Central students learn about studying abroad in forum

By: John Morelli

Edited by: Erin Hillard and Mariah Richards

Central Michigan University peer and study abroad advisors met in the Bovee University Center Wednesday with students to discuss options for studying abroad and student teaching in an open forum.

A dozen Central students were in attendance with questions and answers about the program and some of the benefits of teaching or studying abroad.

“It was very informative,” said Mike Mueller, a Warren junior. “The discussion provided me with a lot of insight into what I may be getting myself into.”

Many scholarships are provided for students who teach or study abroad. They can be anywhere from $2 thousand to $15 thousand.

The advisors discussed what may happen in a typical day and highlighted many of the things people should try to do and avoid while over seas.

“If you spend 5 hours looking on Facebook, you lost 5 hours you could have spent seeing the country,” said study abroad advisor Amber Schneider.

Schneider also warned that Americans stereotypically wear white tennis shoes and baseball caps and by doing these things you will stick out.

“You don’t need to hide who you are though,” Will Sartore said. The Grand Rapids junior studied for five months in South Africa last semester.

Sartore said there were many Americans studying there as well and they all stick out as soon as they begin to speak. Schneider agreed with this adding that something to try to control is the volume of your voice while overseas because Americans tend to speak louder than people of most other countries.

“There are many long-term benefits to studying abroad,” Sartore said. He plans on continuing to see the world and teach English in Vietnam in the future.

“You’ve never had pineapple or papaya until you’ve had it in Ghana or somewhere on the equator,” Schneider said. She commented many times that teaching and studying abroad were some of her favorite memories.