Why Should You Study Abroad?

By: Mayra Olivares-Urueta
Year after year college students partake in one of the most exciting and unforgettable opportunities they will only have while in college: study abroad. I am a two time study abroad participant who spent a month in China (where I never imagined going!) and an entire school year in Limoges, France learning about French language and culture. That’s all great and good but why should you consider studying abroad? Well here are my reasons to do it:

1. It’s probably the only time in YOUR LIFE where you’ll get to leave everything for a month, semester, or year to live in place completely different from what you are used to.
2. Being exposed to different cultures, people, and places expands your cultural understanding and gives you the social advantage of being able to relate to people who are different from you.
3. You might take up a new language as well as learn to appreciate what it’s like to be in a place where you are not understood and where your communication skills are challenged.
4. The skills you obtain as you navigate through foreign governmental and educational systems help you appreciate how easy/hard things might be at home and maybe how those might be improved.
5. There are scholarships and financial aid that help you partake in this once-in-a-life-time opportunity, so money is not a huge obstacle.
6. If you do your research and speak to your advisor, you will be able to earn college credit for the courses you take abroad.
7. The personal growth and professional benefits one obtains from studying abroad are immensely helpful and will serve you for the rest of your life.
8. Your friends and the memories you make will be with you forever (cheesy but true).
9. You’ll be so proud of the courage and strength you never knew you had, especially during rough times when all you wanted to do was run home to what was comfortable, safe, and easy.

Studying abroad was the one of the best college choices I ever made and I hope you will consider the opportunity to challenge yourself and grow in ways you never imagined you could.

About The Contributor: 
Mayra Olivares-Urueta is a doctoral student at the University of North Texas in the Higher Education program. Mayra's research and professional interests include Latino student access to higher education, parent involvement in the higher education process, and Latino student retention and degree attainment. Mayra received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma in European Studies, Spanish, and Human Relations. Mrs. Olivares-Urueta began her work in higher education at the University of Oklahoma working with Latino Students in the office of Student Life and later recruiting underrepresented students for the university through the office of Diversity Enrichment. Currently, Mayra works at UT Southwestern Medical Center as Director of Student Affairs in the School of Health Professions.  Mayra lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Alejandro (who also studied abroad) and they are making plans for their next trip: Egypt 2011.

Attention High School Juniors and Seniors- College Fair Time

I hope that my blog will also serve as a place for high school students to come for information in planning their future.  Collegiate Possibilities is for everyone: students, parents, administrators, faculty, etc.  This is a place to share the important tools and resources for YOU to be successful.

The months of October and November are important for high school students.  Why?  Because this is the time to start talking to college recruiters, finding scholarships, and make early decisions.  Check with your counselor this week to find out when and where your local college fairs are because they are different in every city.

A few questions to consider before you go to a local college fair:

• Do I want to go to a 4 or 2 year institution?
• How far away do I want to go?
• What do I want to major in or study?
• What environment do I want to live in? Cities vs. Small College Towns AND Dorms vs. Off-campus
• Do I want to participate in sports, fine arts, special organizations?
• Do I want to study abroad?

These questions are important to consider because the school you think you want to attend isn't the one that offers the best options for what you want to do.  For example, not all institutions offer fashion, aerospace engineering, or non-profit services.  Not all institutions have housing options.  And not all institutions allow you to participate in study abroad to Thailand or allow for anyone to tryout for ballet.

Also, just because you talk to a recruiter, does not mean you are committed to attend that institution.  So meet new people at the college fair, talk to a school that you would never think to go to, and collect all those brochures because this is just the beginning... the next step is visiting the schools.

College students and Alumni: Why did you chose the institution you did or what were you looking for at your college fair?

Study Tips

There's not one right way to study or prepare of exams and presentations.  But here are a few tips from contributors at the Huffington Post:

9 Awesome Study Tips For College Students 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/08/study-tips-for-college-_n_709096.html

Your Health is Important

Whether you're taking classes online or in a classroom, the likelihood of you getting sick while your studying is very high.  Other than falling ill because of other people being sick, fatigue and sleep deprivation can cause you to feel "under the weather".  Take charge and plan what you need to do so you can get the sleep needed to do all the other things in your life and be a successful student.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that "Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and depression." and "students who are working or studying long hours may experience episodes of sleep deprivation."  Be aware of the signs that you aren't getting enough rest and try you're best to get 6-8 hours of sleep.  What saved me in college?- Nap Time!  Make time to take a 15-30 minute rest when you have the additional time.  Late night studying, student organization events, and additional shenanigans caused me to stay up late (2-3 a.m.).  

CDC Quick Tips:

• Avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, teas, and chocolate can take as long as 8 hours to wear off fully.
• Have a good sleeping environment. Get rid of anything that might distract you from sleep, such as noises or bright lights.
• Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on the weekends.
• See your health provider if you continue to have trouble sleeping.
• Avoid pulling an all-nighter to study.

Additional CDC information and tips can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/family/college/

In Support of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) and Health Education, I wanted to share this PSA from the American Cancer Society and Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.

http://www.acsf2f.com/Lindy/KDChi/Sept2010/PL_OR_10_KDChi_SeptEblastPLAIN.html

Tired Already? Lesson Three: Prioritize

Labor Day weekend has come and gone... and you're already looking forward to Thanksgiving Break.  It's natural to have this overwhelming feeling at the beginning of the semester.  Whether you're a freshmen or returning student, it's important to be aware of this overwhelming feeling and what it can turn into if you don't address it now.

Avoid putting off assignments this early in the game.  It's easy to say now, "I don't have to read that now, I have 3 weeks until my exam" or "That project is due at the end of the semester, I'll start working on it next month".  Putting off too much can cause you to be flooded with work at the last minute and then you're lost in a sea of assignments, readings, projects, meetings, and MESS.

My Lesson Three: Prioritize
I know you want to go to this weekend's football game or party, you want to have dinner or drinks with your friends, and you want to plan a quick trip with your friends... BUT PRIORITIZE.  Buy a planner and back plan from exams and due dates.  Sometimes you need to pass on the fun things.  Trust me, I'm still sad I didn't go to New Orleans for that one weekend with my friends who came back with a ton of great stories.  But I was able to get a head and not stress later.  Get things done NOW so you don't suffer LATER or lose sleep.  And sleep is a priority!  So is eating, getting some exercise, and enjoying life.  But make a plan and stick to it as much as you can.  You're grades will reflect this later.