Category: High School – Austria

“Yes, and…”: One High School Abroad Austria Student on How Exchange is a lot like Improv

By Mollie Block

A semester abroad is kind of like one long improv class. No, I’ve never taken an improv class before (unless you count the exercises I did in my 3rd grade after school drama club) but granted I’ve never been on a semester abroad before either. A bit of a bold statement, I’m aware, but don’t discount it until you hear me out. If you have taken an improv class before, and even if you haven’t, you know the one main rule of improv. “Yes, and …” For those of you who don’t know, and those that need a refresher, allow me to try and explain (sorry real improv students for how I’m going to mess this up!) what this means: Whenever a person is improving a scene and is asked a question the appropriate response is always “Yes, and …”. This opens up multiple paths for a scene to take and ensures there is always more to be acted.

Mollie in Vienna, enjoying the city in a Coronavirus safe way.

I’ve only been abroad for about three months and yet I can say with confidence that the number one rule for improv happens to be the same number one rule for being an exchange student. I’ve found that the only way I’m going to get the most out of this journey is by opening myself up to new experiences, even if I’m scared or hesitant.

Maybe you’re still not on board, my comparison doesn’t make a lot of sense in the abstract, so let me give an example. One of my first days here, my host dad asked me if I wanted to go on a bike ride after we dropped off my host sister at her practice. Now I know what you’re thinking; this is a pretty insignificant thing to mention, what’s the big deal about a bike ride? I never really liked biking that much, downhills are scary and uphills are taxing, but the summer before my 8th grade I got into a bike crash. It wasn’t terrible, nothing broken and no scars, but I did have to go to the ER and I haven’t been on a bike since. Until coming here. I felt bad turning down my host dads offer, I had only been here a few days and I wanted to show my host family how eager I was to become a part of their life, so I said sure. I expected to maybe walk my bike for a little and stop somewhere on the path. However, I ended up riding my bike for a couple hours.

Yes, it was flat and yes, we were going slow but if you had asked me to go on a bike ride any time before I left (which people did, often) I would’ve (and I did) said no. I ended up having a really fun time biking (I can almost hear my sister saying “I told you so”) and while I haven’t been on a ride since, I know I will again and I’m already excited.

“My point is, people don’t come into study abroad programs having everything figured out.”

The “Yes, and… ” rule isn’t the only way a study abroad and an improv class are alike. The whole point of improv is that the actors have no idea what they’re doing until they do it. A bit like the whole “fake it till you make it” mindset. In my experience, this is the same when you’re an exchange student. I came to Vienna with basically no German, not a whole lot of knowledge about the city and a ton of excitement. I had no idea what to expect. I’ve been here three months and I’m still getting surprised by this place everyday. My point is, people don’t come into study abroad programs having everything figured out. Most of us aren’t fluent in the language, I could barely introduce myself in German!, and we’re equal parts scared out of our minds and unbelievably excited for the amazing journey ahead of us (at least in my experience, I can’t talk for all exchange students). Just like in an improv scene, you learn as you go.

Mollie’s host sister walking her host dog.

There is no way to make a plan for or accurately anticipate your time abroad. Of course, I know my semester abroad looks even more different from other years because of the Coronavirus and everything it entails (online school, lockdown, restaurants and cafes are closed, etc.), but even without a worldwide pandemic, everybody’s experiences look different.

“…Even without a worldwide pandemic, everybody’s experiences look different”

If this analogy, of an exchange program being like an improv class, made sense to you, I’m glad. And if it didn’t, whether you’re a fellow exchange student, an interested parent, a prospective traveler or anything in between, that’s also ok. For me, thinking about my experience in this way has been interesting. It helps me to remember everything is part of the experience. Just like improv, there’s no right or wrong way to do an exchange program.

Mollie Block is a high school student from Maryland currently studying abroad in Vienna, Austria with Greenheart Travel.

December 7, 2020
Holidays Abroad: Celebrating Outside of My Comfort Zone in Austria

The holidays are typically about staying in your comfort zone. Though my family celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah, the big hype is usually Hanukkah. Every year we invite at least 20-40 of our closest friends, eat endless amounts of latkes and bagels, say the Hanukkah prayer and enjoy each other’s company for hours.

This year is slightly different since I’m studying in Austria. Well, it’s actually more than slightly different. For one, it’s the first Christmas I’m not with my family. It’s also my first time not celebrating Hanukkah unless you count my family and I lighting the menorah over Skype a Hanukkah celebration. This was my first holiday season outside of my comfort zone.

From Santa Claus to Christkind

Every country has their own customs. Growing up, I thought Santa Claus was a universal thing and that everyone shared the myth of him and his reindeer. However, in Austria, there is no fat, old man in a red suit who stuffs himself down your chimney. Instead they have Christkind. Christkind is an almost angelic figure who comes through the window to deliver your gifts.

The best word in German to describe an Austrian Christmas is “gemütlichkeit.” This phrase is a very well known here and basically translates to coziness, relaxing or just anything to do with being comfortable.

How Christmas Day is Celebrated in Austria

We woke up bright and early on the 24th, which is Christmas day here. For breakfast we ate bread with cheese and meat. Bread is a pretty huge part of the culture. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can expect lots of bread.

Around 11 or so we arrived at the town square (Hauptplatz) where the crowds warmed up on punsch. This warmed juice with alcohol is a Christmas custom. Punsch comes in many flavors, but marillen (apricot) is the more traditional one.

The streets are closed off at this point and a bunch of men on horses come trotting down to the middle of the block. A wagon pulls up with a very talented elderly man and a woman who start singing the infamous Christmas carol “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night). A candle lighting ceremony (“Light of Peace from Bethlehem”) begins shortly after. We carry our lit candles back home.

Every year children reenact the story of Mary and Joseph at the local church. It’s the one day of the year the majority of Korneuburg goes and watches the show for half an hour or so. It was one of my first times being in a church for some kind of religious ceremony. I admit, I was a tad clueless about the story of Mary and Joseph myself, so it was nice to finally see it in person.

We returned home and my host sisters and I all waited in the younger one’s bedroom for twenty minutes. The sound of a bell was our cue to come to the living room. The Christmas tree (christbaum) was decked out with lit candles, süßigkeiten (candy) and ornaments. Handmade weihnachtskekse (cookies) lay on the table, my host mom played her flute and we sang German Christmas carols together as a family for half an hour.

New Year’s Day and the Days of the Three Kings

The rest of my holidays went by fast. Sylvester (New Years) is a pretty big event as well. Every year on New Year’s Day there is a huge concert in Vienna that lasts for three hours and is the highlight of the day. You supposedly have to buy the tickets five years in advance and the “cheapest” ticket is 1,000 euro (1,051 USD). But, no need to fret or empty your wallets. There is a live TV version, as well.

January 3rd through 5th are the days of the three kings. Children of each town dress up as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar (the three Wise Men). It surprised me that the children dressed as Balthazar — a biblical king from Africa — had their faces painted black. I realize this ancient tradition isn’t intended to mock Africans, but it did make me uncomfortable. As someone who stands with the Black Lives Matter community, it felt strange seeing “blackface” in person.

Though it isn’t a practice I personally agree with, I reminded myself I am living in and learning about a different culture. These were innocent kids and to them, this holiday is an old tradition of playing dress up and collecting money for charity.

Winter break of 2016 has been different, but a good experience. I learned new ways to celebrate the holidays while reflecting on my own traditions as well. So far, 2017 has started on a pretty good note and I’m hoping it’ll keep going up from here.

Frohe Weihnachten!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to celebrate the holidays in another country?

December 7, 2020
Want to Experience a European City as a Teen? 10 Reasons Choose Vienna in 2021

Across all Greenheart Travel High School Abroad destinations we prioritize placing students in small town or at biggest regional medium-sized cities. Why? Smaller areas general safer. You’ll get to know members of your community and there will be people looking after you. You’re also less likely to encounter a strong expat community whose common language is English. Smaller areas mean more opportunity for you to strengthen your language skills and make the most out of your time abroad. It also generally means less commute time and a lower cost of living. Win, win!

On our High School Abroad Austria program, students are placed throughout the country, often in stunning mountainside villages, near rolling hills, or charming small cities. But in this country, we make exception to our smaller-area-as-a-preference rule: Vienna, Austria.

As an applicant, you can request to be placed in Vienna for an additional fee. Here’s why:

1.Vienna’s public transportation system is one of the best in the world

For most U.S. teens, trying to get around means relying on older friends with driver’s licenses or constantly asking your parents to take you somewhere. In Vienna, you won’t asking your host family for a ride every time you want to leave the house. Vienna has four different ways for you to explore the city: a subway (U-Bahn), local trains (Schnellbahn or S-Bahn), trams (Straßenbahn), and bus (Autobus). Buy a monthly pass for €51.00 – academic year students might even consider buying an annual pass that costs €1 a day! As long as you communicate well with your host family about where you are and who you’re with, you’ll have lots of freedom to transit wherever you’d like.

(Tip: Don’t forget to download the app Scotty to easily access timetables and train lines.)

2. Compared to other European cities, Vienna is affordable

Greenheart Travel recommends students bring at least $300/month spending money for items like public transportation, shopping, entertainment, and whatever else isn’t covered by your program fee. So if you’ve dreamed of living in a European city – with all it’s perks (see point #1) but cringe at the thought of paying $23 for a big mac (we’re just using McDonald’s as a comparison – please don’t make that your go-to meal abroad!), Vienna is a great option. With money going further, you can do and see more.

3. Vienna was nominated as one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world

For ten years in a row! Attention aspiring urban planners – this is for you! It’s known for its “green spaces, cheap and efficient public transport, and a low crime rate.” Who wouldn’t want to live in a city like that?! If you’ve already tried to convince your parents to let you study abroad you’ll know: safety is one of their biggest concerns. With Vienna’s impressive stats on safety, it won’t be hard to prove it’s a great place for you to study.

High school abroad students eat together.

4. You can easily find German courses for foreigners

There’s no language requirement to apply study in Austria, but you’ll need to put in a lot of effort to learn once you arrive. Luckily, Vienna is full of German courses for foreigners to catch up to speed and excel in school. Need help? Your host family and local coordinator are there to point you in the right direction.

As one student Ximena explains it, coming to Vienna is a great idea because “You get to learn German, a language that is very important and that will help you in your future. I recommend 100%!”

5. Students placed in Vienna have the most options for after schools sports or activities

Being placed in a city means there are a variety of options for afterschool activities. You can find your passion and get involved in what activity you’re dreaming about! (Or in the case of our alum Sarah, you could take German on Mondays and Wednesdays, bass lessons on Tuesdays, and orchestra and circus on Thursdays.) Sports? Photography? Skiing? Cycling? Rowing?

Attention music lovers: if you’re placed just outside Vienna, you’d be able to reap the benefits of living near the city and also play in a village orchestra.

Students at Burgruine Modling excursion

6. You’ll have a jam-packed schedule of excursions and trips

With easy access to Austria’s bordering nations (Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, and Czech Republic), there’s no shortage of possible opportunities to travel. Some students travel with their host families, but if your host family doesn’t travel, our in-country staff have plenty of plans for you. Students can join trips for an additional cost to places like Venice and London, and you’ll also be able to partake in the Welcome Party-Orientation Meeting, a snowboard weekend, yodeling course, and farewell party.

Just last weekend our students traveled with local staff to visit Burgruine Modling, a historic castle. As one student says, “The landscapes are beautiful! Going hiking was a really cool activity because the views from the mountain were so pretty!”

Students at Burgruine Modling excursion

Additional trips not in your budget? Each local coordinator organizes meet ups throughout the year so you and other exchange students can reconnect and experience another aspect of Austrian culture. We hope it includes all of these delicious foods!

7. Have a special academic interest? You can request a specialized school

While we could go on and on about all of the incredible exploring you’ll do in Vienna, we can’t forget to mention school. That’s one of the main reasons you’re studying abroad! Most exchange students take the same compulsory subjects like German, English, Math, Biology, History, etc., but Austria also has specialized schools you can request. There are schools focused on things like sports, music, science, economics, tourism, handicrafts, and agriculture. Meeting fellow students who share your interests is a great way to jumpstart friendships and find commonalities.

8. Students won’t stop gushing over it

We think Vienna is pretty awesome, but don’t just take our word for it! “Vienna has become my favorite city ever. It is soooo pretty, it feels so safe, it’s a great place to hang out with your friends, it is so easy to get there, the museums are amazing, it is really a beautiful city!” says Ximena.

Well, count us in! What about you?

October 15, 2020
Australia Vs New Zealand:  Which Country Should You Visit?

Australia and New Zealand may seem similar on the surface. Both countries have stunning beaches, beautiful natural landscapes, and a laid-back attitude. We promise these destinations are not the same, although we admit their flags are very similar. Here are some key differences that you might want to consider when choosing between the lands down under.

Size

Australia is physically huge (about the same size as the United States) but the population is 24.6 million. To put that in perspective, there are more people living in the state of Texas. Most Ozzies live on the coast, making traveling between cities a bit of a trek. For example, if you wanted to go from Brisbane to Perth, it would either be a 5-hour flight or a 46-hour drive. Traveling within the country is doable as long as you don’t mind long road trips or dropping some cash of flights.

New Zealand is significantly smaller both in size and population. There are only about 4.8 million residents, which is less than the number of people living in Alabama. Because of its size, New Zealand is a bit more accessible, but that shouldn’t leave you to believe that there’s less to do.

Activities & Nature

Activities and nature go hand and hand in these countries. You’re going to have to be an outdoorsy person to really experience all that Australia and New Zealand have to offer.

Australia is dryer with more red dirt, making activities like hiking popular. Travelers often visit the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site where people can hike and take tours. People also tend to live near the beach, so water activities are going to be plentiful.

If you’re looking for something indoors, Australia also has a thriving nightlife scene. The Sydney Opera house is one of the most famous tourist attractions, but there’s much more to do beyond that.

New Zealand is a very lush green country that will definitely push you out of your comfort zone. Kayaking, rafting, and diving are just a few prominent adventurous activities.

Something very unique to New Zealand is Hobbiton. You don’t have to be a fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise to be in awe of the remaining pieces from the movie set in “Middle Earth,” aka Matamata.

Wildlife

Kangaroos (or “roos” as they are called) are abundant in Australia. They are to Australia as deer are in the United States. You may also see koalas, quokkas, wombats, and emus.

The most recognized animal in New Zealand is the kiwi, the bird in which term for locals refers to. But they are not as common as you might think. In fact, kiwis are an endangered species. What you probably WILL see are sheep- lots and lots of sheep! It’s said that the sheep population outweighs the human population.

Cost of Living

Australia and New Zealand both fall on the pricier side when it comes to the cost of living. Australia tends to be more expensive but jobs pay higher wages to accommodate.

Each country has its own currency. $1.00m USD is $1.46 AUD and $1.58 NZD, to put it into perspective.

History & Culture

Australia and New Zealand were both invaded by the British government, but originally they were each inhibited by Māori (New Zealand ) and Aboriginals (Australia).

Maori culture in New Zealand is still present. For example, “kia ora” is a common greeting that means “hello” in Māori You will also find Māori names for places.

Aboriginal culture in Australia is less apparent as it’s been largely wiped out through colonization. In the 20th century, Aboriginals could be jailed for speaking their native language, Wiradjuri. It is a sensitive topic in Australia, as extensive damage that has been done. If you’re interested in learning more, there are Aboriginal communities living in Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Food

Both countries eat a lot of fresh fish and fruit, so there is quite a bit of crossover when it comes to cuisine. You will find dishes like prawns, fish n’ chips, and meat pies in both places.

Remember when we said kangaroos are to Australia like deer are to the United States? Do you see where we’re going with this? Yes, people DO eat kangaroo meat, so don’t be surprised if you see it in the grocery store.

You probably won’t find familiar packaged brand products in Australia, but local favorites are TimTams, Violet Crumble, and of course, Vegemite.

In New Zealand, crayfish, sea urchin, and hokey pokey ice cream (honeycomb) are uniquely popular. Jaffas are the candy of choice. If you want to try a something extra special, Hangi is a Maori dish consisting of meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven.

November 11, 2019
5 Reasons Studying Abroad in High School Will Change Your Life

You are googling high school abroad. You are scrolling through Instagram to see all the inspiring travel photos. You are preparing a powerpoint to easily present this crazy idea to your parents – they may even have said “Yes!!”. You’ve watched all the Youtubers you can and you are ready to go!! What is stopping you? In case you need even more inspiration to take that leap – here is a helpful list of the ways you will be forever changed if you do decide to go on a high school abroad program.

Be part of a select group.

Did you know only about 1,200 students go on a high school abroad program every year? That is for the entire United States! You will be one of the select few students who actually becomes an exchange student in high school.

Develop practical language skills.

There is NO better way to gain fluency in another language. I get asked all the time if it would be better to study abroad in college and don’t get me wrong that is wonderful BUT the problem is you don’t usually get the same level of language and cultural immersion. How you can settle in and learn about the daily life of your host country and how can you have any hope of gaining fluency in the language if you are with international students and speaking English all day.

Have roots on the other side of the world

The host family you stay with will be your family for your whole life! How beautiful is that? You essentially become their son/daughter, you do life with them and that is a bond that lasts. Ask anyone who was an exchange student in high school and they will tell you that even into adulthood, they stay in touch with and visit their Host family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for a sincere connection with a family abroad. Not to mention your local friends.

Experience being independent

If you study abroad in High school, there is nothing that will intimidate you. If you can leave your comfort zone and spend three months, a semester, or (eek!) a year of high school abroad. You will become SO much more confident, independent, and mature. It’s amazing and you are learning a million things that you could never learn if you stay home.

Prepare for the future

You’ll get much more out of your college years if you study abroad in high school. So many students go to college and have no idea what they want to do. I sure didn’t! Living in another country and seeing another part of the world really helps you understand yourself better and move into your college years with more confidence and clarity.

I hope this list was helpful. If you are still unsure, I’d be happy to talk discuss the options with you or your parents or you can reach out to past and current participants in our Facebook group. Here is my calendar, find a time that works for you and we’ll talk soon!

August 12, 2019

Next Step After Teen Summer Language Camp: High School Abroad

So you just finished your Teen Summer Language Camp. You’ve embraced life with a host family, sampled your new favorite foods, accelerated your language skills and met other teens from all over the world. But the summer is coming to a close, and you wish you could do it all over again, or at least stay abroad a little longer.

And you can! By being an exchange student on a High School Abroad program!

Now, let’s not get confused. Teen Summer Language Camp is NOT just a short version of High School Abroad. The two programs are totally different but go hand in hand.

Here are some of the similarities and differences broken down:

	High School Abroad	Teen Summer Language Camp
School	Local high school	Language school
Accommodation	Host family	Host family or residence hall
Length	Summer (1-2 months), trimester, semester, or academic year	2-6 weeks
When	Summer, Fall, Spring	Summer

Both Teen Summer Language Camp and High School abroad offer full language and cultural immersion, but the lengths and experiences are vastly different.

After successfully completing a Teen Summer Language Camp, you’re ready for the new experiences, joys and challenges that come with studying abroad in a local high school for a longer period.

Greenheart Traveler Alexander Obenchain always knew he wanted to study abroad in high school in Japan. In Summer 2018, a Teen Summer Language Camp in Tokyo was the first step to help him prepare for his academic year high school study abroad in 2019. Easing into the language and culture of Japan in Summer 2018 allowed Alexander to hit the ground running when he landed in Japan for his high school program.

“Coming for a smaller amount of time helped me prepare for the difference in atmosphere between here and the states,” he explains. “It was certainly a good thing to have studied the language a little bit more in-depth beforehand. I can also compare my skills from now to then.”

And navigating the Japanese train system? He figured that out a long time ago!

But you don’t have to return to the same country you went to for your Language Camp. Maybe you went to Salamanca, Spain in the summer, and now that you know you can handle being far from home, want to explore Sweden!

So is studying abroad in a local high school right for you? With improved language skills, you’ll be ready to learn subjects like math, science, and drama in another language. After living with a host family for a few weeks, you can anticipate how much you can learn about a country and its culture through observing (and living) day-to-day life abroad. You’ve proven to your parents that you’re independent, capable and problem-solving.

You’ve gotten a taste, now it’s time to thrive.

August 9, 2019

8 Ways to Support Your Child While Abroad

When you’re a parent sending your child abroad, you know there’s a lot they must prepare for: culture shock, homesickness, and language barriers. But your children aren’t the only ones experiencing a life change.

“This was definitely a learning experience for the parents as well!” says Lisa Hall, mother of high school in Sweden alum Matilda. “It was very hard to not be there to help when things were tough.”

So what can you do? Miles away from your children, how can you still support them? We asked parents of Greenheart Travel alumni share their insight on how you can best support your child while they’re abroad. Here are their tips.

Before they go abroad, talk about life when they return

“Prior to him leaving for the 6 months, we did discuss what he wanted to do at his school in the US during his junior year. He decided he would try to run for student council office while he was overseas. And unbeknownst to his dad and I – he did run, campaigned via Instagram and won the vice president spot for the upcoming junior class here in the US. The lesson to learn…. make goals with your child and then let your child be the captain of that ship while he is away.” -Bonnie Green, mother of high school in New Zealand alum Graham.

Agree on a weekly time to talk – and stick with it

Schedule a time and way to communicate in advance, that way you are both on the same page. For example, decide that they need to check-in on Sundays around 7:00 pm their time via WhatsApp. This way, you don’t need to send them texts throughout the day because you’ll already have a set time to catch up.

Mary Scott, mother of language camp in Spain alum Emmy, explains why it’s so important to give space. “While she was abroad, we made sure we weren’t constantly bombarding her with texts and skype calls which at first was difficult. However, we knew she would have a more enriching experience if she wasn’t having to think about us back in Michigan the whole time. We wanted her to be able to completely devote herself to speaking Spanish and learning about her new environment.”

For Hall, being far from her daughter was “hard in a different way when she was having so much fun, there was hardly any contact! But that was the best kind of growth for us all.”

Olivia McCollum at her high school while studying abroad in Japan

Recognize that YOUR life is going to change

Your life at home is undoubtedly going to change. For Bonnie Green, she and her husband experienced being empty nesters for the first time.

Her advice? Take this opportunity and focus on you.

“Make a list of things YOU want to do while your child is away. My husband and I took dance lessons, had adult only (no children) dinner parties, accomplished house updates, traveled to visit our children who were away at college, visited aging parents, put in extra time at work and started hiking more.”

And that leads us to our next point…

Don’t say how much you miss them or how much you want them home

Your child will most likely be homesick at some point, and it can be really hard to go through that while hearing pleads to come home. Being asked to come back and hearing about what they are missing at home can make a hard day so much worse.

Instead, tell them that you are so excited to hear about their adventures when they are back.

Jacob Dane Chilton with host family in Spain

Encourage them to reach out to local staff and take initiative

Part of why going abroad builds confidence and leadership skills is because travelers are expected to speak up and handle themselves. Instead of telling your teen what to do, or doing things on their behalf, allow them the opportunity to be independent. This is especially important when handling the pre-departure logistics so that they don’t feel totally lost when stepping foot in the airport. “When a problem comes up, discuss the different ways it can be solved instead of jumping in and telling them what to do.” says Scott.

The best thing you can do for your teen is to let them practice communicating with adults and learning how to manage themselves. It can be hard to trust your child to do everything right but giving them that space to grow will make them better prepared for their program (and life).

“I think it is vital that while your child is aboard that he/she become a part of their new community,” says Green. “While he did stay in touch with friends in the states, he made friends in NZ. The small town even had a send-off for him and took him to the airport.”

Read about their country and take interest when they share new knowledge

A great way to get involved in their experience is by learning more about the culture in the country in which they’re going. As you learn about your child’s new home, take note of what your child is excited about. “I was sure to listen to all the positive details, no matter how small!” says Hall.

You could practice making a tortilla española or start listening to the music of traditional Austrian brass band and surprise them with your newfound knowledge.

Greenheart staff member Allison Yates’s mom started learning Spanish when she studied abroad in Argentina. “She knew that Spanish was a huge part of my life, so it meant so much that she wanted to learn it too! It helped her feel like she understood my experience more,” says Yates.

Students attending high school abroad in the Netherlands

Educate yourself on what they might be feeling – and how you can help from afar

A great way to get a sense of the mental and emotional experience of studying abroad is by completing the Greenheart Travel Atlas along with your child. This is tool for before, during, and after the cultural exchange experience that includes personal and professional development, cultural understanding and environmental awareness.

For example, if your normally independent child calls you multiple times a day when they first arrive in the country, you’ll remember it’s likely initial culture shock. You can remind them to follow the Greenheart Travel Atlas tools to overcome this stage and focus on meeting new people and spending time with their host family.

Halls says she supported Matilda by “making sure she knew I was there to talk about things, whether they were positive or negative. I tried to give her as much time as I could, but not to have it be open-ended or all the time.”

While your first instinct might be to check in more frequently, increased contact with friends and family back home only exacerbates culture shock.

Rest easy – they’re in good hands

“We had to give up our control and trust in the goodness and professionalism of others. We did our research, chose a great partner in Greenheart, and raised a strong daughter,” s ays Laura Foster, mother of high school abroad Costa Rica alum, Eleanor.

As parents and former exchange students, Greenheart and our in-country partners know what it’s like to be far from your family, and we work to equip students with the tools they need to succeed.

July 25, 2019
The Student Visa Process Broken Down Step-By-Step

If you’ve ever gone abroad before you have most likely had to fill out some sort of international documents and paperwork. It’s a drag. Who wants to fill out what seems like form after form when you could be creating a travel itinerary of all of the places you are dreaming of going! However, this paperwork plays an important part in keeping you safe and accounted for while traveling abroad. More often than not, your duration and reason for travel determine how much paperwork and planning you have to do.

This blog will serve as a guide to my experience with obtaining a Student Visa at the Spanish Consulate in Chicago. Currently, I am nearing the end of the process of applying for a Spanish Student Visa. I will be studying at the Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain next year for nine months and couldn’t be more thrilled!

Don’t know what a visa is? Click here.

To be honest, I’ve never really minded filling out paperwork, especially when it came to cultural exchange; I knew it meant that I was one step closer to getting off that plane and interacting with locals. However, I’m going to be frank and say that this application was no walk in the park. Because I will be studying in Spain for over 90 days, I needed to apply for a student visa, and because I would be staying over 6 months, there were additional documents I needed to obtain.

Before I could even start on all of this paperwork, I needed to figure out where my closest Spanish Consulate was and make an appointment no sooner than three months before the start of my university classes. Since I live in Michigan, the closest consulate was in Chicago, a place where I luckily know quite a few people (Greenheart Travel 💚). With my appointment date set, I got to work on the long list of things I needed to acquire.

National Visa Application

I got this from off of the consulate’s website and filled it out with some help from my program coordinator. This form needs to be completed in capital letters and with DD/MM/YYYY format. Once it was filled out, I glued one of my passport photos to it and made a copy.

Money Order

For the Chicago Spanish Consulate, the current fee for a student visa was $160. They do not accept cash or check so I went to my post office to get a money order. I paperclipped this to my application form.

Prepaid/ Pre-addressed USPS Priority Express Envelope and Disclaimer Form

This envelope is a bit pricey ($30 ish) but guarantees that your documents will be delivered quickly and safely. I put the consulate’s address on the “From” and my home address on “To.” The disclaimer form is found on the instructions form from the consulate and states that you are allowing the consulate to mail your passport with the visa back to you.

Original Passport and ID

A passport was something I luckily had already so there was no extra paperwork there. Keep in mind that generally, a valid passport is one that will not expire for at least six months after the date you leave the foreign country. I photocopied my passport as well as my university student ID, and my driver’s license. Be sure to bring your actual passport and cards to the appointment as well.

Two Passport Photos

I got these taken at the study abroad office on my university’s campus for $3, but you can get these taken at a lot of places like the post office or Walgreens.

Original Hardcopy Acceptance Letter, Evidence of Funds, and Proof of Health Insurance

Since I am going through a study abroad provider, this was all taken care of and sent to me.

All three of these needed to be in Spanish or have a translation. The acceptance letter was to prove I was enrolled as a full-time student, the evidence of funds was to assure that I would be able to pay for my program, and the proof of health insurance was to cover any medical fees I might obtain during my stay. I made a copy of each of these forms.

Medical Certificate (For stays over 180 days)

On the consulate’s website, this is one of two additional forms to print out for stays over 180 days. I just made a normal appointment for a physical and brought in the paper. This form states that you are in good physical and mental health and do not have pre-existing conditions. There was a little confusion at my appointment as the form had a Spanish translation of what it said in English that needed to be stamped and signed as well. Because there wasn’t a translator in my doctor’s office that day they wouldn’t stamp it (surprising for a town that has a significant Hispanic population), so I had to come back the next week when the translator was in. I made a copy of this form.

FBI Background Check with an Apostille (For stays over 180 days)

This document was definitely the most frustrating and tiring of them all. It began by going through a service called Accurate Biometrics (there are a few to choose from) to get my fingerprints scanned and sent to the FBI to run the background check. This was relatively easy as I made an appointment online then went into a FedEx office for the scan. It cost about $40 and took just about ten minutes. My results were sent to me the next day through my email.

This is when it became difficult. I needed to get an Apostille of the Hague Convention (this is a kind of “stamp” that makes the document internationally recognized) issued by the US Department of State in Washington DC. I hadn’t received any direction on what this was or how to get it so I emailed my program coordinator and went on the government website. Since I had a little over a month until my appointment at the consulate, I decided not to go through an expensive apostille service and just send it to the Office of Authentications myself. In my envelope, I needed to include my FBI background check, an apostille request form (called a DS-4194), a check for $8 (that was the fee for my document), and a pre-paid addressed USPS envelope for them to send me my document back.

I had read that this would take about 10 or 12 days. When it got to be around that point, I called the office to check my document status. After waiting about 20 minutes on hold, they told me that I was not in the system and that it must be in their mail room still being sorted. I knew I should’ve gotten tracking for this envelope… I called back multiple times over the next couple days and got the same response every time. I started to panic a little as my visa appointment quickly approached. With an urge from my study abroad coordinator, I swallowed my pride and contacted an apostille service. Because I didn’t have much time left before my appointment I was forced to get the “rush” service which was about $300 altogether.

With $300 drained from my bank account, but a bit more peace of mind, I waited for my last document to arrive. It came by mail with 3 days before my appointment. Because this also had to be translated into Spanish, I went through the company One Hour Translation. With my FBI background check and the Apostille, it was around $45 and was sent back to me within 50 minutes. After I received these last forms, I compiled everything into an envelope and waited for my appointment.

But you’ll never guess what showed up in the mail the day before my appointment…

My ORIGINAL FBI background check with Apostille. Yes, the one I DIDN’T have to pay $300 for… My only advice is – buy tracking for your envelopes.

The Appointment

On the day of my appointment, I woke up pretty early to catch a train from Michigan City, IN to Chicago. I got to the consulate a bit early; because there wasn’t a sign in sheet, I sat down and waited to be called. Once called up to the window, I handed over all of my documents and passport. The official checked them all and handed back the originals (to be used while in Spain) and kept the copies. All that was left to do was give him my envelope and disclaimer form. This appointment took no more than 5 minutes. He even thanked me for being so organized and following the instructions!

To be honest, this process was probably one of the hardest and most mentally taxing things I’ve ever had to do. However, I know I truly am one step closer to experiencing new changes; changes that will introduce new people, insights, and ideas to my life.

This post is an example of a student’s perspective of applying for a student visa. This is not a step-by-step guide for applying for student visas. Each country (and each consulate) has different requirements. While Greenheart cannot apply for your visa for you, we provide detailed application instructions and support during the application process.

June 27, 2019
VIDEO: High School Exchange Students Interview Each Other

When deciding whether or not to study abroad as a high school student your mind is likely full of questions like “Will I make friends!?” or “What if I’m lonely?” While we are here to can support you as much as possible through things like the Greenheart Travel Atlas, nothing can beat hearing first-hand from two Greenheart high school study abroad students about their experience.

Ian is an American who studied abroad in France with Greenheart Travel. Paula is a Spaniard who studied abroad in the USA with Greenheart Exchange. How are their stories the same/similar? Watch to find out!

May 28, 2019
4 Ways Studying Abroad in High School Can Impact Getting Into College

At Greenheart Travel, we’re huge fans of studying abroad as a teen. Studying abroad in high school has enormous benefits for your confidence, language skills and personal growth.

But the truth is, high school study abroad isn’t only about emotional and personal growth. It also positively impacts your college applications, including how you explain why you’re choosing your major, applying for specialized scholarships, and proving you’re the right candidate for the school.

Snorkeling in Ningaloo Marine Park, Australia.

I know what you’re thinking: but what about the gaps on my transcript, or if I don’t get credit for the classes I take abroad?! (pro-tip: read this blog post if you’re worried about transferring credits!) Well I’ve got news for you! It’s okay. And those gaps are easily explained in essays and open-ended questions on the application.

Here are the top 4 ways studying abroad in high school positively impacts your college application.

1. You’ll Make Your College Application Stand Out

When I spoke to Kyle, an admissions officer at the University of Chicago, he said, “Anything that makes your application stand out is a good thing.”

Student surfing the Australian coast.

Study abroad in high school takes guts – and that’s a good thing. We’re not afraid to tell you it’s going to be hard sometimes, especially when it comes to facing language barriers, making new friends, and navigating a whole new culture and host family. But what do struggles mean? Growth.

When life gets hard and we learn to solve problems and overcome challenges, we reap the benefits across the board, but we also have a great story to tell – a story that is sure to help you write a heartfelt, powerful admissions essay.

Student on a bridge in Malmo, Sweden.

Plus, your high school study abroad shows you have the maturity, independence and adaptability to hit the ground running when you get to college, and there’s nothing that pleases an admissions officer more than feeling confident you’ll make their school shine.

“A lot of schools are looking for a diverse perspective, and international experiences lend themselves to that,” Kyle said.

2. Scholarship Applications and Interviews Will be A Breeze

After studying abroad, you’ll have some specialized and specific knowledge – and probably language skills – that will allow you to find specific scholarships for what you’re looking to study.

Two students in Salzburg, Austria.

For example, Sierra Winters, a current full-ride Robertson Scholar at Duke University, found her passion for food systems and refugees while studying abroad with Greenheart Travel in Austria, and came back to the U.S. to fundraise for the Syrian Refugee Crisis efforts. “It was a challenging experience, and it was one that I was passionate about, and it lent me the genuineness for which colleges and scholarship programs are looking,” she says.

Plus, after you’ve spent a semester studying abroad in a high school where you don’t know the language and have had to make presentations in front of tons of students…. Speaking about your experience to an interviewer will be a breeze!

Student with homestay parents in Spain.

3. You’ll Know What You Want to Study

Studying abroad in high school opens you to a world of possibilities that you’ve probably never thought of. Seeing what’s out there will help you hone in your skills and passions before you start college. The average college student changes their major several times before graduation and, while we love exploration, it’s better for your pocket and time to already have a clear sense of what you want to study.

Students in the mountains in Argentina.

Greenheart Travel High School Abroad in Argentina alum Erin Clark went to Argentina in 2013 thinking she wanted to study business. Once she got to Argentina, she realized she was far more interested in the travel industry. She decided she wanted to study hospitality and tourism, and “that changed what universities I was looking at, and that’s how I found Niagara University,” she explains.

Imagine how different her life would be now if she hadn’t studied abroad!

4. You’ll Have the Confidence to Say Yes to New Opportunities

You might have already heard the phrase “travel bug.” It means that once you get a taste, you want to eat the whole cake! All of us at Greenheart Travel have the travel bug, and we see that as a good thing.

Latern festival on a street in Japan.

Once you see the life-changing experience of studying abroad in high school, you’ll be inspired to seek out more new and different experiences, like volunteer trips, internships, discovering new places and meeting new people.

Climbing the waterfalls in New Zealand.

“[Study Abroad] put my foot in the door for any job I want – I’m always the first to apply for jobs and I’m very driven, and I go out and get things done,” says Clark.

That’s an attitude that will positively affect every aspect of your life!

March 6, 2019