CAPA WORLD

Sooner is better than later when it comes to getting ready for your study abroad semester. In her first post, Kara takes us through a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and have a seamless pre-departure experience before you get on your flight to your global city. Spoiler alert: this list will let you know the 9 things you must  absolutely do to get everything sorted—from passports to courses to insurance and medications!

Planning to study abroad in Australia next semester but don’t know where to start? Read on for 9 things you can do right now to get started.

(Note: Although the following content is tailored to the CAPA Sydney program, the basics can still be applied when studying abroad in other locations or with a different institution.)

Meet Kara Davis, an official CAPA Blogger in Sydney, Australia for Spring 2019:

University: Arizona State University
Major: B.S. in Sustainability; Business and Landscape Studies Minors
Study abroad location: Sydney, Australia
Internship or volunteer placement: EMM Consulting

Meet Lizzy Westermeyer, an official CAPA Blogger in Sydney, Australia for Spring 2019:

University: Providence College
Major: Business Management, Biology Minor
Study abroad location: Sydney, Australia
Internship or volunteer placement: Leukemia Foundation

In this post, CAPA Alumna Jordan talks about some of her favorite things about studying abroad in Sydney.

In Sydney, I worked 20 hours a week while also taking 9 credits. Although our schedules were busy, finding time to explore the city was essential. Some things that really stood out to my classmates and I about Sydney were the amazing healthy food options, beautiful beaches, the Blue Mountains, Luna Park, the Sydney Opera House during Vivid, and so much more!

After completing a semester abroad in Sydney, Lorenzo shares what he learned about how you can make connections and the most of the opportunities abroad. In his final post, he also talks about why he decided to stop over for some new adventures in Thailand before flying home.

My CAPA program in Sydney finished over a week ago and I have been trying to make my way back home, but not without new adventures. As a little reward for completing my hard earned requirements and working out a successful semester, I decided to take a week-long trip to the tropics on the way back to my country. I spent three days in Bangkok and another three days in Koh Chang, an island south of the city, at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. I can for sure confirm that I had the relaxed and quiet time I was looking for as I’ve gotten myself detached from the school-work routine and into vacation mode.

What you get out of your study abroad experience is solely based on your expectations. As Martyn reflects on a semester abroad in Sydney, he encourages students to consider these 2 important points: understanding the pros/cons and doing your research for a great semester abroad.

Studying abroad in Sydney has been an incredibly interesting experience, and one that has gifted me memories I will do well to never forget. I’ve spent the last few months describing my own journey through a semester abroad, and I have really tried my best to get my personal journey across in 500-1000 words. The only thing that I can offer now that I’ve returned home is not personal tales, but advice for the next wave of students considering a study abroad program. As someone who was a little cautious about going abroad, I completely understand the hesitation to make such a commitment. Everyone’s process of deciding to go abroad is different, so I’ve tried to whittle mine down to a few personal thoughts into two broad points.

Here are some thoughts that I’ve grown into throughout this semester.

In one of his final posts, Lorenzo reflects on his growth after studying abroad in Sydney. As the people and city continue to inspire him, he also shares some takeaways and benefits that'll help you with your journey to this global city.

My experience in Sydney has just ended, and I am currently about to head off to the airport to hit my next destination on the way back home. Three months back at school can go by very fast, but three months studying abroad will go by without you even noticing it. It makes sense: when you are having fun and enjoying what you are doing, time flies. It seems like yesterday that I had arrived and unpacked everything. I think it felt the same way for almost all the people in the program; everybody was shocked in the past few days realizing those were the last we would have in Sydney.

Let’s be honest: studying abroad is an incredible experience, but it’s not an automatic ticket to landing a job when you graduate. Yes, listing an international internship, for example, can make your resume stand out in an inbox full of applications, but it’s not until you learn how to talk about your experience in a meaningful way that your future employer’s ears will really perk up. And it’s not until you take ownership of your experience—by learning how to recognize, pursue, and nurture the skills that are key to your personal and professional development while you’re abroad—that you’ll be able to do that.

One of CAPA’s five Student Learning and Development Outcomes(SLDOs), set for those studying abroad in all of our cities, is a focus on personal and professional development.

Every little pound adds up when it's time to pack up your life abroad and head home! Martyn drops 3 pieces of sage advice to get you through the final leg of your semester and journey home.

For one of my last blog posts, I wanted to write about Sydney’s beautiful beaches and conservation efforts. I had most of the blog post written up but something happened when I tried to travel home that convinced me to instead write about planning to pack up and leave the study abroad experience. However, I realize the photos of my luggage and airport terminal hallways can only be so exciting, so I’m going to Frankenstein two blog posts into one. Not only will you get to hear the tips and tricks of packing up at the end of your semester abroad, but you’ll also get to see totally unrelated pictures of Sydney’s beautiful beaches and coastline!

In this week's post, Lorenzo asks fellow student Martyn about interning abroad in Sydney, developing professional skills internationally, and how this experience can serve as a gateway to reach your career goals. Martyn also shares advice on how to keep an open mind and get the most out of your international hands-on experience.

Meet Martyn, a senior student majoring in finance and marketing at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. He is originally from New Jersey and wants to pursue a career in the entertainment/movie industry in Los Angeles. He also blogs for CAPA from Sydney. Today's Q&A is centered on the topic of interning abroad and gaining international experience.

Lorenzo Corazzin: How did you decide to come to Sydney?
Martyn Megaloudis: A lot of the required credits left for my major were international, so I thought it would make sense to take them abroad. This was my first real opportunity to travel outside the country, and through CAPA it was easier because they set up housing and activities.