When students study abroad, they are representing the university and their home cultures to everyone they meet. It is important that both are represented well and being educated about the host country is the greatest way to do so.
Study up! Here are some culture resources:
- Going Global Country Guides: Login to access
- Cultural GPS: Tools for understanding culture
- Country Culture Comparison Tool (Hofstede)
- Guidebooks: Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc.
- Study Abroad Survival Skills (Academic and Cultural Orientation worksheet)
U.S. passport holders should also register (it’s free) for the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get real-time health and safety updates once in-country.
Students should also review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information about studying abroad, and search their host country using the destination tool for health and general information about the country.
Finally, those of us who have studied, interned, worked, researched or other abroad know that the experience mandates growth. We strongly suggest students think about what they want to gain and their goals for going abroad in order to get the most out of the experience and after, when discussing study abroad in an interview, etc. This goals worksheet will help facilitate an extraordinary experience.