7 Things Every Student Wants to Talk About After Studying Abroad
- kauffmbl
- Aug 29, 2017
- 3 min read
Originally published by The Odyssey Online
Miami University is very proud of their study abroad programs. Forty-nine percent of Miami students study abroad as undergrads, which is the highest rate in the nation. The only rate that's higher is the percentage of those students that want to talk endlessly about their trip. I know because I'm one of them: I spent two months in Kosovo through a Miami program. It might not have been life-changing, but I still talk about the trip constantly. As this next semester starts, here are some topics to ask a friend that studied abroad over the summer. If these don't spark some great memories and stories, they might as well have stayed in the states.
1. The Food
Foreign food styles that are available in America—Thai, Chinese, Italian—will always taste better in their home country. The spices are stronger, the ingredients are fresher. Even normal foods like cheese and bread will taste better. Some countries are well-known for a specific weird food, so prepare to hear about eating guinea pigs in Peru and Vegemite in Australia.
2. Do The Locals Like Americans?
3. Travel Horror Stories
After a summer of traveling, there is a good chance something will have gone wrong. The planes, buses, cars, and taxis are all opportunities for issues. Delays will be common, including several-hour ones that almost screw students over. And don't get them started on the airline food...
4. The Traffic
Driving patterns differ around the world. Those changes could be as simple as using the "wrong side" of the road or much more extreme. A friend who visited Nepal over the summer talked about the total lack of stoplights and stop signs. The foot traffic might also get mentioned. Which places were crowded, how aggressive were the street vendors, etc.
5. The Craziest Student On The Trip
Study abroad trips are filled with college kids who would normally never talk, forced to bond by travel and hardship. It can be a great way to build friendships and trust. It can also bring out the craziness in people. The loudest, most out-there student on the trip will eventually reveal themselves and leave a trail of stories in their wake. If you don't know which student that was on your trip, then it was probably you.
6. Best Day Of The Trip
The students are all getting along. The scenery is beautiful. The local food is great, and the locals serving it to you are even better. A perfect soundtrack, whether it be birds singing or music blaring. If the moment happened at night, it will probably involve the stars. These moments of happiness are what draw students into the programs and what they'll use to promote it to others.
7. What They Missed About America
If all other questions fail, this is the surest bet. People that hated their trip and everything about it will have a list of hardships they overcame. People that loved their trip will pick out the small differences that had a big impact. If nothing else, it's a chance for them to say how much they missed their friends.
Any or all of these should lead to great conversations about their time abroad. But be warned: once you get them talking, they will not stop. The newness of their time abroad will be a huge topic for them.
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