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"It can be very scary of being in a brand new place, but remember that you only live once and studying abroad is a great chance to step outside your comfort zone!"
Randolph-Macon College (Virginia, United States)
Debie (International Relations)
What made you want to study abroad in your location? How did you pick your program and destination?
Even though I am already studying abroad in Japan, I wanted to experience different cultures in a different country even if it is in the short term. I was exploring on where to study after graduating at TIU, and it would be a great idea to go to the States to see if it would be a good place for me. The reason why I chose ISEP to study abroad was they provide one-semester programs, it's easy to apply, and offer bunch of school options to choose from.
What are the biggest challenges you faced?
The biggest challenges I faced was scheduling classes and living on campus. As weird as that sounds, the college does not set periods of classes, and each class beings at different times. For example, I had 10 minutes in between classes, but I had 45 or 75 minutes in between other classes. I've got used to how TIU sets class periods, but I managed it eventually! I had never experienced living on campus, so it was also challenging for me. It was not like TIU where the dorms were close to campus, but they're located ON campus. Living on campus was weird at first, but it was really nice afterwards, especially when I was running late for class!
What was the most challenging class you took?
The most challenging class I took was called Theory & Methods - Culture. It is a unique class that RMC offers where you study different ways to study culture, the problems and possible solutions one can encounter while studying culture, and conducting own studies of our own.
Which class was your favorite?
My favorite class was American Independent Film. I've always been passionate with movies, but I had never ventured much into independent film and even I was watching a movie without realizing it was independent. The class was set up where the professor discussed the brief history of how a movie came about or even sharing little tidbits of how Hollywood was involved and evolving and watched a lot of movies. It was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the movies we watched and the information that we were learning.
What was your favorite activity on weekend?
One of my favorite things on the weekend was watching sport games and the movies that the school played! We could watch the home games for free, and the movies were recent releases that we could also watch for free! Also, I could walk around campus and there would be students playing games of volleyball or hanging around and they were all very nice and offered to let me join. It was very lively on the weekends.
What is the best memory?
Honestly, there is no single memory to name as my “best” memory. There were so many great moments like; going out for dinner with my friends in Richmond, visiting friends' dorms to hang out, studying in the library, staying up all night to watch the lunar eclipse, taking walks in the late afternoons, trying different Thai restaurants, sitting at the dining hall till it closes, trying foods from other international students’ countries, and so many more. It was so much fun and honestly and I am beyond happy with my time at RMC. It truly was a unique and once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I will always look back on that time with fondness.
What was your housing situation like?
I was staying in a dorm with other international students. The house was on the far side of campus, but everyone was very nice and understanding because they were full-time international students as well. The house has communal bathrooms, a shared living room and kitchen. One of the nice parts was the washing machine and dryer were in the house, so I didn't have to go outside of the house to do my laundry.
What is one thing you wish you could have done before studying abroad?
I wish I would've known how bad jet-lag was going to be. I had heard stories of people saying how it hit them, but I did not realize how intense it could be. Maybe it was because I went to a time zone that was 14 hours behind JST at the time, but it took me a while to shake it off. Once I did, it was absolutely fine but I honestly wished I knew.
How does studying abroad affect your personal development?
Studying abroad helped my personal development by allowing to see different sides of myself and things that I was not never aware of. Due to the facts that I was studying in smaller classes and living among other students, I was able to have valuable conversations with teachers, staff, and other students which made me think of myself as an individual on a deeper level. I will truly treasure conversations that were fun and adventurous as well.
Do you have any advice for those who are going to study abroad?
Don't be afraid or too shy! It can be very scary of being in a brand new place where it seems everyone knows each other and its a completely different culture, sometimes language, but remember that you only live once and studying abroad is a great chance to step outside your comfort zone! Of course, you are already stepping out of your comfort zone by studying abroad but it takes a little nudge to step out even further, but do it! You will make wonderful memories, meet amazing and unique people, and have rare experiences!
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