Hi everyone! This is Will from the Studio Art in Athens program. I'm officially back home in Oregon after a wonderful month abroad!
Unlike some of the other GEO Summer programs, Studio Art was one of the last programs of the summer (we wrapped up a week before classes start at UO). However, since my program was the last class I'll be taking at UO, my Fall courses for my Masters program at Western Oregon University started three days after I got home. Initially, I was a little worried about whether I'd be experiencing jet lag, if I'd have enough time to prepare, or if I somehow missed some important information about my Fall classes while abroad. However, I didn't have any of these issues!
When reflecting on my time abroad, I definitely took myself out of my comfort zone in multiple ways. First, I went to the airport by myself for the first time internationally. For me, this was a huge deal. I had been out of the country before, but this was the first time doing it myself, and I was scared. But after asking my dad a ton of questions and having him coach me through it, I was surprised at how smoothly it went. Event when I was returning home, i was surprised at how quickly I got the hang of it. On thing I would recommend that was helpful for me was just looking at signage in the airport. It may seem simple, but in the frantic environment of an airport it can be really easy to feel rushed, but taking a moment to collect and orient yourself was extremely helpful to me.
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Another way I took myself out of my comfort zone was financially. I actually never thought I would study abroad because of how expensive it is, but after receiving scholarships, I was able to go! Something with my program specifically that was challenging was not having a lot of provided meals. Some GEO programs provide students with many of their meals while some don't, which makes it another expense. Something that was challenging was problem-solving this. Sometimes, we would have a lunch break far away from our apartments. Unless you packed something, that pretty much forced you to buy something. When I was abroad, I found that some people were able or willing to spend more money on food than I was; this sometimes made meals hard, as I normally opted for a cheaper option or would skip out on going out to eat to avoid spending more money. However, being sure to communicate my needs and limits with. money helped my friends understand my situation more. We also found ways to compromise, like each person buying some ingredients for a charcuterie board, or making sandwiches instead of eating out. If money is something you're concerned about, I highly recommend looking into all the scholarships available for GEO programs (if you were/are an RA, there is also a fund you can apply for).
If you're like me and you're considering taking a summer program through GEO but your program might be right before your classes or something important, I would recommend this: if you feel like you can do it and it's a program you're going to enjoy, don't let the starting and ending dates scare you. Although you're abroad, thankfully, technology makes it a lot easier. If you do have concerns about not having enough time or rest to be prepared, I would recommend staying in touch with your professors and double-checking information regarding enrollment, your syllabus, and required materials. The only issue I had while abroad regarding my courses was one of my scholarships not being processed. Although that was a little nerve-wracking at first, after a phone call and an email, everything worked out!
Moral of the story, especially if you're an anxious person like me: if you want to study abroad, don't let your fears dictate your decision. You may encounter a few rough spots when studying abroad, but thankfully, you can find a solution. While it may be scary at first, it has helped me feel more independent and capable.
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Will Noel, Diverse Ducks Ambassador