Syracuse University students currently studying in Madrid, Spain made their way onto the local news earlier this month. During their first week in Spain, while participating in the Syracuse MadridMarine Ecology Signature Seminar, students partook in a unique activity giving back to the ecosystem that caught the attention of the local media in Alicante.
Torrevieja TV covered the story and noted the work of the Syracuse University students and their impact on the environment. Their volunteer work removing vegetation and plant life was a hands-on learning experience that demonstrated how different civilizations have “humanized” the Mediterranean environment.
On Jan. 26, students, faculty and staff are invited to the annual Summer Study Abroad Fair, to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Miron Learning Commons at Bird Library. Students will have the opportunity to meet with Summer International Program advisors, faculty who will be leading summer programs and Syracuse Abroad summer program alumni.
This summer, students can choose from 23 unique summer programs through Syracuse Abroad. With programs in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and even virtual opportunities, students can experience the new cultures and immersive experiential learning while earning academic credit in a condensed period of time.
Congratulations to the 10 students who have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships for upcoming study abroad programs in spring 2023. The total amount received by the students is $41,000, with the average award size being $4,000.
Check out these tips about how to to best acclimate to a new city while you’re abroad for a summer or semester!
Experience new cultures in the Borough Market
From Japanese ramen to Colombian coffee, the Borough Market is home to several food stalls where you can truly appreciate the diversity of those in London. It offers you the ability to embrace new cultures and grow closer to others through a shared love of food. If you’re not careful, you could spend the whole day meandering through the many alleys of the market!
But eating food is just one example of what you can do to catch a glimpse of the many people residing in this vast city. True appreciation of London’s distinction as a melting pot of people starts with acknowledging that those you encounter come from different backgrounds with a life’s worth of lived experiences that may differ from your own. Equally important is familiarizing yourself with the cultural and social norms of the city. My curiosity and desire to learn about others led me to do just this in my brief time in London. By sharing my experiences encountering people in London, I hope to make the process of learning about London—and its inhabitants—seem less daunting to do.
Borough Market’s delivery service
Using London’s public transportation (P.S. don’t be too loud!)
My first experience on the tube—the equivalent of a subway in New York City—started off with continued side-glances by other passengers. Confused as to why this was happening, I chose to ignore them and continued my conversation with my classmates until we reached our destination.
I thought nothing of this encounter until a similar occurrence happened just one day later. In this instance, a passenger chose to switch cars after my classmates and I had boarded the tube. We would later come to learn, however, that the problem lied with our speaking volume while on the tube. Those in London prefer to sit in silence or in quiet spaces, and my classmates and I—not knowing this—unintentionally challenged this social norm. The next time we boarded public transportation, we were cognizant of this new information and to respect those around us, we lowered the volume at which we spoke at.
A penny—worthless or a valuable treasure?
When I first exchanged dollars for British pounds, I was fascinated by the texture and appearance of this currency. It differed greatly from the standard dollar bills and coins that I was so accustomed to seeing, that every little detail in the currency sparked interest in me. When I first paid at a gift shop using British currency, I shared this interest of mine with the store clerk. She chuckled and claimed that there was nothing special about their bills and coins.
Yet, when a penny fell out of my wallet onto the counter, she was astounded at the sight of it. She rejoiced that she had always wanted to see what a penny looked like, and within a minute, our roles had reversed. She, who had no interest in her own currency was suddenly intrigued by a penny—something I do not regard highly. This interaction with the store clerk highlighted the fact that learning about others can not only bring joy to yourself but to the other party as well.
In short, you will inevitably make mistakes when first arriving in the city, but it’s important to make an effort to address this and appreciate London for what it is—an amalgamation of people from around the world. Even though you may think an interaction as mundane as paying for your souvenir can offer no value to you, think twice as it might make someone’s day and fulfill their lifelong wish.
Can I study abroad? Is it something I can afford? Students often find themselves dwelling on these questions, fearing that it could hinder their ability to participate in a study abroad program. Because opportunities to cover program costs tend to be daunting or less known to students, it may dissuade them from even exploring their options. If this is the case for you, do not stress! With adequate research and support, studying abroad can be financially feasible.
Follow along to learn about budgeting while abroad at the Syracuse London Center!
The pre-application process
Education about financing a study abroad experience is important and universities have shifted the narrative to show that studying abroad is achievable for students with diverse financial and academic backgrounds. When determining if studying abroad is possible for you, you should leverage study abroad staff as well as the external scholarship platforms at your disposal. Being proactive in the process of searching for financial opportunities can assuage your worries and convince you to apply to this unique academic experience.
I’ve been accepted – now what?
Congratulations! Now it’s time to consider the various avenues available to you to help pay for this program. Reach out to both your financial and study abroad advisor to talk through these options and learn more about scholarships you may be eligible for. Syracuse University offers additional aid if studying at one of their centers over the summer, so this is an added benefit of studying at the London Center! Students who currently receive a federal Pell grant and are U.S. citizens are also eligible to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which is federally funded and helps cover the cost of program fees, flight expenses, meals, and more!
I’m in London! What can I eat? Where can I shop for food?
London is truly a melting pot, and once you arrive in the city, it is clear to see. On any given street there is a myriad of restaurants, boutiques, and stores that represent the numerous cultures of those residing in London. Take this opportunity to try food that you’re not used to! Note that a meal plan is not included when studying at the London Center, so, keep in mind that eating out every day for every meal eventually adds up to a large expense. An alternative to this is…cooking!
Depending on the length of your stay, consider buying food to eat as needed, instead of splurging at Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, or Tesco (popular grocery stores in London) and having to throw away extra food. Finding a balance between eating at home and eating out is important, but don’t stress, once you acclimate to London, this will be easier to do!
Groceries in London for £15.31.
How can I travel around the city on a budget?
Navigating a new city is hard for anyone to do, but Syracuse University has made it a bit easier for students. By offering those studying at the Syracuse London Center a prepaid Oyster card—equivalent to a MetroCard in New York City—students can travel to many areas in London for free and make the most of their experience. The Oyster Card allows access to London’s public transportation (the bus and the tube) in zones 1 and 2 of London. Black taxi cabs are abundant in London but they tend to be a more expensive form of travel.
Alternatively, you can walk or bike! Taking a walk around London allows you to see sights that you would’ve missed if you took public transportation and is more common in London than you may think. Be careful when crossing the roads, however, as cars are coming from the opposite side of the road! Luckily, London has considered this, and often at an intersection, there are instructions written on the road of which direction to look before crossing the street. Biking is especially common in London, and as such, bike lanes are also incorporated into lanes on roads. So, watch out for both bikes and cars when walking around the city.
Where can I visit without spending money?
Luckily, London is home to several museums, galleries, and parks that are free to visit! With research, you will be able to find a list of such places. An example of two that are close to the Syracuse London Center includes the British Museum and the National Gallery.
You can also dedicate a day to exploring Westminster and seeing the many sights it has to offer! All within walking distance, you will be able to see the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St James Park, and Trafalgar Square. Remember to carry around your student ID to take advantage of student discounts!
Walking through St. James park
Final Takeaways
Moral of the story— yes, studying abroad on a budget is possible! Just be sure to do your research beforehand and balance your expenses.
Do you want to study abroad, but you don’t know when to do it? As you make your pros and cons list for what you want out of your experience, consider this list of five reasons to study abroad in Fall 2023!
The application cycle is now open for fall 2023 semester study abroad programs! Choose from over 100 different program options in 60 locations – studying engineering in Strasbourg, France; Spanish language studies in Madrid, Spain or Santiago, Chile or even Film studies in Prague!
Check out our options for your next semester abroad:
Start planning for your fall 2023 semester abroad and apply now!. The application deadline is March 15 and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. All students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as some programs have limited space. For exact deadline dates, refer to each program’s specific application page.
For more information about fall programs, you can schedule an appointment with an International Program Advisor or make a General Advising appointment to explore options. In-person advising appointments will take place at the Syracuse Abroad satellite office, SyracuseAbroad@Bird, located on the Lower Level of Bird Library.
As a finance and accounting double major, Leah Ford ’23 studied abroad in Madrid, Spain last spring. She answers our most frequently asked questions: how to choose a program, favorite courses, living like a local, challenges abroad and more.
My name is Alyeska Reimer, and I am currently a senior Theatre Management and Spanish student. I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain in the Spring of 2022 and I couldn’t have been happier with the experience!
My SU Madrid experience was actually a little different because I was enrolled in the UAM program as well. This meant that I took half of my classes at one of the best Spanish Universities alongside Spanish students and other international students as well. The classes were challenging, but my language ability improved so much and I met friends that I’m still in touch with! The program was also about a month longer than SU Madrid program was, but I felt that it gave me more time to settle into my homestay and really get to know Madrid.
The SU Abroad center in Madrid was also a great place to take classes, grab a café con leche in the cafeteria, and connect with the staff. They were always super helpful in helping me navigate my class schedules, work study, organizing tutors, and letting us know what activities to check out in the city. Additionally, they were a great resource whenever I needed health appointments and made me feel prepared to get tested for Covid and even find allergy testing when I needed it.
I had a lovely experience living with my host mom, María José, in an apartment by the Real Madrid Stadium. She helped me practice my Spanish by talking with me about my day and sharing with her family, watching the show “Pasapalabra” together most days of the week, and eating dinners together. She also helped me get familiar with public transportation on busses and metros – I had never lived in a city before, but I sure do have an appreciation for Spanish transportation now!
One of the best ways I found to get involved was to participate with the Erasmus program. This was a program run through the Spanish public universities that had a jam-packed schedule of social and cultural activities for international students (generally European, but we took advantage of this!). They would have weekly conversation groups, occasional trips, and more! I participated in an Improv group every Tuesday night and had so much fun, and I also loved the trip they sponsored to volunteer at an animal sanctuary.
I am grateful I experienced the UAM program as well because now I feel more confident in my speaking and comprehension. This study abroad experience has inspired me to apply for a Fulbright in Mexico in order to immerse myself in another Spanish speaking country and expand my cultural awareness even further. I really hope you consider traveling abroad during your years at SU!
Hi! My name is Danielle Luing, Syracuse University Class of 2025, and I am currently a double major in Marketing and Finance with a minor in Sociology. So, study abroad- woo! I chose my specific program because I applied in December of my freshman year. I was, and still am, so young, but wanted to be able to get a head start on my Whitman abroad requirement. I also wanted to be able to get a feel for studying abroad early on in my time at SU, so I could decide if I wanted to go for a whole semester. I chose to apply to the London program as it was important to me to go to a country that primarily spoke English as its primary language since I have Celiac Disease and wanted to be able to communicate with people so I would not get sick from what I was eating.
The course I took was “Business of Nightlife in London”. This has been my favorite course as well as favorite professor I have had during my time here at SU. The professors and staff are so personable and really get to know you so well, in London, since there are not that many students there during each specific block. This really helped me feel more comfortable being in a new country, as I knew I had people who cared about me at the Syracuse London Center. My class really helped integrate me into the new area I was in, since multiple assignments required us to go to London nightlife events and write reflections/study the dynamic of the event. My professor was quite knowledgeable about the subject as he was a club promoter, so he truly knew the industry better as he directly worked with it in the past. This class also allowed for us students to be involved in extracurricular activities, as my professor set up private events for us to go to outside of class- one being a lesson on the art of being a DJ and matching beats.
One of the highlights of my trip was the Syracuse sponsored trip to Oxford. It was one of my favorite experiences during my time in London as I believe it really allowed the group to bond. Not everyone in Block 2 went on this trip, so having a smaller number of people really allowed us to connect. From time spent on the bus, to all living on the same floor at the hotel, to the tours of Oxford where we got to interact with one another, it truly brought us all closer and made us a little Syracuse London family. The school-sponsored trips are truly so worth it, and I would highly recommend taking advantage of everything they plan as they are the experts on that country and will allow you to explore without having to plan everything.
I lived in a four person flat which was about ten minutes away from Faraday House. The housing accommodations Syracuse chooses are better than one would think. At least for me, in London, I felt very safe in the area I stayed in, as it was a community of college students, some being from Syracuse and others from different schools. My roommate and I were able to have our own bathroom, and then my other two housemates had their own bathroom, which was very nice. The kitchen was also a fully functioning kitchen, which made it easy to try to budget and allowed us to cook for ourselves instead of eating out for every meal. I feel like when I look back at the slideshows presented to us at our London meetings, I was worried about how small the flats would be, and we were warned that this was a city and the living quarters were going to be smaller than usual. I was greatly surprised when my double room was actually bigger than my room at Syracuse University, and the bathroom was bigger than the pods I was used to in the dorms. Overall, much better than I anticipated, and nothing to be stressed about before going. New housing options available as of fall 2022.
Studying abroad truly changed my perspective on the world, and made me realize that I do not want to solely live in the U.S. after I graduate. It made me start to think about jobs that would give me the opportunity to live in London, and look into graduate programs that would allow me to take classes in a different country than I am right now. I plan to travel more in the future, as I feel more confident knowing that I was able to adjust once to a totally new country and culture and feel more comfortable doing that again. I’ve learned to be more confident in myself and what I can do, since I never thought I would have the courage to go to a whole new country alone, and end up thriving.
