University of Arkansas Office of Study Abroad

Frequent Flyer

2012-02-24T20:38:00.000-06:00

ISA & Roehampton Univ. Reps Coming to Campus February 27

CISabroad Rep Coming to Campus February 28

Peace Corps Rep Coming to Campus February 28-March 1

OE Study Abroad Rep Coming to Campus March 7

ISA & Roehampton University Representatives Coming to Campus February 27. Want to study abroad at Roehampton University in London? ISA Program representatives Lauren Kolls and Val Vassallo, from London, will be on campus to talk about this program as well as the other ISA study abroad opportunities! They will have an info table in front of Starbucks from 11:30am-1:30pm on Monday, February 27. Stop by to learn more!

For more information, visit: http://www.studiesabroad.com/

CISabroad Representative Coming to Campus February 28. CISabroad is a study abroad program provider with options to study or intern abroad in a variety of locations. From internships in Ireland to a semester in South Africa, CIS Abroad is a provider that is sure to make your study abroad experience a positive one. Program representative Laura Brinkman will have an info table in front of the Union Food Court from 11:30am-1:30pm on Tuesday, February 28! Laura will also be a special guest at the Hogs Abroad 101 session that Tuesday from 4:00-5:00pm in the Foreign Language Lab, JBHT 207.

For more information, visit: http://www.cisabroad.com/

Peace Corps Representative Coming to Campus February 28-March 1. Consider the exciting post-graduate opportunities in international development! Peace Corps recruiter Curt Baker will have an info table in front of the Union Food Court from 11:00am-2:00pm on Tuesday, February 28, and Wednesday, February 29. Stop by and find out about Peace Corps programs, the application process, and your qualifications. Curt will also be hosting an info session on Thursday, March 1, from 7:00pm-9:00pm in Union room 503.

For more information, visit: http://www.peacecorps.gov/

OE Study Abroad Representative Coming to Campus March 7. Overseas Experience (OE) has summer programs exclusively in the exotic locations of New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji in subjects such as Business, Communication, and Political Science. A variety of summer, project-based internships are also available in Sydney, Australia and Wellington, NZ. OE Study Abroad representative Toby Nichols will be a special guest at the Hogs Abroad 101 session on Wednesday, March 7 from 4:00-5:00pm in the Foreign Language Lab, JBHT 207. Come learn about these exciting opportunities!

For more information, visit: http://www.oe-studyabroad.org/

Frequent Flyer

2012-02-10T17:01:00.000-06:00

AIFS Representative Coming to Campus February 13

Gilman Scholarship Info Meeting February 14

International Business in Greece Info Session February 14

International Writers Course in Galway Info Session February 15

International Business in Ireland Info Session February 15

API Representative Coming to Campus February 20

Arcadia Representative Coming to Campus February 21

AIFS Representative Coming to Campus February 13. AIFS representative Michelle Walters will be on campus to chat about the great program opportunities offered by AIFS on Monday, February 13, from 11:30am-1:30pm in the Arkansas Union Food Court.

AIFS provides study abroad programs in 21 countries: Australia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain and Turkey. They also offer multi-country traveling programs in Europe.

For more information, visit: http://www.aifsabroad.com/

Gilman Scholarship Info Meeting February 14. Come find out more about this great study abroad scholarship for students and get tips on perfecting your application. This scholarship is open to undergraduates who are United States citizens, receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of study abroad, and participating in a study abroad program that is no less than 4 weeks. Awards are generally $3,000 for a summer and $5,000 for a semester/year. Summer application deadline is March 1, 2012. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 14, from 3-4pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt room 207.

For application procedures visit www.iie.org/gilman.

International Business in Greece Info Session February 14. There will be an info session about the International Business in Greece summer program on Tuesday, February 14, from 11:30am-1:30pm in WCOB 343. This program provides students with insights into the international business and political environment within the European Union as well as a chance to experience Greek culture. Please drop in, enjoy a slice of pizza and learn about the International Business Seminar in Greece!

For more information, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobgreece.

International Writers Course in Galway Info Session February 15. An informational meeting for students interested in the International Writers Course in Galway, Ireland, will be held on Wednesday, February 15, at 4pm in Kimpel 339. This four week, six credit hour program is open to both undergraduate & graduate students and offers students a chance to meet Irish writers, polish their creative writing skills, and explore Ireland.

Come find out more about this unique program! Free pizza and drinks will be provided.

For further information, check out the website http://studyabroad.uark.edu/galway or write Professor Molly Giles at mollyg@uark.edu.

International Business in Ireland Info Session February 15. There will be a drop-in info session for the International Business in Ireland program on Wednesday, February 15, from 11:30am-1:30pm in WCOB 343. Earn 6 hours of upper level credit while studying abroad in Ireland June 1-22, 2012!

Visit Irish businesses, banks and embassies in Dublin * Attend cultural events ranging from Celtic Music to Rugby and make friends from all around the European Union and the world * Spend a week touring Ireland historic, cultural and economic sites and study two weeks in Dublin at University College Dublin Quinn School of Business * And so much more!

Come have a slice of pizza and find out about this great study abroad opportunity!

For more information, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobireland.

API Representative Coming to Campus February 20. API program representative Chelsea Kindred will be on campus Monday, February 20, to talk about study abroad opportunities through Academic Programs International. API offers over 100 programs in 35 cities within 15 countries, and there are summer, semester and academic year program options available. Stop by the info table in the Union Food Court from 11:30am-1:30pm to learn more about API!

Chelsea Kindred will also be hosting a program info meeting on Monday, February 20, from 4:00pm-5:00pm in the J.B. Hunt Foreign Language Lab, room 207.

For more information, visit: http://www.apistudyabroad.com/.

Arcadia Representative Coming to Campus February 21. Arcadia University study abroad program representative Todd Karr will be hosting an info session on Tuesday, February 21, from 4:00-5:00pm in the J.B. Hunt Foreign Language Lab, room 207. Arcadia offers more than 100 fully accredited undergraduate programs in 16 countries, as well as internships and service learning opportunities, for a semester, summer or academic year.

For more information, visit: http://www.arcadia.edu/abroad/.

Blogging from Spain!

2012-01-27T09:42:00.000-06:00

Hello, everyone! My name is Philip Murry, and I'm an International Business major, with a concentration in Economics and a Spanish minor. I'm studying abroad for the first time this spring, spending five months in Madrid, Spain. I went to Europe over Spring Break a few years ago, so at least international travel isn't something completely new for me. But five months? Yeah, that's something I'd never dreamed of.

I'm participating in a direct exchange program with the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). It seems like I'm all on my own; there's no program director, tour guide, or anyone like that to plan my days for me. Talk about independence! Luckily there are a lot of tools at my disposal: at home through the Study Abroad Office, at UC3M in their office for international students, and also through a student-run organization called Erasmus Student Network (ESN). It's great for finding social activities with other students in Madrid and getting discounts all across Europe!

There are a lot of challenges heading my way (and many I've already encountered, but I'm ready to face them! I know I'm going to make some incredible connections and friendships, and I know I've got a lot to learn. But I'll welcome them with open arms!

To make it easier for my friends and family to follow my journey, I set up my own blog that you should see on the right hand side, or you access it here. Experience the best of my travels with me!

Cigüeñas--The Storks of Southern Spain

2012-01-19T08:21:00.001-06:00

Just a fun cultural note. Extremadura's relatively mild climate and vast expanses of undeveloped land have enticed migrating storks to take up residence in the province. Fregenal de la Sierra, which was once just a stop for the birds, has now become a winter home. I was lucky enough to capture some photos of the newly occupied nests.
These are two of the five churches in my town with towers high enough for the storks to build on. However, on bus trips through the countryside, I have also seen nests built on power lines, telephone poles, and other precarious places. They really seem to be everywhere.

Nesting above a local church's tower.

Another bird and nest in the same location.

The cars at the bottom provide some scale.

I'm creating a post on my personal blog thinkingbarefoot.blogspot.com with more pictures of nature in and around my pueblo, to show life in the less-traveled parts of Spain.
Enjoy the start of your new semester!

-Erica

Frequent Flyer

2012-01-18T12:53:00.004-06:00

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes for US Undergraduate Info
Meeting January 25

Community Development in Belize Info Sessions Jan. 23 & 24

Ghana: Discovering the Truth Behind Africa’s Past Info
Meeting January 25

Gilman Scholarship Info Meeting January 23 & February 14

From Fayetteville to the World January 23

IFSA-Butler & Alliance for Global Education Reps on Campus
January 27

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes for US Undergraduate Info Meeting January 25. If you are a U.S. citizen and a freshman or sophomore, consider applying for one of the Fulbright UK summer institutes! The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers several summer programs for US students to study in the UK and funds the majority of the cost, including airfare, tuition and fees at the host university/institution, accommodation and meals, and a small daily allowance. An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 25^th from 3:30-4:30pm in Silas Hunt room 232 to discuss this great opportunity. For more information, visit: http://www.fulbright.co.uk/fulbright-awards/for-us-citizens/summer-institutes.

The six programs available for summer 2012 are as follows:

AIFS Summer Institute at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

9 June – 30 June 2012 Study On-Site at the Globe Theatre

Durham University Summer Institute

1 July – 28 July 2012 The Northern Borders of Empire (archeology)

Newcastle University Summer Institute

8 July – 13 August 2012 Culture, Heritage and History of the UK

Nottingham Trent University Summer Institute

7 July - 4 August 2012 Creativity, Culture and Heritage

Queen's University Belfast Summer Institute

9 July - 3 August 2012 Understanding Ireland: Northern Perspectives

Wales Summer Institute

23 June – 3 August 2012 Contemporary Wales: Industry, Politics, Culture and Change

Community Development in Belize Info Sessions January 23 & 24. Stop by WCOB 326 on Monday, January 23 or Tuesday, January 24, from 11:30am-1:30pm to learn about the Community Development in Belize summer program and enjoy a slice of pizza! This unique program is an international service learning project for 6 credit hours in Belize during Summer Session I. Projects are currently being planned for Business, Engineering, Agriculture, Literacy and Health Professions, and all projects will be open to students of all majors. For more information about the program, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/belize. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 1^st.

Ghana: Discovering the Truth Behind Africa’s Past Info Meeting January 25. Interested in going to Africa this summer? African and African American Studies and the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences invites you to an information session to learn more about our exciting study abroad program, Ghana: Discovering the Truth Behind Africa's Past, on Wednesday, January 25th, at 3:30PM in Old Main 203. At the meeting you will hear testimonies about this program from past participants and ask questions about how you can participate in this program and earn scholarships towards an exciting experience of a lifetime!

Gilman Scholarship Info Meeting January 23 & February 14. Come find out more about this great study abroad scholarship for students and get tips on perfecting your application. This scholarship is open to undergraduates who are United States citizens, receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of study abroad, and participating in a study abroad program that is no less than 4 weeks. Awards are generally $3,000 for a summer and $5,000 for a semester/year. Summer application deadline is March 1, 2012. For application procedures visit www.iie.org/gilman.

The meeting will be held on Monday, January 23^rd from 3-4pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt room 207.

For those unable to make it to the first meeting, we will be hosting a second Gilman Scholarship info meeting on Tuesday, February 14^th from 3-4pm in JBHT 207.

From Fayetteville to the World January 23. Brian Lee (B.A. German, Economics, International Relations, minor in European Studies, 2008) had already had a successful international career before graduating from the U of A as a Congress-Bundestag Fellow, one of only 75 students selected in a national competition to spend a year studying, working, and interning at the Bundestag in Germany. After graduating, he received a Fulbright Research Grant to study for his MA at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria. Lee is currently working in Islamabad, Pakistan for UNODC (United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime) to build and implement the Country Programme for 2010-2014. On Monday, January 23rd at 11:30 am in JB Hunt 234, he will speak with students as part of a brown bag lunch program to discuss his international career. The event is free and open to the public. Questions? Dr. Kathleen Condray, German Section Head, condray@uark.edu.

IFSA-Butler and Alliance for Global Education Representatives on Campus January 27. Stop by the Union Food Court from 11:30am-1:30pm to learn about study abroad opportunities through IFSA-Butler and the Alliance for Global Education! There will also be an informational meeting from 12:30pm-1:30pm in Union room 511. IFSA-Butler offers programs in over 15 countries for summer, semester, and academic year terms, and an array of internship opportunities are available as well. The Alliance for Global Education offers a range of programs in China and India for the fall, spring, and summer terms.

For more information about IFSA-Butler: http://www.ifsa-butler.org/

For more information about Alliance for Global Education: http://www.allianceglobaled.org/

Teaching Assistant Programs and Christmas/New Years/Kings' Day

2012-01-08T14:19:00.001-06:00

After a nice, long break, I'm back to write a bit about how I came to be here and my holiday experiences.

First: a little about my program, and a link to the website: Cultural Ambassadors: North American Language and Culture Assistants.
I am a teaching assistant here in Spain, working as a part of an agreement between the U.S. and Spanish governments. I am here on a student visa, and I'm paid 700 Euros per month, insurance included, to co-teach for 12 hours per week. I'm also allowed to give private lessons on the side, tax-free, to make a bit more. It's recommended that applicants have at least an intermediate level of Spanish, and be a university junior or higher to apply.
Bottom line: You basically get paid to take an academic year to study abroad in Spain and its territories. Read--Canary Islands. :)
Extra tips: I'm pretty sure you could also at least try to work out some independent study credits with your department or the Study Abroad Office... If you've got student loans and you're interested in this program, be sure to check that they won't go into repayment while you're gone--it could really be a hassle to work out from across the Atlantic.

There is a program very similar to this in France. I am under the impression that they're more rigorous with their language requirements. Applicants must present proof of linguistic abilities. Unfortunately, the deadline is 1/15, but if you hustle, you can still make it. The Teaching Assistant Program in France.

Now for fun things: I spent my Christmas with a family in France, celebrating some local traditions and eating wonderful food. Christmas Eve dinner was treated almost as highly as Christmas lunch, it was just a bit smaller with the nuclear family. Extended family celebrated all together the next day.
Among the many dishes over the two days: foie gras, chestnuts as a savory side, homemade olive oil, and the traditional 13 desserts with champagne, nougat, gateau castel, bûche de Noël, choux, and many fruits, nuts, and chocolates.

New Year's Eve was no less decadent. Europeans don't mess around. The meal didn't actually begin until 9:30pm's pastis toast. There was dancing, singing, and much celebrating between each course, too--something like 5 in all. The meal lasted hours, and the dancing that followed was even longer. I was a party pooper when I called it a night at 5:30.

Kings' Day was the next big celebration. Here in Spain it's the day that families open their presents all together (they don't have Santa to push the gifts forward to Christmas Day). It's celebrated with King Cake of course! I was fortunate to live in New Orleans the last two years--a city lousy with the stuff. However, King Cake seems to be different everywhere you go. I tried three different styles in France, and there are at least two different types that I know of here in Spain. And as usual, New Orleans really does its own thing. But the basics stay the same: find the hidden goodies, get the crown, get some luck, and buy the next one.

I think that's enough for now, but I've put some pictures of my travels and some details on my own blog if you want to see a bit more.
Cheers!
-Erica

American Culture Shock

2012-01-03T17:24:00.001-06:00

I have heard that people that don't get culture shock when they enter a country will most often have some pretty bad "reverse culture shock." I would say that this is the truth. Before I went to Japan I had heard the term thrown around quite a bit but didn't realize how intense the experience would be! As weird as it sounds, for me reverse culture shock almost feels like a break-up! I find myself reminiscing about all of the good times that I had in Japan. But every time I think of my experiences I get an odd mixture of happy and sad. Since Japan is so far west jet-lag was also a big issue when I returned back to the States. This of course didn't help the reverse culture shock much either. Not being able to sleep well tends to make people grumpy! It is an odd feeling when your home country seems strange to you. Almost stranger than the country you returned from. It is a shock when you go from this. . .

To this. . .

I've been back in the US for a little under four weeks and I am starting to acclimate. I am surprised at how much culture shock I experienced when I reentered. Everything seems new; It is an interesting experience. It is cool getting to see your own country in a new light. I am noticing things in the US that I have either never noticed or took for granted before. Since I have studied abroad I have found that I am more interested in traveling in the United States and around the world. I want to go to places that I haven't seen before. I would also say that studying abroad has changed me for the better. It's given me confidence and a drive to pursue my dream of teaching English in Japan even harder.I can't wait to go back to Japan and have a new set of experiences!

Isaac Morgan

New Blogger

2011-12-20T08:20:00.001-06:00

Hello all!

My name is Erica Frazier and I'm a 2009 graduate of the University of Arkansas. I majored in history and communication and had minors in general business and psychology. During my time at the UofA I participated in two study abroad programs: the Oxford/Cambridge summer study abroad with the communication department, and the SECAC semester program in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
After graduating, I lived and taught in New Orleans, Louisiana for two years as part of the 2009 Teach For America corps. I'm now spending the academic year in Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain as a North American Language and Culture Assistant.

I maintain a private blog at http://thinkingbarefoot.blogspot.com/, but am going to be posting travel and cultural experience-specific content from time to time here on the Study Abroad Center's blog. Please feel free to add/follow/respond/etc. if you want to know more about anything I'm writing.

Cheers and happy travels!
-Erica

Frequent Flyer

2011-12-09T13:55:00.000-06:00

Winter Break Hours @ Office of Study Abroad

Be a Part of the Pals Program!

Passport Check

Scholarship Application Reminder

Upcoming Summer Program Deadlines

Winter Break Hours @ Office of Study Abroad. We will be open from 8am-5pm until December 21^st. On Thursday, December 22^nd, we will close at 4pm and will return on Tuesday, January 3^rd. There are limited advising hours available. Please call to set up an appointment.

Be a Part of the Pals Program! Want to get involved with international students on our campus? Become a pal to a new incoming exchange student this spring! As the Office of Study Abroad & Exchange, we get the opportunity to help the incoming exchange students settle into a comfortable rhythm when they arrive. And, we’re sure you can see the benefit of having someone who knows campus, like yourself, to pick you up from the airport (if possible), take you to Wal-Mart, show you around Dickson St., tell you where to buy cheap(er) textbooks, etc. Well, that’s what we’d like you to do for these students this January!

So, if you’re interested in being a part of this great volunteer opportunity, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/Get_Involved_on_Campus.html and fill out the form and email it back to Laura Moix, lmoix@uark.edu. We’re trying to match our 13 incoming students with you all before January 6, when the students arrive, so if you could have this form back to us before Monday, December 19, that would be great! If you have any questions, please email Laura!

Do you have a passport yet? Now’s the time to get your passport before the summer rush begins. You may apply at: http://travel.state.gov/passport.

Apply for scholarships! As most UA scholarship deadlines for summer/fall/year are in early February, the winter break is a great time to work on applications: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/funding.

Summer U of A Faculty Led Program Applications. The break is also a good time to work on summer program applications. February 1^st is the deadline for the following programs:

· Community Development in Belize:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/belize

· Classics in Italy:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/classicsinitaly

· Ghana History:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/ghana

· NEW Italian in Rome:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/rome

· NEW Intensive Japanese:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/japanese

· NEW Community Development in Mozambique:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/mozambique

· Theatre in London:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/theatreinlondon

· International Business in Brazil:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobbrazil

· International Business in China:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobchina

· International Business in Greece:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobgreece

· NEW International Business in Ireland:

http://studyabroad.uark.edu/wcobireland

Meet our G.A. Bryn Huntpalmer

2011-12-08T11:12:00.000-06:00

I am currently the graduate assistant at the Office of Study Abroad and am truly passionate about the study abroad experience and the impact it can have on college students. I was fortunate enough to spend a semester studying abroad in Beijing, China as an undergraduate student. I went through a partnership program (IES) that was based out of Beijing Foreign Studies University where I took 3 hours of Mandarin each day as well as two area studies courses (anthropology and history).

One of the best parts of this program was a two week trip that took us across China along the route of the Silk Road from Xi'an to Kashgar (near China's border with Tajikistan). This trip was definitely a once in a life-time experience and I never would have been able to coordinate such an extensive travel experience on my own. I will always be so grateful for the opportunity to see such a unique side of China.

Upon completion of my Master's degree in Higher Education at the University of Arkansas and in my future career in the field of student affairs, I hope to contribute to students’ overall college experience by advising them on the benefits of being exposed to an increasingly globalized society.

Studying abroad was such an integral part of my own college experience and helped me decide not only on an undergraduate major degree program but on a career path after college as well. My hope is for international education to be a component of all students’ university experience and I look forward to continuing to help students understand that studying abroad is much more attainable than they may think.

Costa Rica & Nicaragua with the Maderas Rainforest Conservancy

2011-12-07T11:14:00.000-06:00

Mariel Williams spent part of summer 2011 in Costa Rica and Nicaragua studying and researching primate communication through a program known as the Maderas Rainforest Conservancy.

-----

It was a bit harder than I was expecting, especially at first when I got there and was suddenly living in the rainforest in a "jungle hut" in intense heat with crazy creatures like big bugs and poison dart frogs all around. But I adjusted fairly quickly and really started to love the rainforest and spending time in it. It was great to experience both Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the course itself was really great as well.

We learned all about primate communication with lectures at 6AM and 4PM, and then spent the time in between wandering through the rainforest observing monkeys and recording their behaviors, which we each compiled and created our own individual research projects.

I really learned a lot and had an amazing time and got to do some really cool things, like kayak through jungle rivers, climb a volcano, and hike up to a beautiful waterfall. So, yes, I would definitely say it was all worth the time, money, and effort!

-Mariel

We'll meet again Japan

2011-12-05T09:47:00.006-06:00

This post was actually written maybe a few weeks back, but I knew the days were getting nearer, so I prepared the post!

It is now almost midnight.. and I’m just working on my studying for now. I have been quite productive and have been straightening up, since time is almost running out.

Coming to think of it, I don’t know where time left. It seems as if it was just the other day that I was here, and now it’s almost time to go home. There are not many things left to do, and as eager as I am to go home, I’m a teensy sad as well. Honestly, I never knew this opportunity would come for me, but it did. I expected for the days to come, and now it’s ending so fast eh? I think I was slowly getting to use to the way of life here as well~ Yet, I believe that there is no ending unless you choose to say goodbye.

I still have two weeks left, but I know it will zoom by before my eyes.. I had to honestly admit that when I first arrived here, I was really homesick and I really missed my family and friends, the daily, mundane activities. I felt sort of frustrated with the language barriers and the fact that I couldn’t express myself enough.. :(Not to mention I got lost numerous times. I felt frustrated with time differences and the lack of wifi.. :(

As much as I tried to adapt, I tried my best to find the positive in things. Yu, my buddy was someone I really appreciated during the times I was troubled. She was there for me when I arrived, and no matter how sad I was, she was always there for me. I am so lucky to have her as my buddy. I will miss her so~

Now, I’m sitting here and pondering on how I’ll miss bits and parts of Japan when I leave. I’ll miss the enthusiasm and super effort from the buddies .. I’ll miss my exchange buddies as well. I think it may seem as if I was sort of cold in the beginning, but as time went by, we all started to grow and attach to each other- like SHROOMS!! ahahahaha.. We were together most of the time, like little ducklings.. I will miss them so much. Who knows when we’ll ever see each other again~ But I’m not being pessimistic, the world is much smaller than it is. We’ll see each other somehow, someday again!!

I know some people are counting the days for me, the days where I’ll be home for Christmas. This year’s thanksgiving I know my parents will miss me so, or not. hahaha My friends will miss my weird, strange presence as well. This is my first year away, and since Thanksgiving is not a known holiday in Japan, the closest family I could have for Thanksgiving. Yet, I don’t mind, I’m thankful everyday for having the opportunity to be here, and being able to be a part of them. :)

When I return to the states, I know many things will change, and I will slowly go back to the ordinary things I usually do. I will meet my beloved friends, person, people who constantly kept in touch with me as I was away. I really look forward to seeing you all again, I really miss you all so much- you don’t even know! As much fun as I am experiencing here, you all are always on my mind. :)

This was my first time overseas, and sometimes, I think it’s all like a dream as the ending is getting nearer. Before I came here, I wonder what my initial purpose was for coming here. Besides the learning and the experiences, why was I here. In the beginning, I thought the answer was quite obvious.. Yet, I think God place me here for a reason. Through my 4 brief months here, I came to realize my potential purpose. I’ve realized that I have changed in many ways- for the good. Maybe I will not display the changes on here, but if you meet me again, you will clearly see.

My flight departs at 7pm in 2 weeks or so, and as I depart from Japan on my 13 hours flight, the ending will remain as a beautiful memory. Yes, I cannot say that it was easy adjusting to certain things, trying to learn the language, and all. After all, I have to admit that I am still not にほんごをじょうです, yet I can proudly say that I have improved much more than I would ever have had in the states. I am so happy and grateful to be given the chance to explore and experience the things I would have never had the chance to in the states. I will definitely miss some things in Japan~

Everyday as I ride the trains, besides sleeping, I always like to think about things. I cannot do that while I’m driving- I hate driving!! Hahaha, if only we had legit train systems where I could go anywhere and anytime I want to.. Just need my passmo card! haha I will also miss the convenient sizes that are perfect for me such as pants, shirts.. MM, American sizes never fit me.. The snacks and less amount of calories too hehehe, yeah those little things.

Well, thank you Japan you have been good to me. Until then, farewell to you, I’m sure we’ll meet again.

Almost time to return

2011-12-04T09:09:00.000-06:00

It is almost here! It is almost time for me to return to Arkansas. I am a little bit surprised because I really don't want to go back to the United States. I love it so much here in Japan. I have had such a good time.

I feel like I have only been here for a few weeks. I can't believe that it has almost been four months. This week since I have already finished school is my last free week. All of us exchange students are planning what we want to do. I'm looking forward to playing all around Japan one last time before I come home. It is amazing how much Japanese you can learn if you just come to Japan. I've noticed that as time goes on I can retain Japanese so much better and learn much faster than before. I just wish I had more time to stay! The next blog post I write will most likely be in Arkansas!

Isaac Morgan

Frequent Flyer

2011-11-22T15:43:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unique Opportunity: Experience the Olympics in England

Tanzania Safari, Theatre in London & Sweden Health Teams Abroad programs filling fast!

Happy Thanksgiving! We want to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. Our office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24^th and Friday, Nov. 25^th. We will return on Monday, November 28^th. If you’re headed home for the holiday, this is a great time to talk about studying abroad this upcoming summer with your family and friends!

Unique Opportunity: Experience the Olympics in England. Head to England and enjoy as they get ready for the Olympic festivities this summer! If you are interested in studying in England during summer 2012, be sure to start making plans early as programs and accommodations are sure to fill VERY quickly.

Tanzania Safari, Theatre in London & Sweden Health Teams Abroad programs filling fast! Considering one of these summer UA faculty-led programs? Make sure to get your application in soon!

*The Tanzania Safari is open to anyone and is a great program for anyone from freshmen to seniors. The application deadline is Thursday, December 15, 2011. For more information and to apply, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/tanzania

*Theatre in London is open to anyone and a great program for anyone from freshmen to seniors. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 1, 2012. For more information and to get an application, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/theatreinlondon

*Sweden Health Teams Abroad is open to pre-med/pre-nursing/pre-health professions, and it is a great program for juniors and seniors to polish their academic career. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 7, 2011. For more information and to apply, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/htasweden

Lasting memory lingers

2011-11-15T10:26:00.001-06:00

I glanced at my calendar and the days being marked off for each event.. It's almost time to go home.

Last week, I went to Kanto Gakuin Middle School, and it was such a delightful day! We were able to experience making mochi- one of the most well-known Japanese sweet snacks! Yet, it was our last time to see them as well. As we bid them farewell, they asked us for our signatures and pictures with them. I felt as if this would be how Justin Bieber would feel among the young fellows. ;)

It's already November, and I know that I won't be home for Thanksgiving this year with my family, not to mention there will be no Turkey Dining feast here in Japan either. Yet, it will be ok, because I already feel very grateful for wonderful people here, it's almost as if they are my family!

Today, I went to Kanto Gakuin elementary school, and I toured the school and how its system works. It's very different compared to the US school systems. The teachers were much stricter, but this could be due to the situation being that this was under

a private system. Yet, the kids were still very lively and they were too precious. They were all elated to meet foreign students like us. As we played with them, they asked us to sign their papers as if we were stars once again. :)

As I bid them farewell, I made a promise to myself that I will return to Japan for sure one day, perhaps not as an exchange student but as a native American teaching English. I had always loved kids, and I think that if another opportunity was being given, I would go once more. I miss them already! I

Furthermore, I realize that perhaps my Japanese skills has increased much more than I was back in the United States. Yet, I feel the need to improve it much more.

Well, Christmas is just around the corner, and I know that there isn't much time left in Japan~ 3 weeks left! There are really no other big events taking place other than the finals that will soon arrive!! Yet, I'm trying to enjoy my last moments here, making it last as a lingering memory which I would never forget. Until then, I'll be posting my last entry before I leave on the 9th of December! :)

-Ai

Frequent Flyer

2011-11-11T15:51:00.000-06:00

UA Tanzania Program Info Session November 15

International Education Week November 14-18

ISA Representative on Campus November 15

International Tailgate November 12

UA Sweden: Health Teams Abroad Application Deadline December 7

UA Tanzania Program Info Session November 15. There will be an informational session for the Summer 2012 Tanzania Study Program on Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00-5:00pm in Old Main room 421. The Tanzania Study Program is open to all students in all majors and includes one week of classroom instruction in Fayetteville to introduce students to the natural, political and social history of East Africa, especially the nation of Tanzania. This is followed by three weeks of travel around Tanzania, including such places as Mount Kilimanjaro, Olduvai Gorge, Zanzibar, and Dar-es-Salaam! Come learn more about this amazing opportunity!

The application deadline is Thursday, December 15, 2011. For more information and to apply, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/tanzania

International Education Week November 14-18. Take part in International Education Week 2011! There are a lot of great events planned, including the Study Abroad Student Association (SASA) Annual Photo Contest. The contest photos will be on display in the Union Connections Lounge on Monday, November 14^th from 11:00am-1:00pm. Check out the full schedule of events here.

ISA Representative on Campus November 15. Program representative Lauren Kolls will be on campus to talk about study abroad opportunities through International Studies Abroad. ISA offers a wide variety of study abroad programs at accredited schools and universities for summer, semester and academic year terms. ISA programs are available in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Panama, Peru, South Korea, and Spain. Lauren will have an information table on Tuesday November 15 from 11:00am-1:30pm in outside the Union Food Court from 11:00am-1:30pm. Stop by to learn more! http://studiesabroad.com/

Lauren will also be at the Hogs Abroad 101 session on Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00-4:45pm in JBHT 207.

International Tailgate November 12. Join the International Student Organization (ISO) tomorrow for an International Tailgate in front of Holcombe Hall beginning at 1 pm and going until 4pm! Rumor is that at 1:30pm there will be a special guest from the University.

UA Sweden: Health Teams Abroad Application Deadline December 7. Study in Sweden this summer! This program offers opportunities to see health care at work in the US and Sweden, gain experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, research links between critical care and health promotion, enhance your applications to graduate/professional school, and learn about Sweden, its customs, food and values. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 7, 2011.

For more information and to apply, visit: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/htasweden

Seeing Japan's History

2011-11-10T07:51:00.001-06:00

So it has been about a week since my trip to Kyoto. It was so much fun! I rode the Shinkansen down on early Sunday morning and arrived in Kyoto before lunch time. It is amazing how fast the Shinkansen is. The best part is that it is actually quieter and smoother than the normal trains.

On Monday I went to Osaka. It surprised me how different Osaka felt from the Tokyo area. People acted just a little bit different. A lot more people in Osaka smiled and talked to me which made me feel pretty good.

I also got to see Osaka Castle. Being a history major I was kind of geeking out the whole time. It was originally built in 1597 but was burnt down and rebuilt many times since then. The inside looks really modern and was converted into a museum about the castle. The museum actually had a set of armor from around the 1600's.

On Tuesday I went to Mt. Hiei by myself to see a temple complex I had studied about in Dr. Rembrandt and Dr. Wolpert's Heian History class.

This is the main hall of Enryakuji. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside but this is a huge temple! What surprised me was that when I walked into the temple the monks started to chant. It was really neat getting to hear and see things that I had only heard through the internet or only read in books. Definitely an experience I won't forget.

I walked around the temple complex and found a small road that wandered around the mountain. It was so nice to be able to walk around in the woods again! I didn't realize just how loud the city is until I spent some time in Mt. Hiei's completely quiet woods.

Wednesday was Kyoto. I went to the old Imperial palace in Kyoto. The whole day in Kyoto reminded me of all the old samurai movies I have watched. The Imperial palace only opens on a few occasions so when I went it was so incredibly crowded that I could't get a real clear shot of the buildings or the gardens. It was still cool being able to go though.

All of the rooms that were on display had beautiful art painted on the walls. Each room had a specific function and unique art to go along with that function.

After the Palace I went to Nijo Castle. This castle was ordered to be built by Tokugawa Ieyasu after the unification of Japan. The inside of Nijo Castle in my opinion was better than the insides of the Imperial Palace.

It is easy for me to say that this fall break was the best one I have ever had so far! It such a cool experience to see things that I have only read about in books. It was a little overwhelming. Japan is such an interesting country. One day you can be in one of the most busy cities in the world and the next day be in a part of Japan that feels like it hasn't changed since before our country has existed. I love Japan!

Isaac Morgan

Vocabulary Lessons

2011-11-08T11:59:00.002-06:00

Jonathan Langley received his B.A. in French and English from the University of Arkansas in 2009, and his M.A. in French Literature in 2011. As an undergraduate, he participated in two study abroad programs: Theater in London in 2008 and French in Besançon in 2009. He currently lives with his wife, Sarah (also an Arkansas graduate and study abroad participant), in Le Mans, France, where he's doing a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship and works as a lecteur d'anglais at l'Université du Maine.

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When I began studying French as a sophomore, I quickly realized that memorizing vocabulary was not my forte. Each chapter was based around themes, and we then learned specific vocabulary words to support those themes. Sometimes, these words interested me; if we were learning words to discuss books or movies or art, learning them was quite easy. However, the themes were typically more mundane. Talking about my apartment and its furnishings was boring in English, so why would I want to spend the time learning how to describe mon petit appartement?

After completing my undergraduate studies in French, I decided to pursue an M.A. in the same subject. Part of the program involves being a teaching assistant for the beginning and intermediate French classes. I could now see the difficulty of vocabulary from the other side of the classroom, as my students would sometimes struggle to remember words that seemed very simple. I had to keep reminding myself that I was once in their shoes and that I was the same way. However, I still wasn’t convinced that such extensive work on vocabulary was worthwhile; even as an instructor, I enjoyed teaching grammar and cultural concepts much more than tedious repetition of vocabulary.

It wasn’t until I arrived in France this past September that I realized the importance of all this vocabulary. It’s great to be able to talk about my interests in music, but the majority of my day is spent using much more functional vocabulary. In the past few months, I have had to sign up for renter’s insurance, set up an account for electricity, sign and discuss work contracts, and start a bank account. None of these activities involved vocabulary that I typically enjoy, but they were all essential to starting my life here. During our appointment to set up our electricity, I was shocked at how much I remembered from these beginning classes my sophomore year. I had to answer questions about our apartment, like whether or not I had a congélateur (a freezer) that was separate from my frigo (refrigerator), if I had a four (oven), and did I have a sèche-linge (dryer). Amazingly, I could recall all of these words and I had no trouble with the appointment.

Even though I’m no longer officially a student, I feel as though I’m in a constant vocabulary lesson here. The key to not only succeeding in a foreign country but also to increasing linguistic knowledge is to have open ears and an eagerness for conversation. I learn at least one new word every day, and sometimes several in just a single conversation. Since arriving two months ago, I’ve learned the words porc-épic, pomme de pin, RIB, nounours, and autorisation de découvert. Instead of telling you what those words mean, I’ll let you search for them on your own if you’re so inclined. Maybe it will spark a little desire for knowledge of vocabulary that you will help you in a foreign country someday.

-Jonathan

Frequent Flyer

2011-10-28T16:56:00.000-05:00

University of Arkansas “International Education Week” Essay Contest

Join the Study Abroad Student Association (SASA)

Apply For Your Passport

University of Arkansas “International Education Week” Essay Contest. The Office of International Students and Scholars, Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange, Spring International Language Center, and the Holcombe International Living Learning Community invite you to participate in an essay contest in honor of International Education Week, November 14-18. Opportunities for international education are all around us. Some are abroad while many other opportunities are right in our own backyard.

International Education Week essays should be about a personal experience that helped shape your international perspective and made you more globally aware. This experience could come from a study abroad opportunity, a personal relationship with a friend/roommate, attending a cultural program, etc. The writing competition deadline will be November 9, 2011. Entries should be submitted via email to issworld@uark.edu. For the official rules, click here.

How to Enter:

Submit an essay on the following topic:

“When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a gift, and it is your lifelong commitment to preserve it and build on it.” – Yo Yo Ma

In light of this quotation, write an essay describing a personal experience that helped shape your character and international outlook. Explain what the experience was, how it changed you, and how you intend to apply this lesson to your life.

Join the Study Abroad Student Association (SASA). SASA is a student organization open to everyone! SASA aims to create a community of returned study abroad students, introduce prospective study abroad students to study abroad alumni, assist the Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange in promoting study abroad programs, and provide opportunities for members to get involved with international activities. Join SASA and provide internationally minded leadership on our campus! Membership is $10/year, which comes with a free t-shirt! http://studyabroad.uark.edu/Forms%20&%20Apps/SASA%20application.pdf

Apply For Your Passport. One of the first steps towards studying abroad is to apply for your passport! To review the passport application requirements, visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/. In Fayetteville, you can go to the Post Office on Dickson Street to apply for a passport, or visit your local post office. Encourage your parents and friends to get their passports as well in case they would like to visit or in case of an emergency.

Living the Japanese Exchange Student Life

2011-10-20T08:57:00.000-05:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to write in the blog! One of my excuses for not writing is that two or three weeks ago the home stay program started! My host family is so nice. My host family consists of my host mom and my host dad. Last weekend my host family took me to Mt. Fuji. It is beautiful from any angle you look at it.

Since it is fall i wasn't able to climb to the top because the mountain is closed but i did climb up one section of it. I can now see why it would take a couple days to climb it!

This week all of us exchange students took a study tour to Nikko. I can't even try to explain how beautiful the nature is in Nikko. It looked like something out of a dream. At Nikko we got to stay at a ryokan, or a traditional Japanese inn. The first floor of the ryokan had an onsen. An onsen is a natural hot spring that people soak in. It was so ridiculously relaxing. I even got to wear a yukata or a summer kimono! The Japanese really know how to relax haha Recently, since the home stay has started, I have been really busy. It is getting harder to juggle doing school work and playing around haha Today I went to my first Aikido class in Japan!I have done a year of Aikido in Arkansas before coming to Japan. I really enjoyed the club. I was worried before class started but once I started to do some familiar exercises I felt alot better. It was interesting how even though we couldn't understand each other completely we could still communicate through Aikido. I'm looking forward to the next meeting. Next week is fall break and some of us are planning on going to Kyoto! I am really excited about getting to see some more traditional culture there. In a few weeks I will write a blog post and tell you all about it!

Isaac Morgan

Frequent Flyer

2011-10-14T16:56:00.002-05:00

Opportunities in Japan Info Session Wednesday, October 19
Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Informational Session Thursday, October 20

Born in the USA; Back from the (former) GSSR Thursday, October 20

NEW Grand Trunk Scholarship Contest

Opportunities in Japan Info Session Wednesday, October 19. Want to find out what study abroad opportunities there are for Japan? Come to this meeting and learn about the summer, semester and year-long options available to you, as well as more about all the funding sources. The info session will be held on Wednesday, October 19^th from 3:30-4:30pm in JBHT 146. See you there!

Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Informational Session Thursday, October 20. Amazing opportunity to live and teach English in Japan! This program is sponsored by the government of Japan. Contracts are for a minimum of 1 year with opportunity to renew for an additional 1-2 years. Candidates must hold a bachelors degree by July 1, 2012 and demonstrate a strong interest in Japanese language and culture. Previous knowledge of Japanese is not required but applicants must have an excellent command of English. Application deadline is in mid-November. The informational session will be held on Thursday, October 20^th from 3:30-5:00pm in KIMP 301. Come learn more! http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/

Born in the USA; Back from the (former) GSSR Thursday, October 20. Chase Stoudenmire, a University of Arkansas alumnus and Fulbright Fellow, will deliver a one-hour interactive presentation reflecting on his experiences as a student in America and a teacher in the Caucasus region of Eurasia on Thursday, October 20^th from 1:00-2:00pm in the Graduate Education Building room 166. Stoudenmire spent the 2010-2011 academic year teaching English in the former Soviet republic of Georgia as the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship from the U.S. Department of State. Our director DeDe Long will also be present to share information about international opportunities for current UofA students. For more information: http://newswire.uark.edu/article.aspx?id=16935

NEW Grand Trunk Scholarship Contest. Are you preparing to study abroad spring 2012? Here is a cool study abroad scholarship opportunity to check out. Filmmakers take note! Submit a 2-3 minute video that will be voted on by the public in order to determine six finalists, and then the final three contest winners will be chosen by Grand Trunk and its partners. Deadline for application and video submission is Monday, October 31^st. There are some great award packages! For more information: http://www.grandtrunkgoods.com/2011/10/study-abroad-scholarship-contest/

Rising Sun

2011-10-07T19:37:00.004-05:00

Hello,

The months have passed much faster than the days I have anticipated on coming here to Japan. During the past 2 months, I have to say that there have been many changes in me which I would have never had to experience in America.

Besides going to school, and learning Japanese every single day, I also try to put myself out there as I have mentioned in my earlier posts. Traveling to new places, trying new things, and blending in with Japan's culture and aspects of their mundane lifestyles; beyond that, I learn about their history and how Japan came to be where it's standing right now.

I am a cool samurai~

Temple in Asakusa

Kabukki Plays Display in Edo Museum, Tokyo

Loving our face imitations~

Zushi Sea with my Host parents!

Recently, I have moved in a Japanese household. They are really nice to me, and living with them helps me to experience what life is like living in a Japanese household. To tell the truth, it isn't much different from my own home. When I first got to Japan I had to say that I was so homesick, but now, I'm ok. I enjoy the new environment and I try to keep in touch with my family and friends back home. :) Living within a Japanese household is really nice because we always have family quality time together. The other day my Japanese Dad took me to school, and I was really astonished on the fact that we had a conversation for the past 20 minutes! I felt so accomplished, even if it was in broken Japanese. Later in the day, they even took me to the beach near their hometown. It was very scenic and beautiful~

Well, the months are going by very fast. Pretty soon, I'll be home in America. Therefore, I'm going to try to absorb as much experiences if possible: Culture, history, fashion, food, people, you name it! :)

-Ai

With my older Host Sister!

Cafe by Zushi Sea

Frequent Flyer

2011-09-30T15:21:00.001-05:00

Reminder: Spring 2012 Exchange Programs Application Deadline October 1

Funding for Study Abroad!

Peace Corps Representative on Campus October 4-6

New SIT Asian Studies Scholarship Deadline October 15

Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions

Get Connected with Our Office

Reminder: Spring 2012 Exchange Programs Application Deadline October 1. Ever wanted to switch places with a student in another country? Pay UofA tuition and spend the semester somewhere else! The deadline for exchange and direct enrollment programs is October 1. Check out all your options at: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/exchange

Funding for Study Abroad! Now is a great time to start working on scholarship applications, as many UA scholarship deadlines are in mid October. Visit http://studyabroad.uark.edu/funding for more information about UA and Non-UA scholarships.

Peace Corps Representative on Campus October 4-6. Peace Corps representative Shand Laughlin will have an information table in front of the Union Food Court on Tuesday, October 4^th and Wednesday, October 5^th from 11am-2pm. He will also be at the All Majors Career Fair on Thursday, October 6^th from 11:00am-3pm in the Union Verizon Ballroom and in Union room 512 at 4 p.m. for an in-depth informational session. For more information, visit: http://www.peacecorps.gov/

New SIT Asian Studies Scholarship Deadline October 15. The School for International Training (SIT) Study Abroad will be awarding six $10,000 scholarships to students studying abroad with SIT in China, Mongolia, or Vietnam during the spring 2012 semester. The scholarship application deadline is October 15^th, 2011. For more information about the scholarship and SIT programs, visit: http://www.sit.edu/scholarships

Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions. Looking for a place to start your study abroad journey? Consider attending one of our Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions. The info sessions are offered once a week on alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the semester and last approximately 45 minutes. All sessions will take place at 4pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt 207. Please check our website calendar (http://studyabroad.uark.edu/Calendars_and_Deadlines.html) for future dates.

Get Connected with Our Office. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UARKstudyabroad) and/or Twitter (http://twitter.com/UARKstudyabroad) to stay up-to-date on deadlines, events, and other useful information. Visit our blog (http://studyabroadarkansas.blogspot.com) featuring study abroad students writing about their experiences abroad.

Settling into Japan

2011-09-28T05:28:00.002-05:00

I absolutely love Japan. It has so many quirks you can't help but love it. I'm starting to settle into the swing of things here in Japan. Life definitely moves at a faster pace here than it does in Arkansas.

A couple days ago all of us foreign students went on a school trip to Asakusa. It was a really good time. We went to the Tokyo Edo Museum first

then we went to Sensoji temple

and finally we went to a Washi shop.

Washi is traditional Japanese paper. It is made by first beating certain trees' bark into a pulp. The beaten pulp is then put into frigid water. This is where my picture comes in! The wooden thing in the picture is like a box with a swinging bracket to hold a mat of bamboo and silk in place. Then the box is used to scoop up some water and and then you create a wave action with the pulpy water. After swishing 30 times you repeat and the process is finished. Then you pull out the bamboo mat, set it with the wet paper face down and remove the mat. It sounds really boring and long but it was actually really cool and it was surprisingly fast! It was an extremely eventful day haha We all had a really good time.

A few days before that I was able to meet the person that introduced me to Japan. 12 years ago my family hosted an exchange student from Japan. I was 9 at the time! Her coming to stay at our house obviously influenced me.So after 12 years I was able to meet her again! Needless to say it was an awesome experience. She took me around one of her favorite towns, showed me some really cool temples and Daibutsu the great Buddha. It was my favorite day in Japan so far. It's really hard to write a blog about my experiences because there is so many to choose from. If you are on a fence post about studying abroad just go for it, you won't regret it. I promise!

Isaac Morgan

It's only a wee bit colder here!

2011-09-23T07:47:00.001-05:00

My name is Madalyn Watkins. I’m a senior Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences honors student studying environmental, soil, and water science (and a little French thrown in there as well!). Though I’ve studied abroad with the University before (French in Besancon and Community Development in Belize) this semester will be my first extended stay in a foreign country. The modestly sized town of Stirling, Scotland is my base camp for fall 2011. Here I am taking several environmental science courses: aquatic principles, ecology, and environmental policy and management.

Orientation to Scottish life was facilitated by our wonderful partners at Arcadia University. We had several guest lectures on Scottish cinema, sports, academic life, cuisine, etc. They even organised (getting into the UK mode of spelling) for our group to take a lesson at the Edinburgh Cookery School. We made a Scottish feast complete with shortbread, cheese scones, onion-dill tarts, mixed bean pate, and apple crumble. The best part about this: they let us keep the recipes. Shortbread, anyone?

Compared to places like Dangriga, Belize or Besancon, France where I often had trouble communicating, Stirling seemed, at first, quite accessible. Almost like a Fayetteville, Arkansas but add adorable accents and infinite opportunities to eat fish and chips late into the night. But the more I delve into the youthful social scene of the University here the more I realize… Wait, I don’t know what these kids are saying. It’s not the accents, it’s their fantastic colloquialisms! Fantastic, but confusing to someone who has no idea what you mean when you say “Let’s have a wee shoofti” (which means to have a quick look at something) or when they throw in one of their MANY slang terms for “drunk”. It all makes for a lot of head tilting on my part when I’m trying to get to know someone in a crowded pub. But it’s all in good fun; the more I interact with the locals, the warmer I feel (which is good since the forecast predicts cold drizzle for the next week… at least). A smile and a good attitude can get you through a lot of confusing situations.

Definitely more to tell later. Right now I have plenty of reading to do from my 100+ book reading list. Yes…. It’s a very different text book system here; I’ll report on it soon. :) Thanks for reading!

Madalyn

Frequent Flyer

2011-09-16T17:37:00.000-05:00

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22
Renew/Apply for your Passport at the Study Abroad Fair September 22
Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Application Now Available
Spring 2012 Exchange Programs Application Deadline October 1
Study Abroad Student Association (SASA)
World Food Day October 16

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22. Want to study Engineering in India, Health in Sweden, or Sustainable Development in Rwanda? The annual Study Abroad Fair is the place to start! Stop by the Fair between 10:00am-2:00pm on Thursday, September 22nd in the Union Connections Lounge. Meet with faculty, past participants, and program representatives. Get information on UA faculty led programs, exchange programs, approved non-UA programs, scholarships, and other funding information. Programs are available for ALL majors. Start making your dreams a reality!

Renew/Apply for your Passport at the Study Abroad Fair September 22. Need a new or renewed passport? Get your passport photos taken and submit your completed applications at the Study Abroad Fair ON-CAMPUS for 1 DAY ONLY! The New Orleans Passport Agency will have a table at the Study Abroad Fair from 10am-2pm. Be sure and check the passport application requirements: http://travel.state.gov/ and click on “PASSPORTS.”

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Application Now Available. The Freeman-ASIA Scholarship application for Spring 2012 and early Academic Year 2012-2013 is now available! Freeman-ASIA provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program's goal is to increase the number of Americans with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures. Awards of up to $5,000 are available for spring programs.

Deadline: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
For more information, eligibility requirements, & online application: http://www.iie.org/freeman-asia

Spring 2012 Exchange Programs Application Deadline October 1. Ever wanted to switch places with a student in another country? Pay UofA tuition and spend the semester somewhere else! The deadline for exchange and direct enrollment programs is October 1, so don’t delay! Check out all your options at: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/exchange

Study Abroad Student Association (SASA). SASA is a student organization open to everyone! SASA aims to create a community of returned study abroad students, introduce prospective study abroad students to study abroad alumni, assist the Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange in promoting study abroad programs, and provide opportunities for members to get involved with international activities. Join SASA and provide internationally minded leadership on our campus! Membership is $10/year, which comes with a free t-shirt! SASA Membership Application

World Food Day October 16. World Food Day is October 16, and we are proud to be a food collection site for this event. Join us in efforts to alleviate hunger by donating non-perishable food items between now and October 16. Food will be donated to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the University of Arkansas Full Circle Campus Food Pantry.

Home is where your Happiness lies

2011-09-14T04:25:00.005-05:00

How many weeks has it been already? Perhaps 3 or weeks already~ I had to admit when I had first arrived, I was terribly homesick! I was raised in a small town and could be considered as a "country girl..." I just missed everything about AR, and as hard to believe, I wished I was back home attending University of Arkansas, seeing all of my dear friends, and being able to use a language that I was able to comprehend and understand. Furthermore, I felt sort of depress on the fact that I could not be able to reach anyone in America due to the fact that they are busy themselves.. Not to mention I had not internet/phone access the first week here.

Yet, 3 weeks had quickly passed, and I've realized that it won't be long before I have to adjust to a Japanese family lifestyle. Many things to expect, to see, to learn ne? I guess I'm slowly discovering profound uniqueness's to Japan as well.

Among the profound things that I have discovered in Japan that's different from where I came from was that in America your car was your main transportation. When I first arrived here, my dependency was on the train, bus, and walking. It's extremely hot and humid here, but every single day I walk to school with the other exchange students, literally an hour before catching the train; in doing so, we save a lot of money.

I really admire Japan on the fact that the kids here become very independent at a young age. Their parents would teach them what they need to know, guide them to a point where it's enough, and then they let them off on their own. I really admire the fact that the kids are always able to get off to their destination on the train or on the bus. I know that in America, it isn't really common for kids to be on their own due to dangers, but I think I would like to at least let my kid be independent in some aspects; that way, they'll learn and gain more experiences. Believe it or not, they actually inspired me to not be scared of being on my own and taking the train to where I need to go without always having to have someone beside me.. Yet, the only difference is that I cannot fluently speak Japanese; just enough to get me by and where I need to go.

In addition to what have been said, I was able to take the train to Yokohama from Hayama last weekend to visit a friend I haven't seen in half a year! It was literally 30 minutes, but I got on the right express train and went home on the right one as well. I did ask for help too!! I just managed to speak like a 4 year old, saying what I need to say in maybe 4 or 5 words. ahahaha GREAT! I'm actually better at navigating trains than when I'm driving. hehaha

Well, sad enough to say the days are going by much faster than the days I had anticipated in going to Japan. Slowly and slowly, I feel that I'm forgetting English every now and then. Yet, I'm enjoying the lifestyle now, people, food, friends, environment, atmosphere, and whatever you could name it.. I'm traveling as much as I can, not to mention TOKYO this weekend!! Likely Korea in October.. Yes, life is enjoyable now, and I thank God for this opportunity. One of the things I've come to realize the most out of everything here is that home isn't necessarily where you came from, where you were born; rather, it's where you make your home to be in your heart- finding your own happiness. I hope you all are doing well.

-Ai

Living in the Land of the Rising Sun.

2011-09-09T11:28:00.002-05:00

So last week I arrived in Japan. It was my first time to ever fly in a commercial airline! I liked the flight quite a bit. Because of the time difference I tried to get as much sleep as I could on the way to Japan. When I arrived in Japan I went through customs with no problems. When I got into the lobby most of the buddies were there to welcome us. The buddies are all so nice! I'm really glad that this program has the buddies, it makes it so much easier to get acclimated to Japan. I think I would have had a hard time without them. My classes started on Monday this week. So far I have really liked them. My Japanese teachers are both really nice and have a good sense of humor which makes everything better! Japan is such a beautiful country. It really creates a sense of awe. A couple days ago we went to a matsuri or festival. It was incredibly fun. We walked to the shrine that the matsuri was being held and watched the parades go out into Hayama, where we are staying.

Inside the gate there were tons of little shops and stands that sold various things from food and candy to posters and trading cards. After we bought some delicious matsuri food we sat on a retaining wall on the beach and watched the sun set behind Mt. Fuji.

The best part of Japan is that everything is an adventure, you just can't get around it haha. I go to the super market quite a bit and everyday I go in there I see some new interesting food. I think the thing that surprised me the most about Japan so far is the lack of water that they drink. When you go into a restaurant they serve you water in these tiny glasses, about kiddie cup size. First time I really noticed how small the glasses were was when we had been walking around outside for quite a while. I was expecting a huge, tall U.S. size glass of ice water and when they gave me that small kiddie cup my heart kinda sank haha. Another thing that is amazing is the humidity and the heat. I had always heard that Japan was hot, but I don't think you can understand how hot until you've been here. It is amazing. When you walk you sweat but unlike Arkansas where it will eventually go away, it seems like the sweat just builds up and stays. Gross, I know. But the walks and sweat are all totally worth it to be able to see the sights. There are so many new,strange and interesting things to see it would be a shame to miss them!

Isaac Morgan

Frequent Flyer

2011-09-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

2012-2013 Boren Awards Applications Now Available

Gilman Scholarship Info Meetings September 8 & September 12

Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22

Get Connected with Our Office

2012-2013 Boren Awards Applications Now Available. David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East, where they can add important international and language components to their educations. The awards are an initiative of the National Security Education Program (NSEP). For more information, visit: http://www.borenawards.org/

Boren Fellowships Deadline: January 31, 2012

Boren Scholarships Deadline: February 9, 2012 (Campus deadline: late January)

Gilman Scholarship Info Meeting September 8 & September 12. Come find out more about this great study abroad scholarship for students and get tips on perfecting your application. This scholarship is open to undergraduates who are United States citizens, receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of study abroad, and participating in a study abroad program that is no less than 4 weeks. Awards are generally $3,000 for a summer and $5,000 for a semester/year. For application procedures visit http://www.iie.org/gilman.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 8th from 4:30-5:30pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt room 207.

For those unable to make it to the first meeting, we will be hosting another Gilman Scholarship info meeting on Monday, September 12, 2011 from 4:30-5:30pm in JBHT 207.

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22. Mark your calendars! The annual Study Abroad Fair is going to be held from 10:00am-2:00pm on Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 in the Union Connections Lounge. Come meet with faculty, past participants, and program representatives. Get information on UA faculty led programs, exchange programs, approved non-UA programs, scholarships, and other funding information. Programs are available for all majors. Start making your dreams a reality! http://studyabroad.uark.edu/studyabroadfair.html

Foreign Feeling

2011-08-31T08:54:00.001-05:00

" Welcome to Japan!!"

14 hours totaled... As I sat on the plane, I felt so nauseous and super jet lagged, yet it felt like I've been on the plane since forever...

Getting off the plane, I was super nervous. I had to navigate through most of the locations on my own, at the same time I was a super confused foreigner that was constantly claimed as a Japanese person. I thought it was funny pretending to play the role as one as well. ahaha

That night, I felt really weird being in Japan, as a matter of fact I didn't really know if I was really in Japan or not. It seems as if reality was too surreal to be considered as reality. As a curious kid, I wandered around the room discovering new things. In Japan, I've come to realized that everything is small and compact. The rooms aren't as spacious as in America, not to mention that the toilets were extremely different; I learned that when the water squirted on me. -_-

The next day finally arrived when we met the Japanese crew. I was really nervous, yet the time arrived when I met Issac and Jordan from our school. Eguchi San, the Japanese student exchange Advisor greeted me and then introduced me to everyone. Everyone seemed so friendly! :D

After the greetings, we were then guided to our dorms which was approximately 2 hours away from the airport. As soon as we were situated, we were escorted around to our dorm rooms, and finally settled down for the night. Everyone was so exhausted from the long day.
Before I left America, I installed many free phone applications to use when I go to Japan, thinking that my iphone would be quite useful when I am in Japan. Yet, it was useless, not to mention I couldn't even text nor call in Japan. Well, it's ok I guess, because I had originally planned to buy a phone in Japan anyways.. After all, I still have internet that I could get on when I'm free right? After we were situated, and we had our free time to rest, I instantly turned on my computer to get internet... Yet, it turns out there was no wifi!! WHAT???!!! D: Ok, they told us that there would be internet in the study room across from our rooms. I went there, but in the end the internet was enable to work. AHHH, a depressed moment eh??! Oh well, they'll get it fixed tomorrow is what we all thought...

For the past 2 days, everything was so hectic... Yet, I'm not talking about disorganized hectic, it's more of like a foreign feeling "CRAZINESS." Every single day, we had to use Japanese language like no other days I have had in America. We were speaking Japanese, being spoken to in Japanese, seeing Japanese, reading Japanese... It was actually tooooo much to absorbed within a day. I felt extremely exhausted and perhaps even frustrated. :'( Now, I actually even come to know how exchange students actually feel now- now that I'm in their situation.

One of the important things that I'm slowly coming to realize as I am living here in Japan day by day is that I really miss my hometown in USA. As much as I'm enjoying the new experience, eating new food, meeting new people, gaining many new information day by day, I still miss my hometown, my University, my family, my friends, my person. I guess it's normal to be nostalgic right? After all, I've been in America my entire life.. Then again, I think I must be too spoiled.

With 2 days of not having internet, with 5 days of not having any texts, I almost could not endure it! Everything is indeed different in Japan, one of the most difference is actually transportation and expenses. As much as I hate driving, I am coming to appreciate how everything was so close when I lived in the US, I barely had to drive so far.. Here in Yokohama, people walk everywhere, not to mention "Ojisans"- 70 years old Grandpas and Grannies ride their bikes around everywhere. I feel so out of shape !! HAHA. For expenses wise, I'm spending money like I'm throwing money out my window.. -_- It's ridiculous! I haven't spent anything for my own interests, these are all for food and necessities.

Yet, I'm not posting about my complaints of Japan and how I regret living here. As a matter of fact, I feel my purpose for coming here: TO BE PRODUCTIVE/LEARN. In the beginning, I was thinking that maybe I could goof off and it'll be ok. I was thinking that it wasn't really taken so seriously, and it was mostly depended on your effort. Yet, now I come to realize that they chose us to come here for a reason, and GOOFING OFF doesn't come close to being in the category. As a matter of fact, we even have a curfew: 10:30pm. Crazy ne?? Yet, I think I will learn so much from here. I think I will come to adapt to the situations that I am situated in, not to mention that I will be much more independent than I ever was, maybe a level higher from Fayetteville. kkk Lastly, I think I will form memorable memories no matter what. Already, one of the people that I loved the most and will appreciate from the beginning until the end is my conversational partner. She has helped me OH SO MUCH- in a sincere manner. I really love her and would not trade anyone even with the chance... :)

Ok, well... I guess it's now time to end it here. I am enjoying many things, places, food. I'm gaining much more experiences that I had ever hoped for, not to mention how grateful I am for the given

chance. Until then, I'll keep you posted on my Journey to Japan. I really love and miss you all.
A.D

Frequent Flyer

2011-08-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Campus!

Snow Cone Welcome Party August 24

Fulbright Scholarship Info Meeting August 25

Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions

SiS (Study in Spain) Student Ambassadors Program

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22

Get Connected with Our Office

Welcome to Campus! We want to wish everyone a great fall semester! Our “Frequent Flyer” newsletter will be sent out regularly with the latest deadlines and meetings, new programs & scholarship opportunities, notification of representatives visiting our campus, Study Abroad Student Association (SASA) events, tips for preparing to study abroad, and other tidbits of useful information.

Snow Cone Welcome Party August 24. Join us for our Snow Cone Welcome Party on Wednesday, August 24^th from 3:30pm-5:00pm at our office as we welcome our new international exchange students and you all this fall! Come visit our office (located at 722 West Maple Street), enjoy a refreshing snow cone and meet our new exchange students.

Fulbright Scholarship Info Meeting August 25. If you are a U.S. citizen, and you are going to be a graduating senior or graduate student this year, consider applying for the prestigious Fulbright grant to teach English, study, or conduct research outside of the U.S. for 9-12 months. Check out: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html. Informational meeting will be held on Thursday, August 25th from 4:30-5:30pm in the JB Hunt Foreign Language Lab room 207 to discuss eligibility and the application process.

Campus deadline for 2012-2013 Fulbright grants is Monday, September 19, 2011. To review application process, go to: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/fulbright

Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions. Looking for a place to start your study abroad journey? Consider attending one of our Hogs Abroad 101 Sessions. The info sessions are offered once a week throughout the semester on either Tuesday or Wednesday and last approximately 45 minutes. All sessions will take place at 4pm in the Foreign Language Lab, J.B. Hunt 207. The first Hogs Abroad 101 Session of the semester is on August 23^rd! Please check our website calendar (http://studyabroad.uark.edu/Calendars_and_Deadlines.html) for future dates.

SiS (Study in Spain) Student Ambassadors Program. The SiS Student Ambassadors Program is an exciting opportunity through the Trade Commission of the Embassy of Spain. The program intends to recruit students interested in becoming the main representative of Study in Spain in their institutions of higher learning. Requirements are as follows: knowledge of Spanish language, proactive personality, social skills, interested in the people and culture of Spain, motivated and committed for a minimum of two semesters. For more information about the program, visit: http://www.spainedu.org/

Annual Study Abroad Fair September 22. Mark your calendars! The annual Study Abroad Fair is going to be held from 10:00am-2:00pm on Thursday, September 22^nd, 2011 in the Union Connections Lounge. Come meet with faculty, past participants and program representatives. Get information on UA faculty led programs, exchange programs and approved non-UA programs, scholarships, and other funding information. Programs are available for all majors. Start making your dreams a reality!

Get Connected with Our Office. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UARKstudyabroad) and/or Twitter (http://twitter.com/UARKstudyabroad) to stay up-to-date on deadlines, events, and other useful information and visit our blog (http://studyabroadarkansas.blogspot.com) featuring study abroad students writing about their experiences abroad.

2 weeks DOWN "to do's"

2011-08-12T15:29:00.002-05:00

The weeks are quickly approaching, and I'm only down to 2 weeks before I'll be heading over to Japan. Where has summer gone? I feel like I haven't been much productive at all.

I am anticipating the journey more than ever, but as for now, I'm feeling the anxiousness rather more than the anticipation. However, it's only due to the fact that this will be my very first time traveling overseas!

Since it is my very first time to travel abroad, I have to admit that I'm not very organized about it: I have misplaced many things, not to mention I feel that I haven't prepared myself for studying Japanese as much as I had intended for myself to do.

However, due to my mother's constant nagging, I have managed to pack my 4 months worth of clothing. Since Japan's money currency are quite high, I would want to keep my limits within the budget line.

In the end, there are 2 weeks remaining. I have to start organizing myself to doing necessary things and preparing myself. I'm sure that no matter what, in the end, I'll gain much experiences.. Until then, I look forward to blogging about my first day in Japan in the next two weeks!!

Ai Doan