Pre-Departure 

"Planerar för detta stora äventyr"

Taking The First Steps

WKU is not shy about having many programs which allow for traveling while doing your studies, but I never truly set my sights on doing so till I saw friends and colleagues around me take up the opportunities and travel across the world. I was able to see people blossom and have the time of their lives. So after feeling like I learned all I could in Bowling Green, KY I began looking into taking my learning across seas.

Applying For Scholarships

Of course there is more to going abroad, than just getting on a plane. For me finaces were a huge part of my decsison. So I looked for scholarships that could apply to me, and received these scholarships: 

A Jerry E. Baker Scholarship

Hesta P. Munns Scholarship


I highly encourage all to apply to both study abroad scholarships and scholarships within their specific college. 

It is important to research and understand what estimated expenses may be, prior to setting your sights on a certain program.

Finding My Program 

As a Junior I realized that the best program for me would be Student Teaching abroad. I believed that this was the best suited, as it could make me a well rounded teacher and student. This program offered these four locations:

From these four options I decided that Student Teaching in Sweden would be the best for me, that is because this program specfically allowed me to observse and follow an Art Teacher. While other programs were centered around teaching english. 

Learning just a little about Sweden.. 

After finding out that I did get my first option of Sweden I started my process of learning more about Sweden before I arrived. 

Language 

Sweden speaks Swedish (duh!), so I began learning Swedish through doulingo. I felt like it was important to know the basics. However I did find that most Swedish residence knew some bit of English as they are taught it in school. 

Money

Although Sweden is a part of the EU, they actually have their own currancy of the Kroner (SEK). As well they did take visas and most bank cards. 

Weather

It was important to understand what type of weather that would be expecting so that I knew what to pack! For Sweden they range from below freezing to upper 50's in April!

Messaging My Future Mentor Teacher...

Once finding out which school and more specifically which teacher I was assigned, I reached out early to figure out what I was to expect from school. I communicated with my mentor teacher Moa, finding out what her schedule was like and what my month in Sweden will look like in the classroom. 

Let's get packed!

For my travels it was important for me to pack clothes that could be layered as I was traveling to both Italy and Sweden which are vastly different temps. 

I found it very helpful for me to create a list while packing and check things off as I put them in my suitcase! 

Before You Travel!

Passport

Having a passport is very important and needed so make sure you if you don't have one yet that you get one in a timely manner. In addition you can go through WKU passport services and can apply for a scholarship that will fully pay for it!!

Cell Service

Make sure that you call you service provider and set up moble plan that is international. Also get familar with WhatsApp as most in Sweden will use that to conatct you. 

STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

AirTags (Bonus)

This is entirely optional, but for me (a very forgetful person) it was a necessity I bought 4 AirTags and attached them to my luggage, Wallet, Passport, and Keys.