Get help and advice from people in the know, read through our articles and make sure you're kept up to speed on what to look out for once you're in the thick of it!
-
If you're going abroad, chances are you might get a bite of the deadly culture shock... Ranging from the lack of fresh milk, insects in lollipops, awkward besito moments, people not saying sorry when bumping into you, strange New Year traditions, taking ages to open up a bank account... The list is endless!
Published in When You ArriveTags -
There's no place like home...
Written by Natacha CullinanMaybe there’s a bit of truth in what Dot said, before her technicolour dream. What if there was no place like home? What if your year abroad fills you with dread, it’s not going to plan, or you just quite simply don’t want to have it on your degree menu as the main course?
Most students studying languages have to have a year abroad - it comes with the whole language learning shabang. And that’s fine, for most. But some don’t really like the idea of upping sticks and moving abroad, to work or study. The likelihood is, if you are studying Modern Languages, you’ll have to bite the bullet and go with it. A year abroad can be a real eye-opener, ask anyone who’s been on one - but it can also be incredibly hard at first.Published in Year Abroad BluesTags -
The Beginning of the Year Abroad
Written by Natacha CullinanCome September, most of you will have landed in your chosen destination, making sense of foreign tongues, weird signposts and being somewhere totally different. It can, and will, be overwhelming at first; for some, it will kick in as soon as your parents leave, for others, it might take a week or so for you to realise you’re actually away from what you’re used to.
Published in When You Arrive -
Keeping in touch on your year abroad
Monday, 14 June 2010Of course taking a year abroad requires a good deal of planning and preparation but don't let that put you off as you could be embarking on the experience of a lifetime. Travel plans, insurance, finances, paperwork and accommodation are all important considerations and may seem daunting if you have never done anything like this before, particularly on your own. Always take out adequate insurance before you go as an accident without proper insurance in place will inevitably be much worse to sort out, both financially and emotionally. Choose your insurance policy carefully - don't just take the cheapest one on offer and make sure you will be covered for the most dangerous type of activity you might wish to take part in.Published in When You ArriveTags -
In all honesty, there will be times on your Year Abroad where you just want to curl up in a ball and teleport back to your nice comfy bed back home. There will be times when you find yourself hastily searching for flights, trains, ferries, Eurostars, anything to take you back home, to somewhere where you feel secure, organised, in control and, above all, at home. There will be times where you consider emailing your university and saying look, I just can’t do this (you can, by the way!). Finally, there will be times when you doubt your progress.
Published in Year Abroad BluesTags
-
Making friends abroad
Written by Gina ReayA friend of mine is lucky enough to have lived all over the world. Thanks to her Dad’s job she’s lived in Paris, Bath, Barcelona, Serbia and now Chicago. The experiences she has had, the people she has met and the lifestyles she has lived are enviable to even the most well-travelled amongst us.Published in Making the Most of Your Year Abroad -
Welcome to your year abroad, first stop: panic!
Written by Natacha Cullinan Tuesday, 07 September 2010With September creeping up on us, many of you guys are going to be on the brink of setting off for their year abroad! How exciting! Though slightly scary, let’s be honest - new place, new friends, new(ish) language - summer seems like it’s just flown by. But whatever you do, don’t worry - worrying never really helped anybody, plus there’s loads of information out there...Published in When You Arrive -
8 ways to document your year abroad (and make everyone else jealous)
Written by Tom StephensonEverything’s (nearly) sorted for your stay in your chosen far-flung destination and you’re fully prepared for fresh and wild experiences, but all of this means NOTHING if no-one else knows about it. Here are a few of the myriad ways you can let the people back home know that you’re having a better time than them, and let's face it, that's one of the best things about going abroad - you get to shout out about it! Read on for some tricks of the trade...
Published in Making the Most of Your Year Abroad -
Finding a partner during your time away is possibly the safest ticket to fluency known to man. You'll learn more about the country, the culture, the love-bird expressions (even if you choose not to use them - 'mi querido pastelito' anyone? That's 'darling little cupcake' to anyone not studying Spanish or Soppynish), in fact, at the very least, you're going to learn a whole sub-language through text messages and emails (only ask trusted friends to translate these). You'll find yourself picking up all your partner's little vocal tics too, which will make you sound more fluent. Having someone whisper seductive things in your ear in French, Spanish or Italian is great. German, less so.Published in Long-distance loveTags -
After a fabulously loved up pit stop in England between the two halves of my year abroad, I have set sail (or flight) to the lovely city of Rome. The second half of my year will be spent here in the Italian capital where I am embarking on an Erasmus exchange at the unbelievably disorganised Roman university, La Sapienza.
Published in Long-distance love
Menu
Third Year Abroad on Twitter
Browse our when you arrive articles:
-
The time I moved to Madrid and forgot what English was
Read more...
Anna-Marie Odubote is studying English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Liverpool, and is spending her year abroad as… -
Top tried-and-tested iPhone apps for year abroad students
Read more...
These tried-and-tested apps will help you plan, enjoy and make the most of your time abroad... -
Things I wish someone had said to me in the first few weeks
Read more...
Lucy is studying French and Spanish at Lancaster University and is coming to the end of her year abroad at La… -
9 tried-and-tested year abroad tips
Read more...
Olivia is studying Spanish and History at Sheffield University and is on her year abroad in Madrid. Here are her… -
Networking in a new city – opening doors and making your own luck
Read more...
Simon is studying Law with French at Birmingham University, and is currently on his year abroad as an Erasmus student… -
How to make friends and not alienate people (on your year abroad)
Read more...
Seasoned adventuress, Nell Fane, passes on her top tried-and-tested tips about fitting in quickly when you arrive in a new… -
How to teach your friends and family to speak the lingo before they visit
Read more...
It’s coming to that time of year again...No, not Christmas, nor the end of exams, but rather a fun weekend… -
Spanish red tape: the NIE explained
Read more...
If you’re kicking off your year abroad in Barcelona (or anywhere in Spain, for that matter!), one of the first,…
Site By
3B Digital Ltd