Are you interested in keeping a journal about your study abroad experience? Then consider becoming an official Study Abroad Correspondent! Some of the benefits of becoming an official study abroad correspondent include:
- Enhancing your writing portfolio with published work online
- Representing the UI while abroad and being the voice of UI students
- Give future study abroad students real insight to the program and country
- Free Iowa Study Abroad t-shirt
We will handle the online publishing and editorial suggestions. All you have to do is supply us with your thoughts, comments, stories and pictures/videos! Your journal may be shared on our online journal, International Accents, as well as through our newsletters and social media.
"Most people in Barcelona spoke English with...me. This is different from Madrid because here in Madrid I feel there are not as many people who speak English, which is a good thing because I’m here to learn Spanish! Overall, Barcelona is a beautiful city and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to see it!"
Requirements
- Send us at least two blog entries while abroad (we will never turn down more!)
- Journal entries should be 300-500 words each
- Include a title for each entry
- Include at least one photo with captions or video with each entry (adhere to guidelines about photos)
*Student journal entries posted to this International Accents page may not reflect the opinions and recommendations of UI Study Abroad and International Programs. The journal is intended to give students a forum for free expression of thoughts and experiences abroad in a respectful space. UI International Programs reserves the right to make final decisions about what is shared through UI International Programs publications and social media.
Journal Ideas
Before leaving
- Why did you choose to study abroad?
- Why did you choose your study abroad program/destination?
- What are you doing to learn more about your host country?
- What are you most looking forward to?
- What are you most nervous about?
- Do you have anything you want to accomplish while abroad?
While in the host country
- Paint a picture of what your morning ritual is like in your new country.
- What do you hear/see/smell in the morning and on your way to class?
- Describe your new home/apartment and roommates or host family.
- What did you pack that you wish you'd left behind?
- What do you wish you'd packed?
- Does your host culture have a different concept of time or space than you're used to?
- Tell us about the food. What do you like? Anything interesting? Shocked about liking?
- How do you spend your free time?
- Are you picking up the local language? How is that going?
- What did you find valuable about your new learning environment/academic culture? Classes? Professor? University life?
- What tips would you give a student who wants to meet the locals and get out of the “American bubble”?
- Does being abroad make you think any differently about what it means to be "an American"?
Upon returning
- What's the best thing about being home? What's the hardest?
- How was your experience different from what you expected?
- Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give a student heading out on the same program/to the same host country?
- Did traveling/studying abroad make you think any differently about your identity or your place in the world?
- What did you learn about yourself?
- Was there anything that you accomplished while abroad that makes you proud?
- What do you miss most about your host country?