Everything Goes #HogsAbroad in Denmark

Changed? Yes, lots of changes. I’ve been having the same thoughts for weeks and today I confirmed how much I’ve changed as a person and I don’t know if it’s something good or bad? From what I can tell, experiences and just life make one change; It is inevitable, isn’t it? But I don’t know why I feel bad. I feel like I am losing my essence and that is something I don’t want to change, NUNCA. As I wrote in my first blog post, I am currently studying abroad at the University of Aarhus, Denmark through one the University of Arkansas programs. I am halfway through meaning that I’ve only got two more months to come back to America. I will be visiting Panama first for a month, then, in January, I will start a new phase back in the US: my last year of college. I’ve learned so much in these two months and I am so grateful for that. The people I’ve met, places I’ve been and just the little things I’ve seen. If someone asks me to define Denmark, especially Aarhus, I will say happy green. 

Just like everywhere else in Europe, everything is so small and minimalist-like. The architecture is breathtaking. I’m not a specialist in building engineering nor interior design, but to me, it focuses on sustainable architecture juxtaposing the old and modern architecture. It’s beautiful. 

Dome of visions, Aarhus

In Denmark, everything has to be with bicycles; therefore, a highly recommended thing to do to the international student community, is to get a bike once arriving in the city of Aarhus. So I did, but instead of buying it, I decided to rent it because I was less expensive. I know how to bike, but years have passed since the last time I rode one. Thus, the obvious happened. I fell, hahaha, got scrapes on my legs and hands, and had back pains for weeks. It was such an awful fall and the worst: someone saw me! And I was so embarrassed, but he was so gentle telling me that bike falls were so much more common than I thought. 

Right now, one of my favorite things to do (and I found it a smart way to save money) is cooking. Every week I try to implement new and different dishes to my diet, so going grocery shopping is always fun to me (I know, I’m weird) plus almost everything if not everything is organic and fresh, and it does not necessarily cost a lot of money as going to whole foods, for example. It is just the way Danish goods are produced here. 

What I eat

Market's goods

Even their clothing stores and brands give these minimalist bio-organic type of feeling. What really awed me when I got here is their sense of style. Everyone is so fashionable or maybe that was my first impression since I am not used to seeing people so dressed up. During my first weeks, I was having a tourist moment, walking all over the city and I saw these two girls walking towards me and first thing comes to my mind: they are definitely celebrities. They were giving these looks and just the way they were dressed wow! 

& other stories, Aarhus

The Danish have worked hard to get their country at where it is now. There is technically no corruption; from my perspective, their tax, health, and education system is brilliant just as the taste of Smørrebrød, which is the Scandinavian version of Tapas. I mean who would not be happy having all these living facilities? To be honest, I wish I could Ctrl C and Ctrl V all these things to my country. To expand your cognition abilities, Denmark has been placed among the happiest countries in the world for years. 

Seeing the differences from continent to continent, countries, people. Being present there, experiencing those differences. That’s not something that easy to do as people would think. How do you keep yourself from changing when everything around does? When everyday you discover something new, hygge, things that you did not even know existed, or learn to do something differently from what you used to. The world itself changes. There is this theory or hypothesis that the earth used to be one whole continent, yet there are 7 continents. I did change. I am not the same that left Panama neither the same that left the US. My levels of perception are constantly changing due to every-day experiences which help me to flourish and grow in this beautiful world.

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Electrical Engineering major Arantxa Morales is spending the Fall 2018 semester in Denmark with our U of A Exchange program at Aarhus University.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Everything Went Wrong (But Then it Went Right!) #HogsAbroad in Denmark

Stepping out of your comfort zone is really a challenge and I think I’m starting to learn how to master it. 1996, I was born and lived for 18 years in the same area: Chiriqui, Panama. Back then, I used to think my dad wanted his daughter to have the hardest to pronounce-Hispanic name that could have ever existed: Arantxa. Seriously, how do you make the tx sound? Oh boy, but I love its uniqueness and how once people get it, they can’t forget.

I am a Senior Electrical Engineering student at the University of Arkansas currently studying abroad at Aarhus University. It is amazing how life can turn from one day to another. I swear I never imagined myself coming to Europe to participate in an exchange program, nor getting my Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the United States. I consider myself a pro-procrastinator with masters in not knowing how and when to make decisions unless I find myself under stress and panic.

To illustrate this statement, I successfully submitted the study abroad application for the Aarhus University Exchange Program minutes before the due date and gathered all the application requirements in less than 3 hours. Before coming to Denmark, the whole world seemed to be conspiring against me, and I will explain why. There are tons of things to get together (documentation, applications, documents and more documents) before leaving your residence country. First, I had to apply to the University to receive a confirmation of nomination or “acceptance letter” so that I could then apply for housing, the Danish residence permit for students, and thus get my “CPR number” which is the “Danish SSN”. Back to the letter of acceptance: the Aarhus University application form always asks for a contact to confirm you have been nominated as a student to participate in their exchange program or something like that where you list the name of the Assistant Director of Study Abroad: Brian Poepsel, but instead, I wrote Bryan Hill, the International Director in the Engineering College. For that reason, my letter of acceptance got delayed so I had to wait 3x more than my other study-abroad-mates to receive every document I listed before. 

Once I got my letter of acceptance (years later), I immediately started my application for the Danish residence permit which is an “in person” application, and it’s located only at some of the biggest cities of the US. The closest to Arkansas is located at Houston, Texas, so I got my appointment there somewhere between the first weeks of July. The day of the appointment came, I was sitting there in the waiting area since really early in the morning, it was past noon when they called my name; I went in and guess what? The biometric system broke, and they told the rest of the group (including myself) that if they didn't get it fixed before their closing hour which was at 4 pm, we would have to come on another day. That also implied that I had to pay another $100 to get a new appointment, and a $300 roundtrip flight ticket because I didn’t know anyone from Arkansas or Texas that could offer me transportation. I was so discouraged by then; at that moment, El Padre Nuestro was my only option so I started praying. They called my name like three times to get my biometrics done with none of them being a success. My patience was at its limits until I heard my name one more time, I went in, fingers crossed and wallaaaah! It worked and I could finish all the process to get the residence permit document. 

Minutes before departing to Fayetteville, Arkansas, I dropped my phone and the screen went dark. I couldn't see anything, I started receiving calls, text messages, etc., but I was not able to see any of it. At that point, I was so used to all the bad things happening at the same time, that I just turned off my phone and slept through the whole trip. I managed to talk to a stranger who was sitting next to me, told him what happened and borrowed his phone so that I could contact my friend who was picking me up and taking me home. Back in Fayetteville, three days had passed, and I still had no cell phone. I did not want to spend money on a new phone since I had more priorities at that moment (the study abroad money), so I just got it fixed. After I got it, I called my mom, talked to her for an hour or so, told her what happened almost crying.

Yes! Life is tough, the things you want the most are the hardest to get, and when one doesn’t get these things, we start to feel bad, have negative thoughts which let us feel even worse. For what? Everything comes back to place at its own timing, and if one works hard, greatest rewards start to show as we go on.

Aarhus, Denmark: Apartment Backyard

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Electrical Engineering major Arantxa Morales is spending the Fall 2018 semester in Denmark with our U of A Exchange program at Aarhus University.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Micaela Chamon

Hola a todos! Salut tout le monde! Hey everyone! My name is Micaela Chamon and I am a senior here at the University of Arkansas. I’m an international student from Bolivia, majoring in International/Global Studies, Political Science, and French, with a minor in Latin American Studies. Travelling has always been my favorite thing to do, so going to a college in a different country was always the plan and studying abroad for a semester was a no-brainer. I spent this past Spring in Lyon, France, with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

When people say studying abroad changes you, they aren’t kidding. I did a cultural exchange in high school in France, studied abroad in France, and interned abroad in Hungary. Every single one of those experiences were unparalleled. I learned so much about the local cultures and customs, but the most shocking thing is how much I ended up learning about myself.

Usually the first thing that comes to mind when anyone talks about France is Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Not to say that Paris isn’t great (I went like 7 times during my 5 months in France), but Lyon is a hidden gem. Lyon is the gastronomy capital of France, so yes, the food at the local restaurants called “Bouchon Lyonnais” was AMAZING, and there is nothing like stopping by the bakery on your way to class for a pain au chocolat or a croissant.

Paris shows up in countless films, but what’s really cool is that Lyon practically invented movies. Auguste and Louis Lumière, both born in Lyon, are credited with creating the first film camera (the cinematograph) in 1892. So, there is a museum/cinema dedicated to them, and their work, in Lyon, where you can spend hours exploring and learning more about the evolution of the film camera. 

My two favorite parts of Lyon where the rivers and the parks. The Rhone and the Saone both pass through Lyon and actually meet up in the district of Confluence. As it started getting warmer, we started to realize that people gathered on the banks of the rivers to picnic for hours with some cheese and wine every afternoon, and it was definitely what all of the students looked forward to after class. As for the parks, the Parc de la Tête d'or, which literally translates to the Park of the Golden Head, was the prettiest place to spend time outside. It has a little zoo on one side, a pond on the other, a running/bike trail, and endless amounts of trees.

Although Lyon was amazing, I took advantage of every weekend I could and tried to visit other cities in France, as well as other countries in the region. I was able to hit 16 countries and 31 cities. Studying abroad can be very scary, travelling alone can be terrifying, but if there is something I learned while being in Europe it is to take every day at a time because nothing is as bad or as scary as it may sound. Visiting other countries opens up your knowledge of the world in innumerable ways, the people you meet will definitely be unforgettable, and the memories you make will stay with you forever.

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Come meet Micaela and the other peer advisors for a HogsAbroad 101 drop-in session at the Study Abroad House! Come to the office weekdays from 3-5 pm to get all the study abroad basics. Peer advisors are available to help you review your options for study abroad and start searching for a program.

Thoughts on the Camino de Santiago from one of our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Jean Morales

Photo taken in the French village of Conques.

Between my freshman and sophomore year, I took some summer classes at the U of A Campus at Rome and I fell in love with the enchantment of the city. Then during my junior year, I decided to go abroad for a little longer. I was part of a U of A exchange program at the University of Newcastle in Australia and surprisingly I loved it even more. Finally, when I thought I was ready to graduate, I decided to study abroad one last time as an undergraduate student and participated on the H2P Honors Passport: Camino de Santiago study abroad program. This program made me realize that no matter how much we travel, there are always going to be beautiful places that we didn’t know existed, but somehow still make us want to come back.

One of the reasons why I loved studying abroad as part of the Honors Passport was the completeness of the program. In two weeks, we visited a memorable list of medieval sites throughout Paris, southern France and northern Spain. Cathedrals, cloisters, monasteries, fortifications, castles and a Roman amphitheater were some of the remarks of the program, not to mention the astonishing landscapes during road trips. It was also very nice to get to experience how life is really like in the Camino as we crossed from France and Spain the old-fashioned way, through the Pyrenees. Finally, however, my favorite part of this program was to get to deeply study the Camino regarding its historic richness, and the diversity of its people.

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My name is Jean Morales and I am currently a senior majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry. I am from Panama, grew up there, and did not move to the United States until I started college. So, as you can imagine, I have been on a constant study abroad for almost four years.

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Come meet Jean and the other peer advisors for a HogsAbroad 101 drop-in session at the Study Abroad House! Come to the office weekdays from 3-5 pm to get all the study abroad basics. Peer advisors are available to help you review your options for study abroad and start searching for a program.

Panama ➡️ USA ➡️ Australia #IEWelcomeUARK #IEW2017 #HogsAbroad #IntlHogs

I came to the University of Arkansas around three years ago as an international student from Panama. I arrived in Arkansas in January, and quickly realized that I wasn’t in the tropics anymore. However, even though it was freezing, I was warmly welcomed by faculty, staff, and students at the UofA. Today, Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the UofA own a very special place in my heart, becoming my second home.

In fact, my junior year as a UofA student, I went on an exchange program to Australia for a semester, and the end of the program I was ready to come back home…

I didn’t know whether home was in Panama or Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. The theme of the University of Arkansas' International Education Week celebration is "You Are Welcome Here." Students are encouraged to share their international education stories on social media using #IEWelcomeUARK. You can learn more about IEW at https://iew.state.gov/
And, check out the IEW events happening on campus at iew.uark.edu
Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/

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Jean, a Senior majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry, studied abroad at our U of A Rome Center and with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Come meet Jean and the other peer advisors at a Hogs Abroad 101 information meeting! These hour-long sessions are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Center for World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (JBHT 207).

Flavors, Smells, and Textures #HogsAbroad #FoodieFriday

If you ask my mom, she will probably tell you that I used to be the pickiest eater before I studied abroad, and I have to say that she is right. Many times, human nature prevents us from experiencing new and exciting things, but we need to challenge what is familiar, embrace the new, and keep an open mind, especially when it comes to food. Food is probably the single most distinctive feature of every country, and region of the world. Flavors, smells, and textures awaiting to be rediscovered is one of my motivations to travel. Travelling has become one of my passions, and so is eating, but it wasn’t until I first left to another country when I learned to appreciate the exquisiteness of a foreign cuisine.

One of the most exciting food experiences in my life was food hunting in Denpasar, when I went to Indonesia. I did not speak Bahasa at all, but I was hungry. Almost every time at a restaurant I would order something that I had never tried. In fact, most times without knowing what the food was made of, but every time I discovered flavors that I didn’t know existed, and I loved it.

Remember, never say that you won’t like any regional dish of whatever country you travel to until you have tried it!!!

-Jean Morales

Jean studied abroad at our U of A Rome Center and with our U of A Exchange program at the University of Newcastle, Australia.

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Come meet Jean and the other peer advisors at a Hogs Abroad 101 information meeting! These hour-long sessions are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Center for World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (JBHT 207).

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Jean Morales! #HogsAbroad

My name is Jean Morales and I am currently a senior majoring in chemical engineering and biochemistry. I am from Panama, grew up there, and did not move to the United States until I started college. So, as you can imagine, I have been on a constant study abroad for almost four years.

My first study abroad experience as a UofA student was at the Rome Center the summer of 2015. Being an engineering and science major, it was very hard to find time to sit down and actually admire art, history, or the beauty of a foreign culture. Studying abroad at the Rome Center enabled me to do all this, not to mention to develop a good taste in art, cuisine, and a sense of adventure while being in the commodity of the always charming Rome.

Saint Peter's square from the top of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Guess what! One month in Italy went by way too fast, so, I decided that the next time that I would study abroad it would be for longer. Indeed, the fall semester of 2016 I decided to take a second adventure, a longer one. I participated on a semester long exchange program at the University Of Newcastle, Australia. Besides spending time cuddling with cute Aussie animals, this journey taught me so many things about Aussie values, and specially about myself. I would summarize my fall semester of 2016 in one phrase: “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses!”

Orientation week at the Great Aussie Bush Camp sponsored by the University of Newcastle

I have been so lucky to call four very different countries home, Panama, the United States, Italy, and Australia. Each one of them has helped me discover a different bit of myself, different bits that I did not know I had before I studied abroad.

I chose to be a Study Abroad Peer Advisor because I wanted to show others what the world showed me. I know it is very hard to decide where you want to go, when you are going to do it, and particularly, how you are going to do it. So, if you have wondered one or more of these questions, stop by the office and my student colleagues and I will be more than glad to guide you through this process and hopefully get you started on this adventure.

Snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef

There are so many wonderful places to visit, beautiful people to meet, and thrilling adventures to be undertake, but you won’t get to experience any of these if you don’t make the life-changing decision of studying abroad.

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Come meet Jean and the other peer advisors at a Hogs Abroad 101 information meeting! These hour-long sessions are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring semesters from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Center for World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (JBHT 207).

Mastering Study Abroad #GSIE #HogsAbroad #IntlHogs

Hammaga Salom!

My name is Gulshad and I graduated from University of Arkansas with my Bachelors of Science in Public Health and am now working towards my Masters Degree in Operations Management.

Are you questioning if studying aboard is worth it? Or if it is as amazing as everyone says it is?  The answer is YES to both questions. My story might be little different than others, but it’s relateable in every aspect. I moved to the United States from Uzbekistan when I was 18. I consider my life here as my “study abroad” experience.

At the beginning, it was not easy. I knew little to no English at all. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know the culture. I didn’t know how the schooling system worked. It was a huge culture shock but with little baby steps I took, I am grateful that I had the chance and the opportunity to be studying in the United States.

For me, studying abroad here at the University of Arkansas has been the fulfillment of a dream. The chance to study in a foreign country as well as traveling to the places I have never been to before has introduced me to new ideas, places, experiences and people I otherwise probably would not have encountered in my life.

One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from different backgrounds. I got involved in many different student organizations. I was the founder and the president of a new International Exchange Students organization. Later on, I was one of the officers for Student Government Association and even joined a sorority, where later, I was elected and served as the president. All of these experiences gave me the chance to really get to know and create long lasting friendship.

Studying abroad has helped me grow personally and discover myself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place can be overwhelming at time and it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve. You will have a new perspective on culture, acquire new language skills, receive a great education, and qualities that are very attractive to future employers.  

I mean, look at this…I grew up watching Disney movies while I was in Uzbekistan. Who would have thought that one day I would actually work for one of the biggest companies, along side with one of the coolest bosses, Mickey?!

So if you are still asking, “Why study abroad?” I say, “why not? Why not take the chance to learn more, to see more and to travel more?” It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Studying abroad is an experience unlike any other.

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Don't miss out on your chance to study abroad!

Are you considering study abroad but don’t know where to start? Below are some helpful steps to move outside the classroom walls and into the world through study abroad.

To Do List:
Attend a HogsAbroad 101 session
Get all the study abroad basics through these peer-led information sessions, held Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the fall and spring from 4pm-5pm in the Center for World Languages (JBHT 207).

Meet with your academic advisor 
 Your academic advisor can help you look at your overall degree plan and see when it would make the most sense to study abroad and what degree requirements might be best met while abroad.

Meet with the study abroad office 
Our office staff can help you narrow down your program options, provide an application process overview, show you how to navigate the website and answer your study abroad questions.

Have questions?
Check out our FAQs for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about study abroad.

Let's Call those Hogs!! #WPS #HogsAbroad #IntlHogs16

This week we are teaching the new international exchange students all the important things about our campus and we had a little help from the experts....


The Hog Call is one of the most recognizable chants in all of sports. Here are the basics:

1. Raise your arms above your head during the The Hog Call on the "Wooo" and wiggle your fingers for a few seconds.
2. Next, bring both arms straight down with fists clinched while yelling, "Pig."
3. Then extend your right arm with the "Sooie."
4. Repeat these steps two more times and finish by yelling
5. "Razor-Backs" like this:
   Wooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
   Wooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
   Wooooooooo. Pig. Sooie! Razorbacks!

Be sure and say hi if you see them on campus and check out how you can go to their Universities on exchange at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/programs/exchange.php.

The End of Another Exchange Semester #HogsAbroad

May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.
~Irish Blessing

It's that time of year again, when we send our international exchange students back to their home universities. In an exchange, outbound U of A students are exchanged for incoming students from our partner institutions to spend one semester or an academic year at the host university. Exchange programs offer students a chance to discover how their disciplines actually live, breathe, and work in other languages and cultures. For a list of our exchange options, check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/exchange.