What to Pack

Whether you're abroad for a month, 2 months, a summer, a semester or a year, knowing that to pack is very important. When you travel by plane, your luggage is allowed to weigh 50 pounds. It seems like a lot, but it's not. Just think, shoes and jeans weigh a lot! That was the biggest dilemma for me. I originally wanted to pack 30 pairs of shoes but my colleague Camille, who is also studying abroad at The University of Granada, told me flat out "come on, that's ridiculous." So I narrowed my shoes down to 15 pairs. Here's the best 4 pieces of advice I received regarding what to pack:

1) Pack things that you can layer, that way you can add more or take some off if it gets too warm. 

2) Don't pack a lot of heels, the sidewalks aren't like ours and  your heel will get caught and you can trip or    hurt yourself (Anyone who knows me, knows that I worked my way around that situation. I packed chunky heels and wedges.)

3) Don't pack a lot of personal items, it's a waste of space. Toiletries, hair gel, lotion, etcetera, can be purchased over there. Don't waste space or money (a lot of that stuff can leak or bust while being loaded onto or unloaded from the plane). 

4) Don't forget to purchase an adaptor plug/ power converter. The US doesn't use the same wattage as other countries so to keep from blowing a fuse, or damaging an appliance, or bringing an electronic and not being able to use it, purchase one. I got mine from Walmart for $10.88!

Happy Packing!

Malikah

Confession

I have a confession to make. I almost NEVER speak in Spanish! It's not that I don't know how, it's just that I choose to reply in English. I guess it's because it's my first language/ the language that I'm most comfortable with. Here's the catch: If I'm with someone who is speaking Spanish but also speaks English, I will listen to everything that they say in Spanish and reply in English. However, if I'm with someone who only speaks Spanish, then I will adjust my comfort level in order to accommodate them. So I guess you can say I speak it when necessary or when I'm joking around with my friend Rhayven.

I've always wanted to learn Spanish. Even as a little inquisitive child lol! In Newark, we have a high population of Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. When I would go inside the corner store, they would be talking away, and if someone upset them, the talking got more harsh and they started pointing at whomever upset them, and I always wanted to know what they were saying. One, so I could know if they were ever talking about me. Two, I don't like the feeling of "not knowing," if that makes any sense?

My high school is blessed with many staff who have the gift of teaching. I was fortunate enough to be able to meet today for a dinner date with two of them today,

Mrs. Soares and Ms. Chi!

They told me yesterday "prepárate hablaremos solo en español!" That means "prepare yourself, we will only speak in Spanish." Haha they tried that, but I shut it down before we even sat down at the table. Granted, they still spoke in Spanish and I responded in English. It would have been great practice but, I didn't speak in Spanish. Lately, I've been getting a little concerned about my understanding of and responding to the language. Especially since I have to take a placement test when I get to Granada and I haven't intensely practiced Spanish since the fall of 2010 (pray for me)! But, today was a little bit of a reassurance for me. I can understand it still! Lets just pray I remember all of the verb forms, and irregulars!

Here's my vow to me and to you: When I get to Spain, I will try my hardest to speak sólo en Espanol o tanto como posible (only in Spanish or in Spanish as much as possible). If not, I'm wasting my trip, the experience and the opportunity to better myself. Before I left for summer vacation, I had to sign a few contracts in The Study Abroad Office and a lot of them were reminding me that even though I am abroad, I am still to conduct myself as a Hampton University student. "I love, I love, I love my HIU," so I'm going to do my best to assure that I uphold "The Standard of Excellence"

Choosing a Program (Locations, Scholarships, Dates, Cost)

There are many different programs you can study abroad with. There's AIFS, CIEE, IES, and ISA just to name a few. I chose ISA. When choosing a program it is important to consider the cost, dates, and locations. Also, think of what interest you most. For me, I LOVE helping the less fortunate, specifically youth and young adults. The place that I would have liked to go to most of all was Africa. I've always wanted to go there. Not to mention, one of my fellow Hamptonians traveled there the summer of 2011, was fortunate enough to meet First Lady Michelle Obama. and was considered as a candidate to be an intern for the First Lady. Going to Africa would have been amazing, but you have to remember to make wise decisions. I am a Spanish major and while studying abroad is a great opportunity to travel, the most important aspect is your actual STUDIES! With that being said, I could not choose Africa as my location.

I had to choose a Spanish speaking country. I did not want to be traditional. For as long as I can remember, I've never liked to be a follower. I tend to choose the road not taken. When I was deciding which location to go to, I consulted with my study abroad adviser. I paid attention to the locations she said that students loved and traveled to most often, but I paid closer attention to those places she said that students hadn't traveled to. Costa Rica, Argentina, and Spain are such common places. So originally, I chose Colombia. It's a Spanish speaking country, the cultural aspects are amazing, and it had countless opportunities for me to volunteer. I knew that I had to choose a program that was either complete by mid-July or that starts at the end of July.It is also important to make sure that the program does not overlap your normal school semesters. In example, a program may start in May, but many colleges do not dismiss until the 2nd week of May. It is important to make sure that your dates do not conflict.

Because I am a Spanish major, I had to consider which programs and locations would help me further my degree. I was able to decipher these things by looking at the descriptions of the programs, and seeing which classes were offered during which term, and then seeing which matched a class offered at my school. Granada seemed to match the classes the best, so I chose Granada as my location. The program that I chose to study abroad with was ISA. Why? The number one reason was affordability. Remember I said when choosing a program consider the cost, dates, and location!Unfortunately, the scholarship I was applying for, The Gilman Scholarship, did not cover my travels to Colombia because it is on the US Travel Warning List. Make sure that when you are choosing your location you check The US Travel Warning List.

When it comes down to paying for your program there are many options. If you are going during the fall or spring semester, you can use your federal financial aid. If you are going for a summer term like I am, you should first see if you have exhausted all of your financial aid for the year. If you haven't then it is possible for you to have those funds transferred. If you have exhausted all of your financial aid no te preocupes (don't worry)! Chances are your program has scholarships available. There is also the Gilman Scholarship, it is very popular and the award amount is very generous! If you are creative, fundraise! Many times, students have been able to get their church to donate to or sponsor them. I was blessed to have the support of my church. If you have no church home, you can create a page where your friends and family can give donations to help out. If you're interested in doing this, there are two websites that I know of (www.gofundme.com) and (www.giveforward.com). If all else fails, you can take out a student loan.

My advice is to start early, and never stop!

Buena Suerte (Good luck)!

Malikah

Hello!

Hi, my name is Malikah. I am a rising Junior at Hampton University. I will be studying abroad this summer at The University of Granada. I created this blog for two reasons: to keep my in contact with, and keep my family updated and informed while I'm abroad, and to promote and encourage studying abroad. 

Why should you study abroad? There are several reasons. The best way to learn a language is by immersing yourself in it, experiencing it. It is one thing to study from a text book, communicate with a professor, and pass tests. But how do you know if you have really mastered the language until you are only left with the option to communicate in the language you study? Studying abroad provides you the opportunity to network internationally! When I was a rising senior in high school and trying to decide whether I should stay in state or go out of state, my "Biggie" Charity, told me one thing that stuck with me. She said "you'll always have your friends at home. But you may never have the opportunity to network with people who aren't where you are from. You'll never have a connection somewhere you're not familiar with." In the world we are living in today, it's not always what you know but who you know. Sounds cliche but it's a lot of truth to it. How awesome would it be to have connections internationally? You've just opened up so many windows of opportunity for yourself. 

Many people think that because studying abroad cost a fortune. The reality is, college cost a fortune! The average cost for a year of college as an undergrad is $22,000. Here's another fact, studying abroad is roughly the same price as studying at the average US college/institution. So why not do it? Furthermore, the value of a bachelors degree is going down. Studying abroad, enhances your résumé and opens up many job opportunities. When you consider all of these things, why wouldn't you consider going? Just do it! Follow me as I show you the amazing world of studying in and beyond the classroom. 

Sincerely,

Malikah