Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Abroad



"Go Abroad, Young Woman, Go Abroad!"

This was the siren song playing in my head when I got the notice that the University of California was accepting applications to its Education Abroad Program.  Until I saw that bulletin, I had never even considered going overseas to study, but the minute the opportunity presented itself, I started planning my packing list.

The first step was to select the country in which I would study.  This turned out to be quiet easy, as most of the universities required fluency in the language.  After four years of high school and college French classes, I still spoke very elementary French...and barely a word of Spanish, Italian, or German.  I had the grand choice of one program that did not require a language background, the university in Lund, Sweden.

Norwegian Stave Church
The selection process was lengthy: a round of essays, interviews, psychological testing, but finally I got the exciting letter that I had been accepted into the program.  Almost immediately, I received a follow-up letter notifying me that the University of Bergen, Norway had just joined the UC Education Abroad Program family, and asking if  I would consider going to Norway instead.  Accepting this invitation turned out to be one of the wisest decisions of my life.  Not only did I get to live in one of the most stunning places on earth, but I learned lessons about life, about other cultures and attitudes, and about myself, (along with a little bit of European history in my studies that year).

That wonderful year abroad instilled a wanderlust and a curiosity about the world that has still not yet been satisfied.  My husband, Rob, and I share the philosophy that life is short and the world is wide, so we travel as often as time and finances allow. This blog is going to highlight some of the "lessons" we have learned from our travels - and the first lesson is:  Don't wait!

Go Abroad, Dear Reader, Go Abroad!


14 comments:

  1. I look forward to reading about your adventures. I'm not surprised that you're thinking about those living abroad experiences still today. I lived and studied in Tübingen, Germany in 2008-2009, and the experiences I had there affect the way I make decisions even today. It broadened my perspective and changed the way I related to myself and everyone else.

    Glad you're doing the blog challenge.

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    1. Thanks, Mandy! How wonderful that you also got to study abroad! I truly found it to be life-changing.

      I also need to let you know that for some reason, the link to your blog is not working for me. Do we have the correct url? I look forward to reading your posts!

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  2. there are so many stories to tell and memories to unpack. TR

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    1. There are, Terry! I recently came across all of the letters I wrote home (which my parents saved for me), and I plan to use some of my retirement time to type them up and create a little book...perhaps with my thoughts looking back on the events as an adult.

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  3. Ah, Joan! I so look forward to reading your travel lessons and perhaps sharing memories of traveling in the same places. Good for you for stepping out there, seeing the world and broadening your world. xoA

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    1. Thanks, Annis! I am also enjoying reading YOUR travel tales. I admire your adventurous spirit!

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  4. I always wanted to study abroad! And travel abroad! Looking forward to reading more...and adding a few more places to my bucket list!

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    1. Thanks, Anna. I thought for years after my wonderful Education Abroad experience that travel was too expensive, but I have learned that there are ways to travel on a budget, and I am very willing to give up "things" in order to have experiences!

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  5. Such a wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Norway. I agree one shouldn't wait to travel and do the things we've always dreamed of. I look forward to reading your posts during the Challenge.

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    1. Thanks, Joan. I am very grateful for the Blog Challenge...it is getting me back into the habit of writing after being so busy with work these past few years!

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  6. I'm sharing your blog with my granddaughter, a college sophomore, who is planning to take advantage of a summer abroad in Greece. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm.

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    1. Oh, that's great, Dennis! I will try to come up with things that will be helpful to her!

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  7. I just came back from a summer of studying abroad in Italy, and it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. I look forward to hearing more about your travel abroad!

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  8. Jasmine, that is wonderful! Italy is probably my favorite country in Europe. We just visited northern Italy this summer, and came back with so many happy memories. I hope we will hear about your study abroad experiences in some of your blog posts!

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