Friday, April 25, 2014

No classes, but there is a lot to do.

So Since my classes have been done since the first week of April and I completed my papers, and other finals early, there is still a lot to do for school. Those things don't necessarily pertain to school over here in Denmark but back at home. I'm in a unique position that this is my last semester of college for my Bachelors, but since most study abroad students from the US are in the middle of their degree back home I talked to the other American students here to see what they are doing to prepare for going back to school at home.

Here is the list:
1: If you study abroad your spring Semester don't forget to fill out your FASFA for the next academic school year. I even did this just in case I decided to go to Graduate school. Its better safe then sorry.
2: Have a place ready to live, whether that's in a dorm, and apartment, with friends or family. Have something because a summer to look is not a really long time and if you study abroad in the Fall semester winter break gives you no time to look, because it can take a few weeks to a few months to work out a lease.
3: Don't forget to register for classes for the next year or semester. This would be a bad thing to forget, but one of the Americans almost did until a group of use asked her what she was going to take back home. Thankfully she did not miss the dead line and got her classes. When you get used to having things done differently then back home you get used to it, but don't forget they still do it the same regardless of where you are.
4: Make sure that the classes you took will transfer back over for what you need or want. Always stay in contact with your study abroad advisor back home via email or even calling them. You can use Google voice to call for free to the US and Canada through your computer. It also makes staying in touch with friends and family easy as well, but remember your in a different time zone then them so don't accidentally call them in the middle of the night or 4 in the morning, they will not be happy.
5: Prepare for a culture shock. You will get back to the US and feel different or out of place for a few days or weeks or longer, depending on your personality, how quickly you can change back to how you did things at home, and how deeply integrated you got in your host culture, etc. etc. Don't worry this is normal, but don't let it freak you out. If you really start to have a problem with this, your Study abroad office should be able to help you since they deal with US students coming back from other countries all the time.

These were the things that came up most in discussions, so hopefully it will help some of you other study abroad students in the future, to not make a mistake or forget something.

But as for me specifically as mentioned above, this is my last semester so if one of you study abroad student finds yourself in a position like mine here is what I did.

1: Applied or apply for your graduation, this is typically done a semester in advance of your last semester. Participate in the Graduation ceremony before you leave as you might not be able to attend your specific one as you could possible be overseas in another country or traveling back. Don't worry about this either you are probably not the first student do or ask to do this since schools deal with students going to other countries or leaving early for various reasons.

2: Build your resume. Now that 4 or more years of University is soon to be behind you start building your resume if you have not already. It should include your degree, experiences, awards, etc. etc. There are plenty of online resources and your school's career center will probably be more then willing to look at it via email since your in another country.

3: Start looking for Jobs. Since most job applications for large companies seem to be online now, start applying for them. But don't forget to tell them in the application you  are overseas in another country and when you will be back. They may still want to interview you via Skype or have you call into a conference interview via Google voice or another Internet calling service. Just remember you are ahead of them in time so you might be doing an Interview at Midnight when it is 3 or 4 pm for them. Also treat it as a regular interview, meaning dress up nicely, do your homework on the company and job you applied for, etc. etc. Hopefully you can have a job lined up when you get back.

But that is all for now, hope the guides help and will post photos of my trip to Skagen, Denmark. That's were the Baltic and North Sea meets at the tip of the country.

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