(Insert Your Country) & Study Abroad: Now More Than Ever Your Institution, Department, Your Name, Title

Introduction In this slide you will want to introduce yourself and tell the audience where you are from and why you are in America. In the next couple of slides you will want to tell the audience more about your home country in greater length.

My Region of the World Add pictures and information about your region of the world (ex. Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Western Africa, etc.)

(Your home country) In this slide you will want to describe your home country. Give some demographics and statistical information about your country such as geography, ethnicities, prominent religions, languages spoken, and personal overview of your home country.

(Your home country) Continue to introduce the audience to the lifestyle and culture of your specific country and emphasize how life differs outside of the U.S. The likelihood that your audience has traveled to your home country is slim, so they will be curious as to what you have to say, so do not hesitate to add ample descriptions.

Attractions Mention here different attractions to your country- both physical and intangible. Include picture of a landmark or just a picture you are fond of at home.

My City Add pictures and information about city views, your friends, where you went to school, places in your community, etc.

Culture Have a slide here about your culture of your home country and how it differs from culture in the U.S. Perhaps you want to include differences in lifestyle, food, dress etc.

Living in (home country) Here you might want to tell a little bit about your living arrangements at home. Describe what your home life is like-how it may differ from the stereotypical home life in the U.S. You can describe physical differences( ex. houses or the community may be structured differently etc.) or describe the cultural differences in home life (ex. maybe the eating hours are different etc.). Show a picture of typical living in your country.

Getting Started One way to experience (insert your country) in Asia is through Study Abroad! Applications for programs are generally due well in advance. Start by researching the options available by visiting the Study Abroad office and speaking with a program advisor one year before you would like to travel.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To gain a new perspective on your own country See the U.S. with new eyes. Being immersed in one country tends to give us a limited view of our world. Traveling outside the country will show you how America affects and fits into all of humanity. From the vantage point of someone else’s culture you can truly see your own. By being exposed to so many diverse traditions you will understand the significance of keeping your own traditions alive.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To explore your heritage Getting in touch with your family’s heritage can be another strong motivation to study abroad. Many Asian Pacific Americans report tremendous educational and personal benefits from exploring countries where their families have roots. Whether your family recently immigrated to the U.S. or has lived here for generations, and whether you are discovering your family’s culture for the first time or interested in learning more, study abroad can provide you with an opportunity to get in touch with your heritage and explore your own identity.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad Renowned Chinese American author Amy Tan explains what her experience in China meant to her. She says, ''When my feet touched China, I became Chinese. I knew I was not totally Chinese, but I felt the connection nevertheless. It was a sense of completeness, like having a mother and a father. I had China and America, and everything was all coming together finally.''

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To improve your professional and financial potential International experience is a critical and impressive part of any resume. In addition to the personal growth you’ll undergo while overseas, the international and cross-cultural skills you’ll develop will certainly expand your employment opportunities and, consequently, your income potential. Many Asian-American students who study abroad find that they are able to improve their language skills, giving them an instant advantage in the highly competitive workforce.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To become a full-time learner Many students who go abroad report that in addition to enjoying and learning in their classes during the week, they learn some of the most valuable lessons outside of the classroom. Weekend excursions to museums and cultural sites also add to your academic and personal growth. You learn to interact with people who may not necessarily think or communicate like you. While in a foreign country, even mundane activities – like shopping for groceries –become educational experiences.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To gain new insights and outlooks through relationships Study abroad returnees often report meeting others with whom they expected to have no common ground, and then discovering that, despite being from different parts of the globe, they have much in common and much to learn from one another. As an Asian-American, you may also meet other minority students similar to yourself who can share with you their experiences and give you the support you need while living abroad. These relationships, insights, and outlooks are a critical part of the study abroad experience.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To fight stereotypes by educating others There is a challenge that many Asian-Americans face abroad. Many other cultures only have experience with Asians through the media (i.e. music, movies, television, etc.). Asian-American students may become frustrated when the same stereotypes from home follow them overseas. However, this is also a unique opportunity to educate others about who you are as an individual and as a group. This is your chance to be an individual, as well as a representative of your culture, and to encourage positive understanding of global diversity.

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To dispel your own stereotypes Studying abroad gives you a chance to break down some of your own stereotypes as well. Not only will you have the chance to immerse yourself in another culture, you will also meet people from different backgrounds and make personal connections with people whom you may have never expected. If traveling to your family’s native country, you may be surprised to find that you don’t in fact know everything about your own culture – stereotypes you have about yourself and your culture might be inaccurate!

Reasons For Asian/ Pacific Islander Students to Study Abroad To take control of your future During your time abroad, you will be exposed to countless different experiences that may influence the rest of your life. The vast majority of study abroad students report feeling more independent, self-confident, and knowledgeable of the world around them. After studying abroad, you may find your travels have had a profound influence on your career or personal goals. If you wish to continue with your higher education into either a masters or a doctorate, study abroad experience will give an edge on the competition.

Why Study Abroad… Now that students have heard various reasons to study abroad, you can help to inspire them and personalize your presentation by telling them what motivated you to study in the U.S. as someone from Asia. What you have gained from your experience so far and how it will help you with life your goals? You may offer a unique perspective, or what ultimately made you study in the U.S. might be what a student needs to hear to decide to study abroad themselves.

Where Can You Go?

Thailand

Japan

Cambodia

China

Develop Your Global Competencies Through Study Abroad! To find out how you can study abroad, please contact: Name of Your Institution Office of Study Abroad Location Contact Information

How To Get There Talk to your parents Visit your school counselor and see what programs are available Apply for a program Get your passport

Tools for Finding a Program Home Campus Study Abroad Office/Resource Center: The best place to look for a study abroad program is your U.S. home campus study abroad office (where available). The staff can help you through the process of finding a program, applying, participating, and returning home. Reference Books: The following is a comprehensive reference book which is updated each year: Peterson’s Study Abroad

Tools for Finding a Program Summer Study Abroad, IIE Academic Year Abroad, and IIE Short-Term Study Abroad. They include detailed explanations and descriptions of many study abroad programs. Websites: There are a number of websites with information about available study abroad programs. Some websites we recommend are: Studyabroad.com, Goabroad.com, IIEPassport, and Peterson’s

Advancing Tolerance and Understanding Clearly, we need to use education to advance tolerance and understanding. Perhaps more than ever, international understanding is essential to world peace- understanding between faiths, between nations, between cultures. Today, we know that just as no nation is immune to conflict or suffering, no nation can defend itself alone. We need each other- as friends, as allies, as partners- in a struggle for common values and common needs. Kofi Annan, Former U.N. Secretary General

Room and Board Living arrangements vary from one location to another. Possibilities include university residence halls, staying with a host family in a private home, sharing an apartment, and boarding houses. In some cases you will have a meal plan similar to those at your home institution. In other cases, you or your host family will be responsible for providing meals.

Funding Your Study Abroad Financial Aid At many institutions, financial aid transfers to Study Abroad Programs Scholarships Advance Planning and Budgeting

Preparing For Your Future “In the 21st Century, there will be only two kinds of people: Those who think globally and those who are looking for work.” Peter F. Drucker Writer, Management Consultant, Professor

Questions? Offer here to answer any questions they may have about your home country, study abroad, life back home, or how life is for you being a foreigner living and studying in the U.S. You will want to come prepared to answer questions so consider these issues in advance and how you may want to respond to these concerns.