Home

 

Getting Experience

- # of # Filtered -

China, South Africa And Beyond!

Q&A with Megan: Studied in China
Share this
Print this
Megan
Studied in China
Her thoughts on Cultural Differences
At the end of the day, we have more in common than we think! It was fun to celebrate the similarities and recognize the differences.
Her thoughts on Coming Home
Sometimes students psych themselves up too much, anticipating a tough transition. Be flexible, patient and write down everything you remember from your trip.
Her thoughts on Pre-Departure Preparation
Plan early and be up-front about your goals with your academic advisors.

When and where did you study abroad? Did you have a study focus?

I have been fortunate to study abroad several times. My first trip overseas followed my first year of studying Chinese. I visited Hangzhou, China, for a month and focused my studies on Chinese culture in film and learning the local language. My second trip abroad was a semester program in South Africa and Namibia with the Center for Global Education. This program strives to break down stereotypes and discern development projects in southern Africa, aptly titled “Nation Building, Globalization, and Decolonizing the Mind.” Lastly, I studied for an additional month in China in the city of Nanjing after receiving a scholarship from the local chapter of the Confucius Institute in Indiana.

What made you want to study abroad?

I’d traveled to England with my family when I was 13 years old and distinctly remember visiting Oxford and Cambridge. My parents and relatives suggested that I “come back someday and study there” and I just knew I had to! Turns out, I haven’t quite made it back to England yet, but I’m hopeful!

What was the biggest surprise about your study abroad experience?

My first study abroad experience in China truly made me feel like I was on another planet! It was a strong reminder that there are a lot of people on this earth and there is no single “correct way” to go about your life. At the end of the day, though, we have more in common than we think! It was fun to celebrate the similarities and recognize the differences.

How did you finance your trip abroad and did you find any creative solutions to stay on budget?

The scholarships I had received for study at Valparaiso University carried over into most of my study abroad experiences. I also applied for and received outside scholarships and grants to help finance my trip; for China specifically, students should look into local Confucius Institutes for any connections or scholarship opportunities. I participated in a grant program that included a 100-hour volunteer internship in an NGO that was later rewarded with $1,000. I also always worked part-time while at school and even if I had to make social sacrifices, I knew it would always be worth it in the end (and I was right!)

What was your return like? Do you plan to go abroad again?

Each return has had its ups and downs and there are hardly any commonalities among my separate returns to the US. The re-entry experience really depends on the length of time you were abroad and how dedicated you were to engaging with and immersing yourself into the local culture. People/advisors will always tell you that you are going to experience culture shock, but while this is possible, I feel that sometimes students psych themselves up too much anticipating a tough transition. Be flexible, write down everything you remember from your trip, and be patient with yourself – grown accustomed to your old stomping ground takes more than a few days!

What is your number one tip for anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Plan early and be up front about your goals with your academic advisors. Because I wanted to study in Namibia and my degree emphasis was on East Asia, all of my elective courses were completed on my semester abroad – which meant I had to hustle every other semester! In the end, the important thing is to make the decision to commit to studying abroad. Yes, it is a financial and a planning hurdle but you will have few or no regrets upon returning. Who knows, you may end up becoming addicted to it!

What did you miss most about home?

Mom’s cooking! Signs in familiar languages! The ability to truly relax and not feel like I was wasting precious moments.

What are your future plans for going abroad and for your career?

I want my life’s work to be dedicated to facilitating cross-cultural exchanges through education. I have hopes of working to create programs, maintain programs and help advise students who are looking to go abroad. I especially want to make study abroad more affordable and accessible to students, as well as working to make the programs more effective and social-justice oriented. I am looking forward to the possibility of working with colleagues who share my passions and I’m excited to help mold students’ worldviews!

Advice from MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey, Publisher

Megan knows exactly what she wants from her future career. Having had multiple positive experiences abroad, she is now dedicated to providing others with the same opportunity. Her proactive and enthusiastic attitude to facilitating cross-cultural experiences will serve her well as she pursues her career goals. As Megan moves into program management and creation, she may find that language fluency and international business skills would be of value. She might even consider taking time off to pursue an international MBA.

Megan's Next Steps
Advice from MyWorldAbroad
by the founder of MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey
Want to Have the Same Experience?
10153
- # of # Filtered -
  • 102
102
10923
Insight And Education In Korea
1
16392
Building International Career Skills Online
2
16320
Independent, International, Virtual! A UN Internship Online
3
16382
Making the Most of Lockdown with a Virtual Internship
4
16312
Virtual Internship for a Cross-cultural Future
5
16157
Zoom Zoom! A Virtual Internship with Central America
6
9775
A Year Of Feeling French
7
10153
China, South Africa And Beyond!
8
9776
Soaking Up Japanese Culture
9
9764
Do It Yourself! A Proactive Intern in Rome
10
15631
An International Career in the Making: Asia, Africa and Beyond
11
15405
From Daydream to Reality: Teaching Abroad
12
15401
From Korea to Oman: Teaching English Around the World!
13
9761
Communicating Creatively In Spain
14
9773
Independent In India
15
9791
Making Contacts Count In The UK
16
9740
Sports, Study And Fun In France
17
9743
Hooked On Volunteering!
18
16316
Exploring the Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Mexico City
19
16387
An Epic Internship in Malaysia
20
9756
Springtime In Spain
21
9763
A Professional Visit To Vietnam
22
9780
A Year In Marvelous Mexico!
23
9751
A Canadian Globe-Trotter Visits The US
24
9768
Going Solo In Spain!
25
10188
Now Or Never In Colombia
26
9792
Rolling With The Punches In Seoul
27
9745
An Unforgettable Adventure In Nanjing
28
9774
Gaga For Ghana!
29
9783
Off The Beaten Path In Africa
30
9755
People, Places And Passionate Volunteering In Peru
31
9778
Study And Adventure In New Zealand
32
9777
Into The Wild In Alaska
33
9754
Building Memories In India
34
9750
Host Hospitality In Morocco
35
9747
Fun And Friends In The Netherlands
36
9748
Adventure In The Alps
37
9786
Kids And Culture In Korea
38
9772
Learning To Go With The Flow In France
39
9762
American Freshman In London
40
9771
Learning To Love London
41
9742
Take-Charge Travel: Germany And Beyond!
42
9746
A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa
43
9760
Getting In Sync In Nairobi
44
9759
From Cold Feet To Confidence In Germany
45
9779
One Summer, Two Internships!
46
9785
Motivated In Madagascar
47
9741
Adapting to Work In Peru
48
9784
Skill-building in Bonn
49
9753
A Season in Sweden
50
9765
Simpatico in Florence
51
9782
Making The Most Of Milano
52
9737
Passionate About Panama
53
9766
Short-Term Trips For Long-Term Gain
54
9781
A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica
55
9789
Loving Life In Lyon
56
9790
Design And Dining In Korea
57
9770
Contributing To Change In Ghana
58
9757
Teaching And Learning In Tanzania
59
9738
Living For The Moment In Valencia
60
9767
Beyond The Call Of Duty In Africa
61
16174
An Empowering Virtual Internship in Nicaragua
62
9744
Food, Fun And Festivals In Germany
63
16161
A Bright & Friendly Cross-cultural Workspace
64
16017
A Globally-minded Visit to Qatar
65
10204
Across Europe In A Caravan!
66
9758
Learning The Local Ways Of Addis Ababa
67
11645
A Love Affair with Shanghai
68
11996
Daring to Go Solo in Ireland
69
12058
Architectural Adventures in Australia
70
11845
Hospitality and Hosting in the DCR
71
15333
A Literary Education in the UK
72
14088
An Eye-opening Experience Teaching in South Korea
73
14483
Finding Home, By Teaching Abroad
74
14594
Growing Abroad: Hong Kong & South Korea
75
15347
12 Months, 12 Countries!
76
15383
Hustle and Bustle in Vietnam
77
15327
An Open Mind & Open Arms in Spain
78
15387
Bliss on a Budget in Brazil
79
15644
Discovering the World on Campus: International Skills at Home
80
11467
Stepping Outside the Box in Sweden!
81
9752
Giving In Guatemala
82
9769
Getting Sporty In Switzerland!
83
9788
Business And Pleasure In Australia
84
9787
A Spring Semester in London
85
9807
Fast Friendship in Korea
86
11557
Un stage au Cambodge (Français)
87
10230
Getting Caffeinated In Bolivia
88
11468
Learning While Teaching in Beijing
89
10145
Real Stories And Real People In Mexico
90
9803
Ten Years Teaching In Seoul
91
10851
Tips From Tasmania
92
9799
Getting Settled In Seoul
93
10258
Encountering Cultures Across Europe
94
10218
Adaptation And Appreciation In Japan
95
9812
Caring And Career Skills In Belize
96
10157
Changing Course In China
97
11850
The Warmest Welcome in Guatemala
98
11904
Enthusiasm, Education and Experience in Greece
99
10163
English Teaching In Eastern Europe
100
10192
Out And About In Paris
101
10143
A Warm Welcome In Mexico
102
10153
All Job Boards
446
All NGOs
1398
Au Pair Resources
37
Awards & Grants Resources
64
Business Directories
20
Canadian Federal, Provincial & Territorial Government Profiles
60
Canadian Government Resources
30
Children And Families Abroad
5
Consulting, Economics & Finance Job Boards
60
Cross-cultural Skills
111
Engineering Job Boards
62
Engineering Resources
82
Expatriate Networking Sites
31
Foreign Students Working in the US
9
Freelancing Abroad
33
General Job Search Books
11
Global Education & Social Action
61
Health & Medicine Job Boards
50
Health Career Resources
68
International Associations with Clubs on Campus
42
International Development Career Resources
86
International Internship Organizations
312
International Internships & Student Programs with Canadian Governments
35
International Internships with the US Government
38
International Job-hunting Resources
15
International Law Careers Resources
113
International Law Job Boards
28
International Studies in the US & Canada
13
International Trade Resources
25
International Volunteer Organizations
476
Internship Directories & Advice
53
Internships with the UN & Other IGOs
160
Language Careers
29
Learn a Language
112
Licensed Teacher Abroad Job Boards
35
Licensed Teacher Abroad Resources
39
Loans for Studying Abroad
18
Low-cost Travel
71
NGO Directories
33
NGO Job Boards
49
Regional Job Boards
103
Relocating Abroad
9
Resources for International Students Studying in Canada
31
Resources for International Students Studying in the US
48
Stories From Abroad
102
Study Abroad Resources
198
Teach English Abroad Job Boards
97
Teach English Abroad Resources
75
Tools for Travelers
92
Top International Blogs & Podcasts
85
Travel Guides
101
Travel Health & Safety
53
UN & Other IGOs
271
UN & Other IGOs Job Boards
27
UN & Other IGOs Resources
74
US Government Profiles
76
US Government Resources
45
Virtual International Internship Organizations
88
Volunteer Job Boards & Advice
59
Working Holiday Resources
74