Author Archives: Vid Raatior

Holiday Message from the Director

Dear students and campus colleagues,

Congratulations on reaching the end of the fall 2022 semester at SJSU! As I reflect on 2022, I must acknowledge that 2022 was a pivotal year for the Study Abroad and Away (SAA) team, as the COVID-19 pandemic took more of a “back seat” and we were able to resume student mobility across borders, enabling students and faculty to experience international opportunities in person. However, the virtual study abroad experiences continued to be an option. More specifically, over the past two years, the Virtual International Partners (VIP) program allowed many SJSU students to continue their meaningful cultural exchange experiences virtually. Through this program in 2022, we connected 586 SJSU students with 570 international students attending our partner institutions. 

Spring 2022 marked the slow relaunch of study abroad opportunities. In the 2021-22 academic year, we sent 194 students abroad, which encompasses 43 students to 6 countries on exchange programs, and 151 students on 11 faculty-led programs (FLPs) in summer 2022, after two years of hiatus. In fall 2022, we sent 47 exchange students to 14 countries for the semester and 19 students for the academic year. In January 2023, we will be sending 97 students to 6 different countries on faculty-led programs. And in spring 2023, we will be sending 85 students to 18 countries, bringing our total number of exchange students for 2022-2023 to 151, a record number and an increase of 25% since before the pandemic.

As for the SAA team, the year 2022 offered all of us ample opportunity to continue to pivot, to rethink, and to finetune our efforts to support all of you. We have a new team member, Courtney Anne Jackson, who has joined the small but mighty SAA team as a Program Specialist. I am delighted to report that we have an amazing team of advisors who are very student-centered and all of whom have had a wide range of intercultural experiences and backgrounds, making them even more motivated and dedicated to work toward your success. You can read more about our entire team by going here.  

Both new and seasoned SAA team members have worked tirelessly and diligently to serve and support all of you. We continued to think innovatively to engage you and to ensure that we were providing opportunities to continue to promote global learning for all. Just to list a few accomplishments in 2022:

  • We continued to provide advising in a hybrid mode within an expanded time frame, giving you the choice to meet with us either in-person or via zoom throughout each weekday.  
  • We continued to streamline our processes and policies and further developed the information on our website, easing the access to step by step information on deadlines, procedures, etc.
  • We have continued to strengthen our partnerships with campus constituents and partners, essential for the success of our students and our goals for campus internationalization.
  • We have continued to offer our events in a hybrid mode with a transition to a lot more in-person events this year, as we strive to build a robust community to support all of you here at SJSU. Our International Education Week (IEW) events this year were well attended by all.
  • We are grateful for all of your generous support for our new Dr. Ruth Huard Study Abroad Scholarship which launched on SJSU’s Day of Giving. The funds will support our equity-focused scholarship and programming.  To date, we have  raised $1,900. Donations are still being accepted here so please consider a contribution. 
  • Finally, we are thrilled to be able to continue to offer the Louie Barozzi scholarship. Please look for announcements in February 2023 about the application period for the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition, we continue to promote and guide students in applying for the Fulbright, the Gilman and the Boren scholarships.

As a reminder, SAA will be closed for the holidays from December 26th, with the last advising appointments (both in person and virtual) taking place on Thursday, December 22nd. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 3rd. We look forward to our continued engagement with each and every one of you, in the new year and look forward to meeting with many of you in person.

On behalf of all of us in SAA, enjoy a restful and peaceful holiday season and break. I sincerely hope that the time will allow you to rest and recharge with renewed energy to conquer all your goals and ambitions in 2023. Congratulations again on finishing the fall semester and for all you have accomplished in 2022!

Wishing you joy, peace, and hope in 2023!

Warm regards,

Parinaz Zartoshty
Interim Director of SAA

Courtney Anne Jackson

Courtney Anne Jackson

Courtney Anne JacksonCourtney Anne Jackson, M.A.

Position: Program Specialist
Direct: (408)924-2613
Email: courtneyanne.jackson@sjsu.edu
Appointment: https://courtneyannejackson.youcanbook.me

Program Portfolio:Faculty-Led Programs (FLP)

Advising Liaison: College of Business, Undergraduate Advising and Success Center

Bio: Courtney is a proud Northern Californian. She was born in Oakland and raised in a rural community in the Sierra Nevada Mountains called Quincy, CA. Courtney studied abroad in Rome, Italy her junior year while earning her B.A. in Cultural Memory and the Arts from Whittier College. After graduation, she worked supporting international students in San Francisco before getting her M.A. in International Education Management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, where she studied abroad in Chile. Courtney spent 6 years working in international education in Washington before joining the SJSU SAA team.

Fun Facts: Courtney enjoys competitive swimming, museums, and archaeological sites. She also loves traveling to new places in search of street art and the world’s best mac and cheese.

Seung Ho Chang

Dr. Seung Ho Chang

Dr. Seung Ho ChangSeung Ho Chang

College: CHHS
Department: Kinesiology
Program: South Korea (KIN): Land of the Morning Calm (PE)
Location: South Korea
Email: seungho.chang@sjsu.edu

Dr. Seung Ho Chang has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Kinesiology since 2016. He received a B.S. and master’s degree in Physical Education (emphasis in Motor Development and Control) from Seoul National University, South Korea. He earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a specialization in Motor Development and Physical Education Teacher Education from The Ohio State University.  Dr. Chang was a head of the Martial Arts Major in the department of physical education at Korea Naval academy and a chief officer of Taekwondo Demonstration Team for Cruise Training Force (visiting 13 countries). He holds the rank of 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and has taught Taekwondo at many universities in both South Korea and the United States.

Celeste Sandoval-Chavez

Celeste Sandoval-Chavez

Celeste Sandoval-ChavezCeleste Sandoval-Chavez
Major: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Term Abroad: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
Program / Location: ISEP: Bradford University, England

Why did you want to study abroad? 
I knew since I started college I wanted to study abroad, and it wasn’t until I actually researched and applied to do it. I knew I wanted to experience a new culture, country, and uni experience and studying abroad was something that was able to do that for me.

What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?
My most positive experience from studying abroad is being able to make new friends, become a local of Bradford City, and become independent by experiencing living alone for the first time ( I am an SJSU commuter and still live with my parents). I loved my experience so much studying abroad in England that I have been planning to find a way to work and settle permanently in England! I definitely left a part of me in England that yearns to go back! 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 I’ll be a long journey to get there but I know it’ll be worth it because I am determined to go back ❤️

How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic?
Balancing my social and academic life was something that worked for me. My friends were both on the same course as I and therefore would always hangout at each other’s flats but also organize study groups and prepare for lectures and exams.

What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community ?
Making friends who aren’t international students is was how I was better to learn first had how British culture is. They became my friend group and taught me the ins and outs of what it is like living in England.

What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic?
Please make sure you have school insurance and or global insurance. Take precautions like washing your hands, covering your mouth when sneezing (do not use your hand). Seek medical attention if you are in serious pain.

Any advice to potential study abroad students?
1. Make friends who are from the country you are studying in so you indulge in the culture more authentically.

2. Even if you aren’t able to make friends that is OKAY, being able to travel solo in the country that you are in is also really nice and you have more flexibility to visit the places you want to go to.

3. Be involved in the uni activities and clubs!! that is also another great way to meet knew people, start a new hobby, and be informed of trips or activities planned

4. GO SIGHTSEEING!! As much as possible and take those photos for memories!!

Gabrielle LaBeaux

Gabriella LaBeaux

Gabriella LaBeaux

Gabriella LaBeaux (Alumni)
Major: Communications
Year Abroad: Fall 2019 and Spring 2020
Program Location: University of Strathclyde, Scotland
Current Position: Interior Designer
Company: Weedman Design Partners

How did your study abroad experience help you with your coursework once you returned to SJSU?

Because I studied abroad when COVID hit, I never actually returned to SJSU. I finished my degree online during COVID, able to graduate early due to my course load while studying abroad! Curriculum in the UK was research heavy with a focus on one final project. This prepared me for my senior year of college as I was working through my final Communications projects.

How did your study abroad experience help strengthen your job prospects?
Study abroad gave me access to different forms of communication, culture, and design influence that made me a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs. Both design firms I have worked with since graduating have highly valued travel experience for the added layer of insight and ideas evoked from my travels. Everyone I have worked with at both firms has lived or travelled in multiple different countries so we have a very diverse background.

Please describe any skills you learned abroad that you are applying in your current academic, professional, or personal life.
Academically I took away the importance of research and learned long term follow through backed by evidence.

Professionally I learned how to be adaptable to any style of communication or design. I learned the important in listening and asking thoughtful questions. I also learned to value timeless design practices and incorporating history into my work.

Personally I took away prioritizing life above your work. People in the Europe work to live and in America we live to work. In Europe life is more balanced and employers see the benefit in employees having more personal time. So I have looked for firms who practice this mindset.

What was the most memorable experience or moment from your time abroad?
In Scotland, I have so many good memories from pro futbol games, to high tea, and road-trips through the country. I have two memorable experiences.

The first most memorable experience was my birthday party. I gathered my American and Scottish friends and we went out for drinks and dinner. We ended the night in a club with a bounce house. It was one of those nights that was full of good company and lifelong friends.

The second was volunteering at a camp hosted out in the countryside at a beautiful old old old mansion. I got to mentor and give advice to high school students and share so many fun things with them about being American! They loved my accent- ha! I attended a Ceilidh for a fundraiser for the camp which was a traditional Scottish dance party and it was awesome! Yes the men really do wear kilts!

What other experiences do you wish you had optimized while abroad to help you in your career path?
I feel like I actually did this really well. I would tell any student to find some local professionals in your city and connect with them. Wether it be a coffee date, shadowing, or even just an email chain- make those connections. It teaches you about your passion and career path but in an international lens.

Any other advice to current Spartans about maximizing the study abroad experience? 
Save up and travel as much as you can! See your country but also fly to nearby ones. Traveling with friends can be so fun but set your expectations beforehand to be sure you are on the same page for activities and finances. I would even suggest a solo trip. I solo tripped to Iceland and made friends during my excursions. It taught me a lot about myself and how to be comfortable and aware being alone.

Connect with Me
IG: @gabriella_labeaux
Instagram Podcast: Listen Now
Apple Podcast: Listen Now

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin

Alexey Kolechkin
Major: Finance
Term Abroad: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
Program / Location: SJSU Exchange Sophia University, Tokyo Japan
IG: @alexey.kolechkin

Why did you want to study abroad? 
I’ve been interested in Japanese culture ever since taking Japanese language classes in high school, so I wanted to experience living in Japan firsthand, improve my language abilities, and meet lots of new people.

What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?
Realizing how much money I’ve been spending, which is ironic considering that living in Japan is fairly cheap right now since the dollar is so strong compared to the yen. But since I go out a lot, whether it’s exploring/traveling or shopping or just hanging out with friends, I end up spending a lot of money on experiences. It’s not something I regret, since thankfully I have enough savings to cover it and I’m making lots of great memories, but it is something I will have to keep in check later on.

Any advice to potential study abroad students?
Seek growth and learning through discomfort. Living abroad for an extended period of time can be scary and challenging, but it’s one of the best opportunities for growth and self-development that you will ever have in your life, so take advantage of it and go somewhere exciting!

How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic?
I minimized the amount of classes I’m taking so that I could put more focus on each one while dealing with the challenges of studying abroad. There is almost always something new that pops up that I have to deal with, or exciting experiences or events that I want to participate in, so I realized I had to take a lighter course load to have time for everything and still be able to succeed academically, as well as succeed in my other goals.

What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community ?
I’ve made friends with several Japanese students and they’ve shown me around different parts of Tokyo and taken me to places like restaurants, bars, karaoke, observatories, shrines, and temples. Having local connections really helps to better integrate with the local community because they show me how to act, speak, and what is considered acceptable and not acceptable.

What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic?
Take the normal precautions as you would anywhere else; wear a mask, wash your hands, try to avoid crowds if you can, and make smart choices

Kianna Vargas

Kianna Vargas

Kianna VargasKianna Vargas (Alumni)
Major: Psychology
Year Abroad: 2019-2020 Academic Year
Program Location: CSUIP / Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile / Santiago de Chile
Current Position: Language and Culture Assistant
Organization: Spanish Ministry of Education

How did your study abroad experience help you with your coursework once you returned to SJSU?

My university in Chile was the number one university in the country meaning that my coursework was extremely rigorous. Attending this school taught me how to better my study happens and how to advocate for myself to professors.

How did your study abroad experience help strengthen your job prospects?
My time in Chile has made me a unique candidate for all jobs I have applied for. Studying abroad teaches you skills you could never learn in a traditional academic setting.

Please describe any skills you learned abroad that you are applying in your current academic, professional, or personal life.
The number one skill I improved on abroad is my Spanish language skills. Although I was confident in my Spanish before arriving to Chile, living and studying there was a humbling experience. In Chile, my Spanish improved immensely, and am now able to use it in all aspects of my life.

What is the most memorable experience or moment from your time abroad?
My most memorable experiences abroad were the solo trip I took to Colombia for a month, hiking Patagonia, and visiting my Chilean friends in their hometowns. A huge perk of studying abroad in the Southern Hemisphere is that the seasons are switched so if you study there for a year you get a summer break. My summer break was from December to March and I used this time to travel across Chile and other parts of South America (Colombia, Peru, and Argentina).

What other experiences do you wish you had optimized while abroad to help you in your career path?
I wish I had volunteered and participated more in school organizations. Due to COVID cutting my time short, I was unable to.

Any other advice to current Spartans about maximizing the study abroad experience? 
Say yes as much as possible, don’t be afraid to be outside your comfort zone, and try your best to make local friends!

Alycia Low

Alycia Low

Alycia Low (alum)
Major: Public Relations and Minored in Professional and Technical Writing
Term Abroad: Fall 2017
Program / Location: SJSU Exchange University of Roehampton, London, UK
Position Title: Recruiting Coordinator
Employer: Roblox

How did your study abroad experience help you with your coursework once you returned to SJSU?
Overall I think my experience helped me become more confident when it came to social interactions with my classmates. It also helped me see things from a different perspective. Having gone abroad, I recognized that there were other ways to approach questions I had about the world.

How did your study abroad experience help strengthen your job prospects?
It definitely helped me stand out as a candidate and was often a topic of conversation when interviewing. They would ask about my experience abroad and how that has shaped me. For me, studying abroad has really shaped the way I think about my career. It’s what led me to my position as a Study Abroad Student Assistant, which has helped me realize I want to go down this career path in recruiting/HR.

Please describe any skills you learned abroad that you are applying in your current academic, professional, or personal life.
Going abroad and having that experience has taught me how to have more grace and compassion for those around me who are from different parts of the world. While I was in the UK/Europe, I was a minority (as an Asian-American) and it helped me appreciate other cultures, including my own, even more!

What is the most memorable experience or moment from your time abroad?
During my last couple of weeks in the UK, I had the opportunity to travel alone in Scotland. This was probably one of the best decisions I had made. It taught me how to be self-sufficient and brought a whole new perspective on travelling. I had the unique experience of eating alone for consecutive meals, for example, and even asking fellow tourists/locals for directions or photos. Through this trip, I was also able to fully embrace the boldness I had learned over the past few months abroad, which helped me to be more confident in my social interactions and even my decisions.

What other experiences do you wish you had optimized while abroad to help you in your career path?
Although I had a great time in London, I do wish I had the opportunity to try living abroad for a longer period of time and maybe even challenge myself to go somewhere out of the ordinary. I also wish I was told that it’s okay not to travel all of Europe in that one semester, and that it’s okay to just sit and absorb what my home city has to offer. I was constantly travelling every weekend that I don’t feel like I truly got to experience London and all that it has to offer.

Any other advice to current Spartans about maximizing the study abroad experience? 
As I mentioned before, I’d highly encourage students to take time to really take in your home city/country. There’s so much your city has to offer and your program will be over before you know it, so really take it in. I think there’s a lot of pressure people put on folks (at least travelling to Europe) to explore as much as you can, but I really wish someone told me this before I planned all of these trips. This was my first time to Europe and I wish I had taken the time to get to know the folks and areas around me.

Abigail Alcain

Abigail Alcain

NAME: Abigail Alcain
MAJOR: Biological Sciences
TERM: Spring 2022
PROGRAM: SJSU Exchange University of Roehampton, UK
EMAIL: alcainabigail@gmail.com

Why did you want to study abroad? 
Studying abroad looked like a great opportunity for me to experience new places and traveling as well as meeting new people from different backgrounds. I also wanted to use this opportunity to advance my career by connecting with the professors and programs that I’m able to participate in.

What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?
A surprising experience that I have noticed is that I live on one of the four campuses here, and I live on the campus that’s far away from the main campus. I was surprised that this college was separated from all the others and distinctly far from the main one. But all my classes and labs are in my current college anyways so I don’t have to go to the main campus unless it’s for a social event or for the library. Another challenging experience is the transportation, all transportation is taken by bus or train, and I am not used to public transportation as much as I am now because that is how I get everywhere, and especially most places near me take about 30 minutes to an hour to get somewhere.

Any advice to potential study abroad students?
For potential study abroad students, would probably be to study what norms take place at that specific country beforehand. And definitely make sure all the financials are taking care of (such as if you need a new phone number/SIM card, a bank, transportation card). Also make sure you know where the nearest hospital is just in case.

How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic?
I have managed to keep my academics controlled bye renting all the textbooks and materials required for my classes. I also depend on the online moodle (CANVAS) for notifications from professors as well as accessing the lectures and videos required.

What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community ?
I have definitely met many people within the community of my area, and they have helped me explore around London and we try new foods and visit in new places and overall had fun!

What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic?
Make sure to have your insurance on hand at all times, especially on your phone in case you have any major injuries. As well make sure you tell someone where you are at and never go alone.

Bridgette Chang

Bridgette Chang

Bridgette ChangBridgette Chang
Country Location: England
Program / University Abroad: SJSU Exchange/Nottingham Trent Univ
Term Abroad: Spring 2022 Semester
Major: Business Administration
Year: 3rd

1. Why did you want to study abroad? 

Studying abroad has been my goal since the start of university career; since I was young, I’ve felt that I’ve missed out on childhood/teenage experiences as I was extremely busy with academics, sports, responsibilities, and extracurricular activities, and once I’ve started my time at SJSU, I thought that would be my chance to make up for the lost experience of freedom to do anything I wanted. However, my small taste of this independent journey was taken away immediately once the pandemic hit; I realized that this time I had living at home and having more time to work, allowed me to save up and research my way to study abroad. Though I’ve traveled quite a bit, this opportunity was important to me as this is my time to explore my independence as well as combine the college experience with cultural exploration..

2. What has been your most surprising, positive, or challenging experience abroad?

The positive about studying abroad in the UK is that though there are many similarities that keep me comfortable, there are many aspects of cultural differences that keep my experience interesting and eye opening. Aside from the accents and the cold weather, I’ve found differences in social interactions, academic preparations, food choices, and even clothing style.

3. Any advice to potential study abroad students? 

My advice to potential study abroad students is to not be intimidated by any doubts or difficulties you may think lie ahead. Many students around the world are participating in study abroad programs which shows that you won’t be the only one who’s new to the area. There have been many doubts in my mind when deciding to study abroad, but I found that all of those worries work out with all of the resources provided, and the experience you gain at the end of it is much more worth it.

6. How are you managing your academic success abroad during the pandemic? 

Studying abroad during the pandemic was one of my biggest worries, however I’ve felt the pandemic hasn’t put any affect into my studies here so far; luckily the UK has had the pandemic under control for the most part and has nearly ended the need for masks. The school provides cleaning wipes and small seminar groups for classes that help reduce the spread of germs, as well as providing free test kits, which eases my worries and allows me to focus more on my studies knowing that the school is providing resources for us. However, I still use extra precautions wearing masks and using hand sanitizer/washing my hands often as there are still health risks.

7. What are some ways that you are interacting with the local community?

The city I’m studying in holds 2 big universities and several high schools, which makes the surrounding shops and establishments student friendly and interactive. Many clubs and establishments are affiliated/work with the university(s) to create safe and fun events for students to enjoy, which I’ve found to be well into the trends and entertaining.

8. What are some tips for managing your health and safety while traveling during the pandemic? Some tips for staying safe and healthy while studying abroad is:

  • *health* prepare for the weather (our bodies are used to the weather of home, so any drastic changes are going to make an impact on our health)
  • *health* bring medicines from home (there are possibilities that medicines are either expensive or inaccessible in the country you’re going to, so it’s best to just bring some from home if possible)
  • *safety* purchase a sim card or figure out a data plan (going to a foreign country you’ll need to find a way around/research something/contact someone, having access to data at all times can prevent hassles and mishaps *buy sim cards outside of the airport; it’s cheaper)
  • *safety* have an emergency contact buddy (whether it’s a friend or roommate, have someone’s contact number in case of an emergency; having someone from the area available to call is safer and efficient than calling someone from your home country during an unlikely event of an emergency.