Here’s what CU Buffs need to know about studying abroad –– before, after and during
Through the University of Colorado Boulder Education Abroad Program, students have access to an unforgettable experience that goes far and beyond the typical college experience.
According to the university, studying abroad can improve the job prospects for students. Adding international options to a resume can go a long way, while having the opportunity to experience the culture of a different country is another plus that comes with it. As many as 1816 students at one point became part of the CU Education Abroad Program back in 2018.
Advisor for the CU Education Abroad Program, Henry Carey, advised students to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Studying abroad is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that too many students overlook,” Carey said. “It’s a chance for students to develop intercultural skills, get a new appreciation for the world, and get your resume to stand out.”
Many things that occur in our world might be out of our hands. An example would be the complications that came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of students who studied abroad this past 2020-2021 academic year fell to 310. Fortunately enough, the pandemic hasn’t stopped the option to study abroad to disappear.
“There are certainly new speed bumps and bureaucratic requirements for traveling with the COVID-19 pandemic still surging,” Carey said. “The majority of feedback from students returning from programs is overwhelmingly positive.”
“But overall, students who have studied abroad post March 2020 have amazing things to say, make new life-long friends, and incredible experiences they will remember forever,” he added.
One such student who took part in the program was Alyssa Imperial, a junior who’s currently pursuing a Talent and Operation Management major. Initially wanting to get out of her comfort zone and take advantage of the presented opportunity to travel to Europe, Imperial spent last fall in Italy, where she continued to work towards her business degree.
Imperial reflected on the required process to study abroad, her time in Florence, Italy, and some words of recommendations for those unsure or ready to take this leap and take advantage of it.
Steps Prior to Traveling
For anyone interested in studying abroad, Imperial advised students to prepare for the lengthy prep that goes into the process before stepping foot on the plane.
For Imperial, the first step in the process was making an appointment to speak with a study abroad advisor through CU’s Education Abroad program website or in-person in the Center for Community building.
“Students will need to complete Abroad 101, a short quiz you can find on our website,” said Carey. “It always helps to talk things over with an advisor in-person or on Zoom, and be sure to plan your academic courses accordingly.”
By doing this, Imperial got the notion on what academic program would best fit her desires of a business major and the eventual country she would get to experience.
“My other big step was that I had to apply for a visa,” Imperial said. “Because it’ll be required if you’re in the European Union for more than 90 days.”
After that was taken care off, the stage was finally set for Imperial’s new journey that extended far and beyond simply academics.
The Arrival
Imperial flew into Rome on a hot day in the middle of summer 2021. Aside from finding a bit of trouble finding transportation to get driven off to Florence, the initial steps were surprisingly simple, Imperial recalled.
“They scan your passport and you basically walk out of the airport,” Imperial said. “I was very surprised with how simple customer service was.”
Imperial was welcomed with open arms by Giuliana, a woman who agreed to host her for the semester. She became Imperial’s first teacher and gave her an introduction to Italian culture.
Overall Experience
Through the study abroad program, Imperial went on different excursions and later went on to partake in some volunteering work.
She said the staff of CU’s program were especially supportive while she was in Italy and it allowed her to spend more time enjoying her surroundings.
“I think some of my fondest memories was living in such a beautiful city,” said Imperial. Being able to walk 15 minutes and see the third-largest church in the world, that would be something I would see once or twice a week.”
As a fan of architecture and sights that have many years of history, Imperial took the time to enjoy some of the historic monuments and museums.
“I like old things, and there aren’t many old things in America,” she said. “I got to visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many churches and cathedrals.
She also took full advantage of the nearby European cities that were just a bus ticket away.
“Because I was in Europe, I could go to different places during the weekend,” Imperial said. “I went to Paris, Spain, and Amsterdam for the weekend, and being in these incredible places and meeting different people who also want to meet people was pretty cool.”
There’s also a very important aspect Imperial got to enjoy during her time in Italy, one she misses after coming back to America.
“I miss the food,” she said. “Everything is so much fresher, to the point you feel good about yourself afterwards and don’t have to deal with that slump.”
Obstacles
The study abroad experience came with challenges for Imperial. The study abroad experience came with challenges for Imperial.
“In the first week, I’d occasionally wake up sort of panicking and dreading,” Imperial explained. “I was very excited to be there, but sometimes I’d feel trapped”.
“For that first week, it was hard to take in all the different things that were happening at once,” she added. “Everyone you know is on the other side of the ocean and there’s also that initial language barrier.”
But it wasn’t long before Imperial started to find her footing and got used to the new language and culture. She said that although the process was hard, it was worth it.
“When else are you going to have an opportunity to go wherever outside of the country for that long amount of time to truly emerge yourself in a culture?” Imperial said. “In a general corporate life, you’re going to have two to three weeks of vacation in a year. So you could go to Italy for two to three weeks or you could go for three months.”
There would come an eventual time when she would overcome such obstacles.
For Imperial, the experience helped her grow as a person.
“Moving into college is sort of your first step into becoming an adult,” she said. “I think studying abroad is another step of that where you’re going to learn so many things, meet many different people, get many different perspectives, and you’re going to learn a lot about yourself no matter what.”
