Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Breunna Anderson #HogsAbroad #WanderlustWednesday

Hello my fellow Razorback enthusiasts!

My name is Breunna Anderson, but you can also call me Bre for short. I am a sophomore here at the University of Arkansas majoring in Biology with plans to enroll into a Physician Assistant Program post-graduation. I am also a second year member on the University of Arkansas Spirit Squads cheer team.

This is my first year as a peer advisor here at the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange. I am so excited to advise you all through your Study Abroad endeavors!

I have not yet had the opportunity to study abroad due to Covid-19 and all of its uncertainty, but I do plan to study abroad this upcoming school year. One of the reasons I was so excited about joining the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange is because of how excited I am to Study Abroad myself. I am able to help others through this process, and at the same time, help myself!

Although I have not been able to study abroad myself just yet, I do think the experience itself is beneficial for many reasons. Studying abroad is a great chance for us all to take a step out of our comfort zone and see the world's diversity. You are away from everything that you know and just have to embrace the change and new environment that surrounds you. As I have barely gotten to travel around the U.S, travelling around other countries will be a very different experience for me. Through studying abroad, I hope to unlock new things about myself that are suppressed with being in the comfort of my home state, Arkansas.

I have always wanted to study abroad, but I never thought I would actually get to do it. I thought it would be too expensive, or I wouldn’t find enough scholarships, etc. After joining the Office of Study Abroad, my previous assumptions were quickly cleared up. I found out about all of the financial aid and the many scholarships that exist for students who wish to study abroad. I didn’t think it was possible for me, but now I see that it is. With all that being said, please roll into one of our Walk-in Wednesdays or call and set up an appointment with me to clear up any of your Study Abroad assumptions, so that you can make your study abroad dreams possible too :)

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Did you know that there are lots of different study abroad program options to fit students' needs, even for student athletes' busy schedules? 

Connect with Bre to learn more about study abroad! You can call our office to schedule an appointment, drop in to our virtual Walk-in Wednesdays or visit our website to use our live chat. 

Meg's Study Abroad Story #MondayMotivation

Meet our peer advisor Meg! Meg is majoring International Business Management with a minor in Spanish. She studied abroad in Bilbao, Spain with USAC in Summer 2019, and was able to complete coursework toward her degree. Meg tells us why her study abroad experience was meaningful, from exploring her host city to adapting to new challenges.

Learn more about Meg's study abroad program in Bilbao with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

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

Frenklyn's Study Abroad Story #WanderlustWednesday

Meet our peer advisor Frenklyn! Frenklyn is double-majoring in Kinesiology Exercise Science and Spanish. He studied abroad in Valencia, Spain with USAC in Spring 2019, and was able to complete coursework toward his degree. Frenklyn tells us why his study abroad experience was meaningful, from language learning to forming lasting relationships.

Learn more about Frenklyn's study abroad program in Valencia with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

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

Adventures with Food #FoodieFriday

Study Abroad Peer Advisor Frenklyn Piggie dishes on adventures with food abroad:

"Me being a picky eater I told myself I wanted to try different foods because when is the next time I’ll be able to be overseas? I found foods that I didn’t know I would like, like zucchini and kiwis. Now that I think back, I didn’t let my phone eat first and I regret it because I ate a lot of good food. Especially staying with a family in Spain. Here are a few dishes I had when I went to Amsterdam and Croatia."

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Learn more about Frenklyn's study abroad program in Valencia with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

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

Frenklyn's Top Ten Tips for Study Abroad #TravelTipsTuesday

Dreaming about future travels...let's get some expert advice! Study Abroad Peer Advisor Frenklyn Piggie spent the Spring 2019 semester in Valencia, Spain with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC). Here are Frenklyn's top ten tips for study abroad:

1. Travel
2. Try different foods
3. Be open minded
4. Pick a souvenir to collect when you go to different places
5. If you're there for language, practice as much as you can
6. Make friends with people in the program
7. Travel in small groups
8. Spend your money on experiences
9. Get a cell phone plan with a carrier in the country you’re studying in
10. Make sure you are with a bank with good international plans 

Honorable mention - TAKE PICTURES, A TON OF THEM

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Learn more about Frenklyn's study abroad program in Valencia with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC).

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

Exploring My Options #HogsAbroad #StudyAbroadDay

 “Studying abroad has allowed me to explore so many options I didn’t know I had professionally and for my future.” - Mia Dalton, Study Abroad Peer Advisor

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Happy Study Abroad Day! Did study abroad influence you? Share your story in celebration of the global impact of studying abroad. Check out some activities you could participate in wherever you are: bit.ly/STUDYABROADDAY

Enjoy the ride! #HogsAbroad #StudyAbroadDay

"Studying abroad is a journey about finding yourself, experiencing different cultures, and meeting some pretty cool people along the way. Strap in and enjoy the ride." - Jon Douglas, Study Abroad Peer Advisor

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Happy Study Abroad Day! Did study abroad influence you? Share your story in celebration of the global impact of studying abroad. Check out some activities you could participate in wherever you are: bit.ly/STUDYABROADDAY

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Mia Dalton

Me in Mykonos, an island of Greece.

Hey y’all!! My name is Mia and I am a junior studying political science with a minor in Spanish. I spent the last two summers studying abroad with International Studies Abroad (ISA) in Málaga, Spain and Athens, Greece. 

Me and my friend Sarah at the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Greece.

This is my second year as a peer advisor and I love being able to help other students discover how incredible the world is through study abroad. In fact, I sent four of my closest friends abroad last summer and loved hearing all about their adventures. My biggest advice for students is to take advantage of the study abroad opportunities at the University of Arkansas. Many students don’t believe they are able to study abroad for reasons ranging from majors to financials, but trust me we can get you there! 

The city of Toledo in Spain.

I personally spent the last two summers away on honors college scholarships and could not be more grateful. In Spain I was enrolled in an intensive Spanish language course and stayed in a homestay with a local family where I enjoyed home cooked Spanish meals. We were in the city of
Málaga on the Mediterranean Sea and took trips to many other Spanish towns and even one to Morocco. In Greece, I lived in student apartments in a suburb outside of Athens. Living with other students and attending an American college was a very different experience from my previous summer in Spain. We took classes in English with Greek students and were responsible for our own meals. Not knowing the language was also an interesting experience, but luckily most Greeks know English. I spent my weekends traveling to Greek islands and exploring the different cultural norms in each of the isolated towns. I loved my teachers in Athens (and the gyros)! 

Both of these experiences have taught me so much about inter-cultural connections and interactions, as well as increasing my self-awareness of my strengths and weaknesses.

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Learn more about International Studies Abroad (ISA) programs in Málaga, Spain and Athens, Greece.

Come meet Mia 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.

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Meg Feeley

In the center of Bilbao at Plaza Moyua. 

Hi! I’m Meg Feeley, a junior at the University of Arkansas. I am studying International Business with a minor in Spanish. I was able to study abroad in the summer of 2019 through USAC in Bilbao, Spain.

While I was in Spain, I got to explore the city and meet people from all over the world. I chose to do a homestay and because of that I learned about the life and the traditions of someone completely opposite of me (and got to live with the sweetest dog ever!). I ate authentic food, spent time with wonderful people who had lived in Bilbao all their lives, and practiced my Spanish everday.

My sweet roommate, Kiñu.

Not only did I visit spots in my city that normal tourists wouldn’t normally go, but I was also able to travel to other countries, such as France and England, and my favorite trip was to San Juan De Gaztelugatxe -- otherwise known as Dragonstone from Game of Thrones.

Before the hike up the 241 steps seen in Game of Thrones. 

Study abroad helps you meet new people and make life long friends.

I wanted to become a Study Abroad Peer Advisor because it is my goal to help other students find a program that will exceed all of their expectations! I recommend that anyone thinking about studying abroad takes the time to search for the program that will meet their needs and not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone. I hope to encourage others to take a chance and go explore the world!”

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Learn more about the USAC program in Bilbao, Spain.

Come meet Meg 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.

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Jon Douglas

Hello! I’m Jon and I’m a peer advisor at the Study Abroad Office. I first traveled abroad to Hangzhou, China where I took intensive Mandarin courses. We were able to travel to Shanghai for a day and went to Chengdu where we spent a week learning about Chinese culture. I ate plenty of food that I would have never thought of eating in America. The foods include duck tongue, cow stomach, rabbit, cow tongue, pig blood, and a few others. They might sound bad, but they were actually pretty amazing. For videos I made in China checkout Youtube.com/thejondouglas.

After this amazing adventure I was able to be an Exchange Student in Brighton, England. Being able to live by the sea for a few months was so nice, especially after only living in Arkansas. The only bad thing was the seagulls that would wake me up every morning. They also like to steal food, so we didn’t get along. During my time in Europe I was able to travel to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Geneva, Bristol, Bath, and Oxford. Safe to say I saw more than I thought in the short period of time. Each location has its own culture which I loved. Especially the clothing and stores. You never know what you might experience when studying abroad because everyone is different. You should get out and see the world because the stories that you will tell will be amazing.

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Come meet Jon 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.

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.

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Mia Dalton

Hey y’all, my name is Mia Dalton and I am a sophomore Psychology major with a Spanish minor and plans to go to law school. I spent the past summer in Spain practicing my Spanish, and while this was my first trip out of the country, it only made me more excited to travel again in the future. I began my trip lost in the Madrid-Barajas airport, scared to use my weak Spanish skills to ask for directions, and found myself worried if I made the right decision. Once I met my program leader, I was whisked around Madrid and Toledo, and immediately found myself falling in love with the culture and history of Spain (even in the rain). From impressive churches to priceless art, vibrant tour guides and charming people, I found myself lost but captivated by Spain, a country where afternoon siestas were so normal all the stores shut down and nightlife goes on well into the morning.

The majority of my stay was spent in Malaga, a growing city on the southern coast of the Mediterranean; and yes, I spent as much of my free time as I could sunbathing on the beach with friends, a tinto de verano in one hand and a good book in the other. My homestay was defined by the charming people I met - Lola; my elderly homestay mom with pink hair and 3 dogs, Puri and Alvero; my Spanish teachers who were just as excited to learn about our lives in America as they were to tell us about theirs, and Marina; an aspiring engineer excited to learn English and teach me about her culture. Feeling the sense of community and admiration that came from everyone I encountered in Malaga was something I will never forget (and my time at the beach of course).

The external program I attended in Spain, ISA, was a blessing in disguise. I made lifelong friendships out of the people on the trip with me, including our amazing on-site director Hedi who was a guide to the city and advisor away from home. On the weekends I was provided trips to other towns, which were truly amazing and only enriched my understanding of the beauty of Spain by showing off Spanish history from the Arabic influence to the beginnings of bull fighting. A group of my peers and myself also took a day trip to Morocco, an Arabic country in northern Africa, which made me realize that being outside my norm, enveloped by cultures so different than my own, taught me more about world diversity and respect for others’ beliefs than staying in America could.

As a Peer Advisor for the study abroad office, I hope to help other students to see the amazing opportunity Arkansas offers students to go and explore the world. I hope to aid you in finding a study abroad program that’s right for you because studying abroad is a great way to gain credit towards your degree while experiencing new cultures and communities. I believe that travelling the world is the best way to make memories while learning (and first-hand learning is a much cooler story than through a textbook lecture in college).

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Come meet Mia 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.

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Mallory Winburn

Hey! My name is Mallory Winburn and I’m a junior Marketing major, minoring in Economics. I am from McKinney, Texas and loved moving to Fayetteville! I enjoy hiking, yoga and reading. I have a comfort zone that I was not very good at stepping out of until I found studying abroad. I took a huge leap out of that comfort zone in the Summer of 2018 when I went to Mozambique and as you can imagine, I was met with a huge dose of culture shock. In that culture shock I met tons of amazing people, learned a lot about myself and so much about a part of the world that isn’t talked about much.

I met this sweet little girl and boy in the middle of the bush. They speak the native language of the area, Makhuwa. The coolest part of this entire trip was meeting them and even though we did not speak the same language there was so much love to give and things to learn. They were so happy to see us, and we were so happy to see them. Everyone in this area taught me so much about what it means to be thankful for what you have. I learned this from a toddler and a girl that wasn’t much older than 6. This trip was so impactful on how I carry myself to this day and it changed the way I think of every day things.

Not only did we work and meet amazing people, we got to see amazing views such as this one. This was at Ilia de Mozambique, an island off the coast where we spent a weekend. Places like this is where we spent our weekends. We went with our faculty leaders that took us and the families that were hosting us in country. We got to explore the island, meet the locals and shop around!

Overall, my experience in Mozambique is something that I will never forget. This trip has and will continue to affect the way I think about everyday life. It has ignited a fire in me that I hope never burns out. I will continue to pursue my love for traveling to developing countries in the (hopefully) near future!

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Come meet Mallory 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.

Meet One of Our Study Abroad Peer Advisors: Lucas Ros!

Hi, everyone. My name is Lucas Ros. I’ve been a peer advisor since January, 2018. I’ll be graduating in May 2020 and have aspirations to attend law school after my undergraduate experience. Ideally, I’ll receive a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Madrid immediately after undergrad and before law school!

I’m originally from Brazil and am working on becoming a polyglot! I currently study Portuguese, Spanish, and French, while also losing myself in philosophy (all types). My hobbies include studying the aforementioned disciplines, exercising, playing Fortnite (it’s still popular as of now), and listening to music while going for a walk. Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on how you view the world), my unique personality comes from my eccentricities.

As a lover of learning, I’ve studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. While in Spain, I studied culture and language, but also traveled to the beach and to see my family in northern Spain. After Spain, I declared myself a Spanish major, so you can see just how impactful study abroad can be! Obviously, one time just wasn’t enough. I’ll be traveling to Brazil in the summer of 2018 to operationalize my honors thesis and to formally study my native language. Finally, I’ll be applying to study in France during the summer of 2019 to finish up my thesis and solidify my French.

Catedral de Salamanca

Roughly three hours from Madrid awaits Salamanca, an antiquated town with Spain’s oldest university. On the cathedral above, one can see a Gothic-styled architecture that oscillates between time periods. The roofs display different epochs in Spanish history, making for an interesting experience.

“En Asturias, se escancia la sidra.”

From the northernmost province of Spain, Asturias, comes a beverage known as “sidra.” This drink is comparable to cider, which is commonplace in the US. The novelty of “sidra,” however, is found in its preparation. One pours the “sidra” from way overhead, so as to create the most amount of bubbles. “Sidra” never sits as a stand-alone beverage. Rather, it’s meant to be re-poured each time you desire a drink.

El Rastro, Madrid

Madrid hosts a seasonal, but expansive flea market throughout its streets. At the “Rastro,” you’ll find everything from instruments to trading cards. If you’re seeking an immersive experience in Spanish culture, participating in this extraordinary conglomeration of everything Madrid is a must.

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Come meet Lucas 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.

The Value of International Education #IEWelcomeUARK #IEW2017

Sunny day in Amsterdam

International education is put simply with this definition: “education that transcends national borders by the exchange of people”. It is the knowledge of other world regions and cultures, familiarity with international and global issues, skills in working effectively in cross-cultural or global environments, and having respect or concern for other cultures and peoples.

A Rally for Unity in Berlin, Germany.

You don’t have to be an international relations major to learn about the world around us - we hold almost all the information we could ever want or need in our hand - read up on the news, keep updated on the everyday happenings of the world. You will never regret being knowledgeable in that sector. We live in a globalized society now - things aren’t just about what’s going on around you. You can learn so much from the people and the world around you, why not take full advantage of it?

Part of learning about other cultures is the food they have too - right? A frappe in Greece, too good to be true - and not like the frappe you get at Starbucks.

Learning about the world around you doesn’t require traveling necessarily, but things such as study abroad, international volunteering, and international travel can help a lot in understanding the different cultures and people you may encounter day to day. Versing yourself in this knowledge will allow you to connect and effectively communicate with such a larger population of people on this beautiful planet we all inhabit. People are people, all throughout the world. I think it’s time we stop looking at all the things that separate us and consider the things that make us similar.

The Capotoline Wolf statue in the Musei Capitolini in Rome, Italy is part of a larger story of the beginnings of Rome.

Learning about other cultures, the history behind why things are the way they are, and languages has helped me grow immensely as a person and has even helped me learn more about myself and my background. It has allowed me to communicate with a much wider range of people and has given me so many more opportunities than if I were still where I was 4 years ago. I see the world in a new light - as something bright, beautiful, and definitely attainable. I’ve hit dips in the road (such as arriving in Italy to live there for four months and not knowing the language), but I think that that has just made me a more well-rounded person through it (as now I can speak conversational Italian).

What I told myself when people would speak in Italian to me and I had no idea what they were saying.

I think international education is important for everyone. As the world becomes more and more reachable for everyone, it is important that we understand each other so that we are willing to help each other get back up from hard times - so that we can have peace. The fact of the matter is, international education is completely invaluable - it is crucial for the way our world is going.

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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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Maris, a senior International and European Studies major, studied abroad at our University of Arkansas Rome Center with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship. Come meet Maris 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).

The First 24 Hours #HogsAbroad in Costa Rica #IEWelcomeUARK #IEW2017

Hello Friends!

Happy International Education Week! Since the theme for the week is “You Are Welcome Here,” I want to talk about my first week upon arriving in Costa Rica.

Within the first 24 hours of arriving in my host country, I expected to have a lot of culture shock. To my surprise, I honestly did not have as much culture shock as I expected. I think that it was because of my traveling background. My family went to Guatemala every year to visit family and when I arrived in Costa Rica, it felt like I was in Guatemala. Obviously, there are differences in the cultures between Guatemala and Cost Rica, but at first glance, many Central American countries look similar in appearance.

After getting picked up from the airport and making it to the hotel, I was placed in a room with a roommate. Little did I know that the roommate that they typically place you with on the first day will be your roommate for the entire study abroad session. My roommate was very sweet, and we got along well. We talked about the flight over and tried to get to know each other. This girl that I was placed with in the first 24 hours ended up being one of my best friends on the trip.

When we arrived at our host family's house, that is typically when people can either be very awkward or get the most culture shock. Cultural differences when you greet someone can be the biggest shock someone can go through within the first 24 hours. In Latin American countries, typically greeting someone for the first time will include a hug with a kiss on the check. For Americans, the first time greeting someone is a handshake. This can be very awakening for people who are not used to this type of physical touch from strangers. To me, this action makes me feel that I am welcomed and more at home. Physical touch is important during the first week to get to know the people you are surrounded by and to let them feel welcomed.

My host mother only spoke Spanish which is also another form of culture shock to Americans. I had been taking Spanish classes for many years before I studied abroad and felt confident in my Spanish before I left. But when my host mother started talking to me in Spanish, I realized that all the Spanish I knew was not as much as I thought I knew. This can be scary at first, but my host mother was kind and understanding that my Spanish was not perfect and that I was in her host country to learn. This was one of the most comforting acts that my host mother did for me to make me feel welcomed.

The first 24 hours of a study abroad experience can be scary, but there are so many people that you meet along the way that are determined to make you feel like you are welcomed!

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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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Miriam, a Senior International Studies major with marketing and Spanish minors, studied abroad with Academic Programs International in Costa Rica and Spain. Come meet Miriam 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).

Feeling At Home #HogsAbroad in Vietnam #IEWelcomeUARK #IEW2017

It’s always comforting to feel at home while you are studying abroad. This blog post will tell about a time where I felt welcomed while I was in Vietnam.

This photo is at a place called Café English, located in Can Tho, Vietnam. Here, a local group known as T.E.C (The English Club), gather together on Tuesday nights to practice English and mingle with tourists. It is a very fun time. They sing very popular English songs and play games. One thing you will notice in Vietnam is that not many locals are used to interacting with people of color. At first, this worried me. I thought I would be viewed as an outsider, even more so than just how a normal tourist would feel. But, I was surprised with the kindness and friendliness I was met with. They asked me questions about my life and seemed genuinely interested. The guy on the far right nicely approached me and said, “I’m sorry but I’ve never seen a black person in real life. Can I take a selfie with you?” It made me laugh but I told him yes. Here is that selfie.

Feeling welcome abroad can increase your confidence being abroad and make your experience more enjoyable, and my time at Café English definitely did that for me! 😊

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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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Eric, a Senior accounting major, studied abroad with our faculty-led programs in Vietnam and Ireland. Come meet Eric 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).

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).

Ukelele Night in Dublin #HogsAbroad in Ireland

As someone who has traveled to 58 countries, I have participated in a fair share of interesting social activities. However, Ukulele Night in Dublin is by far the most interesting cultural event I have ever been a part of. Every Tuesday night starting at 8 PM, Stag’s Head Pub in Dublin, Ireland has its weekly Ukulele Night. Stag’s Head Pub is a bar located in the Temple Bar District in Dublin. The Temple Bar District is the center of nightlife in the city. 

At Ukulele Night, locals and tourists gather with their ukuleles and cover songs from many decades and genres. Don’t worry if you don’t have a ukulele. The people attending are friendly enough to let you play theirs, even if you aren’t good. As you can see from the pictures, Ukulele Night does not disappoint, and to have that experience with my best friends is a memory I will always cherish. Every group of friends has that one experience that they will always carry with them. Ukulele Night is that experience for us. The smiles, the laughs, the songs made for great memories that we can reminisce about for years to come. My favorite part was playing the ukulele and singing along to the single “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry. We did many other popular songs. My friends and I definitely enjoyed ourselves. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I went again the last Tuesday I was there. So, if you are ever in Dublin on a Tuesday night, make your way to Stag’s Head Pub in the Temple Bar District of Dublin, Ireland.

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Senior accounting major Eric studied abroad with our faculty-led programs in Vietnam and Ireland. Come meet Eric 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).