Author Archives: Vid Raatior

Luis Torres

Luis Torres

MAJOR: Kinesiology
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – University of Birmingham
EMAIL: luis.f.torres@sjsu.edu

BIO: My name is Luis Torres and I am a third year majoring in Kinesiology with a specialization in exercise and fitness. I am a first generation college student that has lived in Mexico and the US. Studying abroad was something that I was interested in even before entering SJSU. My sister had studied abroad in Spain when she was a student and I remember her telling me how it made a positive impact on her life. When I was in my second year at SJSU I met a Japanese exchange student and she told me the same; studying abroad was something that everyone should get the chance to undertake. So I decided to take a dive into the unknown and immerse myself in a new culture. I chose the UK because I wanted to go to the hub of all things related to soccer. Being a Kinesiology major, I want to work with a professional soccer team in the future. I also wanted to experience independence while abroad. Finally, studying abroad allowed me to travel outside of my host country and experience a myriad of other cultures. It was very interesting to see different cultures and their perspectives on life.

GOALS: One of my personal goals was to become more independent and I also wanted to find myself while I was surrounded by a new culture. I was able to achieve this as I had much more on my plate than I would if I was at SJSU. I had to balance cooking, cleaning, studying, commuting, traveling and hanging out with friends. I believe I was able to effectively manage my tasks. I also feel that I was able to reflect on myself and who I want to become in the future. My academic goals included passing all my classes with good grades. I put a lot of time and effort into my studies and I feel that I was able to adapt to the teaching styles in the UK. My professional goals included securing an internship with a professional soccer team. Unfortunately I was not able to participate in an internship, however I did make a lot of connections with people in the field of athletic development and recovery. I was able to chat and connect with professors that had coached professional sports before they became lecturers. I also had the opportunity to participate in a research study in which I learned methods in data collection and interpretation.

PERSONAL GROWTH: The friends I made during my exchange made the biggest impact on my life. We only got to know each other for a few months but now it feels like I have known them for a lifetime. The dynamic between people from different countries made it easier for me to open up to others as well as reflect on what kind of person I wanted to be. I was able to make friends from all around the globe and I know we will keep in touch for many years to come. Since most of my friends were also exchange students, we navigated through similar obstacles. At the end of the day, it was comforting to know I had friends I could count on with whatever problems I had going on. I will never forget the countless nights we spent chatting and unwinding after a long day of lectures.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? I had heard that curriculum in the UK was centered around the learner going beyond lecture content. I experienced first hand how important it was to constantly read articles, papers and other sources in order to further develop what was being taught in the lectures. For example, I took a module called Control of Human Movement which was very content heavy. It expanded upon classes I had taken at SJSU so some of the content was familiar. However, since it was content heavy, I had to spend a large amount of time outside of class studying and researching the topics we covered in the lectures. I spent a lot of time reading after lectures and going to office hours in order to make sure I was ready for assessments. I took 2 other courses called Introduction to Teaching and Coaching and another called Movement and Learning. These 2 courses relied heavily on practical applications and group work. Whatever was taught in the lecture was expected to be expanded upon by the students during practical and seminar sessions. These sessions revolved around taking theory and putting it into a real situation. We were often expected to come up with coaching plans for a large variety of age ranges. I would need to read extra material before these sessions in order to be prepared to defend my stance and techniques I applied within the coaching plans. We learned how to incorporate teaching and leadership styles in order to create a streamlined, inclusive, and fun environment in which learners were holistically introduced to activities. The point of these sessions were not only to develop physical literacy but also reflect on social, emotional, and personal skill development. One thing that took some time getting used to were the expectations for students. UK education relies heavily on students to prepare themselves for exams and essays. There is little to no homework so it is of utmost importance to keep up with lectures and study a lot. Typically, grades are based on only a midterm and final exam which was different from what I was used to at SJSU.

CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? One of the most important skills I had to develop was time management. The curriculum in the UK is centered around the learner taking initiative and expanding on the content taught in school. This means that I had to manage my time effectively to balance schoolwork, researching, and studying. It is necessary to go the extra mile and research content that facilitates the understanding of lectures, seminars, and practicals. It is also important to keep up with the material that is being taught and study it consistently. I was also able to network with professors, researchers, and students. The professors and researchers I talked with were all in the field of athletic development. To me, they were highly useful in the sense that I was able to get a new perspective as to how sport is viewed in a different country. I was also able to network with classmates that had connections to professional sport organizations in England. Ultimately, studying abroad has opened a new door for my professional goals.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? In the UK, I noticed there are a lot of similarities with US culture. However the main difference is that people are more open to conversations. I could easily strike a conversation with a stranger on the train, grocery store, or cafe. It has helped me to become more open to talking and meeting new people. When I visited Denmark and Germany, I noticed how everyone was courteous in following rules and etiquette. Thanks to my exchange I have gained a more positive aspect of humanity. Most people are honest and are just trying to live a good life. I also realized that discrimination based on race was not really prevalent. Within the university, there is an extremely strong bond between professors and students. Both parties see each other as equals rather than the professors having power over everyone else. One thing that shocked me was that all professors preferred to be on a first name basis with the students. Even professors that had doctorates preferred to be addressed with their first name, which to me helped facilitate a deeper relationship with them.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? As globalization continues, all of us need to make the effort to understand people who come from different backgrounds. We need to appreciate other cultures and learn what we can from them. Study abroad has helped me access opportunities I would not have if I had stayed in the US. I feel as if I am more prepared to enter the workforce due to my experiences shaping my professional, academic, and personal development. I understand what it means to play your own part but also be able to rise to any occasion and take initiative.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans? To anyone considering studying abroad I would say just do it. Of course, one can feel anxious stepping outside of their comfort zone and entering a new environment. Making the choice to study abroad is the hardest part, everything else will come naturally and flow easily. You will get more positives than negatives and it will change your life forever. It is okay to feel nervous, but you have to understand that many more people are in the same boat as you and you are never alone. There are counselors available to answer any questions. The people you meet abroad will be people you will never stop thinking about. All the memories you make will be vivid, you will also be able to set yourself apart from others when you come back. The development I went through during these last few months would not be possible without my exchange.

San Vu

MAJOR: Computer Science, Interaction Design Minor
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange – Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
EMAIL: san.vu@sjsu.edu

BIO: Hi! My name is San and I am a Computer Science major with a minor in Interaction Design. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine – to immerse myself in a new country, culture, pick up a new language, and meet people from all over the world. I chose to study in Seoul, South Korea for its blend of innovation, tradition, and cultural exchange.

GOALS: My goals were to make new friends, order at a restaurant (in Korean), and be more comfortable in my own company. I would say I was pretty successful. I was able to connect with the owners of my favorite restaurant, enjoy many solo dates, and I now have friends from all over the world. South Korea, Denmark, Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia to name a few :’)

PERSONAL GROWTH: Prior to studying abroad, I had so many fears. How will I get around? How will I make friends? How will I communicate with people? How will I get help if there’s an emergency? Studying abroad allowed me to conquer all of these fears and shaped me into a more confident, independent, and adaptable person.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad? I chose to take four elective courses: Basic Korean, Political and Economic Development in Korea, Popular Culture and Digital Media, and Comparative Thought and Culture: Horizons East and West. These were all IEC (International Exchange Courses), designed specifically for exchange students. In these classrooms, you feel so much more excitement to mingle with one another, get to know the professor, learn the content, and be intentional with your time. The intentionality and excitement I felt during my academics abroad is what I’ve aspired to bring back and recreate here.

CAREER: What skills did you learn / sharpen during your study abroad experience? I walked into this study abroad journey solo and had to navigate life in a foreign country completely on my own. Dealing with delayed luggage, planning my day-to-day schedule, getting a phone number, making friends at school, setting up hospital visits, navigating the foreign streets… But I survived and had so much fun along the way! I learned how to be independent, adapt to a new environment, talk to strangers, and stay positive in the unknown.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world? Although we may come from different parts of the world, we are still the same. It didn’t matter what age, gender, ethnicity – even language barriers did not stand in the way of human connection. Experiencing meaningful connections with so many different people has given me more hope and confidence that we can all get along and that I truly am never alone. Wherever I go.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future? The unknowns of post-grad are frightening. But having experienced the independence of living abroad and figuring out new ways of life, I feel more prepared for whatevers to come. In whatever situation, I know I can adapt and that I will always figure it out.

TIPS: What advice would you give to future Global Spartans? Go with an open mind, talk to everyone you meet, and give everything a try! You will regret not taking the chance while you have it.

Study Abroad Fall 2024 & Year – Deadlines Extended

 

Interested in studying abroad this Fall 2024 semester or for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 Academic Year? We have extended the application deadline to March 15 for the below programs. Apply today!

CSU IP

SJSU Exchange

Europe

Asia / Oceania

Rahel Adebabay

NAME: Rahel Adebabay
MAJOR: Global Studies
PROGRAM: Ireland, SJSU Exchange – University College Dublin
EMAIL: rachel.adebabay@sjsu.edu

BIO: Please tell us about you and why you chose to study abroad.

I am a first-generation Ethiopian-American college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and three minors in Philosophy, Legal, and African American Studies at San Jose State University. I want to utilize my educational background to work towards my vision of building a prosperous, united Africa, emphasizing creating strong educational infrastructures.

Through this program, I came intending to gain a new perspective on the world. Traveling to another country and experiencing a non-American curriculum made me decenter from the American political perspective.

 

CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?
Reflect on how your study abroad experience and the skills, knowledge, or networking has enhanced or contributed to your life back on campus or home.

Through decentering from the American perspective, I viewed the world in a much different way. This is especially important as a scholar in the field of International relations because this challenged my political beliefs, worldviews, and personal values. International Affairs cannot be seen from only one perspective, and acquiring added perspective will make me more analytical and critical in nature. In addition, acquiring such attributes and experience will make me an attractive candidate for my future educational pursuits and later professional life.

Because I am just finishing up my term abroad, I have yet to see it being applied to my life on campus. However, I without a doubt believe having an added perspective will make me a much better student in my Global Studies major courses.

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?
Reflect on the personal, academic, and professional goals that you had set out to achieve on your study abroad experience?

Broadly speaking, my goal going into my experience was to be bold and brave. I wanted to try new things and immerse myself in different cultures.However, in retrospect, going into my study abroad experience I had a very uncompromising view of how my life should be during and after my experience. I knew I wanted to graduate within 3 years, take the LSAT in the summer, and do well in all nine classes I was enrolled in during my spring semester. My goals, although achievable, needed to be more flexible and restrictive.

 

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?(REQUIRED)

Although I initially intended to study abroad solely for academic purposes, I did the opposite. This experience made me realize I must slow down and take in life’s pleasures. This semester was the first time since sixteen that I have not worked. Along with the absence of work or pressures to keep me financially afloat, the workload at my school was significantly smaller than my usual course load, even with nine classes. This gave me the time to get to know myself through solo travel and do activities that I loved and previously did not have the time to attend to. Because of this experience, I’ve become more eager to travel in the not-so-distant future, and I know that my future career should have travel embedded into it. In addition, I realized that I perhaps want to live abroad as I feel the way of life in the United States is not sustainable compared to life in Ireland. Living in Ireland has exposed me to what life should be like, as I’ve never felt so safe, healthy, and happy.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?
Share what courses you chose to take abroad and the strategies you used to ensure your academic success. How has the experience impacted your academics now that you have returned to SJSU?

My academic experience has been frustrating at UCD. Not so much because the content was challenging but because it was much different from what I was used to in the United States. None of my classes had homework or constant learning checkpoints. In addition, with my major being small at SJSU, with an average of 15 students, I was surprised by the hundreds of classmates I had. Because of this, I noticed a culture of not having strong interpersonal relationships with professors. This was very unusual to me as in nearly every class I’ve taken at SJSU, I’ve been in constant contact with my professors and even have developed those relationships beyond the course I’ve taken with them. However, I am very fond of UCD and all that it has to offer; I’ve never felt helpless because of the endless resources the school provides.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Apart from my academic life, I did a lot of solo traveling during my time abroad. Since my start, I have been to 7 countries I have never visited. Some I did not know much about prior to traveling there. Not only did I learn and immerse myself in the cultures that I encountered, but I pushed myself to engage with the community at every opportunity I had. I tried new foods, learned about different cultures and customs, made friends with locals, etc. Most importantly, I learned the values of self-sufficiency and independence while also getting to know myself better. Six of the seven countries I’ve visited are not English-speaking countries, and through that experience, I became a more effective communicator and navigator.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

The most prominent lessons I’ve learned from in my study abroad experience have been through my solo travels. I exclusively did solo travel as I felt this was fundamental to getting to know myself, and I did precisely that. Solo traveling throughout Europe has made me an effective communicator and navigator. For example, I spent three weeks in Central and Eastern Europe, where people did not know fluent English, and I had to navigate that, whether that was by using context clues, reading facial expressions, or pulling out google translate! In addition, solo traveling in non-English speaking countries has made me comfortable with being uncomfortable. I surrendered expectations and the constant need to stay within what was familiar to me.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?
  1. Apply to every scholarship available, no matter how impossible it seems. This was my experience applying to the Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship. Because I decided to study abroad last minute, there was only one scholarship available to me which happened to be the most prestigious study abroad scholarship. I won the scholarship, although I applied just two hours before its deadline.
  2. Try to make a friend in every country you visit! Understand the local way of life.
  3. Take advantage of your school’s resources.
  4. If you are attending a European university, use a planner/tracker as the curriculum is primarily autonomous learning. Constantly new ways to engage yourself in your academics.
  5. Research the country that you are studying in. Understand lingo/language, customs, and political system. Three months before moving to Ireland and even before I went to a new country, I watched youtube videos that described social do’s/don’ts.
  6. Get to know and use public transportation. Across almost all European countries, transportation is reliable and safe.

Diana Vazquez

Diana Vazquez
NAME: Diana Vazquez
MAJOR: Anthropology
PROGRAM: Germany CSU IP – University of Tubingen
EMAIL: diana.vazquez@sjsu.edu
BIO: 
Prior to attending SJSU, I was a student at Sonoma State University where I studied Computer Science. During my time there I studied abroad in Germany with CSU IP. It was this program and my time abroad that gave me that push to switch majors to something I actually loved doing. Due to the Pandemic, I sadly didn’t get to finish my year program, and was sent home four months early. When I returned home, I transferred to SJSU and switched my major Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology. Studying Abroad showed me that I want a career where I can be out in the world exploring and learning about different cultures. I hope to get into a Master’s and PhD program in Europe, where I will hopefully be able to relocate to live there. My time studying abroad definitely gave me a new perspective for the world, and a desire to explore every inch of our planet.
1) GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?
When I left for my study abroad program, I had a long list of goals I wanted to achieve along with a broader rule of “exploring and trying new things.” My largest goal was of course to learn German and feel comfortable speaking the language to locals. Most of my goals centered around experiences and locations that I had been looking forward to for years. Such as going to see as many museums and historical sites as possible or finding a TARDIS in London.

2) PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

Despite having already lived independently the three years prior to going abroad, the experience of being in a whole new country and environment pushed me even further to achieving my goals for my own happiness. At the time of my program, I was a Computer Science major, but I was unhappy being so. I remained in that major because so much of my family supported me doing so, but my time abroad gave me the proper push I needed. I realized that despite nearly completing my major, I wouldn’t live a fulfilling life if I didn’t pursue my true passions. Traveling to new countries and visiting so many world-renowned museums reawakened my love of archaeology, so when I came home I decided to aim for a career I would actually love.
3) ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

While I didn’t leave Germany fluent in the language, I definitely was comfortable enough speaking it that I could hold a conversation with a local. By the time I left the country, I could easily remember the more difficult of grammar rules. Had my program not been canceled early because of the Pandemic, I would have taken classes at the Uni my second semester there. A typically German class does not assign homework, and is instead based completely on lectures, personal studying, and either a final exam or paper.

 

4) CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Prior to going abroad, I had been learning German for about two years, so my main goal for studying abroad was to increase my language proficiency. Being immersed in the language so completely definitely helped me nearly complete that goal. In about three months my language level increased so much!

 

5) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

There are so many stereotypes of Germans that tend to lean towards them being rude and strong tempered. However, my time in Germany showed me that is not the case. Every German I interacted with was very welcoming and considerate. I went into my program with no expectations for Germany other than a beautiful landscape and cold weather. But I left the program realizing that no matter how much I researched the country, I can’t truly know a culture and its people until I actually experience it and immerse myself in said culture.

6) FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

When I initially began learning German, it was initially to be able to feel comfortable speaking the language when I studied abroad. I began university with the goal to study abroad, but not necessarily to learn a new language. However, since learning it I have now found out it will actually be very helpful in the field of archaeology. I unintentionally gave myself a very handy skill by studying abroad! Along the same lines, my time traveling to new cultural landscapes and interacting with people from different countries, has also prepared me for my future career in archaeology.

7) TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

Research! Any possible little question you could have about the location you will be going to, research it. Whether you are going to a whole new country or simply another State, having some knowledge of the location you will be going to will aid you so much. You could assume that your cultures and customs will be similar, but the truth is you won’t really know until you’re there. Research will be your best friend, both before you leave and when there. Another tip I can give is to make the most of your time abroad. Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself and allow yourself to grow. Lastly, know your limits, don’t feel pressured to take part in experiences you won’t feel comfortable in. This time is for you to explore the world, do so at your own level. Agreeing to plans you dislike and subsequently missing out on experiences you were looking forward to can end up being stains on an otherwise happy time.

Jeremy Gaviola Quero

Jeremy Quero

Name: Jeremy Quero
Email: jeremy.quero@sjsu.edu
Major: Engineering Technology
Program: Business and Society – Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences – Rotterdam Netherlands
Email: jeremy.quero@sjsu.edu

My name is Jeremy Quero, I am an Engineering Technology focus on Manufacturing Systems and my minor is Business. I’m just another student from SJSU that likes to play video games, listen to music of any genre that is catchy, watch movies and shows specifically anime, and go on adventures. I studied at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) for the spring 2023 semester. Going on the program was definitely an experience that any student should do. I did something out of my comfort zone, I got to understand the culture of the Dutch and the many other cultures that were present, and most importantly I got to travel across Europe with the friends I made in Rotterdam. To any student who reads this, Shoot your shot and take a risk because this is something that is bigger than you are and helps you evolve individually as a person.

GOALS
To understand how the culture of Netherlands operate and how to succeed in another country. I wanted to challenge myself by living somewhere whereas I have no prior experience living. To live and to survive on my own. Professionally on taking on the challenges that the Host University gave me and taking it head on and succeeding.
PERSONAL GROWTH
I would say the biggest impact it had on my was rediscovering my own culture of not just being an American citizen, but remembering my roots of my people of being a Filipino man. Also living alone and adjusting to the environment to overcome and to succeed. Having an overall different view of how other students from different countries work and apply the positives to my own ethics.

Near the river in Budapest in the pest side!

ACADEMICS
research and presentations, To ensure success I would take initiative and take action by making the first move and going out in the field to make observations. applying this will give me confidence.
CAREER
The skills I learned and sharpen would be focus, resiliency, and perseverance. Focus: since being out here with independency, I would like to have fun and do fun activities with the friends I made out in Rotterdam. That being said when you want to have fun , you have to put in the work. I would make sure I finish every assignment before heading out. Resiliency: with a new environment, there’s new school culture and sometime you have to make gold to what’s given to you. There would be times during the program where the students would often feel confused as the professors would not communicate with each other and tend to give us information on the assignments that wouldn’t align. I would ask questions and try to give out the best execution of assignment as I possibly can. Perseverance: With being alone and starting over again in a new society. This made me have to step out my comfort zone. I made new friends and it made me take more initiative in and outside of the school. I was able to connect to students all over the world from coming from countries like Germany all the way to Indonesia. This allowed me to explore more cultures other than Dutch culture.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
People and universities from different cultures work way different. There is no one way of learning things as different countries have their own way of teaching and living.
FUTURE
This prepared me not just in school but in life. How I see things now is different than how I saw things 6 months earlier. Going forward into the future, this taught me to be more independent and gave me more confidence in my school methods. Meeting new people helped me understand that everyone works differently have their own journeys. I personally will challenge myself by taking more risks to become more successful.
TIPS
Advice I would give to future Global Spartans would be take initiative and challenge yourself to be not just a better student but a better person overall in their journey of wherever country they go. Don’t be scared of taking risks and to always stay committed to the things they do. These type of opportunities come and go so make the best out of it and have fun! The only person that is stopping you from experiencing life is yourself.

Director’s Message – Fall 2023

All us in Study Abroad & Away (SAA) hope that the start of the fall 2023 semester is off to a great start. The SAA team has been keeping busy over the summer and into the fall, developing new programs and helping students find the right study abroad program to further their intellectual and personal growth. We encourage all of you, students, staff, and faculty, to attend our Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, September 28th to learn about these many opportunities. You can see more information about this event here.

We are happy to report that in summer 2023, we successfully launched 17 faculty-led programs in which faculty took over 210 students to 13 countries with faculty from 3 colleges. We would like to recognize the faculty champions who worked tirelessly to make these opportunities possible for our students: 

  • Lynne Andonian (Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Dan Brook (Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, College of Social Sciences)
  • Elizabeth Carroll (Department of Art and Art History, College of Humanities and the Arts)
  • Irene Carvajal (Department of Art and Art History, College of Humanities and the Arts)
  • Megan Chang (Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Seung Ho Chang (Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Danijela Dudley (Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences)
  • Alison George (Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Tabitha Hart (Department Communication Studies, College of Social Sciences)
  • Mary Juno (Department of Justice Studies, College of Social Sciences)
  • Kristine Kirkendall (Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Christine Ma-Kellams (Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences)
  • Kasuen Mauldin (Department of Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Sung Jay Ou (Department of Anthropology, Department of Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences)
  • Giselle Pignotti (Department of Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Deepa Singamsetti (Department of Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging, College of Health and Human Sciences)
  • Gigi Smith (Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences) 
  • Susan Trimingham (Department of Art and Art History, College of Humanities and the Arts)
  • Andrew Wood (Department Communication Studies, College of Social Sciences)

This fall 2023, we will have 83 students abroad in 17 countries. We are already seeing an increase in the number of applications for exchange for spring 2024. In the past academic year, we have had a few Gilman scholarship recipients. They are: 

  • Rahel Adebabay (Global Studies, College of Social Sciences)
  • Peter Domingo (Art/Studio Practice, College of Humanities and the Arts)
  • Viridiana Galvez Garcia (Business Administration, College of Business)
  • Sophia Garske (Communication Studies, College of Social Sciences)
  • Amanda Harmon (Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering)
  • Lisette Vasquez Perez (Forensic Science, College of Social Sciences)

Congratulations, we are so proud of you!

The SAA team continues to find innovative ways to promote global learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff successfully. To that end, the team successfully launched the Global Ambassador Program in spring 2023. You can read more information and highlights below. The team also relaunched the in-person pre-departure orientation and developed a re-entry course for study abroad returnees, as we continue to find ways to promote the reflection that is critical to any global experience. In addition, we transitioned to  a new website platform for current students and partners.

We are eager to (continue to) work with each and every one of you to find ways to broaden your global learning, teaching and service. Our commitment remains to promote a global ethos on campus and to move forward comprehensive internationalization as a priority for SJSU. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the SAA team members with any questions or ideas by contacting them directly or by emailing spartansabroad@sjsu.edu.

In the meantime, we wish you continued success and the best of luck as you navigate the opportunities this fall 2023 semester!

Summer 2024 Faculty-Led Programs (FLP)

Thinking about joining one of our summer Faculty-Led Programs? Now is the time to start planning. Applications are due January 31! Many programs are open to all majors and several fulfill graduation requirements (check the Academics tab of a program for details on the course, prerequisites and requirements it will fulfill).

Asia & Oceania

Americas

 

Europe

More Info:

Check out all summer 2024 faculty-led programs here.

Spring 2024 Deadlines Extended

We are extending the Spring 2024 & Calendar Year 2024-2025 study abroad application deadlines for the following SJSU Exchange, CSU IP, and ISEP opportunities in many parts of the world. Please click on the links below to review the program brochures and apply by the respective new deadlines.

SJSU Exchange

CSU IP

ISEP

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is still accepting applications until October 1st, 15th, and November 1st for many of their direct enrolled universities in Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Korea, U.A.E, and many more.

Need to talk?

Book an appointment with Julie Lucas or Vidalino Raatior to discuss your options.

Yesenia Guzman

Yesenia Guzman

NAME: Yesenia Guzman
MAJOR: Business Marketing
PROGRAM: France – SJSU Exchange – University of Strasbourg Business School
EMAIL: yesenia.guzman@sjsu.edu

BIO: Please tell us about you and why you chose to study abroad.

My name is Yesenia Guzman (she/her). I was born and raised in San Francisco, California and moved to San Jose when I began my undergrad journey at SJSU. I recently graduated in Decemeber 2022 as a Business Marketing major with a Chicana/o Studies minor. I am a first generation, Mexican American and college graduate. My family immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the 70’s, and settled in the Mission District of San Francisco. My first language was Spanish, and was fortunate enough to take bilingual classes during my first years of elementary school. I grew up closely to my culture and community in Jalisco, Mexico, which allowed me to explore many different cities and states in Mexico. This further strengthened my navigational skills and inspired my interest in global traveling!

One of my greatest goals when thinking about college was to study abroad. I didn’t know when or how I would go abroad, but I knew I would find out. As a first generation collge student, the opportunity to study abroad seemed almost unreachable – personally, financially, and academically. I didn’t limit myself, though, and continued to explore my study abroad options. I attended information sessions, met with advisors (academic and from SAA), considered various programs for my major degree requirements, and finally – after a three year contemplation and pandemic – I fiinalized my decision for the Spring 2022 semester. I knew this experience would grealty enhance my overall personal, academic, and professional life.  I was intentional about chosing a program in a city and country that was outside of my comfort zone, but I had a special connection to – France. I also wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to learn in a different country, culture, and language. I chose to study abroad because I knewo this experience would not only support my own personal and academic growth, but it would also open up the doors of possibilities for myself and my family. Studying abroaf was defintely one of the best choices I made during my undergraduate journey.

CAREER: What skills did you learn/sharpen during your study abroad experience?

Reflect on how your study abroad experience and the skills, knowledge, or networking has enhanced or contributed to your life back on campus or home.

Some of the skills I learned/sharpened during my study abroad experience were…

  • Navigational skills – using various modes of transportation – bus, train, metro, and plane! I grew up traveling on public transportation (MUNI in San Francisco), which helped me feel comfortable and confident in navigating various cities on public transportation in not only my host city, but also various other major cities in Europe (which was ideal). This helped me feel more confident in traveling and asking for help visiting new places, back home.
  • Time management : One of the greatest skills I strengthened when abroad was my time management skills. I had to adjust my morning routine to ensure I accounted for the time it took me to commute and arrive to school every morning. I never had to commute to class in college because I always lived a walking distance away. When I was abroad, I had to account for a 20-30 minute commute in the mornings. At first, it was making sure I made it to the tram stop in time to make it to my 8 am class. Then, it was making sure I arrived to the bus stop on time to make it to my 8 am class. I was almost 20-40 minutes late to class for the first month of the semester. It was a challenge to adjust. I then decided to rent a bike and THIS made a hige difference. After learning from my experienced with the tram and bus, I succesfully adjusted my time to leave my house with enough time to bike to school, park my bike, and make it to class 5 minutes before session. This was a skill I defintinitely appreciate developing abroad. This really helped me manage my time better and always mentally prepare to arrive to events/classes/responsibilites with atleast 20-30 minutes in advance.
  • Networking and collaborating with students from various part of the world! – My program offered courses for all exchange students to take and learn in together. This meant that I was taking classes with other exchange students who were also studying abroad, from diverse countries and cultures. I met students from Finland, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Germany, France, India, and was able to learn, work, and socialize with them in and outside of school. I learned so much about their cultures, lifestyles, and native languages. Now that I am back home, I feel like I have friends across the world that I continue to learn from and connect with (virtually, through social media). This is truly fascinating to me. It has enhanced my life in a unqiue way. I now feel more inclined to learn about exchange students at SJSU! I felt personally welcomed by many French students at my host university, and realized the importance of connecting with students who are visiting San Jose/California/USA for the first time. It can make a positive difference in offering support on how to navigate the school and city.
  • French language: My daily life activities required me to strengthen my overall French language knowledge. I made an effort to speak in French for any experience – buying groceries, ordering at restaurants, shoping at malls – to help me improve. This has helped me in communicating with French speaking people in the States! Although I am still at a beginner level, I am better able to recognize and understand French words, which therefore has allowed me to connect with others uniquely. When working at my part-time coffeeshop, which I encounter many French tourists and am able to hold a short and sweet conversation with them. This leads me to sharing about my experience in France, while also learning about their own life in France. ​​​​​​​
  • My Cultural Knowledge and Awareness: I did not know much about Europe before studying abroad. Everything was a new experience for me. When abroad, I traveled to 10 different countries. I experienced various cities, communities, cultures, and gastronomies. My cultural awareness grew so much. I made so many historical connections and finally visited many of the monunents and landmarks that I learned about in school ( i.e the Eiffel Tower, the leaning tower of Pisa, Big Ben). I am now able to share these experiences with my family, peers, and colleagues and understand references made about different European countriesa and cities.

 

GOALS: What were your goals for studying abroad?

Reflect on the personal, academic, and professional goals that you had set out to achieve on your study abroad experience?

My goals for studying abroad were –

  • Professionally:
    • As a Business Major attending a Business School in France, I was excited to learn from, and collaborate with, Business students from other countries. My goal was to create informative and detailed Business presentations with my teams, that represented each of our ideas, cultural knowledge, and own personal insight.
  • Academically:
    • One of my main academic goals was to be intentional about my presence in class – take detailed notes, be proactive with my assignments and projects, ask questions in class, and connect with as many peers as I could in each class. Essentially, succeed as a student.
    • Beyond my academic goal of passing all of my classes with high scores, I set the goal of meaningfully engaging with the content I was learning by researching additional information about the readings and making connections between the lessons being taught about in Europe to the ones in the USA.
    • One of my greatest goals was to dedicate an adequate amount of time on research and group projects to ensure I presented my best work at my host university, and even be able to share it back in my home university.
  • Personally:
    • Truly immerse myself in the life, culture, and community abroad – I aimed to truly explore the city I was in, engage in community events and activities (i.e farmers markets and biking), speak as much French as I could (significant effort), and try as many local restaurants I was interested in.
    • I aimed to slow down and truly cherish the experience of studying abroad. Growing up in major urban cities like San Francisco and San Jose, I am used to the rapid and busy lifestyle of moving from one place to the other, thinking about multiple things at once, and living/planning a lot in the future. When I was abroad, I aimed to shift into a more calm mindset and lifestyle – take more time for rest, leisure, social hangouts, and travel! I saw how people sat near the river and spent their time eating, reading, listening to music, or talking with a friend. I soon started to do the same.
    • Grow mentally: Develop healthier ways of thinking, living life, approaching situations according to what I was seeing in my host city.
    • Reflect: Reflect on daily experiences and lessons from life with friends, in school, and when traveling.
    • Travel: Expand my horizons and meaningfully experience various European countries, cultures, and communities.
    • Create meaningful friendships and memories with new people I was going to meet abroad –​​​​​​ Meet new people, genuinely get to know their story, share my own story with others, and create meaningful memories with others abroad!

 

PERSONAL GROWTH: What was the biggest impact that your study abroad experience had on you?

It is very difficult to chose one single impact out of the many that this experience had on me, yet if I had to identify one as the biggest, it would be the significance of travel experiences with friends. I was fortunate enough to travel to various cities during my time abroad, and live each journey with different groups of people. The traveling not only expanded my mindset and horizons, but it also made me realize the importance of sharing these travel experiences with others. It taught me something new about the friend I was traveling with and strengthened many of the frienships I had. I learned how different people travel in different ways, and how important it is to plan, communicate, and make it EARLY to your train station. I learned SO much from each journey, specifically and especially to enjoy the simple act of sightseeing, packing light, and chosing the important things to pack.

I now have these stories to remember with each of these friends, as well as share with future ones.

ACADEMICS: How would you describe your academic experience abroad?

Share what courses you chose to take abroad and the strategies you used to ensure your academic success. How has the experience impacted your academics now that you have returned to SJSU?

I took 7 different courses abroad:

  • Retail Marketing and Logistics
  • Strategic Brand Management
  • Luxury Brands Management
  • Storytelling & Time Management
  • Introduction to French Language II
  • International Consumer Behavior
  • (One asynchronous SJSU course): CCS160: Gender and Sexuality)

I made sure to schedule all of my courses and important deadlines on my Google Calendar. One of my strongest strategies is to sit at the front of the class and take detailed notes. I also work on the homework assigned for the class right after the lecture, or that same day – when it is recent in my memory. Reviewing my notes and saving class presentations really helped in ensuring my full comprehension of the weekly lectures.

When I came back to SJSU, I had to readjust to classes being twice per week, 1.5 hours becasue my courses abroad were once per week, for 3-4 hours.I also had to readjust to working on homework more frequently, becasue it was rare to receive homework abroad. Studying abroad definitely strengthened my time management skills and helped me prioritize my assignments/projects.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: How has your immersion impacted your perspectives on the world?

Although this was mentally understood, I was further affirmed about the power and magic of cultural diversity. Living in Europe made me realize that everyone is living in completely different realities, depending on you region, environment, and time zone. My life in Europe was so unique and so different than my life in the states. I was riding my bike everywhere abroad, experiencing life outdoors more, being more eco-conscious and friendly, traveling ebery weekend, as well as cherishing leisure time more in Europe. Life was different everyday. In the states, life is different, more routine-like, more indoors, and busier.

I also realized how much Europe works around the seasons – not everything is available all year round. For example, I was trying to order iced coffee in February but no coffee shop offered it because they had no ice and it was Winter, which meant iced coffee was only available in the Summer. Restaurants also change their menu items every season.

FUTURE: How has study abroad prepared you for your future?

After studying abroad, I am not interested and ready to travel the rest of the world. I am now a wiser and more conscious traveler and visitor. I am more mindful of the pre-departure process – looking into Visas, preparing important documents, accomodations, foreign exchange/payment methods, essential equipment and cultural awarenes.

I am prepared to communicate with people from diverse cultures, outside of the US. I am prepared to bike more frequently, recycle and repurpose my glassware, and plan out travel inquiries on a budget! I am prepared to invite my family to future travel experiences and lead/coordiante a group abroad! I feel more comfortable and confident with taking various methods of public transportation.

Most importantly, I am now prepared to share my own experience with future study abroad student and support them with in their own study abroad journey! I am now prepared to inspire and inform students about study abroad opportunities in college and how to approach them, apply to them, and prepare for their own.

TIPS: What advice would you give to a future Global Spartan?

Some of the most important tips I would offer a future Global Spartan are:

I. Before applying to a program:

  • Attend a SA&A information session
  • Seek a peer or staff mentor, who have experience studying abroad, when chosing a program! This can offer a sense of direction and understanding when it comes to the process of navigating the SAA portal, meeting with advisors, and chosing a program
  • Choose a program/country that is new and outside of your comfort zone – this is an opportunity to expand your horizons!

II. After applying to a program:

  • Contact a previous Global Spartan that attended your host university or country: This will also offer valuable insight on how to best prepare for your unique program!
  • Create a timeline and plan in advance! : Consistently check on updates and ensure to note down importance deadlines for your study abroad program – Application deadlines, Visa requirements, Passport updates, Travel dates, + all other important documentations for pre-departure
  • Ask your SA&A advisor questions: Stay connected to your SA&A advisor and do not hesitate to ask them your pending questions/curiosities.
  • Meet with an Academic Advisor: Your academic advisor is a part of your dream team. Make sure to meet with an academic advisor who will be guiding and supporting your course equivalencies & approvals for your host university!
  • Watch Youtube Videos on your host university/city & country – If this is your first time traveling to this city/country – watch youtube videos of other people who have studied abroad there and can offer specific tips on what to pack and prepare for before going abroad!
  • Check in with your bank – Ask for foreign currency and check in with your credit/debit cards – make sure you can use it abroad with no international fees!
  • Calls and WiFi: Purchase a sim card abroad and make sure to check in with your current network/service provider; let them know you are going to study and live abroad!
  • Definitely pack light and pack comfortable walking shoes – ​​​​​​​you will be walking a lot
  • Take a journal – reflect on your experiences abroad – what realizations are you having? write out the emotions you are experiencing, the course content you are learning,  the people you are meeting, and the meaningful moments you are having,
  • Travel! Depending on your region, attempt to travel and get to know cities outside of your host city.
  • Take many pictures and videos!  These memories will last a lifetime <3