The Experience of Studying Abroad and Creation of a “How to Study Abroad Guide”

Abstract

This paper is a general guide for students who wish to study abroad. The author is a study abroad alumnus, having completed an internship program in Florence, Italy. The paper is divided up into several sections. These include a review of literature, interviews from advisors in the Office of International Education, advice from former students, and interpersonal communication advice on how to accustom to different cultures when traveling. The advice is broken up by themes that have emerged over the course of this study, including pre-departure concerns, stereotypes, culture shock, adjustment, and study abroad benefits. The participants were interviewed in discussion form, which included several focus groups. The results of this study show that study abroad greatly impacts students’ lives in a beneficial way and overseas travel while in school is one of the greatest ways for students to develop into independent adults.