West Chester University Education Abroad

Student: Nicole Castro-Valdez 

Trip: WCU Summer in Guatemala: Service-Learning Experience 

(Faculty-Led) 

Nicole had a lot to share in regard to here time abroad: 

I went on the Guatemala Service-Learning Experience study abroad trip summer 2018. I loved every minute of it. I participated in different community services on campus and off campus that year. I thought going to Guatemala was a great opportunity to help a different community in a different country. The purpose of the trip is to actively engage and help members in the society that have cognitive, physical and developmental disabilities.  

As an Alumni, Nicole had this to say about how the trip has carried into life after college: 

This experience has benefited me in so many ways! The people I met on this trip were so pure and genuine. Many people in the United States take things for granted, meanwhile in Guatemala the people we interacted with were humble, grateful and positive. Guatemala has humbled me in many ways, has shown me to express love and patience more often, and to significantly embrace my roots more. This trip will forever be unforgettable! 

Final Takeaway:  

I encourage multicultural students to travel and take on these experiences. Going to a country, learning their culture and supporting their communities is breathtaking! 

• 

February 2020

Grüß gott!

Welcome back to the Center for International Programs’ study abroad blog, where we explore new countries and give updates on fun, upcoming study abroad related events and activities each month.

Despite the greeting at the beginning of this blog, we aren’t actually looking at Germany today. Instead, we’re checking out one of Germany’s very close neighbors; Austria! So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the country and its “City of Dreams,” Vienna!

Monthly Country Feature: Austria w/ Sydney

Even as a relatively smaller country, Austria still has tons going for it. Its position in the Alps mountains leads to some very beautiful landscapes, while its more temperate climate and rather cold winters make it a great skiing destination. Today, we’re going to be hearing from Sydney, one of the current Global Ambassadors for the CIP office, and her own experience in the country.

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and your study abroad experience.

            Hello! I’m Sydney Bachmeyer and I went to Vienna, Austria on a six-week faculty-led program during the summer of 2019. The program was for German program students and since German is one of my majors along with International Business, I knew this would be the perfect trip for me.

What kinds of things did you learn while abroad; about the country, about the world, about yourself, etc.?

            My experience abroad has helped me realize I could be way more independent than I first thought. I was able to navigate the public transport and go to different stores all by myself, and I got to explore so much of the country on my own. I almost didn’t want to come home after the trip because of how comfortable I felt traversing this new country.

What was your favorite landmark or attraction you got to visit?

            The coolest place I saw was definitely the Stephansdom cathedral, which looks like this giant castle that’s placed right in the middle of the city. So much of Vienne is centered directly around the cathedral, which often holds different events or festivals throughout the year, so it’s a huge cultural hub for the city. I also got to climb to the top of the building and see the entire city, which was a really amazing view.

Was there anything about the country you visited that felt very different or strange compared to your home country?

            If I’m being honest, nothing felt all that different from home. There wasn’t a huge language gap since I’m currently learning German, and considering a lot of the people on the trip with me spoke even less German than I did, I really felt like I was one of the most knowledgeable members of our group. If there was one thing that did feel different, though, it was the way that Austrians eat. I always felt like I was constantly on the search for veggies, because a lot of their food was really heavy and mostly meat based.

Describe the tastiest piece of foreign cuisine you tried while abroad.

            I think I’d have to go with Döner as my food of choice. Funnily enough, it’s actually a Turkish fast food dish, but lots of Austrians like to eat it too. It’s basically this sandwich wrap thing stuffed with meat (usually lamb, sometimes chicken) and some tomatoes and lettuce, and it’s all topped in this delicious garlicky dressing. It was my go-to food when I didn’t know what else to get because it was so easy to find.

Is there anything else you want to talk about your study abroad experience that wasn’t addressed in any of the previous questions?

            One cool thing is that I got to visit some other places on the trip, like Berlin and Budapest. So many people don’t realize that traveling to other destinations while you’re abroad is so easy. Everything is really close because of how tightly packed all the countries in Europe are, and it’s often very cheap to catch foreign flights while overseas. Like, my flight to Berlin was literally only $30.

Upcoming Events/Deadlines

While there are no specific events coming to the CIP office this coming month, several of you should be getting ready to leave for your spring break study abroad excursions! Just remember to relax, have fun, and pack well in advance of your departure!

Conclusion

This concludes the February edition of the WCU CIP blog for the spring 2020 semester. I hope everyone has a great spring break, and that you’re all prepared to come back ready for even more study abroad stories. Until next time,

Auf wiedersehen!

Student: Natalie Fenner

Trip: WCU Summer in Italy—Food & Sustainable Cultural Heritage in Perugia, Italy (Faculty-led)

Natalie had a bit to share about her study abroad experience:

Being able to go on this trip was one of the greatest privileges of my life! I was able to expand my horizons (and my diet) so much further than if I had just stayed home in the U.S. I wanted to learn more about what it meant to be an Anthropologist and in doing so, I met some of the most amazing people— who I know I will call dear friends for life.

On the topic of scholarships, she shared the following:

The Global Rams Scholarship made it possible for me to fund most of my trip allowing me to gain these experiences.  I would encourage everyone to study abroad every chance they get because it really changed the way I see the world. There are so many resources out there that can help you gain access to the world and this is one of them!! Do your research and go on an adventure, you won’t regret it!

For more information on the Global Rams Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities, please visit: https://wcupa.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10994

By: Angelica Andrews, Global Ambassador

January 2020

Ciao, amici miei!

Welcome back to the Center for International Program’s study abroad blog, where we explore new countries and give updates on fun, upcoming study abroad related events and activities each month. I hope everyone had a nice winter break and is ready to jump right back into the first post for the spring 2020 semester!

As per usual, the greeting at the beginning is a variation on the phrase “hello, my friends,” this time presented in Italian. Naturally, this means the next featured country will be Italy! So why don’t we sit down and get cozy while we take a closer look at Bel Paese (the “beautiful country”) and everything it has in store for us.

Monthly Country Feature: Italy w/ Nicholas

A country as famous as Italy hardly seems like it needs its own introduction. From its architecture to its film, and especially its world-famous cuisine, Italy has been a powerhouse of global culture for centuries. With all of the popularity in mind, it seems prudent to hear directly from the CIP office’s global ambassador Nick to see how his own experience studying in Italy went.

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and your study abroad experience.

            Hi, I’m Nicholas Marino, and I’m a senior at West Chester University. This past summer I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for three weeks with the International Studies Abroad program. As a kid, my family always told me stories of our rich Italian culture and I was excited to visit the country my ancestors came from.  

What kinds of things did you learn while abroad; about the country, about the world, about yourself, etc.?

            While I was in Italy, I took a Photoshop class at Florence University of the Arts. I learned a lot from the Photoshop class that I took. In my opinion, having a firm grip on technology is an important aspect of modern communication. Not only that, but being able to be immersed in a culture that is not my own has helped me become a better and more sensitive communicator. I helped to create many of the magazine covers and pamphlets that the school used throughout their campus buildings. I also learned that I could travel alone, as this was my first time traveling all by myself. I took a few weekend trips to places like Rome, Venice, Pisa, and it was such a rewarding experience.

What was your favorite landmark or attraction you got to visit?

            I saw so many interesting landmarks and places in Italy. My absolute favorite place was Venice. I took a train to this amazing city and stayed in a hostile with friends from the trip. It was by far the highlight of the entire experience for me. The city is built on 118 different islands with waterways used for traveling. While I was there, I was in complete amazement that this entire city was built upon water and still standing today. 

            Was there anything about the country you visited that felt very different or strange compared to your home country?

            The language barrier, by far. It’s shocking how many Italians know English, but it was still hard to communicate with each other. I was just finishing up my final Spanish class so I thought maybe that would help, but I was very wrong. I can vividly remember getting my haircut and not one person understood what I was saying, so I ended up showing people pictures of what I wanted. This opened my eyes up to how important it is to be bilingual and what it’s like to be an outsider in another country.

Describe the tastiest piece of foreign cuisine you tried while abroad.

            No one ever likes my answer, but I wasn’t a fan of the foreign cuisine in Italy. I just wanted American food the entire time. I think I’m one of the few people who came home from Italy and actually lost weight. Everything is just so different (and healthier) that I just wasn’t used to any of the food options. One night I woke up at 3 in the morning craving a Wawa hoagie and walked two miles to the closest McDonalds just to try and get something remotely American in my system. If I ever go back, I think I would pack all of my favorite snacks and have those just in case.

Is there anything else you want to talk about your study abroad experience that wasn’t addressed in any of the previous questions?

            The whole trip was extremely eye opening for me. Americans live such a different lifestyle compared to Europeans. In Florence, having a dryer for clothes was considered a luxury. Cleaning clothes was almost a three-day process from start to finish. The whole trip just really put into perspective the amount of waste and excess that we cause. Italians use much fewer natural resources and have less impact on the environment. I constantly find myself using skills that I learned while in Italy all the time. I’m always amazed that three short weeks could have such a lasting impact on the rest of my life.

Upcoming Events/Deadlines

With a new semester comes a new calendar of great study abroad events to attend, so why not check a few of them out before wrapping up this blog. 

Welcome Back to WCU: A lot of students have only just gotten back from their fall and winter study abroad trips, so the CIP office thought it would be a great idea to offer a welcome back party for all returning students. Food will be provided! Don’t miss this great way to mingle with fellow study abroad folks on Wednesday February 5th, from 10am to 12pm in Mitchell Hall 301.

Fulbright Information Session: Fulbright is an amazing program that allows students to research and study abroad while teaching English to students in other countries. Lisa Drusedum of our very own CIP office plans to hold an information session for any students who are looking at the program, which will help answer any questions they might have and can even start them on the path of applying. This event will take place on Friday February 7th, from 11am to 12pm in Mitchell Hall 301, so try to keep your schedule open if you’re interested!

Additionally, I’m sure a ton of folks have already departed on their spring semester study abroad trips, so good luck to you in your traveling endeavors!

Conclusion

This concludes the first edition of the WCU CIP blog for the spring 2020 semester. It feels great to get back into the swing of things in the new year, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the blogs for this semester will have in store for us. Until next time,

Salve!

 December 2019

Hola, ¿qué tal, mis amigos?

Welcome back to the Center for International Programs’ study abroad blog, where we explore new countries and give updates on fun, upcoming study abroad related events and activities each month. This third installment will be the last one for the fall semester, so I’m hoping we can end this year with a bang!

If the Spanish greeting at the beginning (which means “Hi, how are you doing, friends?” by the way) didn’t already give it away already, this month’s featured country is Spain. So, let’s cut right to the chase and see everything the Hispanic nation has to offer!

Monthly Country Feature: Spain w/ Maeve

Spain is a beautiful country with tons of amazing culture surrounding it. Things like the generally warm climate, unique social customs, and amazing food makes it a wonderful destination for people from all over the world to visit. Today, we’re going to listen to what our Global Ambassador Maeve has to say about her own trip there. 

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and your study abroad experience. 

My name’s Maeve King, and I have a long history with studying abroad, as my recent trip to Seville, Spain was my second overall trip abroad. I studied there for the spring semester of 2019 through the ISA program. While here at WCU, I’m majoring in Spanish, German, and Political Science with a focus in international relations, so I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country to work on my own Spanish language skills. 

What kinds of things did you learn while abroad; about the country, about the world, about yourself, etc.?

Language acquisition was definitely one of the biggest things for me. Prior to studying abroad, I had really only used Spanish in a classroom setting, so throwing  myself into an environment where I spoke it all the time was a huge adjustment but also a great learning opportunity. The host family I stayed with also didn’t speak any English at all, so finding ways to understand each other also helped me to learn the language on an even deeper level. Another thing I learned a lot about was elements of traveling like booking flights and AirBnBs because I took trips to places like Amsterdam and Germany all by myself, so I had to figure out travel and accommodations all on my own, and I kind of surprised myself by being able to do that. 

What was your favorite landmark or attraction you got to visit?

I think just getting to stay in the actual city of Sevilla itself was my favorite part of the whole trip. I got the chance to travel to a new city in Spain every week, and they were all amazing to visit, but I always couldn’t wait to return to Sevilla afterwards. The city really did just seem like a fairy tale to me. If I had to pick one place within Sevilla that I enjoyed the most, it would have to be Barrio Santa Cruz. It’s a portion of the city made up of these super narrow streets that are just filled to the brim with little shops and cafes and things like that. Every time I went there it felt like a new experience; the streets are so mazelike, so I’d spend hours just wandering and getting lost, and I ended up in a new place every time I went, which was such a cool thing to be able to do. 

Was there anything about the country you visited that felt very different or strange compared to your home country?

As I mentioned before, the language was a huge thing for me. However, one aspect that I didn’t touch on yet about the language was the accent. The Spanish speakers in Southern Spain where I was staying have such a pronounced regional accent that it was almost impossible for me to understand them at first. They drop a lot of letters and syllables when they talk, so it was so weird to feel like I didn’t know what I was doing after studying the language for seven years, but it was also really awesome to get used to and develop the accent. Another interesting thing about Spain is their scheduling. Life really doesn’t start until nine in the morning; businesses rarely open before then, and people only eat a tiny breakfast such as toast and coffee. Everyone also comes home around one in the afternoon for a huge lunch and then a siesta—or nap—for a few hours before going back to work. They also don’t eat dinner until nine or ten at night, and going out at night is crazy too because bars and clubs and stuff like that don’t even open until two in the morning. 

Describe the tastiest piece of foreign cuisine you tried while abroad. 

The “Tapas” culture in Spain was definitely amazing. It involves going out for dinner and ordering a ton of appetizer-sized dishes for everyone to share, so you get to try so many different amazing foods. My favorite Tapas dish I tried was called Carrillada, which is meat from a pig’s cheek that is super tender and flavorful. Some other amazing foods I tried are meatballs in this special onion-flavored sauce called Albóndigas, and also a giant skillet of rice called a Paella. 

Is there anything else you want to talk about your study abroad experience that wasn’t addressed in any of the previous questions? 

Something that people don’t seem to think a lot about is the individual people they will meet while abroad. I got to study abroad with other American, and we all got tossed into this weird and unfamiliar experience together, so it becomes this really scary but cool bonding experience. We all got super close during the trip, and I still keep in contact with a lot of the friends I made to this day. 

Upcoming Events/Deadlines

Now that the semester is ending and winter break is just about to start we won’t have any more study abroad events until the spring. However, once again, there are still plenty of things that you prospective or future study abroad students can and should be doing over the break!

Many of you will finally be departing on your own trips during the winter break, and even more of you will most likely be finishing up some final preparations for your spring trips, so this is undoubtedly an exciting and busy time. Don’t forget to breathe and enjoy your experiences, and I know you all will do amazing!

Conclusion

This concludes the third edition of the WCU CIP study abroad blog. I can’t wait to see all of you again in the new year as the spring semester is beginning. Until next time, or as they say in Spain;

¡Hasta luego!

November 2019

G’day, mates!

Welcome back to the Center for International Programs’ study abroad blog, where we explore new countries and give updates on fun, upcoming study abroad related events and activities each month. The first installation of this blog series was such a blast to make, so it’s super exciting to continue sharing this project with everyone. 

As you may have guessed from the rather obvious and iconic greeting at the beginning, this month’s featured country is Australia. It would seem safe to assume that Aussieland doesn’t need much of an introduction, so let’s skip the dawdling and see everything the Land Down Under has to offer!

Monthly Country Feature: Australia w/ Lyndsey

Australia is a very unique country with tons of geographical and cultural diversity to it. The modern and beautiful coastal cities that contain most of the island’s population contrast so distinctly with the wide expanses of nearly desolate grasslands of the Outback. Current Global Ambassador, Lyndsey, is going to take us through her own Australian experience from a few months ago. 

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and your study abroad experience. 

Hey, I’m Lyndsey Michelsen, a junior studying at WCU. It took me a little bit to decide where I wanted to study abroad; I first thought I’d go somewhere in Europe, but I also knew I wanted to go somewhere with easy access to the ocean, so in the long run I ended up going to Perth, Australia. I studied at a university there for the entirety of spring semester in 2019, which lasted for 18 weeks from February to June. 

What kinds of things did you learn while abroad; about the country, about the world, about yourself, etc.?

The thing I learned the most about was definitely myself. While I was abroad, I found out I could be a lot more independent and self-sufficient than I gave myself credit for. Since I was out of my comfort zone so often, I would constantly force myself to take more risks and seize more opportunities, and I learned to love adventuring and trying new things. It was also really fun to learn about Australian culture and their way of life. I met so many cool people, and so many of them place a lot of importance on things like sustainability and environmentalism, which was really refreshing to see. 

What was your favorite landmark or attraction you got to visit?

Funny enough, my favorite place I got to see wasn’t actually even in Australia. There was a period during my trip that I got to visit the island of Nusa Penida in Indonesia. Thanks to the brilliant blue ocean and amazing landscapes, the island had some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen in my life. The people we met there were so kind and caring too, and the food was amazing as well, so it was just an all-around incredible trip. I of course still loved my time in Australia, but Nusa Penida was something special. 

Was there anything about the country you visited that felt very different or strange compared to your home country?

Australia obviously shares its language with the US, but there was still an interesting kind of language barrier thanks to the heavy accents and really unfamiliar slang people used there. Things like McDonalds being called “Maccas” or gas stations known as “servos” was really challenging to get used to. Aside from the vocabulary issues, there were some interesting cultural differences too. Everything in Australia was so “green”; it was nearly impossible to find plastic bottles anywhere, and you’d have to pay for disposable bags at the grocery store if you didn’t bring your own reusable ones. One final weird thing that stood out to me was the fact that people didn’t have to pay for their gas until after they were done pumping. A rule like that would never fly here in the States, so it was so weird to see how honest everyone was over there. 

Describe the tastiest piece of foreign cuisine you tried while abroad. 

They may not seem like much at first glance, but I’d have to go with a snack food called Tim Tams. They were these tiny little wafer cookies dipped in chocolate, and they came with a huge selection of different flavored fillings. They could be eaten on their own or dipped in coffee or tea as a kind of biscuit, but either way they were super delicious. One other thing I need to mention are some different kinds of Australian chips. While they weren’t necessarily my favorite thing to eat while I was there, they were definitely notable to bring up because of all the cool and weird flavors that were available. The best kind were the chicken flavored ones because they surprisingly did kind of taste like chicken. 

Is there anything else you want to talk about your study abroad experience that wasn’t addressed in any of the previous questions? 

Getting to travel to a country that is relatively similar to the US was so strange because of how similar yet dissimilar everything felt at the same time. I heard from a lot of people that studying abroad in an English-speaking country is a bad idea since everything is basically the “same,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are always enough cultural differences between the two places that it’s still a super cool and informative experience, so I just really think anyone who’s thinking about studying abroad shouldn’t let other people sway their opinions, and also shouldn’t be afraid to try new things and learn more about yourself. 

Upcoming Events/Deadlines 

With Thanksgiving break right around the corner and the semester getting ready to wind down for the year, there isn’t much in the way of school-wide events for the near future. But that doesn’t mean you study abroad enthusiasts should be slacking; far from it! 

Winter break is fast approaching, so that means many of you are likely to soon start heading off on your own study abroad adventures. And those of you with trips planned for the spring, many of your deadlines are coming up, and it will also be your own time to depart before you know it. 

Conclusion 

This concludes the second edition of the WCU CIP study abroad blog. Thank you for stopping by, and stay tuned for the next post that’s scheduled to drop during finals week. Until next time, my friends. 

Catch you later!

October 2019

Konnichiwa, tomodachi! 

Welcome to the brand-new study abroad blog for West Chester University’s Center for International Programs! These monthly posts will provide useful reminders for upcoming deadlines and activities being offered by the CIP office, as well as a short “country feature” where we’ll take a closer look at a new and different location each month. Each feature can give personalized advice, insight, and stories from previous WCU study abroad students who have visited that particular country. Hearing first-hand information from people who have actually been to these places is always loads more helpful than just reading about them in some out-of-touch travel magazine, after all. 

In case you didn’t know, that phrase you read at the beginning of this blog post is how you say “hello, friends” in Japanese. I thought that seemed like the perfect way to introduce this blog to you, since our first featured country is going to be Japan! So, with that in mind, why don’t we dive right into the Land of the Rising Sun.

Monthly Country Feature: Japan w/ Ashley

Japan is an ancient place full of rich history and culture. From the hyper-modern skyscrapers of Tokyo to the historical monuments of Kyoto, the country has so much to explore. To get a better grasp on everything Japan has to offer, let’s take a look at an interview with Ashley, one of the CIP office’s current study abroad ambassadors who recently got back from her own trip to Japan. 

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and your study abroad experience. 

Hi, my name’s Ashley Harper, and I’m currently a junior here at WCU. During the summer of 2019, I studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan for three weeks through the Athena Study Abroad program. I grew up being surrounded by and loving Japanese culture as a kid, so I was so excited I’d finally be able to visit the country myself thanks to Athena.

What kinds of things did you learn while abroad; about the country, about the world, about yourself, etc.?

Since I was in Japan to study, I took this really interesting creative writing class where we learned about a lot of cool authors and poets, and also wrote a short memoir about our own lives and childhood. The class was especially helpful and relevant to my field of study as an English major, which was something I greatly appreciated. I learned a ton of stuff from simply staying in and exploring the country as a whole, too. It was so amazing to experience the culture and history of a country I’ve admired for so long in person. Also, I think I really surprised myself by being brave enough to study abroad in the first place. This trip was the biggest leap out of comfort zone I had ever done in my life, so it’s nice to know I was adventurous enough to do that. 

What was your favorite landmark or attraction you got to visit?

I visited so many amazing places while I was in Kyoto, but my absolute favorite place we visited was definitely the Fushimi Inari mountain shrine. The mountain view and the nearby nature scenery from the woods that accompanied the trek were absolutely breathtaking, and the hike up the mountain was also super challenging, which made it all the more rewarding when I made it to the top. The best part of the trip, though, was definitely getting to see all of the Torii gates, which are these beautiful, red-painted wooden structures shaped like doorways that line all of the mountain stairways. The rows and rows of these gates just give the whole mountain this mystical feeling, not to mention they’re one of the best landmarks to get pictures with! I definitely recommend that everyone traveling to Japan should visit Fushimi Inari. 

Was there anything about the country you visited that felt very different or strange compared to your home country?

The language barrier was definitely a big problem, because not only is the spoken language super foreign to me, but the various alphabets they use over there are completely different, too. I had a couple semesters of Japanese language classes before I went, so I at least knew a few basic things, but it was still really difficult for the most part. However, I wouldn’t have changed that aspect of the trip at all, because getting to interact with a different language was such an awesome and educational part of the whole visit.  

Describe the tastiest piece of foreign cuisine you tried while abroad. 

Oh, that’s an easy one. There is a chain restaurant all throughout Japan named “Hanamaru” that serves different kinds of udon and other noodles, as well as a bunch of delicious side dishes like fried tempura. Our study abroad group went there at least four or five times, and I got the same thing every time we went. It was called “Gyuniku udon,” and it consisted of a bowl of udon noodles topped with sliced beef, fried Tofu bites, and chives. That dish was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, and I’m not even kidding when I say I would want to go back to Japan just to eat at Hanamaru again. 

Is there anything else you want to talk about your study abroad experience that wasn’t addressed in any of the previous questions? 

One final thing that I think is important to mention is the fact that Japan is obviously not a predominantly “white” country. For the first time in my life I felt what it was like to walk around and feel awkward because of the color of my skin. There was one point near the end of my stay that I visited the nearby grocery store without any of the other students that were on the trip with me, and I noticed that I was the only non-Asian person in the entire store. This experience was completely eye-opening to me. Considering what a safe country Japan is, I can’t imagine what it’s like for POC in more dangerous countries where they might be physically in danger. Despite how uncomfortable I was at the time, I’m forever grateful that I experienced that feeling, because now I have a better perspective for how many minority groups in my own country must feel on a daily basis. I’m hoping that I will be able to use this experience to better understand the actions and perspectives of others in the future. 

Upcoming Events/Deadlines 

Before we wrap up the blog, let’s take a quick final look at some future activities and events the CIP office has to offer. 

International Education Week, Week of November 3rd: The International Education Week is a yearly event that allows students from all across the globe to celebrate and learn about studying abroad and all of the experiences and benefits that come with. The CIP office here at WCU has many fun events of their own planned for this special week: 

• Monday Nov. 4th – “Pack it Up: A Student’s Guide to Travel” in Sykes 252. 
• Tuesday Nov. 5th – “Perks of Study Abroad Summer Programs” in Sykes 209.
• Wednesday Nov. 6th – “Study Abroad Meet & Greet” on the Sykes patio from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. 
• Thursday Nov. 7th – “International & Study Abroad Student Mix & Mingle” in Mitchell 301 from 12pm to 2pm. 

Affiliate Partner Deadlines: For any students planning to enroll in or are already in the process of applying to any of WCU’s affiliate study abroad programs, specifically for the winter break or spring semesters, be aware: Many of the program due dates are fast approaching, if they haven’t already passed by! Make sure to stay on top of all the requirements for your specific program to ensure you finish your application on time. 

Conclusion 

And that brings the first official post from the WCU CIP study abroad blog to a close! Thank you so much for stopping by and supporting the blog, and please feel free to continue checking in about any future updates from us. The next post is currently planned to come out some time during November, so keep your eyes and ears open to find out what the next featured country might be. Until next time, or as the Japanese say;

Sayonara!