The Necessity of Speaking Spanish

The Necessity of Learning Spanish

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The Necessity of Speaking Spanish

“Hola! Como estas? Muy bien. Y tu?” These small Spanish phrases can get YOU places. Most Americans, more than 70 percent, are monolingual. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of the American population speaking a language other than English at home was at 21.6 percent in 2016.

Speaking Spanish

Spanish is the largest non-English language spoken at home, at 13.3 percent, or 40.5 million people. The language is spoken in 20 countries and by over 450 million people. You’re missing out on many opportunities and conversations when you don’t speak Spanish.

The Benefits of Speaking Spanish

Benefits of Speaking Spanish

As a Latina, I was raised to speak both English and Spanish in my household. This skill has benefited me throughout my education and career. One of the reasons why I have my job at Adelante Abroad is because of my fluency in Spanish.

When you’re bilingual, it enhances your resume and you are more competitive in the workplace. Your job can send you abroad to Spanish speaking countries (the way Adelante sent me to Spain for a week) and your employers will have more confidence in you communicating with Spanish speakers.

Do you ever get the itch to travel, perhaps work or study abroad? If you know how to speak Spanish, you can travel, work, intern, or volunteer in Spanish speaking countries. You’ll feel more comfortable living there instead of constantly worrying about how to ask someone “Where’s the bathroom?”. If you’re interning or working abroad, your employer will be able to communicate with you a lot more and give you more to do. This gives you the opportunity to network with people from different countries, and it will stand out on your resume.

Spanish in Different Parts of the World

Spanish in Spain

In middle school, I was able to brush up on my Spanish grammar skills and learn about other cultures that speak Spanish. I’m Mexican and Nicaraguan, both countries speak Spanish but both are different in the ways they speak it. In Nicaragua, “straw” is “pajilla”, but in the region of Mexico my mom is from, “straw” is “popote”. It can be difficult to keep up! While you learn Spanish, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about other cultures and not make the mistake of saying “popote” in Nicaragua.

In the long run, knowing more than one language enhances your life in ways you never thought possible. Studies have shown that learning a language improves and develops your cognitive skills. Learning a foreign language helps keep your memory sharp.

What are you waiting for?! Sign up for a couple of Spanish classes. Start planning your next trip abroad because this time you’ll be able to communicate with the locals and get around without hesitation.

Thinking about interning or studying abroad?

Apply at https://www.adelanteabroad.com/intern-abroad/online-application/.

Living in Spain as a Woman of Color

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Living in Spain as a Woman of Color

Traveling as a Woman of Color

Before my first visit to Spain, I had been warned of the racial prejudice that exists here. I ignored those warnings. Even though it was proven to be true a few times, I never had any regrets about studying here which is why I came a second time to intern with Adelante Abroad. I could have looked at those negative experiences as a reason to never come back, but I didn’t. Instead, I chose to come back and focus on furthering my career and seeing the world. Through all of the negativity that I have experienced here, there are so many aspects of Spain that are beautiful and many people who do not have that same mentality.

Madrid, Spain

People of Color Immigrating to Spain

 

It took me some time to realize that immigration is relatively new to Spain, the surge of immigrants from Africa, Asia, and South America only began in the early 2000s. Of course, this doesn’t excuse any racial bias, but it has allowed me to better understand where these people are coming from especially the older generations. When locals ask me “Can all black people sing and play basketball?”, I know not to immediately get offended, but to use that as a teaching experience. Showing them that the things on T.V. aren’t always accurate. Like how Spanish people don’t always siesta and dance flamenco all night.

Living in Spain as a Woman of Color

Don’t Let Anything Stop You

I’m hoping that whoever reads this blog and is second-guessing whether or not they should come to Spain (or travel anywhere else) for fear of racism, will really think if they want the ignorance of other to get in their way of seeing the world and pursuing their dreams. Coming back to this country that I love, even with its imperfections, has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

 

Chynna P. is an Adelante Abroad candidate from Northeastern University. Chynna was an Environmental, Horticulture, and Ecology Intern in Madrid, Spain. Interested in interning abroad like Chynna? Visit our Intern in Madrid page and learn about the different sectors we offer.

Candidate Blog Post: Nathan’s Adventures in Uruguay

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I am currently wrapping up my two months in Uruguay and it’s left me with so much knowledge of the language and the culture of the area in and around the Rio de La Plata. I often have thought that I adjust very well to new environments, but my first few days here were overwhelming without a doubt. The weather change, the language, learning the city, and just learning how things are done in a culture takes time, but I wish, looking back, that I hadn’t been so timid. I felt like everyone was watching me when I went out and I was so afraid of taking a wrong step so it took me a while to get in the habit of getting out and about regularly when in reality, there was nothing to be afraid of.

The people in Uruguay were very welcoming, I was lucky to make a friend that spoke good English who showed me around the city and I found the culture to be very relaxed. My Uruguayan friend uses the phrase “Manejate” to describe the culture here, which more or less translates to “Suit yourself”. Uruguayans are very relaxed and friendly so if you’re considering an excursion here, I would highly recommend it. The professors who taught my classes were extremely helpful and friendly and I met many other international students at the school who I became very close with.

All the advice you hear about these types of trips is true, the sooner you get yourself getting out and meeting people, the better your experience will be, but it’s easier said than done. I have taken so much from my trip here so far beyond my internship and I would recommend it to anyone considering such a trip. Cheers from Uruguay!

If you’re interested in interning abroad in Uruguay like Nathan, check out our Uruguay page.

Scotland from a Candidate’s Perspective

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The Scotland Abroad Program spots fill up fast because of how organized and affordable the program is. Our two programs, Equine and Observation & Research, include housing, transportation from the airport, meals throughout the week and more! These programs allow you to expand your resume with international experience and give you the opportunity to travel the beautiful landmarks in Scotland.

Scotland – Equine Program

The Equine Program is a special four-week program available for animal science and pre-veterinary students. Candidates are enrolled into two courses, Equine Anatomy & Physiology and Equine Fitness. These two units will give you six hours of US credit and are fully transferable towards your degree. When future employers look at a candidate’s resume, they find interest in their experience abroad because it reassures them that the candidate is capable of working outside their comfort zone. Candidates take advantage of this learning experience and travel on the weekends to nearby locations, which tends to be affordable.

Scotland

 

Scotland – Observation & Research Program

The Observation & Research Program is aimed at serious students with academic observational and research assignments in different sectors, which include agricultural business, ecology and conservation, psychology, speech and hearing sciences and more! This six-week program, like the Equine Program, begins in mid-May and is one of our most popular summer programs.

Scotland

Candidate Spotlight – Natalie M.

Our Scotland programs are one of the most popular programs for our summer candidates. We like to receive feedback and stories from our candidates about their experiences during the internship/study abroad program itself. It gives you, the reader, a better understanding of what you could possibly do in the future.  Our Observation and Research candidate, Natalie M., wrote about her time in Scotland and gave us more insight on what it’s like to be an intern abroad.
Check it out!

Observation & Research Candidate, Natalie M., Blog

Scotland

 

 

Interning Abroad after Graduation

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Why Should You Intern Abroad after Graduation?

For most seniors, graduation is just around the corner, thank goodness. The instant panic of “What am I going to do now?” hits you real quick. You feel like you haven’t learned enough to step out into the “real world.” What happened to the confident junior who was so ready to graduate? Not here. You’re looking through job applications, ready to send in your mediocre resume, when all you want to do is try new things and do something adventurous before getting stuck at a 9 to 5 like the rest of your friends. Who wants to hire a recent graduate?

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Interning abroad gives you the opportunity to work AND travel, it’s the best of both worlds. There are many benefits to interning abroad, especially after graduation. Pack up your things and do something for YOU. You’ve worked too hard these past four to five years not to treat yourself. You’re not just wondering around in a different country; you’re doing hands-on work and making use of that brand new degree.

Work Experience

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An intern abroad means you’re going to be working part-time for a couple of days during the week. You finally have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned these last few years and apply them to real situations. As an intern, you’re placed into the workforce without having the pressure of long-term commitment to the job, and you get to learn a little bit of everything. It’s the dating version of relationships, who would have known.

Internships give you the opportunity to learn what you didn’t have the chance to learn at school, or probably couldn’t learn from just going to school.  Hands-on experience is more fulfilling than sitting in a classroom, and you learn more about the work environment while adjusting to daily challenges and learning how to handle new situations. You’re no longer just “adulting” because you’re an adult (somewhat).

Future Employment

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Future employers want to know that you’re capable of handling the work in your industry and keep yourself professional. The first thing they’re going to check on your resume is your past work experiences and for how long you were there. An article released by Psychology Today showed how 82 percent of hiring managers wanted to see a formally completed internship on resumes. They’re practically a necessity, and it’s a struggle for students to find internships nowadays because the demand for them is high.

If interning improves your chances of getting hired, can you imagine how good it looks when you’ve interned in another country? By completing an internship abroad, you’re exposing yourself to growth far outside your comfort zone. An internship abroad shows employers that you’re open to new things and have experienced a global perspective of the industry you’re working in. You’ve interacted with people from diverse backgrounds, and it makes you stand out. So many cookie points.

Taking Chances

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When was the last time you tried something different or did something you’ve never done before? Think about it. As humans, we try to put ourselves into a routine because it feels safe. For once in your life, don’t place yourself into a routine.  When you’re abroad you don’t have a set routine; you have to learn how to adjust to the new culture and surroundings. It’s not a bad thing.

Travel

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Travel. Travel. Travel. Everyone talks about how much they want to travel but they never actually do it. You don’t want to regret not visiting half of the world in your 20s. This is your chance! You might be working, but there is such thing as weekends.

As an intern, your work hours aren’t as intense, and you have more time to do things, things you weren’t able to do when you were going to school. Try new food. Oh, all of the good food you’ve seen in travel shows and movies where the main character is living their best life in a new country. The time to travel is now, so stop pushing it aside.

Self-Growth

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You’re finally out on your own. Experiencing the world without anything tying you down is fulfilling. It’s an incredible feeling. It might seem scary, being in a new place without your family or your friends. Trust me, you’ll make some new friends, and this new place will feel like home. Independence opens you up, and you learn more about yourself than you imagined.

You also get to learn what it’s like to work in an industry you’ve studied. Did you make the right choice? If not, you have the chance to learn what you do like to do. You become a lot more confident because you know yourself a more now. You’re basically having your own Eat Pray Love moment, and that’s fine.

 

Don’t doubt your capabilities. After graduating, grab your passport and explore the world, yourself, and the career you see yourself having in the future. It will have more of a positive impact on you than you realize.

4 Ways That Interning Abroad Helps Women Become GirlBoss Leaders

4 Ways That Interning Abroad Helps Women Become #GirlBoss Leaders

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4 Ways That Interning Abroad Helps Women Become GirlBoss Leaders

Who run the world? #GirlBoss

Women are smart, talented, and powerhouses on so many levels. With this notion, there are consistently fewer women taking on leadership roles than men in business, politics, and tech industries. In an already competitive workforce, women are still making just $0.78 to every dollar that a man makes in the same position. Let’s change that.

There are still challenges and gender barriers in the 21st-century workplace, and for the modern woman starting her career, an international internship can help face some of the biggest problems in the workplace.

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There is one area that young women are dominating – travel. A whopping 75% of our candidates in 2017 were women, and almost 80% of our 2018 candidates abroad are also women from all over the world. Going abroad is very popular among female college students and young women who are finishing their degrees and beginning their careers.

The key to making your travel stories stand out in your interviews is to show some work experience abroad. While some universities and programs require an academic internship, many of our candidates take on the opportunity to explore several possibilities of professional development overseas.

Here are a few ways that an internship abroad helps women gain quality leadership skills needed in male-dominated roles:

 

Reason #1: Confidence

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While not everyone has an issue with confidence, it tends to be a huge challenge for women, especially when it comes to interviewing for a significant position in their career, negotiating salaries, and asking for a promotion.

Getting placed in an internship abroad helps our candidates practice their hard and soft job skills while learning how to adapt quickly to a unique environment. Many of our partner companies provide their interns with various opportunities to learn different skills, take on an international strategy for the team, and boost their resume and self-esteem.

Outside of your internship, you’ll learn how to move in and around a different country, new culture, and even a new language (having a second language is a HUGE resume booster). Being able to blend in like a local and immerse yourself in life abroad can be a reminder of your professionalism and maturity, boosting your confidence for any challenge moving forward.

Don’t be afraid to share with your future employers what you gained from your internship and how it’s helped you with the skills needed to take on a role in their company.

 

Reason #2: Being Direct With Peers

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We do it all the time. “I was thinking…how about we…would you be interested in…I’m sorry to interrupt.” As polite as these phrases may sound around friends and family, it can, unfortunately, come off as insecure or inferior in professional environments. When you’re in another country, speaking another language and working in a new culture, you have to be direct with what you want or need.

With language and cultural barriers abroad, young women learn very quickly how to be clear with their requests and, consequently, become effective communicators with their team. It’s something that a #GirlBoss has to possess in any industry to get exactly what they want. With language barriers abroad, there’s no room for wishy-washy requests and being too shy to ask for something. You’ll come back home with new vocabulary and become unapologetic of your plans and goals.

 

Reason #3: Global Perspective

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Man or woman, an international internship teaches every intern two important skills for the global economy: intercultural communication and critical thinking. With ever-growing globalization in all businesses today, most hiring managers look for these in their employees, and some are even paying their teams to be educated in these areas.

Coming into an interview with a resume possessing these skills will not only keep your chances of getting the job high but also show that you’re a valuable asset for the years to come (hello, corner office!). Interning abroad helps you understand different cultures but also help you and your team adapt resiliently to new environments and diverse perspectives.

Having a global perspective is in high demand for most major businesses and industries, and women who possess these skills will have the leg up in the next leadership roles.

 

Reason #4: Building a Stronger Network

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Women are empowering women, ya know?

It doesn’t matter how amazing you are in your craft; in the professional world, what matters the most is who you know and who knows you. As a young woman beginning her career, it’s important to grow and join a tribe of strong, powerful women and female mentors who are willing to guide you in advancing your career and manifesting your passion.

Interning abroad creates an opportunity to finding mentors, whether it’s for language assistance to finding professional connections locally and globally. Many of Adelante Abroad’s program directors are female business owners or are partnered with female business owners who love mentoring our candidates. Outside of your internship program, you can also join networking groups in your city through professional programs or sites like Meetup.com. You never know who you’ll meet abroad who may know a company in your hometown who is looking for a #GirlBoss (nudge nudge).

 

Becoming a female business leader and #GirlBoss is a journey. You’ll be spending the next 5, 10, even 20 years growing your skill sets and becoming a powerhouse in whatever industry you work in. Taking an internship will help spark those skills into your life, give you the experience that you’d never have at home, and help grow your influences and relationships with professionals all over the world.

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Let’s face it. Women can do just as much as men can do. So let’s show them who’s boss.

Should I Go Abroad for 1 Month or 6 Months - Adelante Abroad

Should I Go Abroad for 1 Month or 6 Months?

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Should I Go Abroad for 1 Month or 6 Months - Adelante Abroad

The obvious answer is you should go abroad for as long as possible! Everyone wants to travel abroad, that’s a no brainer, but obviously you clicked this blog post because you are trying decide between one or six months.

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A one month internship or study abroad program is usually a faculty-led program by your school, volunteering or teaching English. All of those choices are very good options and one should consider those if you have the time and money. However, you are really limiting yourself to learning about the culture and living like a local by only going for one month. You might have a week or two of language courses, depending on where you go and your program, and that leaves you two weeks to really be immersed in the culture. To me, a one month program is like a sample at Costco. You get a taste of it and you leave wanting more.

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If you were to consider taking a one month program, you should do it as a way to earn college credit. A faculty-led program is expensive but you do get to earn that credit abroad, which is always a nice thing to experience. Plus your course will be taught in English! So you don’t have to worry too much about being completely lost in the textbooks.

A six month internship or study abroad program is something I would highly recommend and encourage people to take. Six months is a long time in a country you’ve never lived in and – to me – that is so exciting! You have that adjustment period of about a month (it’s different for everyone) and after that you have five months to really just live like a local and be completely immersed in the food, culture, traditions and festivals! In six months, you will be knowledgeable about the city and country you are living in. It’s a no brainer you’ll adapt to your surroundings but it’s the most rewarding when you get to say you’ve experienced life abroad for six months.

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People will be in awe and will ask you tons of questions about your time abroad. If you’re there for a month you’ll leave saying, “I wish I stayed longer,” or “I wish I picked a six month internship instead.” Do you want to sound like that? I know I wouldn’t.

I was featured in a video with Alexandria, Adelante’s digital marketing specialist, discussing why you should take an internship for more than three months. There is some useful information in that video and reiterates some of the points made in this post. Take a look and see why it’s important to take an internship or a study abroad program for more than three months.

Regardless, the decision to go abroad is a huge one! You should congratulate yourself for just wanting to study or intern abroad. Do what makes you comfortable. If going for a month is your thing, then by all means sign up for a month! But if you’re looking to really experience life abroad, a six month program would be best.

About Our Contributor:

Drew - Digital Marketing Intern - Adelante Abroad

Drew is Adelante HQ’s Social Media & Marketing intern for Fall 2017 and is currently a Public Relations major at Cal State Long Beach. He has participated in a youth exchange program in Dakar, Senegal and an international basketball tournament in Japan. One of his many traveling goals is to step foot on every continent on this big blue planet, and yes, even Antarctica.

4 Ways to Convince Your Parents To Let You Intern Abroad - Adelante Abroad

4 Ways to Convince Your Parents To Let You Intern Abroad

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4 Ways to Convince Your Parents To Let You Intern Abroad - Adelante Abroad

So you’ve been accepted into a program OR you’re interested in going abroad and you’re wondering what to tell your parents.

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Don’t worry. I’ve been through this process and I’m going to tell you everything I did and why I did it. You probably won’t be as scared like Spongebob, but it is a little nerve wrecking.

The most important thing you must do before you approach your parents is to have a plan! I can’t stress that enough. Although, some parents may not even care about the logistics and are just happy to see you go abroad. Every parent is different, but my parents like to see things in front of them and look at what I’m getting myself into. BUT! Before you can sit your parents down, you should have a plan even if your parents don’t have an interest in it.

Having a plan is not only helpful for your parents but also you. Here is what I did for my plan:

Research. Research. Research.

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This is the most important step, like many jobs or projects, research helps you understand what you signed up for. Looking at the school you’ll be going to or the destination you’re going to be working at helps give you a sense of the surrounding area. Gives you an idea of what to do around there, how long will it take to get from A to B, helps figure out total costs, etc. I can’t stress enough how important this step is when presenting a plan to your parents.

Having done all this research not only helps you get leverage to go but it reassures your parents knowing you took the time to find all this info about the program, city, location, living situation, etc. Your parents just want their baby to be safe and financially stable while abroad.

This step will make or break it for you. Having this research has so many benefits and I know it sounds god awful to do more research outside of school…but this opportunity doesn’t come often. Some of these research benefits include:

  • Reassurance for both you and your parents
  • Preparation for when you get to your destination
  • Have a better sense of your residences, work location and the city.
  • Transportation – if they have good access, monthly cards, student discounts, etc.
  • Travel – weekend getaways? How far? How much?
  • Events and activities that occur during the time of your stay. Embrace yourself in the culture and expand your knowledge of the world.
  • How to budget for your travels and excursions.
  • Currency conversion rates.
  • Miscellaneous things like cellular data plans, WiFi, etc.
  • Cost of living comparisons.

Just to name a few!

Once you’ve done some research, whether you’re studying abroad or interning abroad, you should have an idea on where you’re living. After you’ve looked through the different neighborhoods, apartment styles, etc., you can now reach out to others for living situations.

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Like many other companies, Adelante provides free housing with the our programs. Airbnb, VRBO, Facebook, Reddit and local housing websites are also good places to start for a living situation. However, we strongly recommend using the provided housing as it has gone through inspections and is centrally located for your convenience. Don’t settle for less, but you are mainly only there to sleep and shower! You don’t need to be spending big bucks on a place when you should be out and about exploring the city!

Having your living situation set or in the works helps your case to go abroad. My mom was concerned about my living situation. I reassured her where I would be living is safe and provided by the home university.

Financial stability is another HUGE aspect to anyone going abroad. It’s great you got into a program abroad or you want to go abroad, but do you have the funds for it?

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  1. SCHOLARSHIPS go a LONG way for those studying or interning abroad. It’s free money. DO IT.
  2. FundMyTravel or GoFundMe are also great resources for you to use. They do charge an admin fee, so take that into consideration. I used this, didn’t get much traction as I started too late. Start this immediately if you want to go abroad! Check out our blog post about funding your travels!
  3. FAMILY! Ask your family for help! Christmas money? Birthday money? Easy cash!
  4. Find a part-time job abroad! It’s easier than it seems but depending on your destination they may require a specific language. It isn’t impossible though!

Now you’ve completed research and finding a home. The next step would be to present your plan to your parents, which in all reality isn’t hard so long as you have done your research.

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You should present your parents with this plan when you have time together – lunch, dinner, relaxing at home, etc. Go through the different parts of your program so they get an understanding of what you’ll be doing, where you’re going and what they should expect. My mom kept asking if there was something she needed to do and I had done everything already. All she had to do was give her stamp of approval.

Go through costs. This is also important. How will you pay for the program? How would you get money if you need it? Do you have money saved? This is the biggest concern as it was for my mom. She wanted to make sure I had enough money to get there and back with added excursions. To solve this issue, you can always get a part time job. Some places will hire you to pick fruit or be a restaurant server. Jobs that aren’t hard but people won’t do, that’s where you come in!

Hopefully you took the time to follow these basic steps on how to convince your parents to go abroad. It’s an opportunity that people should consider because you get to learn so much about yourself and the world. It’s truly a beneficial opportunity to experience.

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To put it simple: your parents want you to be safe and reassured that everything will be or is taken care of. Your parents don’t want to worry about a thing while you’re gone, except that you’re alive and being healthy.

Your parents have every right to be concerned about you going abroad alone. Wouldn’t you? So just make sure you have everything set or have an idea of what to do. Do NOT go and plan on a whim. That works if you’re backpacking through countries but when you’re studying or interning abroad, it’s a rookie mistake. A mistake that may cost you more money and that is not fun. With that my friend(s), I hope your parents were thoroughly convinced to let you go abroad! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Be smart. Be safe. Go explore.

 

About Our Contributor:

Drew - Digital Marketing Intern - Adelante Abroad

Drew is Adelante HQ’s Social Media & Marketing intern for Fall 2017 and is currently a Public Relations major at Cal State Long Beach. He has participated in a youth exchange program in Dakar, Senegal and an international basketball tournament in Japan. One of his many traveling goals is to step foot on every continent on this big blue planet, and yes, even Antarctica.

Should You Take a Gap Year - Adelante Abroad

Should You Take a Gap Year?

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Should You Take a Gap Year - Adelante Abroad

I bet you’ve stumbled upon this article because it had “gap year” in the title. I can also bet that you will or have already thought about taking a gap year at some point in your life.

The good news: taking a gap year between high school and college is becoming increasingly popular amongst the up and coming generations. Taking a gap year is nothing new; as a matter of fact, people have been doing this for quite some time already!

But now that travel has become such a huge aspect for people’s lives today, it is definitely easier to find a means to get to where YOU want to go. There are many opportunities for people to take a gap year. Travel has become such a huge aspect in our culture that there are hundreds of travel companies that focus on gap year adventures, assistance, programs, etc. Adelante Abroad offers some gap year options for those seeking adventure in Spanish speaking countries!

 

Why Should You Take a Gap Year?

By now you’ve probably asked yourself these questions many times:

“Should I take a gap year?”
“What are the benefits of taking a gap year?”
“Will I have money?”
“Where would I go?”
“How do I get there?”
Etc. etc. etc.

It’s a lot of questions to be answered, but that’s normal. Sometimes you just have to take the leap and figure it all out on the way. But the one question that may or may not be burning in your mind is “WHY?” Why. Why should you take a gap year? Why would anyone?

Taking a gap year has many benefits and (if you keep scrolling) I’ll go over some of the benefits that our past and current candidates love about it!

 

Who Can Take a Gap Year?

ANYONE can take a gap year. That’s right, you read that correctly.

An. Eee. Won.

Seriously, your parents could even take a gap year and leave you to fend for yourself (not that I’m saying they will because let’s face it, that’s messed up), but it reiterates my point: ANYONE can go! Whether you’ve just graduated high school and don’t want to dive right into college just yet, or you just want a break from the crazy adult workforce world, go and find yourself!

There’s no age limit or certain background you have to meet to take a gap year. Taking a Gap Year is meant for people to take a break from their lives, to drop (almost) everything and discover what they want to do in a career and who they’re meant to be.

Alright alright. You made it to the part of this post where you get to see what you gain out of taking a gap year. The good stuff. The stuffing to the turkey. The peanut butter to ya jelly.

Anyway…

 

What Traveling Does For You

Let’s stop for a moment. Bare with me.

Before we move on, I want you to think of a time where you had the opportunity to travel. What was your experience like? How did you feel the first couple of days? Did you like the environment, culture and people that surrounded you? How did you feel when you came home after your travels?

Answering to these questions helps answer a portion of why you should take a gap year.

Traveling exposes you to parts of the world you may not ever get to experience at home. To be fully immersed in a culture is a beautiful and, sometimes, an intimidating experience! It really tests your limits and your ability to survive in an environment that is completely new to you.

One of the things that you can take away from traveling is getting out of your comfort zone. Being able to get out of your comfort zone allows you to grow as an independent individual and rely on your social and survival skills. It tests your ability to make decisions, to become more knowledgeable of the world and to gain more confidence in yourself knowing that you were able to successfully break down the barriers between you and the outside world.

(Plus, Mom and Dad would be super impressed that you did your laundry and washed the dishes without anyone reminding you.)

I must say, you may also catch a particular bug while traveling. That creature is the travel bug! Once you get a taste of the outside world, all you’ll ever want to do is explore some more. Guaranteed.

Wouldn’t you want your Instagram page to look dope with some awesome travel pics??? I know I would.

 

What You Can Gain from Taking a Gap Year

There’s a bunch of stuff you gain from taking a gap year. I mean, for one, your Instagram feed will be looking fuego (that’s um… Spanish for “fire” if you didn’t already know). Imagine all the nice aesthetic photos you’ll be taking and posting on your page! Ugh. That’s the dream!

Besides having the best Instagram page, you gain knowledge about the world and different cultures, you learn about yourself through different levels of stress and experiences, you meet new and different people from all walks of Earth, and your skillsets get revamped and you gain new ones!

Taking a gap year will open doors for you, but it’s up to you whether you want to risk it or not.

Here’s an article from the Huffington Post about taking a gap year and why you should. It talks about what you gain and what it does for you as a person. It gives you 10 reasons why you should take a gap year. Read it. It made me want to go.

Here are MORE reasons why you should take a gap year from the 2015 National Alumni Survey, IRB Approved, and done in collaboration with Temple University, the Institute for Survey Research, and researched by the great Nina Hoe, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania:

  • Gap Years teach students about personal responsibility & critical thinking.
  • Gap Years foster a clarity that supports outstanding academic achievement, minimizes the time spent “lost” and maximizes the sense of personal drive.
  • Gap Year graduates consistently outperform their peers in terms of GPAs; more commonly take on leadership roles; more financially savvy; more employable (soft skills).
  • Gap Years (aka Bridge Years) offer a profound opportunity for students to learn about their neighbors – both global and local – and help to heal the divide in our country.

 

Who You Are Before, During and After a Gap Year

It’s wonderful to reflect on an adventure as you sit in your squished economy airline seat. Whether you’ve traveled for a week, two weeks, a month or a year, it is always nice to record your journey before, during and after.

I usually like to recommend taking photos as a sort of visual diary, a.k.a. Instagram. Sometimes a photo is all you need to recall a memory or a time in your life that you experienced the feeling of joy, wonder, excitement, fear, confusion and even regret. Who you are before your trip and after your trip may or may not shock you. It all depends on how much you step out of your comfort zone.

If taking photos is not your thing, a journal works just as fine! Maybe even a little better? Writing down notes, experiences, feelings, etc. will help you realize how much you’ve changed as a person after your travels. Part of Adelante’s program requirements is filling out reflective exercises during the first week of the internship. This will lead to writing down more reflective pieces down the line, which make the program, yourself and your employer look good! I can smell a letter of recommendation cooking.

It’s important to remember that traveling is great and it’s wonderful to experience the world, but if you don’t gain something out of it that has changed you in some way, shape or form, you should try and break from your shell. It doesn’t hurt every once in awhile to break down your walls and show the world who you truly are! There are six billion people on this beautiful planet we call home, what makes you think you’ll see any of the people around you again? Live a little. Explore. Live your life to its fullest.

 

What About Jobs? Colleges?

There are three different scenarios that come to mind when I think about a Gap Year for those who are interested:

  1. The high school graduate who isn’t ready for college.
  2. The college student looking to find his/herself.
  3. The salary job employee feeling stuck.

Good news if you fall into one of these categories: taking a Gap Year can happen at anytime!

For the high school graduate who isn’t ready for college, find a job, save money, and travel! Colleges will look at someone who has explored the world and has gained some knowledge outside of their own society valuable to their campus. Traveling can and will do that to you.

For the college graduate finding his/herself, taking a gap year will not only help you search for the person you truly want to be, but it’ll also look extremely appealing on your resume when you apply for jobs! Employers are looking for someone who isn’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone, who has embraced many cultures on their travels, taken the risk to go abroad, and you grow so much as an individual that your personal skill set improves.

For the salary job employee feeling stuck, traveling will help you grow as a person that you may find another path. Sometimes it’s a good recharge of the batteries and you come home refreshed and ready to go. But if you’re feeling stuck now, you’ll feel stuck later. Take the gap year to really find yourself. You’re not going to get unstuck staying in the same place in the same city in the same state of mind. Just sayin…

Look at this article that talks about how taking a gap year helps students grow, both high school and college. It links studies on how taking a gap year helps students who aren’t ready for college and how it helps guide you a bigger future. Read it. Read it! It will help you make decisions on taking a gap year.

 

You’ve made it to the end of the post. For those who did read until the end, thank you and I hope that this helped in any decision you may have about taking a gap year. It’s important to understand that taking a gap year has many benefits for anyone no matter the age or stage in life. It gives you the opportunity to grow and learn about yourself in ways you wouldn’t be able to do in your hometown. It’s best to go out and explore the world that makes you a little uncomfortable because it’s there you really test your limits and your abilities to survive. That’s where traveling becomes the most rewarding.

So take the gap year. Maybe not now or tomorrow, but at some point in your life you should. Go.

 

About Our Contributor:

Drew - Digital Marketing Intern - Adelante AbroadDrew is Adelante HQ’s Social Media & Marketing intern for Fall 2017 and is currently a Public Relations major at Cal State Long Beach. He has participated in a youth exchange program in Dakar, Senegal and an international basketball tournament in Japan. One of his many traveling goals is to step foot on every continent on this big blue planet, and yes, even Antartica.

How To Afford An Internship Abroad Part II - Adelante Abroad

How To Afford An Internship Abroad: Part II

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How To Afford An Internship Abroad Part II - Adelante Abroad

This is a two-part series to help you save and earn some extra money for your internship abroad trip. Part I has tips on saving money for your trip with your current job or cash flow. Part II includes tips on earning extra money without picking up three jobs and sacrificing your studies.

We highly recommend reading Part I first to get an idea on the budget you may need for your internship abroad. If you’ve already set up a budget and are saving money, but you’re looking to earn more money toward you’re trip, then Part II is the best place to start.

So you’ve successfully planned out your internship abroad program and know what it’s going to take to make it happen. This is a big step and shows your commitment to your goals and dreams! However, if you’re still struggling to find enough money for your trip (even with the money you’re already saving), there’s a couple tips to help you earn money toward your travels!

 

Tip #4: Fundraising & Scholarships

If you don’t want to bite the bullet and ask your Uncle Scrooge to help pay for your intern abroad program, then there are several other ways to low-key ask family and friends (or even your school) for money.

We all have that one relative… (GIF Source)

 

Fundraising

Fundraisers no longer have to involve lemonade stands or hot (and awkward) car washes. While they are still up for grabs (just because it’s old school doesn’t mean it won’t work), funding for trips in the digital era is no longer a hassle.

Crowdfunding is a great way to gain travel fund money with both local and distant friends and family. Sites like FundMyTravel and GoFundMe are well known for travelers and college students trying to fund their intern abroad program. The wonderful thing about FundMyTravel is that the creators of this platform understand what it means to fundraise money to travel, study or intern abroad. They’ve been in your shoes and they create content specifically for those in are in the same boat. By creating blog posts tailored to those searching for tips, tricks and answers on how to fundraise money for travel, it sets the potential traveler up for success.

Whereas GoFundMe is more of a broader spectrum for fundraising, GoFundMe is a great place to start; however, because it’s so broad, we would recommend looking at FundMyTravel first. Go through FundMyTravel blog and look for help or suggestions on how to create a successful campaign for your travels. Both platforms are actually quite similar than they are different, both take 5% of your earnings toward Administrative fees, you can put pictures, information and your fundraising goal. You can also share your links on all social media as well as email, letting everyone online know about your trip for both platforms.

There’s no need to be afraid of fundraising for your trip! (GIF Source)

 

For the purposes of traveling, we suggest FundMyTravel. It’s more travel-friendly and you have a team who has been in your shoes and knows what it takes to travel, intern or study abroad.

If you or a generous friend are creative and artsy, then you can create a t-shirt campaign through Bonfire. This is a great way to fundraise with donations without any startup or inventory costs that you would have to spend elsewhere. Your friends and family will also receive a shirt with your awesome design on it that they can wear for years.

Tips for Crowdfunding

  • Start talking to family and friends before your campaign goes live. Prospective donors who see that you’ve already begun funding before you opened your campaign are more likely to help chip in.
  • Write about your plans when going abroad, where the funds will directly go toward, and why taking an internship abroad is important to you and your future. Add a personal 2- to 3-minute video for some extra feels.
  • Offer “mini prizes” for higher donations. For example, you can offer a personalized postcard from your trip abroad to anyone who donates $50 or more, or you can offer a couple of hours of volunteer work to a local organization that they choose.
  • Most crowdfunding sites charge a processing fee for each donation that you receive (generally 8-10%), so if a family or friend says that they donated $50 to your campaign, you may only see $45 in your campaign. With sites like GoFundMe, you may not even notice the fee anyway, but it’s always good to keep that in mind while pushing for extra funding.

 

Scholarships

Finding scholarships is easy, but finding a scholarship that is specific toward studying or interning abroad can be tricky. However, there are resources out there that will be more than helpful in the hunt for free money.

Here are some helpful tips in finding scholarships:

  1. Narrow down your interested country selections, unless you’ve been selected into a program already.
  2. It would also help if you include your major or type of program you’ve been selected into or are interested in (i.e. marketing scholarships in Barcelona).
    • Utilizing filters will help narrow your options down.
  3. Always check the qualifications or requirements for the scholarships. You may or may not qualify for some! Check before applying!
  4. You can always check your school’s study abroad office for more resources! Most study abroad offices will have some sort of resource for students to find scholarships or a way to fund money.
    • They also have a lot of useful information on before, during and after studying abroad!
  5. Google search scholarships with the country in the search bar (i.e. Chile study abroad scholarships).
    • You should also check country education websites. Some departments of the government offer scholarships or grants for international students.
  6. These websites have been helpful in finding scholarships.

 

Tip #5: Selling & Odd Jobs

Another option for figuring out ways to make money to fund your travels is to do some odd jobs or to sell your stuff! I’m not saying sell everything you own or your organs, but to sell things you may not use anymore – clothes, electronics, furniture, old cars, etc. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

There are people out there that buy and collect old Beanie Babies on eBay… Just sayin’… (GIF Source)

There are plenty of websites or apps to sell your goods, here are few that come to mind:

  1. Craigslist
  2. eBay
  3. Facebook groups
  4. Mercari
  5. OfferUp
  6. Letgo
  7. 5miles

Like always, be cautious when selling things online. Your safety is more important than some dollar bills. Always use your best judgement when making a potential sale.

If you’re looking to keep all your things, then we would suggest downloading a variety of apps that allow you to make some quick cash in exchange for some tasks. These apps work around your schedule, so it’s entirely up to you if you want to make money.

Here are some apps that will help you get started:

  1. TaskRabbit
  2. Takl
  3. Wags!
  4. Uber
  5. UberEATS
  6. Postmates
  7. Lyft
  8. DoorDash

If we got a nickel for every time this question was asked… (GIF Source)

When using these apps, be aware that they normally have some administrative fees (15-30 percent) that are included in your earnings. It is mainly for your protection – financial and physical – so don’t be alarmed when you don’t receive your total amount. Also, some apps require background checks, which may cost you up to $50, it’s normal! Just remember to be safe and be smart!

We’ve been in your position, wanting to travel but funds are low. Instead of pushing those dreams aside, it should motivate you to work hard and to save up for the destination you wish to go to next. Don’t let something as little as money stop you from living your best life. Money will come and go, but you can’t put a price on the memories, the personal growth and the feeling you get when you return from your travels and you feel nothing but absolute bliss.

It isn’t impossible to figure out how to make money or figuring out ways to fund your travels. By looking at some of the tips and tricks we’ve supplied you in this article, you should get a head start or at least an idea on what steps you need to take next. If you’ve got the drive, then there is no telling where you’ll go.

The cost of traveling and interning abroad can add up, but if you know how to work through the ins and outs of the travel industry, you will be fine. BUT if you don’t have no fear. There are plenty of resources and platforms for you to earn, save and fund your travels! FundMyTravel, the various apps and the many tips and tricks in this article will be your guide to exploring the world. So, let’s start filling up those piggy banks!

Adorable doggo not included in program costs. (GIF Source)

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