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The Study Abroad Blog

The ultimate study abroad resource – a blog about the study abroad experience written by a study abroad student to help other study abroad students

Some Celebrity Golf While Studying Abroad

The start of classes and buying my St. Andrews Links Ticket

George Lopez Hugh Grant Dunhill Championship
Me, Hugh Grant, and George Lopez

Reality finally hit me this week. The vacation known as orientation week is over. I actually had to start going to classes, and I’ve already gotten plenty of reading. Luckily, I only have to take two classes: The Mongols and the West, which is a Medieval History course, and an Anthropology course on material culture. Material Culture meets on Wednesday and Thursday, and my class on the Mongols only meets on Thursday, meaning I have a 5 day weekend. Although it sounds pretty amazing, which it is, I have enough reading from those two classes to keep me pretty busy.

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Haggis is Actually Pretty Tasty

Study abroad orientation week at the University of St. Andrews

Haggis Scottish MeatOrientation was a blast. It was a lot different from Holy Cross’s orientation since we weren’t actually required to attend events, and most events served some sort of alcohol. The school actually organized pub crawls on multiple nights. There is definitely a benefit to having a drinking age of 18, and having everything within walking distance. For those studying abroad soon, be prepared, your liver will take a beating the first week.

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Getting the Infamous Visa

Everything study abroad students need to know about the Tier 4 UK Student Visa

applying study abroad uk student visaIf you’re going to be studying abroad for a semester or year, you will probably need a student visa.  Unfortunately, getting one of these treasured documents isn’t exactly easy. Luckily, having gotten a student visa in both the UK and China, I can tell you that although it’s very inconvenient, it’s very doable. Here’s how.

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I Made It Across The Pond

Arriving at St. Andrews and the start of my year across the pond in Scotland

Across The Pond Kilt In Shop Window
Only in Scotland

It took me almost two days to pack, mostly due to procrastination, but I think I did okay. You would be surprised how much you can pack into two large suitcases. I flew out of the Manchester at 4:30 and arrived in Newark about 45 minutes later. That flight was pretty easy.

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Your Study Abroad Pre-Departure Preparation Checklist

7 things to remember before you leave for study abroad

study abroad stone pier st. andrews
"The Pier" in St. Andrews

This is actually a very basic list, however it should prevent any major mishaps during your initial time studying abroad. Every student has his or her own unique needs, so I would also recommend adding other items to this list and checking it all off as you go. To kick start your preparation, here are 7 things to remember to get done before you leave to study abroad.

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One Week Until the Study Abroad Experience Begins

Preparing to study abroad for the first time in St. Andrews

The Old Course at St. Andrews Hole 1 and Hole 18
What I’m most excited for

I’ve spent most of the last 2 or 3 weeks saying a lot of goodbyes. I didn’t realize how many people that I would miss while I’m gone. Of course, I will miss my family most of all. They’ve done more to prepare me for this experience than anyone else. I spent a few weekends at Holy Cross trying to meet up with and say goodbye to as many people as I could. Saying goodbye to my best friends, the guys who I’ve lived with, eaten with, and hung out with for the last two years, was probably the hardest. Although I’ll miss all my friends a Holy Cross, I can’t imagine spending my junior year doing anything else but studying abroad.

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