Why you should study abroad with YSJ
Hi! My name is Amy, I’m a 3rd year primary education student at YSJ, and I have just got back from spending a semester studying abroad in Norway!
I had the best time studying abroad, I learnt SO much both academically and culturally and truly believe that everyone should study abroad if you have the opportunity!
I’ve come up with a list of reasons why I feel you should study abroad, and how YSJ supports you throughout the process!
Reason Number 1: The Social Opportunities
Coming from England, where Erasmus isn’t a thing, studying in a place where the majority of people are on an Erasmus programme has its benefits! The Erasmus student network (ESN) is a student led group for international students who are on a study abroad period (1 or 2 semesters), and its only aim is to bring people together, make sure everyone settles in and is comfortable, and ensure everyone has fun!! During my 1 semester, the ESN leaders held so many amazing events that made my time abroad better. In the first week, they divided everyone up into ‘buddy groups’ that had people from many countries and courses, we then were given a tour around the city, some free muffins and put into a group-chat so we could get to know each other more and plan more meet ups! The ESN group also planned weekly karaoke nights, a halloween party with some craft sessions prior to make halloween decor, they held weekly hikes around the area, they even planned a big weekend trip up to a famous Norwegian hike and viewpoint, every Tuesday there was waffle hour, which was where international students could come have a free Norwegian waffle, and also help out making them! My favourite event from ESN was the international food night, where they gave students money to make food from their culture to share with others! I tried SO much new food that night, it was so special to be also able to talk to the people who made the food and find out how much it meant to them!
Reason Number 2: The Travel
I love to travel and explore new places, so it honestly wasn’t even a debate in my head when I found out studying abroad was an option. However I definitely did not expect to be able to travel as much as I did! My course in Norway had a lot of free time, and the best teachers who actually encouraged us to travel and miss some non essential classes if necessary! Being in a totally new country opened so many doors to nearby countries and cities id never visited! In my 5 months spent in Norway, i got the ferry (for £7) 3 times to Denmark, got a bus to Gothenburg, Sweden for 4 days, flew to Stockholm and then went on an ESN student cruise that went to Tallinn, Estonia, drove up to the Prekistolen viewpoint and Stavanger (Norway) for a night, visited Oslo for 4 days and visited so many neighbouring villages. It was amazing being able to study and explore so freely – it’s something England really lacks with it being an Island. Wherever you study abroad will open so many doors to visit new places easier and cheaper!
Reason Number 3: The Appreciation
Being in Norway for 5 months was the longest time I had ever spent out of the country, it was an odd sensation at first as it felt like i was on holiday, but I got used to it so quickly and Kristiansand quickly became home! However subconsciously I still had this desire to explore and appreciate the nature and surroundings the way i would if I was on holiday. I woke up each day with the want to go on a hike, go to a nearby village, just walk into town and appreciate the views – it gave me such a newfound appreciation for life and how I get to spend my day that I feel is so special, and hopefully is something i’ve brought back with me to England. To take each day as it comes and be grateful that you’re alive and get to be studying in such a gorgeous place is such an amazing quality that I didn’t realise i was lacking until I found it! Speaking to my friends this is something they also experienced and therefore I 100% encourage you to study abroad and develop this admiration for the world, it makes each seemingly mundane day so much brighter.
Reason Number 4: The Memories
Studying at the same university for 3/4 years is great, but we all have to agree that it can sometimes become a bit too comfortable, the things that excited you at first start to become less and less exciting, the days start to blur together. You should study abroad!! I spent the past 2 years studying in York and maybe fell victim to taking everything around me for granted and not appreciating York as much as i should, however in my last few weeks in Norway I started to miss York so much! I missed seeing the minster on my way to work, I miss the cafes, the shops, the night outs, the university even! The phrase absence makes the heart grow fonder is so true, and now I know I will spend my last semester in York fully appreciating the city and making the most of the gorgeous place I live!
The memories you make studying abroad never blur into one, each moment is new and exciting and one of those moments you just HAVE to photograph so you can show your future kids – I was keeping literally every scrap and piece of junk to scrapbook because everything I did felt so fun and a memory I just had to keep forever. When else will you be able to say you dressed as a banana on halloween and scootered through a town in Norway? never. When else can you say you went on a viking themed student cruise where they made everybody get up and dance instead of giving us safety briefings? never. When else can you say you went on weekly trips to ikea to get the 5kr (30p) hotdogs and watch how to train your dragon in Norwegian because they were the cheapest food you could buy? probably never.
Not only that but I made so many memories with people I would likely have never met if I hadn’t studied abroad, I learnt so much about the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and so many more countries just from befriending people who told me about their life and culture back home, as a student teacher I know so much now about education in other countries which I couldn’t possibly have learnt without meeting these people and hearing first hand! I have so many memories and fun facts that ive learned that i truly believe will stick with me forever!
Reason Number 5: YSJ make it easy.
Studying abroad can seem so daunting at first, especially if you don’t know anyone going. YSJ offer so many layers of support to ensure your process is smooth and stress free. They offer casual meetings with all people who want to apply, where they answer questions, discuss your options and ensure it’s the right thing for you! They offer support with the application process and how to apply for visas. YSJ provides travel insurance which is a big weight lifted off your shoulder as, alongside not having to worry about the cost, finding a reliable travel insurance that covers as much as you might need can be a very stressful process! YSJ also supports students financially – providing options to apply for funding, such as the Turing Grant which all YSJ student studying abroad have access to, with the amount depending on your study location and the expenses cost there. This was amazing as it was scary at first, knowing I wont have access to a part time job whilst studying abroad, but this extra funding made it so i didn’t have to be too frugal and was still able to travel and enjoy myself! YSJ also offer a monthly study abroad newsletter which I loved reading every month and thought it was a great addition to highlight different students studying globally! YSJ also have a big focus on mental wellbeing and offer lots of support for people who may experience culture shocks or homesickness, it was very reassuring to know I always had a support system in place should I need it.
To conclude: Studying abroad was one of the best experiences i’ve ever done, if i could go back and do it all over again I would – if you’ve read all this and think studying abroad might be a good fit for you, this is your sign to GO FOR IT! Book a meeting with a study abroad advisor and chat about your options, it’s an amazing opportunity that you should 100% do if you have the option!
