Stories from Studying Abroad
The college experience provides opportunities for learning and personal growth that are difficult to find otherwise. Studying abroad is extremely popular among KU students, and opens doors to new perspectives and experiences that cannot be had in the classroom alone. We asked some Panhellenic community members about their time abroad, and here’s what they had to say!
Riley England - Studied in Japan
Over the summer, I studied abroad for 4 weeks across Japan through the KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement (SAGE) Office. This program was through the Visual Art Department and featured exploring many Japanese art-making techniques, architecture, and masterpieces.
I loved this trip, but due to COVID-19, it was a little tricky getting there. Usually, this trip happens every two years but was halted due to Japan’s extensive precautionary rules for COVID. The advisor for our trip, Renee Frias, was beneficial. In order to be allowed into the country, we had to submit our passport and a special form for a student visa, get our booster shot (if we hadn’t already), receive a negative COVID test and form at a special facility 72 hours before our flight, and, of course, bare the 13-hour flight from Houston to Tokyo. Renee was incredibly helpful throughout this entire process.
Once we arrived in Japan, I met the group of 13 strangers that I would spend the next 4 weeks with. Although I was incredibly nervous about exploring a new country with a group of people I had just met, I was excited about what was ahead. We first arrived in Tokyo, where we explored the city and its museums for two days before heading off to Fujikawaguchiko, a small town at the base of Mt. Fuji. Here, we were able to spend a day exploring the natural parks surrounding the town and taking in the stunning beauty of the country. We then spent eight days learning mokuhanga, the Japanese art of woodblock printmaking. MI-LAB, or the Mokuhanga Institute Laboratory, hosted us on this trip, and we were able to learn from incredibly talented masters of the craft. Continuing, we then went to Naoshima Island—fittingly known as the “Art Island—, a small island off the coast of Japan full of art museums and exhibits. Seeing the eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, and drawings was incredibly inspiring. From there, we went to Tokushima, where we spent six days learning the ancient art of Japanese papermaking using mulberry bark. We got to experience every step of the process, from stripping and soaking the mulberry bark (kozo), to cleaning it, separating it, and finally making the paper. It was a physically demanding task— one I definitely wasn’t expecting.
After we made around fifty sheets of paper (that we later brought home), we headed back to Tokyo, where we were able to explore on our own. I explored the amazing city along with a few friends I had made. The cuisine there was especially incredible. From Tokyo, we headed back home, where I had yet another 13-hour flight to reflect on the wonderful experience that Japan was. I grew so much personally, artistically, and professionally—enough so, that when I got back, within the first hour, my mom mentioned that I seem like a different person. I am so grateful for this trip and that I had the confidence and assurance to embark on it.
Caroline Steele and Cydney Berman - Studied in Spain
Cydney and I both participated in the Language, Literature and Culture KU study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain this summer. We were so blessed that we got to know each other better and create a lifelong friendship! We also look forward to staying in touch every other week during the EIDA committee meetings, and we know that our new friendship will positively impact the work we will do for the committee.
CAROLINE: Our goal during this reflection is to be honest about our experience, so please know that I come to you as authentically as possible. I have wanted to study abroad since high school, so being in Barcelona was a dream come true every day. Although there were difficulties and challenges, I expected that because I lived with a host family who only spoke Spanish and took 9 credit hours of Spanish major classes in 6 weeks, all 4000+ miles away from home—that’s a lot of adjustment and brain work all at the same time! What I learned outside of improving my Spanish will be valuable to me forever—for example, giving ourselves grace and permission to mess up sometimes is essential to succeed and slowing down to relax and enjoy life is really important! It was also incredible to be entirely immersed in the Spanish culture and to live how they do. There is no better way to broaden your horizons, grow yourself, and expand your cultural literacy than spending time abroad to study, travel, or work. While it was certainly challenging, it was undoubtedly worth it for all of the wonderful memories, relationships (like my new friendship with Cydney) and personal growth I experienced every day.
As an EIDA committee member, I look forward to utilizing and implementing my newfound knowledge of diverse cultural beliefs and backgrounds. It’s going to be a great semester!
CYDNEY: Studying abroad for me was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was hard to go into this experience being told that this would be the best summer of my life and yet there were many bumps in the road on the way. Also, it is hard to know what to expect because each program is different and each experience is different for everybody. This experience taught me a lot about myself and how to live in an entirely different culture from my own. I am so grateful that I was able to struggle through it with the others on my program too. Everything was different and I learned quickly that I needed a support system in Spain in order to be able to get through the hard times and focus on experiencing the amazing ones. I was able to meet Caroline and she was one of my support systems. I am lucky to have been able to find friends in Panhellenic on my trip that I was able to bond and connect with to make my study abroad experience amazing. Learning about other cultures and ways of living is so important, especially being able to bring those experiences to the EIDA committee. I am so excited for my friendship with Caroline to continue as well as my learning about how to make Panhellenic inclusive for everyone, no matter their background.
I am so excited to be back at KU for the fall semester! Rock Chalk!
A Message from KU Study Abroad
At KU, we offer over 150+ programs in over 70+ countries. Programs last anywhere from 1 week to an entire academic year. We also offer programs for every major- but students are NOT limited to studying through their major! Students are not limited to KU created programs either.
Additionally, studying abroad is financially accessible! 200k+ scholarships are offered every year just through our office. We can also pay in-state tuition rates, and other scholarships can come from major departments.
KU also offers the Global Awareness Program (GAP). GAP was born out of a challenge to provide all KU undergraduates with opportunities and access to international experiences. Greater understanding of political, social, and economic landscapes outside the United States will better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.
GAP combines classes, on-campus co-curricular activities, and/or study abroad. Students must complete two-out-of-three components to earn the certificate. Complete all 3 to earn GAP with Distinction. The free GAP certificate recognizes students who demonstrate growth in cultural knowledge, expansion of international perspectives, and development of cross-cultural communications skills. The program also sets you apart in a competitive job market, enhances applications for graduate school and fellowships, and supports the development of essential skills needed for participatory citizenship in the 21st century.
The Stats:
Students that study abroad are 2 times more likely to graduate within 4 yrs
More likely to get hired within a year of graduation (around 90% find employment within 6 months)
100+ students have participated in the virtual study abroad programs thus far
Approximately 1,500 students study abroad every year at KU
Helpful Tips
Come into the Info Center as EARLY AS POSSIBLE! The only requirements to study abroad is a 2.5 cumulative GPA and finishing 1 sem at KU. So freshman can go as early as winter break of freshman year.
Apply for a passport! Our office is now a passport center.
KU is also an international school so students have a very good chance to meet someone from their host country before they go abroad.
Sign up for Travel Buddies when doing study abroad application – this will help get contact info for any other students on the same program or in the same country
Personal Helpful Tips (from peer advisor experiences)
Tote bags are amazing for travel
Travel to as many places as you can while abroad (especially if you are in Europe!)
Comfortable shoes for walking… cause you will be walking A LOT!
If able, learn a little bit of the local language to show respect. (Bathroom, hello & thank you are a good start)
Learn more at studyabroad.ku.edu and gap.ku.edu