As a Senior in college, I can finally say that I was able to experience one of the most memorable journeys in my existence. After 21 years, I was able to do the one thing that I had been dreaming about since I was a kid; Studying Abroad. Now you may be just like me, but maybe you need a few more reasons to convince yourself that you need to go.If this is true, here are 5 reasons for you to see why you should take the plunge and just study abroad!
5. It's Affordable:
Believe it or not, most study abroad programs will still cost about the same per semester as your home university... including airfare and other add-ons. I found that depending on where I wanted to go, financial aid was still fully available. With further research, I was able to receive half of my student aid, which still allowed me build on the opportunity to study. So take a look at your options and talk to your financial aid advisor. They very much want to help you, and in my case I was able to work out a way to have some money to spend while I was in Australia..you could do the same!
4. It Works With Your Major:
You may be surprised to see that you may have more general education classes than you do core courses. Take advantage of this. I am a Public Relations major, and after looking at my degree audit, I found that I only needed 9 more PR credits...but 24 Gen Ed credits. So, I used this to my advantage, and worked with my advisor to get the credits I will take to transfer flawlessly towards graduation. Many programs are for your major anyways!! So why wouldn't you want to use that for your own good?!
3.Your Friends Are Doing It:
If you are like me, you have clicked through countless pictures of your friends on Facebook having the time of their lives in Spain, Europe, Africa etc. You probably have heard the amazing stories of their adventures, and perhaps you would like to be able to share your own stories with your friends and family as well. Now it's your turn! Ask around, see where your friends and family have been, and start planning your own adventure.
2. Intercultural Experience/Networking
Depending on where you are traveling and what program you are going to study, you have a possibility to make some fantastic connections. Some of the best stories I've heard, are the ones that spontaneously include meeting random celebrities in an elevator and then connecting with them later on in the States. Or perhaps you are wanting to grow in your business or teaching experience. Employers like seeing this experience on a resume, so you can use this to your advantage. If you make a good impression in your new country, you might receive offers to work internationally! Of course it takes time, and you need to be passionate about whatever you want to do. However, opportunities are always out there, and it wouldn't hurt to establish great relationships because it can only help you in the long run.
1. You Only Live Once
Yes. I am using this acronym to prove a point. At what other point in your life are you going to be able to live internationally for four months without worrying about a mortgage, spouse, children and a career?! I honestly cannot answer this question, but maybe your parents can. You are at a point in your life where you can say YOLO and live abroad without worrying about things you will have to do after you graduate. You don't have to grow up just yet, use this opportunity to do something you have always wanted! So many people regret not taking the chance to study abroad because they didn't think they could do it. I'll be honest, it is a lot of work to go through the entire process, but trust me, it's 100% worth it and your future self will pick up the tab ;) YOLO!
So don't hesitate. Go to your Global Studies office or Academic Advisor and look at your options. You are in the prime of your life, why wait when you have a family or when you're retired? Take the chance now while you still can, and create an adventure that will last a lifetime!
Hello World,
Well, it's been a little while since my last post. So I suppose you would like to know how I am spending my time off from school.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of hanging out with some of my old friends, as well as my Grandma and Brother at the 28th Annual Cubs Convention. With plenty of players, artifacts and conferences I definitely had my winter Cubs fix. One of the highlights of the convention involved meeting Kerry Wood, who was my favorite pitcher growing up. Although he finally retired last year, it was great to see him still involved with the organization. With that being said, I felt that I should join his cause to help kids in and around the city of Chicago. So I applied to intern with the Wood Family Foundation! Here's the link! They do some pretty great stuff during the summer, so hopefully I can be apart of that as well. I have an interview next week, so wish me luck, and any prayers would be nice too :)
http://mlb.mlb.com/players/woodfamilyfoundation/index.jsp
While preparing for Australia, I decided to look into things to do there on youtube. Of course I found some great stuff, but then I found this...The Huntsman Spider!!! Watch this video. This is the only reason why I am getting scared to go haha
Stupid Spider Video
As the days keep counting down, I am growing farther and farther away from wanting to do school work. This of course is not good, because it means I'm not gonna have fun the first few weeks in my new country. But, after this semester is over, I will finally be a senior! Which means that I will be done with school forever and I am definitely ready for that.
My brother and I also saw Haunted House. It's really funny, but super stupid. So if you want to have a good laugh see that!
I also saw Django which is sickk!!! See that if you want to see the best movie of your life! lol I'm still trying to see the Hobbit. So if anyone is down. Please tell me!
I have also had the opportunity to do some extra PR work while I have been home with my High School. So tomorrow I will be conducting a focus group to get some inside Social Media information for the school. Thank you Dr. Lee, for giving me the skills for that!
With all this being said, I am looking forward to my trip and cannot wait to start living in a completely new culture. I know things will be completely different than I'm used to, however I also know that I will be making some sick connections along the way. I figured I might as well network there so at some point I can move to a nice Australian city. Feel free to join me if you would like.
Well, I hope things are well. I miss everyone at school too. I want to come back for a Komets game, so if you're down to go, let me know and I will make my way back!
If you would like to follow my travels on Twitter you can here:http://twitter.com/mikebruce1291
If you would like to follow my pictures on Instagram you can here: mbruce1291
If you would like to connect professionally you can here: linkedin.com/in/michaelbruce3
Until next time....
Peace!
Hello World,
Well, it is currently 1 Month and 7 Days before I leave for the OZ. All of my friends are going back to school once again, and I am sitting at home patiently waiting as I count down the days before I go.
My break has been quite eventful, and I couldn't be more thankful for the family and friends that have helped make it that way. From a Surprise Birthday Party, Bulls game, Hooters, Grandmas House, and catching up with old friends, this is by far the best break I have had in years.
However, I look forward to what is to come. As you may or may not know, I am leaving for Sydney, Australia on February 18th, 2013. I will be in Sydney for a little over 3 months exploring, studying, surfing, and searching for my future soul mate. I'm a fool for OZ accents, so don't be surprised if I bring home a 300lb girl either lol Or as my brother would say "She ain't a lady, until she's 280!" ;)
Apart from that stuff, I will be in Sydney as I have mentioned before. I am studying at the Wesley Institute, which is through the ASC (Australia Studies Center program.) While at the Uni, I will be taking these courses:
Photography
Image Making
Hip Hop
Adventure Camp
Australian History
and Indigenous Cultures (Aborigine course)
I'm looking forward to these courses because they all seem really cool! The Adventure Camp will be with little Australian kids so I'm getting pumped for that class the most! The only thing that I'm not sure about is that I have been told this is an Art School, something totally different then what I am used to at Indiana Wesleyan University. I'm not very artsy, so I'm gonna have to find some people that are pretty chill I guess!
As far as I know, I will be staying with a family somewhere in Sydney (hopefully close to the water.) From what I have heard the families are pretty cool! Butttttt....I might have some bad karma coming my way because I may or may not have played plenty of jokes on the South Korean Foreign exchange students at my High School....Sorry to those of you. lol
If you have been paying attention to the news, Australia is reaching temperatures never before recorded. It is currently summer there, so that explains why it's so hot!. I will be getting there when temperatures are most like what a typical Fall semester would be for any college student: Hot the first month, and cooler as it progresses.
I will try to post once a week while I am there so you can live through my travels. I want to come back with so many stories to tell people, so be prepared for that!
If you are not following me on Twitter please do https://twitter.com/MikeBruce1291
If you want to see current pictures on Instagram @mbruce1291
If you have requests for photos text 847-431...Sike! lol
But for real, if you want to stay in contact I will be using Facebook, Twitter, and email mbruce1291@gmail.com. I will also try to Skype when I can too.
Until Next post....
Peace.
