Although you're not going abroad quite yet, it might be time to start thinking about what you're going to accomplish in your host country. Leaving aside doing well in your classes or getting great clips, there's also your creative side to consider. That's why we highly recommend doing what a lot of you probably already do: blog and take pictures. If you do it regularly, you'll have heaps of memories for your old age, and heaps of stories to tell your grandkids. 

To get you inspired, here is a list of top 10 study abroad blogs you should check out. 

And here is a list of top 12 travel bloggers to read. 

Here are all the entries into the 2012 National Geographic Travel photography competition.

Here are some great tips on blogging.

And finally, here's some travel photography advice.

That should get you started. We can't wait to see what you've got to offer the world!

by Fedor Zarkhin

By now, most of you who applied for the semester-long programs know if you've been accepted or not, and if not, you'll know pretty soon (Buenos Aires - tomorrow, Sciences Po - after the interviews). So, what next? Is this the end of your path to getting into whatever country you've been dreaming of since you read about it in an encyclopedia as a child or watched a program on Discovery channel? Nope. What you ought to do now is start thinking, reading, planning, thinking, reading, planning. There's nothing quite as unpleasant as being underprepared for life abroad, and it's in your best interest to make sure that doesn't happen. 

A lot of this stuff is common sense, of course, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt to read up. First off, you might think you know a lot about your destination country, but what if you don't? You won't know till you crack open that Wikipedia page and click on all those links. To be honest, Wikipedia writing style is either bad or boring, in my opinion, so it would be best to read travel articles, longform.org or byliner.com articles, and maybe even check out books. The most fun thing is to find magazine articles about your country. They are unlikely to give you a broad view of the place, but they'll let you into people's lives there. If you're really passionate, read books by your country's famous authors, if you haven't already. Being up to date on current events should go without saying, of course.

If you haven't spent lots of time abroad, you'll want to read up on the emotional and psychological process of spending extended periods of time away from home. There's a pretty well-established pattern that most people go to: euphoria, depression, adaptation. Everything seems magical at first, then things start to get to you and you miss home and you have an identity crisis, then finally you accept your new surroundings and you grow as a person. After that you've got reverse culture schock to contend with, but that's another story.

A crucial part of your pre-departure research is reading up on all the practical stuff. You know, the local transportation system, how safe it is, whether or not the banks will charge you half your savings for a cash withdrawal, local customs, that sort of thing. Don't worry, learning about this stuff won't take anything away from the novelty of being there. You'll just be able to get to more interesting things faster, and you won't seem quite as strange to the locals if you have an idea of what's going on. 

Where do you find this info? Well, this is the J-school, after all, so you guys probably already know: Google! Yup, it's a magical thing, this Google. The New York Times travel section has suggestions on things to do in different cities and will give you an idea of the flavor of a city or a country. Wikipedia will give you (somewhat boring, I think) accounts of a place's history, while Wikitravel will give you a lot of practical information. Transitionsabroad.com has lots of info, and is best for people's accounts of their time abroad. But, in all honesty, the Internet is full of information. You've just gotta look. And look you must!

by Fedor Zarkhin

Although the deadline for our semester-long programs has come and gone, you can still apply for our intercession programs. But you gotta get to it soon: the deadline is due Monday, October 1. 

Going to Costa Rica or touring Europe sure sounds great, but there's lots more you need to learn before taking the plunge. And fortunately for you, there are lots of resources. First of all, here is some info on the programs. You can find all the info on our short-term programs page. 

In Costa Rica you get to report on the environment, all while practicing your Spanish and earning six credit hours. Here's what Tina Casagrand, a student who went on the adventure, had to say about it:

"I couldn't have studied abroad in Costa Rica at a better time. In the winter of my junior year, I couldn't decide between environmental nonprofits or environmental journalism. Two weeks of focused journalism with an expert instructor sealed the deal. Nothing beats the rush of getting thrust into a developing country, watching spider monkeys fly overhead and then writing about it at night. This was definitely a program for adventurers. Students hiked, spent time on our own with farmers or sloth sanctuary workers, and learned how to navigate within a new government and ecological system. I came away from Costa Rica knowing there's nothing I'd rather do than report on nature and culture. I even added a biology minor to ensure I have a good base in science once I'm out in the real world. Even though the program was only two weeks, it was the final push for a major life decision."
- Tina Casagrand

If Central America is not your thing, there's also the Europe Tour: 

Travel for two weeks in Europe, touring some of the finest European capitals, media outlets and museums, all while earning two journalism elective credits. Visit newspapers, ad agencies, magazines, television stations, and more in Brussels, Paris, Prague and Rome during winter break! This program offers you the opportunity to explore four countries and gain insight into each unique system of journalism. Travel with a group of about 16 MU students and two MU journalism faculty members through the enchanting cities of Europe. You will stay in some of the finest hotels, ride the renowned rails, and dine on delicious cuisine. Get a taste of study abroad through this two-week program in Europe!

Read more here!

And finally, remember, the deadline to apply for these programs is this Monday, October 1. That's plenty of time, and we're excited to see all the applications coming in!

Until now, if you wanted to go to Italy through our office you'd only be able to go in the summer. The Arts Journalism program in Florence is fantastic, of course, but wouldn't you like to spend a whole semester in Italy? Get immersed in the real college experience abroad? Spend enough time over there to get your Italian in good shape?

Well, now you can! Our partner university - Università Cattolica del Sacra Cuore - is the largest private university in Europe, with 42,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and we have a brand new program there starting in the Spring. Read up, learn about it, talk to the uni's representative on Thursday, September 13, and apply by September 20. Easy peasy!

Let's get you started.

First off, read through the university's study abroad brochure. The sales pitch you'll find inside is pretty solid: 

"In the very heart of Milan, surrounded by tree-lined boulevards, piazzas, basilicas and parklands, sits Cattolica, a world class university. The iconic international city of Milan offers a timelessness and graciousness which has inspired the imagination of geniuses for centuries, from Leonardo da Vinci to many of the world’s greatest fashion designers. Milan, a city of culture and style. A living, vibrant city. And a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students from around the world to experience a contemporary education within an unforgettable place."

In the brochure you'll get a more detailed idea of what the city and the school are like. 

Next, for a break from all that reading, check out this Milan photo-gallery and this around Milan photo-gallery. It's a gorgeous place!

And don't forget to check out their website.

We'll have more information about the program coming soon, so stay tuned. But most importantly, a representative from the university will be here Thursday,  September 13, and that'll be the best time to ask questions. 

Contact us to set up an appointment and to meet the university representative by emailing or calling Tami Lorenson.

by Fedor Zarkhin

We've got our study abroad fair tomorrow in RJI 100 from 11-2, and if you think you can miss it and just come to our office to get everything you need, you're wrong. Two reasons:

1) You'll miss out on the chance to win a $1000, $500 or $300 Study Abroad scholarship, not to mention lots of other cool prizes.

2) You won't be able to have students who've gone on the programs and the program directors right in front of you.

So although you can come to us and ask us anything you want, keep in mind that this Study Abroad Fair - which we do only once a semester - is a must-attend event if you're even remotely curious about going abroad, and if you don't mind free money to help you get there.

Just as a reminder, here are the programs you can come learn about:

Studying abroad is great fun, but it's not free. You probably knew that. But what you probably do not know is that the University of Michigan has a great page detailing creative ways to raise money to go abroad. Not only that, but it has great tips for how to manage finances and make sure that you can go. 

Studying abroad could be just one click away!

To all of you who stopped by yesterday for the Fall Welcome event at RJI, thank you!

And there are more events coming up you need to keep in mind, most importantly our own fair, in RJI 100, Friday, Sep 7 between 11:00 and 2:00. 

We have lots and lots of programs to suit your study abroad needs. If you want to do an internship abroad, you can choose from six different countries. If you want to do an exchange, you have eleven countries. And if you don't want to go for very long, there are eight... 

Why would you want to go to this fair?

It'll be the one-stop-shop to learn about all our programs, get flyers and brochures, ask lots of questions.

There will be the directors of the programs there and students who went abroad on one of our programs. You're not going to get the opportunity to have so many resources in one place until the next fair, which'll be in the Spring semester. 

... and finally, you could win stuff, including a $1000 scholarship to study abroad. 

When you come to the fair you can fill out a little form with your name and contact info. Afterwards we'll draw some cards and give away the following:

• $1000 Travel Scholarship
  
• $300 Travel Scholarship
  
• Gift cards to Chipotle, Starbucks, Shakespeare’s, and the University Bookstore
  
• A backpack
  
• MU School of Journalism Passport Wallet
  
• Tee-shirts
  
• Travel Journals
  
• Luggage Tags & Luggage Spotters

If you're even mildly curious about studying or working abroad, not going to the fair would be a less than wise decision, we think. Also we just like to meet new people! 

Friday, September 7 between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

See you there!

Don't think that London is only interesting during the Olympics! It's the capital of what used to be the biggest empire the world has ever seen, and it's got tons to offer you in terms of education and fun.

First of all, keep in mind that if you go on our exchange program in the UK, you'll get the real deal: this is the real study-abroad experience you've been craving since high school. That means getting a taste of studying abroad, getting to know foreign students, and it means doing whatever it is students do after class, but in England, just one hour north of London. Not in Columbia. 

There you'll get to know a brand new culture within the burden of having to overcome a language barrier. What's more, the university - the University of Westminster - is super-popular with international students, with about 4,000 of them per 23,000 enrolled. 

So what's the area like? 

In the northwest end of London, just past the glow of the city lights, students will find the historic, yet ever increasingly metropolitan Borough of Harrow. A city of archeological and historic importance, Harrow was once home to Roman settlers and has even provided evidence of the presence of pre-historic man. Preservation of Harrow's history has remained a priority for the city, giving tourists and students alike an opportunity to experience sites such as the Homestead Manor, the oldest standing timber frame house in Middlesex, as well as nine archeological sites which have been "Scheduled" by the British government as having national archeological importance. 

The word Harrow carries with it an Anglo-Saxon meaning of temple or sacred grove; upon Harrow-on-the-Hill, believed to be the site of such a temple, visitors are able to survey the city which sprawls out beneath them, even taking in a view of London on a clear day. Amidst this abundance of history, students will find a surprising little metropolitan city which takes pride in its newly constructed modern buildings and its array of contemporary shopping. Art galleries share the streets with trendy, student filled clubs, while a quieter atmosphere may be found in the traditional pubs of the area. As a student you will experience all that Harrow has to offer, walking the streets that Winston Churchill once strolled up and down as a student at the famous Harrow School, all the while only a short train ride away from downtown London.

Want to know know more? Click here! 

Want to know how to apply? Click here!

Want to know when the deadline to apply is? Read here: September 20 (Scholarship deadline - October1)

Travelling has always captivated people's imaginations, and thankfully for us stationary ones, quite a few have written about their adventures travelling. Condé Nast Traveler conveniently compiled a list of the 86 best travel books EVER, so if you're wondering what to read next, just click the link! In between your coursework and your social life, relax a bit with one of these books and take yourself to other places. 

Do you think you need to go abroad to go abroad? You might be right, technically, if you say yes, but there are options for experiencing the international world right here in the US of A. Not only do they offer no less exciting opportunities than our programs abroad, but they're also cheaper: you won't need to pay for a flight across an ocean.

What I'm talking about are our New York City and Washington D.C. internship programs. With these programs, you get to choose between the capital of the Leader of the Free World and the Media Capital of the World. Not necessarily the capitals of espresso and lounging by the Seine, but still not bad.

Wanna learn more? Not a problem...

About the Washington DC Program
The Missouri School of Journalism's Washington Program offers both undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to spend a semester in one of the media and political world capitals. Washington D.C. is a city of neighborhoods. It boasts a robust public transportation system, anchored by the Metro. Getting around the city is quite easy, and students will interact with other interns and young professionals from around the U.S. and the world. The vibe of Washington is young and purposed. From the imposing government buildings dotting the Hill, to the cobblestone streets and high-end boutiques of Georgetown, Washington truly is a fascinating city. Students will discover its first-rate restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, museums, and dialog.

And more? Also not a problem.

About the New York Program 
 
The Missouri School of Journalism's New York Program offers Missouri Journalism students a unique program of study, a network of colleagues, faculty guidance and summer residence in the media capital of the world. New York City is home to major national television networks, national newspapers, world headquarters of advertising agencies and public relations firms and major photo agencies. The city becomes the students' extended classroom.

New York City is the media capital of the world, home to major national television networks, national newspapers, world headquarters of advertising agencies and public relations firms and major photo agencies. These Missouri Journalism students take in the sights of the city at night. In addition to their journalism internship work, students attend seminars with New York editors, producers, journalists and media executives. Interns will have opportunities to meet Missouri School of Journalism alumni working in New York and to explore one of the world's most amazing cities. A weekly seminar course is instructed by a faculty leader from the Missouri School of Journalism. Classes are held at the City University of New York, located in Times Square.

The New York Program is open to graduate students, MU juniors and seniors. Students from any sequence can take part in the interdisciplinary program for up to nine credits.

If you're not yet rushing to click on our "How to Apply" link, then read about these programs on their respective pages: Washington D.C. and New York City.