Tag: Spain

What It Was Like to Live in Japan with UW-Stout’s Andria Morse

Posted on by Chris Carlton

Andria Morse: Education Abroad Coordinator at UW-Stout

“I explain to students that this is an investment in your future – you are having to navigate all these different things which is going to build confidence, flexibility, adaptability, and networking” — Andria Morse

Andria Morse was so much fun to talk to and learn from in this interview. She currently serves as the Interim Assistant Director of international education at UW-Stout, a comprehensive, polytechnic university about an hour east of Minneapolis.

If you’re thinking about Spain, or specifically Seville – you should tune in for sure. Japan? She’s been there, too.

The takeaway…

Andria tells great stories, gives great advice, and approaches the entire study abroad process with a ‘no regret’ mentality.

“You’re never lost, you’re just in a place you’ve never been before” — Andria’s Mom

GPS Without The Tickets

SHOW NOTES

  • Andria’s study abroad experience in Spain [1:42]
  • Backpacking around Europe [2:54]
  • Asia Bound and Graduate School [3:52]
  • Andria’s fears prior to leaving for her trip [5:29]
  • Not having any regrets [7:17]
  • Getting to the grocery store in Japan [8:48]
  • Fried eggs over french fries and paella [13:26]
  • A day in the life studying abroad in Seville [14:52]
  • The Poisonwood Bible [16:00]
  • Great advice from Andria’s mom [16:56]

8 Things to do in Seville [Infographic]

Andria Morse in a Spanish Dress
Photographs didn’t used to be digital…thanks for sharing, Andria!

Deciding To Learn Spanish in Spain With Luci Bessinger

Posted on by Chris Carlton

Luci Bessinger in Amsterdam

“They experience life as it comes instead of planning and organizing like we constantly do here in the United States. It has definitely changed my perspective since I’ve been back” — Luci Bessinger 

When it comes to learning a language there is no better way than to immerse yourself. Luci Bessinger did just that, and from what I can tell had a blast in Barcelona, Spain, and the rest of Europe.

I’ve done a few interviews now, and Luci checked off all the boxes of what makes for an epic trip.

  • She learned a language
  • Something went wrong
  • She traveled to other counties other than the one she was living in

My favorite part of the interview was when Luci describes ‘the best’ meal she’s ever had. I’m going to make you listen to find out what was included and for how much.

Have fun with this interview, I know I did.

“Life is what happens outside of your planning”

GPS Without The Tickets

SHOW NOTES

  • Deciding on Spain  [1:30]
  • Luci’s living situation in Spain [3:14]
  • Living with students at two different colleges in Barcelona [4:18]
  • Taking classes in Barcelona [5:50]
  • Protests in Spain [7:08]
  • Learning Spanish [10:04]
  • How studying abroad changed Luci’s view of the world [12:34]
  • Getting trapped in Sevilla [15:26]
  • Exploring the rest of Spain and Europe [17:23]
  • Food in Barcelona [18:44]
  • The most amazing meal Luci has ever had at [19:50]
  • Alert Traveler and Rick Steves [22:22]
  • Luci explains a quote [24:00]

Barcelona Food Tour Video

Language Learning / Four Steps [Infographic]


How To Obtain The Perfect Internship Abroad with Karime Diaz

Posted on by Chris Carlton

Karime Diaz internship in Barcelona

“Just keep learning and enhance your curiousity for the world around you” — Karime Diaz

There is a fallacy out there that you can’t study abroad if you’re a student athlete. Karime Diaz, once a member of the Kean University Women’s Lacrosse team didn’t buy into this notion and talks about how she set up an eight week internship in Barcelona with CEA.

Karime did great in this interview describing her time in Barcelona, Spain, and eventually Italy. She goes into great detail about how she was able to set up her living arrangement and internship with CEA.

“Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” — A Cinderella Story 

GPS Without The Tickets

SHOW NOTES

  • Setting up her trip and internship after athletics 🥍 [2:15]
  • The details of Karime’s internship at The Connector 👩🏻‍💻 [4:47]
  • Obtaining financial aid with CEA 💸 [10:48]
  • Karime’s living situation and how she was able to live like a local 🏘 [11:50]
  • What living in a different country did for Karime’s perspective on the world 🧐 [14:59]
  • Karime’s advice to someone thinking about studying abroad 🙌 [16:22]
  • Karime shares a funny travel story 😄 [17:48]
  • Having one extra day in the week and traveling to Rome 🏟 [19:19}
  • Spanish food 🍲 [20:46]
  • 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Youtube 📺 [22:45]
  • Becoming an alumni ambassador  👩🏻‍🏫 [24:51]

Interning Abroad 101 [Infographic]

Studying Abroad in Seville With Jason Kouba

Posted on by Chris Carlton

Api's Jason Kouba

“We didn’t have a clue what we were doing. We had no idea where we were going, and it was totally fine” — Jason Kouba

One of the biggest reason people study abroad is to immerse themselves in a country in order to learn a language, and I haven’t had anyone on the show go for this reason until now. While at UW-La Crosse, Jason studied abroad in Seville, Spain during a fall semester in order to sharpen his Spanish skills. He ended up falling  in love with international education and decided to make a career out of it.

Jason might actually be ‘coming to a town near you’ because his job entails that he goes to study abroad fairs at different campuses around the country and talks with students (like you) who are thinking about studying abroad.

A quote Jason would like to leave us with:

“Stay true to yourself and be who you are” — Jason’s Grandmother (I think more people should quote their grandparents)

 

 

SHOW NOTES

  • Studying abroad in Seville, Spain [1:36]
  • Being the first person in his family to travel outside of the United States [1:20]
  • How studying abroad changed Jason’s view of the world [4:00]
  • Learning what it’s like to be somewhere and not understand the language [5:01]
  • Taking a trip on the ‘non plan’ plan [5:42] <- this is what travel is all about to me
  • Jason’s advice for someone thinking about studying abroad [8:14]
  • What API does (they take care of pretty much everything) [10:14]
  • Jason’s recollection of Spanish food: jamón and croquetas [12:52]
  • What Jason would do if he had to choose a different profession [15:21]
  • What Jason does for fun these days [16:55]
  • Wait Wait…Don’t tell me! and travel magazines  [18:40]

5 Tips For Living and Studying Abroad in Seville [Infographic]

5 tips for studying abroad in Spain (specifically Seville)

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