of town to get it, but it’s all just part of the process.

Fast forward to August. I just landed in Zurich, took three separate trains (oh yes, you’re going to have to head upstairs on most trains and you will look like a mad person carrying a 50 lbs. suitcase and multiple bags up those stairs), and finally got off at the station with the big Dornbirn hanging overhead. I got off that last train and thought *what have I gotten myself into?* but it was just the exhaustion talking. Soon enough my adrenaline kicked in and I was inquiring about which bus I needed to take to get to the dormitory. My exchange university was very helpful here with giving directions and mapping out, point blank, how to get to the dorm. But, I’m admittedly not great with directions and I knew that asking was the way to go. That being said, never be afraid to ask questions. You’re probably not the first lost exchange student that anyone abroad has ever seen. Soon enough I arrived in my little dorm room, started unpacking, and those four months just flew by.

The reason I picked the Magellan Exchange had to be the cost. There was never a question about if I was making a mistake financially, because I was simply paying Missouri State tuition. Did I splurge here and there on trips with friends? Of course. But I had all summer to save for it and it was nice knowing that tuition was already taken care of. Beyond that, I was really thankful for all the hands-on help that Magellan provided. When working with an unfamiliar university, it’s so easy to be unsure if what you’re doing is right simply because it’s a little different than what you’re used to. Any time I felt this way, all I had to do was email any one of the contacts I was given, and I was always met with a warm response and answers to all of my questions. This meant the world to me.

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my time spent abroad, nor the Magellan Exchange as a whole. However, for any of you tempted to apply to a Magellan program in the future, I have a few pointers I wish I knew before leaving:

1. Be Prepared to Rank Your Top Three Universities when You Start Your Application Process.

This really threw me off guard at the time. Luckily, I received my top choice, but it’s still something to be aware of. Do your research and, who knows, maybe you’ll be surprisingly tempted by a few different cities.

2. Check if You will have Free Wi-Fi Wherever You’re Staying.

In this comfortable, unlimited data country, the thought of not having free Wi-Fi wherever I would live just seemed preposterous. Well, think again Catherine. I arrived at my dorm and was taken aback when there was no Wi-Fi to connect to. That meant I couldn’t tell my family I had made it until the next day when I felt comfortable enough to venture out in search of internet. Let me tell you: my mom was not happy. Within 24 hours I had purchased an Austrian SIM card and everything was back to normal, but if I could have told myself to simply check beforehand I would have saved myself (and my family) a good deal of stress.

3. Don’t Sweat Going Alone.

Participating in an exchange is your time to grow, and I promise you that the friends will come with time. I know that having your best friend sign up with you to travel the world is tempting. I know. But one of the best things about an exchange is that you’re going to meet people who you will have so much in common with, it will be hard to believe you grew up on opposite sides of the world. I can only assume that anyone tempted to take part in the Magellan exchange is brave as it is, so just remind yourself that you got this! If you have a friend that wants to go with you and you feel it’s right, go for it. This is not me telling you that you absolutely should not do that. But as I said, don’t sweat going alone. Not only was I the only student from Missouri State University packing their bags for a small town in Austria, I was the only one from the United States. And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing.

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