Category: Tips

One Door Closes, Another Opens

I’m back in the States!

Actually, I’ve been back for quite some time, but between graduation, taking summer classes, working at Plainwell Ice Cream, job hunting, car hunting, catching up with friends, working on a certification, gardening, and just living life, this final post has been pushed off just a bit.

In fact, I’ve pushed it off long enough that the week has approached where the next Lemus leaves on her own trip across the pond! This Friday we will be dropping Alejandra off at the airport where she will fly to Aberdeen in Scotland (in the UK? it’s confusing to me too).

This said, I write this final post not just as a reflection on my time abroad, but as advice to her as she gets ready for her journey.

First, enjoy my favorite pictures from Croatia. Blog post about Croatia can be found here.

My first piece of advice : Don’t study.

Ok, maybe study a bit. But when it’s your last week of classes and you have the choice between spending 3 hours in the library, or 3 hours at dinner with your friends, take dinner. Time is funny. It goes slowest when you want it to go fast, and fastest when you want it to stop. A stay that seems daunting at the start (and might have you questioning what on Earth you think you’re doing, and who on Earth you think you are committing yourself to a completely new environment and continent for the next few months, and who will take care of your cat?) flies by before you know it. That time is meant to be cherished. 

Relish each moment, but believe in the next too. Today you might be waking up to the best sunrise. Tomorrow you might be farther from your friends. Today’s flight may be full of turbulence, but tomorrow’s will be a little smoother. Enjoy the good, and know the bad will pass. Both will make great blog posts.

My second piece of advice : Study.

Study how the roof of an old church meets the sky. Study which bars seem bright and inviting and full of local accents. Keep an eye out for bizarre meals and brush up on your sense of curiosity, try the new plate. Make sure to review your history. Learn the meanings behind funny street names and statues. Watch the native birds in the park and the people who feed them. Take cues from your environment, it’s often the best way to learn.

Aside from your environment, study yourself. Take note of what you enjoy, and what you don’t. Which customs are easy to embody, and which are best left observed? Do you feel like running your social battery tonight, or taking a moment to rest? Which new acquaintances feel like old friends? When you are all alone, with the people you might frequently depend on thousands of miles away, you will learn how to depend on yourself. You will become more versed in your own thoughts and emotions than ever before, and even more confident in your decisions and actions.

A final thought:

A few summers ago, I sat on the grass in a park in my hometown and felt suffocated. Amid the pandemic, barely able to leave my house, I was clouded with the thought that I had biked every street, walked every sidewalk, and squeezed every experience out of my hometown of the past 20 years that I ever possibly could. 

When I arrived home earlier this summer, my eyes felt cleared. The veil was lifted from what I remembered as a dreary, monotonous place. Why hadn’t I noticed the flowers growing alongside the road before? Had there always been a yoga practice so close by? Sure, some aspects of our small town still aren’t for me, but I can see them now with the same eye I saw my new town in France, with a quiet appraisal and a curious anticipation of unexpected joys. 

To answer any last questions:

Yes, I became fairly fluent in French. I spent my entire last day walking around with my host sister (who obviously speaks French) without reverting to English (maybe just once). I also learned some lovely filler words including bahhhh, franchement, and du coup, so I’d say that counts for something. No, I do not think the “chocolate croissants” from Starbucks taste like my dear pan au chocolat. Yes, I would go back to France in a heartbeat and live there, or Croatia, or Barcelona. Yes, I do still keep in contact with my friends and host family from the trip, I miss them all the time.

Yes, I do want to travel more. After such an exciting first few months of the year, I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of all the cultures, languages, relationships, and experiences the world has to offer. 

If I’m lucky in life, maybe I’ll have more opportunities to find them. 

To Jandra :

I hereby leave this blog to you. Go be your best self in Scotland, and then find an even better self that none of us knew was even possible. Being on your own only means there is absolutely nothing to hold you back. I can’t wait to visit you and learn all about your new favorite places and people, and chug a Guinness with you. As they say in France, bon voyage, bon courage, et bonne aventure!

“L’aventure c’est le trésor que l’on découvre à chaque matin.”

Adventure is the treasure we discover every morning.

Jacques Brel (French singer and songwriter)

Your sister,

Isabella

Reasons to Study Abroad in Oslo

Upon returning home from a semester in Norway, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my overall experience abroad. I was fortunate to have a generally positive experience and already miss my friends and the lifestyle I lived while in Oslo. Here are a few of the things I have found I miss the most and what I believe was unique in choosing to spend a semester in Oslo, Norway!

Nature

There is no place quite like Norway. The chance to study in a place with mountains, rivers, oceans, or islands can be special but put them all together and you have the magical Norwegian homeland. From after-class hikes to weekend getaways, nature has heavily influenced how I spent my time abroad. It also inspired me to become more active and explore the unmarked beauty around me. Hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to Norway each year so why not take the opportunity to live in a place where most others only brush on the surface?

Quirky Hang Outs

Norwegian summers are warm and endless. Norwegian winters are cold and dark. This means that bars, restaurants, and clubs need to be able to accommodate for all types of environments. The result? Unique spots which entertain year-round. Some of my favorite spots have included Mabou, Kulturhuset, and Oslo Street Food. Thanks to life in Oslo, places with chill coffee shop vibes in the morning and dance music and games in the evening now hold an even nearer place in my heart.

The Basement of “Oslo Bowling” is filled with students and parents alike, all out for an evening of fun!

Ocean Views

Coming from West Michigan, I have been fortunate to visit Lake Michigan on a regular basis each year but there is nothing quite like living on the ocean. From summer beach days to FREEZING winter fjord jumps (quickly followed by a sauna session) the Oslofjord holds many dear memories.

Advice: take advantage of unique opportunities to take a swim in the fjord, freezing or not it is great for your health!

Islands

Students in Oslo only have to pay $50 for unlimited public transport each month…including ferries to nearby islands. Studying on the beach of Lindøya after class and exploring the old ruins of Hovedøya are just a couple of fond memories. Regardless of your adventure, it is quite the treat to have unique spaces just a boat ride away!

The view of the Oslofjord from Lindøya

Unique Friends

I know what you’re thinking, meeting cool people from different countries and cultures is what EVERYONE does while abroad. However, Oslo is not the first city that comes to mind for most students deciding where to study abroad. This means that when a student does choose this unique location, they are likely to have a unique personality to match. Norway is not always sunshine and northern lights, it can be a cold, dark, and rainy place. With crappy weather set as a standard, students must push themselves to go out and adventure rather than wait for the rain to pass…the reality is it might not. Making friends in a place with unpredictable weather is a great way to ensure memorable adventures in memorable circumstances!

Small Town Vibes

While Oslo is the largest and capital city of Norway, it has total small town vibes. The city is surrounded by both fjord and forests and only houses ~675,000 people. I believe the Norwegian (and generally Nordic) culture in the city also contributes to such a small town feel. Despite the general shyness of Norwegians, they are still incredibly willing to help out when asked and tend to warm up in bars and clubs, which Oslo has plenty of. For the student who is nervous about leaving home for the first time, you might be surprised at how quickly this “small” big city can feel like home.

Even at 3:30pm in the city center, Oslo can be a quiet and relaxing place

Global City

Aside from oil, skiing, and beautiful landscapes, Norway isn’t exactly known for much. One thing I learned in my Norwegian History course was that Norwegians have always been GREAT at assimilation. The country is made of sailors and traders who had to interact with people from across the world, and did so as early as in the 700’s. What does that mean for the capital city of Oslo? It is a place filled with an appreciation for world culture!

While there might be a stereotype of what a Norwegian person looks like (blond hair and blue eyes) I quickly learned that the city has become almost as much of a melting pot as back home.

Norwegians are also excellent at English. As a foreigner, this meant communication was a breeze! This also meant that when attending conferences and business lectures, I could meet people from across the globe. Many travel to Oslo because it represents a progressive and sustainable country and they want to learn more.

Advice: Take advantage of the global city and attend events where you can hear ideas and meet people from unique backgrounds.

A selfie at the “Oslo Innovation Week” Opening Ceremony!

Candles and Fur

I have already mentioned that Norway can be cold and however this slight setback, in many ways opened up a wide array of beautiful coping mechanisms. One of my favorite ways the cold is combated comes in the form of cozy candles and warm furs provided at restaurants and cafes. Outdoor seating is provided year-round along with heat lamps to keep guest comfortable year-round. Despite the cool summers and snowy winters, it was always possible to feel warm and fuzzy in the city.

Check out the softest furs, all natural from Norwegian farms of course!

Peace

Oslo is home to the Nobel Peace Prize. Even back in the 1800’s when Sweden and Norway were still in a union, Alfred Nobel knew that Oslo held a special place in the world. Therefore he specified that while all other Nobel prizes would be awarded in Stockholm, the Peace Prize should always be Norwegian.

The presence of the Peace Prize resonates throughout the city through it’s policies, customs, and way of life. The Nobel Peace Center was the only location where I got a membership over the semester and was by far the place I returned to most frequently. Being surrounded by the stories and messages of Nobel Peace Laureates energized me. If looking for a place to reflect on the beauties of life and become inspired to make a positive impact, Oslo might just be the city for you!

I sincerely hope that you will consider visiting Oslo and the country of Norway at some point in life. This is a lovely place that upholds ideals which many other countries are just beginning to pursue. To those looking to find their home away from home for a semester, check out Oslo, while it isn’t the “obvious” choice you might be surprised at what a hidden gem you find!

My Study Abroad “Sponsors”

The study abroad scholarships that made my experience in Oslo, Norway possible!

The version of study abroad that I have been able to experience has been extremely privileged. On top of studying at a private Norwegian university, I have been able to afford studying in coffee shops, taking trips across the country (and a few in the continent) as well as occasionally eat out which in Oslo is quite the treat!

I want to be up-front about this because it would be easy for a student to view my blog and Instagram and assume that Oslo is not as expensive as it seems. It would be dishonest of me not to address the good fortune I have had in scholarships and funding as they have had a huge impact on the activities and lifestyle I have been able to participate in while in Oslo.

The truth is, Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. This has been most apparent in the cost of food and housing which easily add up to $900-1000 a month depending on my level of hunger and self-discipline (belly full of pastries = wallet empty of $). While there are certainly ways to cut costs while living in this city, it is not always easy to make the 25 minute subway ride to Grønland to get cheap groceries or wear extra blankets rather than turn up the heat.

There are a few people and organizations that have helped to support my study abroad experience financially which allows me to be a little more care-free when deciding to get a coffee when studying or buying food out. These people include my parents (THANK YOU!!!!) and organizations which have provided me with scholarships to study abroad.

I will include a few links along with descriptions of these organizations below in case there are any students in the future who might be interested in studying in Oslo and have similar qualifications as myself.

A note: Several of these scholarships such as the Lee Honor’s College and Stemler Scholarship required membership into organizations prior to my departure. This is a big reason why I chose to join such organizations early in my college career. Though it may not have been clear at the time of joining, being a member in honors societies and honors colleges have certainly provided opportunities for funding that otherwise would not have been available.

Western Michigan University – Lee Honor’s College

Qualifications: Students must be a member of the Lee Honor’s College and in good standing. Students traveling as part of a WMU-sponsored study abroad program are given higher preference for funding.

The Lee Honor’s College at Western Michigan University (WMU) was founded in 1962. The honors college now serves more than 1,700 undergraduate students and offers honors courses, evening mix-it-up events, Peer Success Coaches, scholarships, and Study in the States opportunities.

While it may sound daunting to join an honors college, I absolutely recommend doing so! I look forward to developing my senior honors thesis for the college in my final year and have appreciated the chance to study in smaller classes with students who have similar goals to myself in the honors courses.

Alpha Lambda Delta – James G. Stemler Scholarship

Qualifications: Only students who paid their membership dues to Alpha Lambda Delta prior to March 1, 2020. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher. The student’s study abroad program must be taken through a US-based institution.

Alpha Lambda Delta is the nation’s oldest honors society. ALD awards 20 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate members to support their educational opportunities as part of study abroad programs. There are ten $2,000 scholarships and ten $1,000 scholarships established to help qualified members offset the costs of study abroad.

The Stemler Scholarship applicants from WMU had to submit a pre-application to the university chapter’s executive board before submitting anything nationally. This was because each university chapter was only allowed to submit 2 applications to nationals. I was lucky enough to be chosen to represent our school in the national pool of applicants and secured one of the 20 awards.

U.S. Department of State – Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Qualifications: Students must submit two essays as well as acquire letters of recommendation from faculty. The first essay is a statement of purpose which outlines your intention for studying abroad. The second essay is a proposal for a service project that can be completed upon return from studying abroad. If selected as a winner, the scholar must submit a follow up essay documenting their experience and outcome of the service project.

The Gilman Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is assisted in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The Gilman Program provides grants for undergraduate U.S. citizens of limited financial means to study and intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. 

About 20% of applicants are awarded the Gilman and while it can take a lot of time to develop quality essays, the outcome can be well-worth the time spent. The Gilman is also extremely supportive of its scholars and provides opportunities to connect with others abroad, teach students via Skype about global learning, and gives updates about political events in the area of study.

A letter of welcome to the recipients of the Gilman Scholarship from the White House. It feels good to know that I am here in Oslo as a representative of the USA as well as my home university.

Phi Kappa Phi – Study Abroad Grant

Qualifications: Any student who attends a university with a chapter of Phi Kappa Phi can apply even if they are not a current member (I am not a current member).

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society established in 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship without restriction as to area of study and to promote the “unity and democracy of education”

With 75 study abroad grants being awarded each year, this is one scholarship that students should ABSOLUTELY apply for! The odds of receiving an award are great and the application process is relatively simple compared to others.

Advisors Securing scholarships for my study abroad experience would have been much more difficult had I not had the chance to speak with some wonderful mentors and advisors. Two individuals in particular were both willing to share their time and give feedback on how to improve my essays and applications while having VERY busy schedules. I am extremely thankful for the dedication these individuals had to helping their students succeed and certainly hope to do the same for students in the future!

So I know that was quick but I hope seeing a bit more of a behind the scenes look into funding gives a clearer picture into how I am experiencing Norway the way I do. I can’t stress enough how thankful I am to have the support of people across the country and look forward to returning and paying it forward to other students in the future!

Guide to Picking a Study Abroad Location

When I tell people I am studying abroad, I am often met with wide eyes and smiles filled with pride. When I tell them I am traveling to Oslo, Norway, I am met with raised eyebrows and a now familiar phrase, “oh, Norway…that’s an interesting choice”.

It is hard to express all of the great reasons to pick Norway in a brief interaction which is why I am sitting down to expand upon that very question,”Why Norway?”

While some of the reasons for choosing this icy Scandinavian country are personal, there are many reasons why I am excited to explore this new city on the sea!

  • Academics

I decided to switch my major a little late in the game and will be a 5-year university student. This means that while I could finally study abroad for a full semester, I needed to find a program that was comparable with my curriculum back home. BI Norwegian Business School (BI) offers nearly 10 courses that all fit in seamlessly with the WMU Business and Marketing requirements. This was seriously a dream since many students chose a study abroad program and have to hope that they will be able to transfer those credits back to their degree.

BI is also a very forward-thinking university. In the past year, the school has hosted conferences and open discussions focused around the ideas of equal-pay and female leadership, both of which I am committed to pursuing.

  • Nature

Here’s a fun fact, just 25 minutes outside of Oslo’s downtown center lies the Oslo Forest…you read that right, Oslo is a city with its own forest! How cool is that?!? On top of that, Norway is known to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world! While the country is a bit small in population, it runs very far north and is home to fjords, mountains, and even the northern lights! You can bet I plan to take a few hiking trips while abroad!

  • City Life!!

I have never truly lived in a big city, especially on my own. Growing up in a town just shy of 4,000 people and then moving to a city of 75,000 makes Oslo (635,000+) seem like a country in itself! So many beautiful movies show the dreamy life their characters live while exploring shops and eating out in their new-found cities and I am very ready to try that life out for myself.

  • Hygge

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word that I found a few years back while scrolling through Pinterest. Yes, I am totally the kind of girl who would pick a city based on a cool word but once you learn what it means, you certainly won’t blame me!

Hygge (noun : HUE-GUH) the Danish art of creating joy & coziness in life’s everyday moments, whatever the season or time of day; creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people; ritual of enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

I fully understand that being in a city so far north in the winter, I will experience less daytime than other parts of the world but I take comfort in knowing that this culture is one that helps itself cope by spending their time wrapped in the comfort of good company and mentality.

I am currently writing this in a cozy coffee shop filled with photos of flowers and boy oh boy just thinking about snuggling into a Norwegian coffee shop with a pastry has me beaming! I am definitely ready to bring some hygge into my life.

  • Family

While there are many more reasons I could list behind my choice to live in Oslo, there is one small thing that makes moving half-way across the world a bit more easy…my Swedish sister!

Our family has hosted exchange students for over 4 years now and there is no doubt in my mind each girl who has lived in our home has become family! Hilda is no exception!

I have visited Sweden once before during the summer of 2017 and I have never stopped dreaming of my return. Knowing I will only be a train ride away from Sweden and one of my favorite people on the planet certainly made the city of Oslo the ideal choice for me!

Conquering Study Abroad Scholarships

Regardless of study abroad, there is always a season for scholarships. This year brought some unique challenges though because I felt a much greater obligation to seek out funding opportunities that probably would not be served up on the silver platter that is “WMUFinancialAid.com”.

Not gonna lie…from October to March, I always have scholarships looming in the back of my mind BUT I have reaped some of the benefits and so like the dutiful little achiever that I am, I will always pursue scholarships for the challenge and potential reward they hold. The way I see it, even if 5 hours of work only awards a $500 scholarship…you are still earning $100 per hour of your time, far better than working at Starbucks!

The point of this post is to HOPEFULLY give a bit of guidance to approaching scholarships so that your process can be as pain-free as possible!

  1. Figure out where you are studying

Whether you plan to study abroad or not, THERE ARE FUNDS FOR YOU. I can’t say how much but there is certainly something. Once I knew I would be studying in Norway I googled any article with the words “scholarship”, “Norway”, and “college” because you never know who wants to help you reach your dreams!

2. Talk to Financial Aid

Now I understand that people who work all day without ever seeing the sun might initially seem like zombies but they can actually be super cool and helpful! I actually ended up sitting and chatting with my financial aid advisor for 30 minutes after our “general business” was cleared because she turned out to be a friendly and creative person and GUESS WHAT…when we really started to connect on a personal level, that is when I felt I could truly trust her with more personal financial situations. Once we had a deep conversation and found our commonalities, our funding conversation became much more constructive because she was able to suggest unique scholarships that were more likely to award people with my interests.

3. Reach out to your student, greek, and campus organizations

Lots of student organizations like The American Marketing Association, Lee Honors College, and Alpha Lambda Delta offer special scholarships to students who are pursuing a study abroad experience. Some organizations even open their national scholarship apps to students who simply have a chapter at their school, even if the student is not a due-paying member.

One example is Pi Kappa Phi. They allow students to apply for their scholarships as long as their school has a chapter. While it is more likely for an actual active member to receive the scholarship, it is always worth the 5 minutes it takes to submit an application…YOU NEVER KNOW what might come out of it.

4. Use faculty as your resources

It is important to remember that scholarships have been around for DECADES and there is a great chance someone on your campus will have a nugget or two of wisdom that could help you in your search. It may seem a bit daunting to reach out cold to high-level student or professor that you have never met, but in my experience it never hurts to ask. If you are too nervous to make the initial introduction, you can always ask a fellow student or current professor if they can help introduce you and the rest will be history!

When applying for the Gilman Scholarship, a highly competitive national award, I was emailed by an advisor in the study abroad office offering his guidance if I wanted it. This was a no-brainer to me and we set up an appointment for the following week. It turns out that this advisor had a 49% success rate with a scholarship that normally only awards 20% of applications. His experience helped me understand what the scholarship committee normally seemed to be looking for and he was able to catch little mistakes that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.

5. Keep ALL of your essays and application resources

More often than not, scholarship applications will look EXTREMELY similar. One easy way to shorten the redundant application process is to save all of the short essays and paragraphs you write. It is likely that by your fourth or fifth application, you will be able to reuse large sections of these essays and save yourself loads of time. Just make sure to reread your essays before submitting them…nothing is more embarrassing than submitting an essay that addresses the wrong scholarship name.

6. Check the local community for other scholarships

Kalamazoo county has the Kalamazoo Community Foundation which is a nonprofit that connects donors with community members and organizations who need funding for school, business, etc. While many high school students apply for these scholarships, few college students even know this organization exists! Imagine…thousands of dollars are literally specifically set aside for college students studying business, engineering, english, and loads more but those dollars are NEVER given out!

7. Write a thank you note!

After all of the hard work you have put in to earn even one scholarship, it might be easy to want to kick back, relax, and avoid writing at all costs BUT there is one important step you must never forget! Thank your supporters! This task can be the simplest of them all but often means the most. Take five minutes to write an email to your donors as well as any professors or fellow students who have helped you secure these hard-earned funds. Want to go above and beyond? Handwrite a thank you note! Everyone loves receiving mail, why not send out little bursts of happiness that a donor or professor can keep for days, months, or even years down the road!

Well, that’s it! Those are my little tips for tackling the scholarship application process! Of course, every experience is different but the important thing is to STAY FOCUSED and keep trying! By the time you are off studying abroad, you will certainly thank yourself!