CSULB Study Abroad

London dwarfs you, but also feels quite cozy 🇬🇧 I’ve spent already enough time wheelchairing around here to evaluate it as quite accessible in public spaces, with wonderful sidewalks, give or take the normal city hiccup. You also have to keep your eyes peeled in its hectic yet somehow orderly environment. I got assisted by a dozen strangers, sideswiped by one black cab and drank zero pints of beer (sigh). People are super nice - much more pleasant than, say, in NYC. My two pence. So far, so good. Wrapping up Week 1 of 12 🇬🇧

Hello quarantine travelers!
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Mateo is double majoring in business and international studies & minoring in French! Right now he is studying in Paris at the University of Sorbonne. 🇫🇷

Peer advisor Diana Borbón studied abroad in Germany last spring to fulfill her International Studies major requirements
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“Studying abroad was something I always kept in mind when attending college. I believe the most impactful experiences for me was establishing close relationships with my German friends and my German Host family. Because of them I felt comfortable & gained more knowledge. They made my study abroad worth wild and let me in on exclusive activities and events that I would have never known otherwise. For example the German Opera in Berlin or the traditional “Osterfeuer”! With that being said I recommend you study abroad too!” 🧳 🇩🇪 ✈️

🇮🇹 Chiara is an exchange student from in Venice ✨ In this post she shares with us her experience studying abroad at CSULB and the how COVID-19 has affected her experience.
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“Hi everyone! I’m Chiara Grandin, a 22-year-old Exchange Student from Venice, Italy. Even though my semester in the US was interrupted after only two months, CSULB gave me much more than I could ever imagine. Students come here from all over the world to study, but you know from day one that you'll go home with much more than academic knowledge. I feel extremely grateful to have met some incredible people along the way: from all my dorm-mates at IHouse to classmates, professors, and the incredible staff from the Study Abroad Office. Besides the academic advantages of the experience, I also changed as a person: I have been confined in the most beautiful pink bubble for two months without even noticing that I was stretching all my boundaries up until the end of my comfort zone. I traveled with my friends and a camera, I hiked up to the Hollywood sign even though I am afraid of heights, I saw the most beautiful sunsets of my life and I laughed as never before. I created memories that I will cherish for a lifetime; it has been a fantastic whirlwind and I loved every second of it. When I found out that I had to go back to Italy while I was living the time of my life, I was crushed: in a month, the virus took away my experience and, even worse, my grandpa. This included following online classes during the night because of the nine-hour time difference. Suddenly my dream turned into a nightmare. What kept me going was the knowledge that nothing could ever take away from me all the memories I've made and all the bonds I've created, which go beyond geographical border and time zone. I could never say thank you enough for the craziest, funniest, adventure of my life. This was not just a semester of my life—a lifetime happened during my semester. In fact, if I close my eyes, I'm still on top of the Hollywood hike trail, forgetting my fear of heights while just pretending to be the queen of the world.
California, I owe you big time. And GO BEACH, from Italy with love!” @ Long Beach, California

Hello quarantined travelers! It’s been a while but study abroad student take over is back ✨ for the next few days, Isaac will be sharing his experience studying abroad in 🇹🇼Taiwan amidst covid-19 on our story, stay tuned!
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Isaac is a second year Film Major, currently studying abroad on an exchange program at Ming Chuan University.

✨Happy Monday ✨
🇪🇸 For your Monday blues, here is Owen and his study abroad tips:
“study hard during the week, go out and explore during the weekend. In Europe, plane tickets to other countries are very cheap, so take advantage of it! Lastly, be sure to talk to your classmates, not just the people from your home school. Many students from other countries offer perspectives you might not experience otherwise.”
Owen is an International Business major and he studied abroad in Fall 2019!
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TAPIF application deadline have been extended to February 28th!
🏷Tag a friend who is French major or studies French 🇫🇷
For more information
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Eligibility:
✅U.S. citizen or permanent residents
✅20-35 years old on the start day of the program
✅At least 3 years of higher education
✅Had majority of elementary, secondary, and university studies in the U.S.
✅Intermediate level of proficiency in French

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**This is a non-CSULB program. This information is provided as a service and does not reflect endorsement by California State University, Long Beach.

Have you been to Hokkaido? 🤨 It’s covered in snow right now!
Junior Jocelyn Sanchez, currently studying abroad through , took a weekend trip to Hokkaido. Hokkaido is one of the places she wanted to visit the most! Check out her Hokkaido story highlight ❄️🌨
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Jocelyn is an Economics and International Studies double major. She hosted a story takeover on our instagram in October, check it out on our story highlight!

Catch us at this Wednesday and Thursday to learn more about how you can make the most out of your college career by studying abroad! ✈️
See you in 2 days 😎

🇳🇵This is Cecilia Arzaga🇳🇵
She’s a 5th year International Studies Major with a focus on Culture and Identity in South Asia. She spent Fall 2019 in ✨Kathmandu, Nepal✨ to study the Tibetan language and cultural anthropology.
“My favorite study abroad memories include playing dress-up with the local Tibetan-speaking shopkeepers after ‘showing off’ my newly acquired conversation skills, receiving an impromptu invite to a ‘Tihar’ party where I learned traditional Nepali dance (Tihar is a Hindu festival honoring Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and luck) and circumambulating - or ‘doing kora’ around - the Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sacred Buddhist temple, each morning before class”.

🇰🇷 We’re starting the first day of classes with Joseluis’ words of wisdom: “there is so much to explore in any country so definitely schedule your classes smart and finish homework early! Also, look into other places to visit while you’re abroad. I had the chance to visit South Korea’s Jeju Island and got to squeeze a visit to Japan!”
Joseluis studied this past Fall at and is an Industrial Design major.

📣💸CALLING FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES!! Want to study abroad in Cape Town this summer? Need money to fund for your Summer 2020 program? Look no further! Come to our Frederick Douglass Fellowship Info Session on January 29th to learn more about how you can do both!
Eligibility:
-be a current undergraduate freshmen or sophomore attending a Minority Serving Institution (CSULB is one)
-Be Federal Pell Grant eligible
-Have a minimum GPA 3.00
Reside in the U.S. with student status or be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident
-submit a complete application no later than February 14, 2020

🇹🇭 Jason Mai is currently studying abroad in Thailand with Professor Rick Opland! He will be taking over our story for the next several days ✨
Jason chose this program not only because it applies to his major, but also because of its community service aspect. “We are not just attending school, but visiting a village that is in need of help due to the kids being stateless. While enjoying the life, culture, and food of Thailand, the ultimate goal is to make a change in their lives and to break the cycle of poverty”
Jason is a 4th year Business Admin HR major. Professor Opland teaches MGMT 300 as a short term program regularly, check out the program Instagram page for more information: !

🇯🇵 “My favorite memory of my study abroad experience in Japan is meeting new friends, whether they were from Japan or across the globe. The memories, bonding time, and adventures we had in the past 6 months are unforgettable.” -Bill Bui, 5th year Comupter Science major & Japanese minor.
Bill studied abroad in Japan in Fall 2019
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tag in your study abroad post to be featured!

UPDATED DEADLINE: March 9

✨Happy New Year from our office 🎆
Time to get started on that New Year travel resolution of yours and apply to study abroad ✈️ Applications for Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Academic Year 20-21 (excluding IP Programs) are due March 9!
We are open over Winter break! Email, call, or stop by our office if you have any questions completing your application.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 “Do you pour milk in before tea or tea before milk? I did not know there was such a big debate over this matter until I sat down for some afternoon high tea! The tea, pastries, and sandwiches were scrumptious and a real delicacy. It was a phenomenal way to spend my last day in England before making my way back home!” -Senior Joann Vuong studied abroad in England in Summer 2019, taking PSY 351: Social Psychology.
Joann is a Psychology Major with a minor in Communication Studies.
This photo was recently featured in our annual photo gallery exhibit.

🇹🇼Junior Abel (middle) Rojas is currently studying abroad in Taiwan at Ming Chuan University ( ) for the academic year of 2019-2020 ✨
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“When I arrived in Taiwan, I was unaware of the impact it would have on personal and academic growth. I’ve met a diverse group of people who I normally would have been too shy to speak to back home. The opportunity to meet people from places like Korea, Japan, Malaysia, France, The Netherlands, and many more in addition to becoming friends with Taiwanese people have made me realized how little I knew about the world before. Studying abroad humbles and inspires me and is easily one of the best experiences in my life. I’m incredibly grateful, and look forward to what else Taiwan has to offer”

Abel is a Psychology Major with a minor in Chinese

Did you miss our last workshop of the semester?! We got you! Join International Studies Student Association’s general meeting this Wednesday for a study abroad workshop! Peer advisers Jenny and Tzu-Han will be there to cover important information on studying abroad (from application process to financial aid and everything else in between) and answer any related questions you may have.
🏷 Tag someone who would be interested below⬇️⬇️⬇️

🇮🇪 Senior Paulina will be taking us on her study abroad adventures for the next few days... check it out on our Instagram story!
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“Studying abroad in Ireland has been eye opening. I have experienced so many new things that I know I will carry for the rest of my life. Being abroad has allowed me to meet new people from all over the world and has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone.”
Paulina is a Child Development Major who is currently studying abroad in Ireland

🇯🇵Junior Jocelyn Sanchez will be taking over on our Instagram story for the next few days to show us what her study abroad experience is like in Tsukuba, Japan!
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“Japan has been a truly amazing experience that has gotten me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to meet people from all over the world.
I was very scared to come at first but now that I’m here I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I think my favorite times are when my friends and I go on bike rides and discover new places and start conversations with people who might not speak English even though we don’t speak a lot of Japanese.”
Jocelyn is an Economics and International Studies double major with a minor in Japanese.
She is studying at through

“From the moment I applied for the Study Abroad Program in Thailand, I knew that this opportunity was going to be life changing! I cannot put into words the amount of love, trust, compassion, and gratitude I felt while on this trip. From simply being in the country and learning the language to eating traditional Thai dishes and even learning how to cook a few, there was always an endless feeling of acceptance and belonging.

Like many students who choose to study abroad, I decided to extend my trip and travel more in Asia. I chose to expand my travels and visit Cambodia in order to see one of the 7 wonders of the world and the largest temple in the world, Angkor Wat. The decision to travel here was spontaneous, just like my decision to study abroad. It was the best decision I have ever made.” -Celine Elgrably
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Celine is a fourth year student majoring in Marketing. She studied abroad in Thailand this Summer taking Management 300/495

🇭🇺 Peer adviser Coral Gangitano studied abroad this summer in Budapest and taught math!
“I’m happy to say that budapest is another place I can call home and that I absolutely love learning another culture. I definitely miss the professors and the students I meet at the summer camp”
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Coral is a Mathematics Education major. She also went on the CSULB Florence Semester in Fall 2017 and studied abroad in Recanati, Italy in Summer 2018!

Check out HAW Hamburg Study Abroad 's post to learn more about Silvia Romero's study abroad experience in Hamburg, Germany!
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Silvia is Social Work Major at California State University, Long Beach. She studied abroad in Spring 2019!

Five questions for… Silvia Romero, exchange student in Social Work

1. Why did you choose to study abroad in Hamburg?

I applied to study abroad because I wanted to travel outside the US. I also wanted to take
classes in a different country and meet new people. My major is Social Work and I am interested in learning about what social policies/issues are happening around the world. I’ve always heard about Germany’s high taxes and read that most of their taxes go back to its people; giving them more social programs, affordable services and health benefits. I applied to study in Hamburg, Germany in order to explore and learn more about such programs and compare them to the US. I was also interested in working with families and children in refugee camps and thought it would be a great way to complete my junior practicum. Hamburg’s primary language is German therefore, I saw the language barrier as an opportunity to challenge myself. As Peter F. Ducker once said: “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” I thought it would be cool to live in a country where I’m forced to communicate with others nonverbally, especially when working with children. Also, I have never traveled outside the US and thought studying abroad would help me get out of my comfort zone, since I’ll be miles away from home.

2. What classes did you take in Hamburg and what was your favourite class?

I took six classes in Hamburg: Child abuse & neglect, child protection & family treatment, Global mental health, Intercultural communication & competence, Strength-based interventions with children & families as well as qualitative & quantitative research methods. My favorite class was global mental health, because it focused on disorders and mental illnesses. Clinical social work is the type of social work I am interested in doing when I graduate. The professor also led group discussions rather than just give lectures and gave us a project that required doing research in a specific mental health issue that is troubling in our country. The assignment was a fun way to learn about disorders and ways to promote mental health. I met a few students who I shared common interests with and was able to discuss and learn about how their countries view mental health.
As part of my semester abroad I also completed my required junior practicum with an agency called SpieltTiger. The agency’s mission revolves around the idea of children having the right to exercise and play anytime, anywhere. It also promotes the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural and artistic activity. I worked with refugee children and families from Syria, Afghanistan, Ghana and Paraguay, visiting refugee facilities twice a week. I was in charge of planning activities, loading the trucks with sports equipment such as bicycles, tricycles, scooters, etc. and setting up the play stations on arrival. I organized a wide variety of activities such as soccer, basketball, painting, arts and crafts, hockey, clay-building, brick-stocking, card memory etc. The aim was to encourage children to practice their motor skills through games such as rope climbing, tug of war, obstacle courses and running. There was definitely a huge language barrier that I struggled with, since I don’t speak German. However, overtime I managed to adapt and overcome it using forms of non-verbal communication. This was such a fun and amazing experience!

3. How did the semester go?

The semester went by fast, I wish I had more time to stay. I met lots of people who were also
studying abroad and formed some life-long friendships. The semester was not as difficult as I
thought it would be. Classes were easy, simple and interesting. I didn’t have to purchase any books like back home and the professors were always available during office hours to answer any questions I had. Adapting to the HAW Hamburg wasn’t difficult, because the International Office had lots of school events and workshops planned for exchange students to attend. The Welcome Week allowed me to interact with other exchange students right away and provided me with tips/advice on how to get around Hamburg. The semester couldn’t have gone any better, I was nervous upon arrival because I was attending a new school in a foreign country but the transition was smooth.

4. What do you like most about Hamburg?

What I like about the city of Hamburg is the public transportation system and the concern for the
environment. It is really easy to move around in Hamburg, especially for students, since we are given a semester transportation pass. Residents of Hamburg use public transportation for almost
everything, whether it’s for school, work or going home. They rely on it more than cars. In the United States, I was so used to seeing traffic in freeways and relied heavily on ubers or lyfts to get to places. I love how inexpensive the government makes it for its people to use public transportation and not to mention the variety of options they have such as taking the train, bus, , S-Bahn or U-Bahn and even ferry!
I also like how everyone does their part in ensuring the environment remains clean and green. When summer starts in Hamburg, the whole area transforms into a beautiful green city! They also have recycling bins that are combined with trash cans, so people can separate their trash accordingly. I thought this was a nice way to help the communities remain clean. Hamburg also has a recycling bin inside grocery stores or metros for people to get money back. Hamburg also is home to many bike riders. Unlike California, residents ride their bikes daily as a second option aside from public transportation and are even given their own street lanes to ensure a safe ride and promote exercise. The city does an amazing job in keeping the environment green and clean by choosing these methods.

5. Did your semester abroad change you and if yes, how?

I wasn’t aware of how much I’ve changed during the semester until friends from back home started visiting me. I was told I was more patient, optimistic and social than before and most importantly I was described as a more positive person. Everyone has their own flaws and unfortunately two big ones of mine are that I am impatient and not much of a risk taker. However, during my semester in Hamburg, I have learned to be more patient with people, especially with children, because I did my internship in an agency where English was hardly spoken. My coworkers, supervisors and parents of children who I worked with knew little to nothing of English so I was forced to communicate with them through body language, gestures and eye contact. It wasn’t easy at first because I have never been never placed in a situation before, where I couldn’t talk to the other person since I’m bilingual in Spanish and English (the two most common languages in California). Now I was in a whole new country that speaks a whole new language and it was terrifying at first. But through time and hard work, I grew patience and came to understand to the best of my ability, everyone around me. I also became more optimistic because there were days I missed home and I found ways to make Hamburg feel like home. I also became more aware of what was going on on the other side of the world. I remember being on the phone with friends and relatives, telling them about Germany’s laws and policies and how they differ from back home. Once you are in a different setting, you learn to adapt by picking up on the culture and norms society has in place. I feel like I’ve changed in that sense and I no longer doubt about what I’m capable of anymore.

📣 The CSULB Costa Rica Semester program is great for sophomores, juniors, and seniors from ANY major who still need to complete at least two Upper Division Capstone classes! Don’t miss this opportunity... swipe to see more!
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For more information, question, or concerns, contact
Dr. Caitlin Fouratt ([email protected])
or Peer Adviser Coral Gangitano ([email protected])

🇨🇳Peer adviser Tzu-Han studied abroad this summer in China taking ANTH 440: Ethnographic Field School with professors Steven Rousso-Schindler and Scott Wilson.
“Being able to speak both Mandarin and English not only helped me communicate with both my CSULB classmates and the Chinese students (who we collaborated with to produce VR and traditional ethnographic films), it also helped me connect with the local students on a more emotional level. I can’t wait to go back and have my friends take me around to eat delicious food in different provinces!”
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Tzu-Han is a Communication Studies Major with a minor in Anthropology. @ Miao Village

If you’re interested in the Florence semester next Fall, head over to for Kelly Juarez’s story takeover ✨
Kelly is a CSULB student who is spending her Fall semester in Florence, Italy 🇮🇹 Follow along in the stories as she takes you around this beautiful city to show you some of its highlights!
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📣First story takeover of the semester is here! Follow senior Rhyane Shanley for some Korean adventures in the next few days on our Instagram story 🇰🇷
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“I have been in South Korea for 4 months now, with 3 more to go. It's been an amazng few months and I can't believe I've been able to have tea with a monk, wear a Hanbok, travel to Japan, have 2 internships, meet the most amazing people in Korea, and much more. I won't lie, I was scared about studying abroad but now being here I can't imagine going back home. This experience has taught me so much about myself and what I want in my future.”
Rhyane studied abroad over Summer at Dankook University and is continuing her semester at Kyunpook National University!
She is also a recipient.

🇫🇷“Pictured way in the back is the very well known painting of Mona Lisa, but what is not well known is that the actual painting is quite small and that you have to fight through a mob of people just to get a good look at it. However, once you do get close enough to admire it, seeing the historical work of art is quite surreal”
-Senior Diana Lopez
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Diana is an Aerospace Engineering major. Over the summer, she took “CFD Applications in Aeronautical Engineering” at in France!

👉Repost from ✨Student spotlight✨
Andre Nicola is an International Studies major who is studying abroad in Paris this semester!
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💬“My experiences have been great so far. I struggled with the language the first couple of weeks but have slowly adjusted to both the language and the culture.”

“There is a sort of magic that comes with waking up in a country that isn’t my own. Every time I opened my eyes first thing in the morning in Vietnam, it brought the feeling of a new day and new adventure...“ -senior Jennifer Gidaya
👉Read full blog post: https://csulbgoingglobal.wordpress.com/2019/09/11/studying-abroad-in-hanoi-vietnam-as-a-nursing-student/
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Jennifer studied abroad in Winter 2019 taking NRSG 490: Independent Study with Professor Kathy Retardo

Meet your staff: Liza just returned from her semester in Hamburg, Germany 🇩🇪 ! She is your new peer adviser 😎 Come and ask her about her German experience 👈
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Liza is an International Business major.

A reminder that we are still accepting study abroad photo submissions!!

“Numerous people ask me if they should study abroad and I say, Yes! It is one of those experiences that will change your life, and I know that sounds so cliche but traveling allowed me to discover more about myself and I don’t think that would have ever happened if I had stayed home. I know it may be scary to leave your home, but that’s the hardest part. Traveling does bring out another side of you, like my laugh in the photo. I have never laughed like that until I decided to take a step towards the greatest adventure of my life.” -Junior Alexis, who studied abroad in Ireland in Spring 2019
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📸📍: Malta, Italy
Major: Kinesiology

If you know, you know.
👉Tag a friend, share, or send it to your group chats with study abroad buddies or to someone who needs this

👀Spot our yurt at tomorrow and on Thursday!
Come to ask questions and learn more about (you can pay the same tuition and) study abroad 😎

📣Submit your photos before September 29th for our annual gallery exhibit!! (Or maybe tag a friend or two who wouldn’t stop showing you photos and telling you stories about their study abroad experience 🤫)
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The exhibition will take place on campus in November. Location and time TBA

Juniors Arielle, D’aun, and Hana took ANTH 440: Ethnographic Field School this summer in Wuhan, China with professors Steven Russo-Schindler and Scott Wilson! The class was based at the South-Central University of Nationalities in Wuhan and the field work was done in Guizhou. CSULB students got to collaborate with the Chinese students from SCUN on various ethnographic film and VR film projects!
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Hana is a Anthropology Major. Arielle and D’aun are Film & Electronic Arts majors.