Study abroad

4 Reasons why you should go back at least once to where you have studied abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:25:23 +0000

Reading time

2 minutes

4. Remembering what it was like to live abroad.

When studying abroad life was very different to what you were used to before. You were more dependent on yourself, except for your finances usually, you learned so many new things about yourself and about life - almost like you were actually living life for the first time. The people you hung around with were mostly very different to who you were used to spend time with. You only got to see your family and friends a few times, but usually through a laptop screen.

To be honest, looking back, all of this sounds a bit worrying, but on the other hand that was exactly the thing that made it so exciting and special. You were on your own feet, without your family around and you still managed somehow. Remembering how it was to learn all these new things and to be situated in a completely new world will remind you to discover more new things in your life and always live to the fullest.

3. Reuniting with your study abroad friends.

One of the reasons why people often go back to their study abroad location is to meet up with their former study abroad friends. When organising a reunion with your friends it is often difficult to agree on a location that seems convenient for everyone. Choosing your old study abroad city is many times not a bad idea. It also has a nostalgic feeling to it which makes it feel like time has not even passed. *Sigh* good times...

2. Finally being able to do the things you didn’t do before.

It often felt like you did not see everything of the city where you were studying. Now it’s finally time to catch up on that! Take all tourist city maps and brochures that you can find and go on a small adventure through time and space. Now you can finally tick those boxes of your old To-Do list.

1. Feeling young again.

Taking a step back and looking at the things that you are passionate about is very important in life and is often forgotten by so many. In life we are often too focused on doing what gets us the most money instead of doing what we actually love to do. Refocusing on doing the things you really love could mean that you will never have to “work” again, because you just would do what you would want to do anyway.
However, people can change over time, but even if you are not the same person as you were when you were abroad, it is good to think about your passions and dreams and reflect. Feel young again!

PS: My study abroad city was Sunderland, England. I went back to Sunderland one year after I studied abroad and I was able to meet some of my former flatmates and classmates. I can't wait to go back again!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Study abroad

Visit

Reunion

Travel

3 Reasons why working in a coffee shop abroad will enrich your life

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:18:35 +0000

Reading time

2 minutes

Living abroad can be quite challenging, especially when you are still learning the language. Luckily there is a way for you to get used to your new environment very easily - Working in a coffee shop. Not only because there is coffee, but also because of the following 3 reasons that will make your life abroad easier and more fun. So, coffee?

3. You connect with new people.

Meeting new people is a very good way to learn and discover new things. As coffee shops are known for being a great meeting place for young and old, you will naturally meet new people, especially when you work there and are constantly talking to customers. It is also a good chance to start fresh and make some new friends. Of course, it won’t be your main task when at work, but socialising every now and then will not only make your work more fun, but it will make your life more exciting. Whether your new friends were or are still customers or colleagues, new friends mean new adventures. And we all need more adventures!

2. It improves your CV, thus increases your chances to get a job in the future.

What else can be useful for job applications in the future? Yes, working in a coffee shop does involve a fair amount of skills that could be essential for your future job. One of the most important skills you get to learn and develop is customer service. Customer service is part of many job descriptions nowadays as it shows that you have learned how to communicate and work with people. If you have not worked in customer service before, there are a number of skills that are easy to learn. So, just give yourself a push and give it a try. What do you have to lose?

1. You learn to communicate with people in the real world.

All textbooks aside, you finally get to learn the language that is spoken outside the classroom, so the actual language. You might find out that there might be some words or expressions people do not even use anymore, or some funny colloquial words or phrases you would never learn at uni. It's just nice to have a different and more interesting way of learning than just sitting in a classroom which is why so many students decide to go abroad. You should try it, too!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Working abroad

Student life

Coffee shop

Study abroad

Language Learning

5 Ways to prepare yourself for your study abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 13:04:37 +0000

Reading time

6 minutes

When planning your study abroad trip some people say “You’ll figure it out when you get there”, but there a couple of things that you should take care of prior to your departure and if possible, long before. As a study abroad student myself, I have put together a short list of things for you to get prepared for your trip and your time abroad.

5. Booking flights at the right time.

Booking your flights is an important part of your journey and can easily turn into something stressful if you don’t book on time. For a lot of flights (mostly short-distance) around 7 weeks in advance is the best time to book cheap flights. However, if you are planning to travel long distances, for example UK to Malaga, then booking around 13 weeks in advance can often be considered. So, you always have to take the distance of your travel into account when booking your tickets. Flight ticket prices are known for changing quite frequently, but most of the time booking a little earlier can save you quite a bit of money.

4. Preparing your official documents, especially certified translations.

As a part of many study abroad applications, students will have to get your official documents sorted, which often means that you will have to send in your certified translations of your university documents as part of your application.

You have to be careful if your university says that they will also provide different languages for your documents, as some universities are working on providing translations of your courses, modules and classes in different languages, however, it can easily happen that your transcripts or certificates will not be fully translated, which you then have to get translated. So, be aware of this!

For universities that do not offer the service of providing you with your official documents in a different language, keep in mind that you will most likely have to take care of your certified translations yourself, but that’s why Dialexy is here to help you with your certified translations.

In addition, it is always good to update your CV and get it translated, in case you want to work during your stay abroad. Generally this translation does not have to be certified.

3. Getting in touch with your university abroad and asking them questions.

Contacting your university abroad is a very benefiting aspect that will help you a lot when you arrive at your new university. Mostly you can find the contact details of your teachers, tutors or advisors on the university website under your course description. When getting in touch with university advisors or teachers it is always helpful to make a list of questions that you want to ask, that way you can be sure that all of your questions have been answered.

To give you a guideline of questions that you could ask, I have prepared a short list of questions for you:

1. Do I have to provide certified translations of my university documents? (particularly into the language of the destination country)

2. Do I have to apply for a CAS number to get a study visa? (only applicable to students from outside of the EU going to the UK)

3. How much are the tuition fees?

4. Do I have to apply for accommodation?

5. When is the induction?

2. Explore the area where you are going to live.

When moving to a new country or new city, one of the first things to do is to get to know your new environment. There are various ways of having a closer look at what your new home has to offer. The easiest way to have a look around is with GoogleMaps. GoogleMaps will give you an overview of things to do in your new city or village. Not only can you see what is around, but more importantly how far shops, GP’s, restaurants, clubs and more are away from your new home. If you have already had a look at what’s around, you might want to find out what people have recommended and reviewed in the past, in which case, TripAdvisor is your go-to for traveller reviews, ranging from cheap places to eat to award-winning beaches. The site will also help you out if you need some inspiration on things to do in and around your city which can spice up your stay abroad and make it more exciting.

If you are more of an independent explorer, you can always get a hold of maps of your city or village and go to explore places on your own instead of doing what you have read from other people.

1. Be open to meeting new people. They will make your life (abroad) a lot easier and more exciting.

So, this is probably my top personal advice for everybody who is going abroad. Experiencing things together is just a lot more exciting and fun!

I know there are many “to-be” study abroad students who do not really plan on meeting a lot of new people, unless they have to. But I want to emphasise that if you really want to have a great time during your stay abroad, meeting new people and making new friends, even though it may seem difficult at first, is the best way of getting the most out of your experience. I have met many people throughout my study abroad program who said they did not want to meet any new people, but in the end it turned out that they were spending more time with new people than with people they already knew.

So, don’t be shy, just try talking to some new people :)

PS: When making new friends abroad you will most likely have a place to stay at a friend’s place when you are traveling in the future. That’s definitely a big plus!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Travel Tips

Study abroad

Student life

University

Studying in Edinburgh – Things you want to know when studying abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:57:02 +0000

Reading time

7 minutes

As a very welcoming multicultural and international city, Edinburgh is a popular destination among study abroad students from all over the world. For me, coming to Edinburgh to study has been one of the best decision of my life. Going abroad to study is quite a life-changing experience. If you have decided to come to Edinburgh to study, or if you still need some convincing, here are some tips and ideas that can help to make your stay in Edinburgh more interesting and pleasant.

5. Places to stay and flatmates

A tip that is mostly overlooked by study abroad students is to live near the city centre and, if possible, with people who are not from your home country. Many foreign students tend to stay in student halls on campus, which is convenient for classes, but not for meeting people or going out, as it might take you more than 40 minutes to get to the city centre where things are happening. Moving in with students from other countries is the best way to make a lot of new friends, learn more about different cultures and improve your English skills.

4. Places to study

Finding the right place to study is often difficult, but Edinburgh offers many interesting and study-friendly environments that are just waiting for you to pack your books and leave your sad desk at home.

And did you know that Edinburgh has four universities? The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Napier University and Queen Margaret University. Each university has its own 24/7 library with plenty of resources and modern study areas and rooms. If you live far from your own university, you can also register at the library of another university closer to your home. A true lifesaver for me!

If you are tired of sitting in the library to study, Edinburgh has got other great socialising spaces where you can go to study, such as the Meadows, Princes Street Gardens, coffee shops or beautiful open spaces on each campus.

3. Always something new

Particularly as a student from abroad, you should spend time getting to know the city. Walk around, jump on a random bus, enjoy the beautiful views! From the shop-filled Royal Mile to small side streets – you never get bored in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle can be seen from where you might least expect it, always reminding you of where you are. You must have heard about the (extinct) volcano in the middle of the city, Arthur’s Seat, which offers fantastic views but did you know that Edinburgh also has a long, sandy beach (Portobello) that you can reach on the city bus?

2. Always something happening

Edinburgh is famous for its summer festivals (Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe) but these festivals are not the only thing happening in the capital of Scotland. Every day, every week and every month there are numerous events and festivals. Many are free of charge and include music concerts, arts exhibitions or theatre plays. You should definitely choose a captivating and intriguing event over a night in – you will not regret it!

1. On the doorstep to a lot of places

Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but its location also means that travelling throughout Scotland and the UK is very easy and cheap by coach, train and plane. Glasgow for just a few pounds? London in four hours? Cheap flights all over Europe? A day trip to the Scottish Highlands? The possibilities are unlimited…

My 10 favourite places in Edinburgh

Everybody has their favourite places to be, eat and chill, so here are mine in the beautiful and exciting city of Edinburgh.

Places: The Meadows and Arthur’s Seat;

Restaurants: Cosmo and Dai Pai;

Shops: Record Shak and all charity shops;

Museums: National Galleries of Scotland and National Museum of Scotland;

Pubs/bars: The Devil’s Advocate and Stramash

But I will let you make your own personal list of favourite places to be, eat and chill. A list to always refer back to. Enjoy!

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Edinburgh

Study abroad

Student life

Study Tips

Things you want to know

5 Things You Should Know about Living in Germany

nuvaquahu — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:09:17 +0000

Reading time

4 minutes

Germany is a great country to live in and in case you have decided to live in Germany then you will also realise why so many people like to live in Germany. It’s very balanced in a way and everything seems very sorted and in order. But when coming from a different country there are a couple of things that are different and that might seem a bit unfamiliar. So, I want to introduce you to some of these things here. The sooner you know, the better.

5. What time is it? Half three? No, not half past three.

Telling time in German can sometimes be a bit confusing for foreigners. The most confusing one for foreigners is using the term “halb”, meaning “half” when telling time. In English using the term “half” usually means “half past”, but not in German. In German it actually means half until the next full hour, if that makes sense. So, for example, when saying “halb vier” (“half four”) the time is actually half past 3. It’s a little confusing, but you will get a grip on that quite quickly. It just takes a bit of time hehe.

4. Oh, it’s Sunday.

Sundays are generally considered holidays in Germany. So, before it’s Sunday you might want to go over your weekend plans again in case it included shopping or partying. If so, you should think about changing your plans.

Closing times

Every Sunday stores and shops are generally closed (except most gas stations) and Saturday they often close earlier than during the week. While this is the case for stores and shops, most restaurants and cafes are open, even during holidays. But better check the opening hours of the place you want to go to and you will be on the safe side!

Resting periods

In Germany Sunday is also called “Ruhetag”, which translates to “day of rest” (literally meaning “quiet day”). This means that all chores, particularly noisy ones like mowing the lawn or vacuum cleaning the house will have to wait until the next week. During the week resting periods are traditionally between 1pm and 3pm (“Mittagsruhe” = ”midday peace”) and between 10pm and 6am or 7am (“Nachtruhe” = “night sleep”). However, specific regulations on resting periods depend on the state you are living in. But keep in mind, Germans are quite direct. So, if it’s too loud, Germans will let you know. If you keep things at a reasonable level or have an agreement with your neighbours, then you should fine.

Although sundays are very different to your usual “busier” days, you have the chance to finally read that one book you always wanted to read :)

3. Recycling

Germany and people living in Germany are very organised. This also applies to their way of recycling. If you stick to it, you can sometimes get a bit of money in return. General recycling includes separating waste into bins for general waste, paper, plastics, and organic waste which have individual dates for garbage collection. The more interesting part of recycling in Germany is “Pfand” (deposit), where you are able to get money in return. When taking bottles with a recycling symbol on the bottle label back to the store you will receive money in return. Many stores have special bottle deposit machines that will give you a receipt, which you can then use to buy something new or to convert back into cash at the cashier. Glass bottles that do not have any deposit are separated by colour and should be brought to individual bottle containers near your home.

2. No smoking in public places, but…

Smoking in Germany is a rather sensitive issue. Smoking is not forbidden, but it is prohibited to smoke in public places such as schools and hospitals, public transportation, bars and especially in restaurants and clubs, unless otherwise signposted. However, people have the possibility to smoke in designated areas. While smoking in public in Germany is restricted, drinking alcohol in public is allowed.

1. German Punctuality

Although many stereotypes are not true, German punctuality is one that is actually true. Germans are generally “on time” (meaning 10 minutes early). Of course, when it comes to public transportation buses and trains are not 10 minutes early, but you can often countdown the seconds until the train leaves the train station. It’s fascinating!

Accordingly, coming late is frowned upon, especially when it comes to formal appointments or meetings. So, just be sure to have your watch handy and set a reminder, just in case you get caught up in having some good German beer or eating a delicious Schnitzel, in which case "Prost!" and "Guten Appetit!"

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

Blog tags

Germany

Things you need to know

Culture

Study abroad

5 reasons to study abroad

nuvaquahu — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:05:25 +0000

Reading time

2 minutes

5. You have never felt so free in your life!

Sometimes it feels like being away from home is the only way to feel free. To get away from all your problems at home and away from all the negative energy that is surrounding you. You finally got to the point where you have the feeling that you are actually living your life!

4. You get to see more places than just your university

Trains, MegaBus or National Express will be your best friends when travelling from A to B as they are cheap and run quite frequently. If you like to travel by train, you should definitely get a RailCard. So, in case you think you have run out of things to do, just book a bus or train for the next weekend and go explore a new location. You will be surprised how much you can get to see for little money.

3. Studying abroad is not just studying at a different university

You do know you are at a university, but things are still not completely the same than at your home university. This can be a good thing, in terms of more university support or more opportunities to show your potential in class, sports and other activities. It will often be that time is the only thing that will help you get used to this new environment. So, just be patient, you will get there.

2. You take care of things yourself.

With freedom also comes a lot responsibility. You learn to take care of things yourself and stand up for yourself. Being independent is not very easy at first, but will teach you how to tackle life in the future. Be confident! You can do it!

1. You will often ask yourself if you want to stay abroad or go back home.

Lastly, the question “Should I stay here or should I go back home?” will be in your head for quite a while as it will have a big impact on your life. Some people already know that they want to stay after they have arrived, others will look forward to flying back home and going back to their life in their home country. How will you decide?

PS: I myself have stayed abroad and I am glad I made this decision. Of course, every now and then I think about how things would have been if I would have gone back to my home country, but for me staying abroad just felt right as it is more exciting and more interesting to discover new things about life yourself.

Author

nuvaquahu

Nuvaquahu - ex Communication Coordinator

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