Job Search While Abroad

     Last fall I was faced with the decision to either study abroad sophomore, junior, or senior year.  Since I play soccer, I realistically could only study abroad in the spring.  I think everyone can agree that no one wants to study abroad spring semester senior year.  If I chose sophomore year my program would be with the liberal arts college of Emory University, but my junior year program would be with Goizueta Business School of Emory (I am a Business & Spanish double major.)  A GBS advisor posed the question, “Are you willing to sacrifice your dream internship junior year for study abroad?”  My answer: No (obviously) I wanted to live out both of my dreams… Sophomore year was the winner.


     Even though I am only a sophomore, I am still trying to find a rewarding and challenging internship this summer.  I have realized that searching for a job while abroad is definitely more difficult but not impossible.  Taking the risk to study abroad, being bilingual, and overcoming the challenges of communication and adaptation are all attractive qualities to employers.  While some may disregard your application because they can not interview you in person, if you are a qualified candidate most companies won’t mind taking you into consideration.  That being said, here are a few guidelines for the job search while abroad:

• Start Early: Make sure your resume and LinkedIn are up to date BEFORE you leave.  This means updating your temporary address & contact info as well as adding in your abroad experience J
• Make sure you cover letter states that you are abroad
• Network: ask program alumni what they did, get in contact with alumni in your abroad country, talk to friends, family members, connections, etc.
• Utilize School Resources: Use your university’s job website and alumni network
• Don’t be afraid to apply abroad: who wouldn’t want to extend their study abroad experience? Reach out to local companies.  You could even translate your resume.
• Skype, FaceTime, International Phone: The more accessible you are, the better.  A company should not and will not jump through hoops to get in contact with you.  Keep in mind potential obstacles, such as bad service or weak wifi connections, and pick what option functions BEST. 
• Act as though it is an in person interview: Dress appropriately; make sure the background is neat, test the wifi before the interview, etc.  Below is a link on Skype interviews.
• 10 Tips to Avoid Bombing Your Skype Interview
• Time difference: **Not every country has the same daylight saving time. I know why doesn’t every country just do it on the same day right? Do they want us to miss our videoconferences??

Happy job hunting!!!

Tough Times:Future of Spanish Youth is Grim

     In recent light of student strikes in Madrid similar to the Wall Street Strikes in America, I wanted to give an update from Spain.  Contrary to the American system where private education is generally stronger than public education (demonstrated by the top universities in America,) in Spain it is the opposite.  If you have to pay for education, you didn't work hard enough/ weren't smart enough to earn it (they prefer their public health care too but that's another story.)  Recently, the government has significantly cut funding for education causing:

• Less scholarships
• Decrease in overall students
• Increased financial burden on remaining students
• Increased class sizes
• Less motivation to go to school/ perform well because 26% unemployment rate (in general) means there is no promise of return on their investment

In this situation, living at home is more tempting than ever.

     The Spanish youth in particular is going through very difficult times.  They are paying for the mistakes of politicians, bankers, and irresponsible borrowers. The brightest/luckiest youngsters find work abroad, meaning that the government's investment is being realized outside their borders to improve foreign economies.

    In order for change to take place, young adults need to accept the situation, and persevere.  They must work for free and gain the experience, do anything to differentiate themselves from their competition.  As if we haven't heard it before, the future is in their hands.

Spaniards love the tapas: Meal schedule

     The Spanish eating schedule is as follows:

• 7-8am Light breakfast: toast and coffee
• 11-12pm Coffee
• 2-4pm Lunch: Biggest meal of the day & most stores close during this time
• 7-8pm Tapas: Go to a bar with friends and enjoy a drink with tapas
• 9-10pm Dinner: Good sized meal, sometimes includes left overs from lunch

     To order tapas:

• The easiest way is to go up to the bar, point at what looks good and say "esto"

Still Skinny Spain? Part II Economic Crisis & American Influence

     Even though Spaniards continue to live healthier lives than Americans, the times are changing.  As a result of the economy, more mothers have to get a job to support their families, leaving less time to prepare meals.  In addition, the poor economy and high unemployment (about 26%) encourages Spaniards to eat inexpensive, less nutritious food.  Fast food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King are penetrating the centers of Spanish cities nation-wide.  Finally, the spread of technology (cell phones, television, video games, wifi) are causing children to be less active... Does this sound familiar?

     An estimated 25% of Spanish children between the ages 3-5 are overweight or obese. You don't have to be a nutritionist or a genius to imagine how many economic and social problems this will cause in the future (think health care.)  This figure and all others related to increasing rates of obesity can be attributed to the most basic changes of health and wellness; diet and exercise.

• Spanish children are living a more sedentary lifestyle.
• Spanish children are abandoning their healthy, Mediterranean diet for fast food.

     This topic clearly demonstrates some of the negative effects of economic crisis and globalization, specifically the US influence in particular.  American culture continues to infiltrate foreign countries, both positive and negative.  It is a shame that such a beautiful culture is being diluted by macro fast food chains amongst other culprits.  If things were perfect, foreigners would only accept the benefits of American culture and forget the rest... Even better they would positively influence American culture. 

Below are some short articles that explain the situation, but the best information can only be found in Spanish:

http://www.spainreview.net/index.php/2012/05/17/25-of-spanish-children-between-3-and-5-year-old-are-overweight/

http://news-spain.euroresidentes.com/2011/02/child-obesity-in-spain.html

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/11/13/madrid/1352798153.html (Spanish)

Cumpleaños feliz: Notes on Culture Shock

     I thought it'd be fun to share with you the pictures from a birthday party during my grammar class!  It seems that singing and dessert are at the center of every birthday celebration around the world. Now I wish that my birthday was during the semester....

     On a serious note, I am so lucky that my classmates are my second family.  We have all gone through similar experiences trying to adapt to the Spanish culture, and we always seem to understand each other despite the language barrier.

NOTE: It is so important to put yourself out of your comfort zone and meet new friends.  Many people go through culture shock because they are distanced from their traditional support network.  No problem!  You could read a million articles that explain the honeymoon phase, then depression, then the return to normalcy.  I'll make it simple for you...

Combating culture shock

1. Establish a routine and find a balance: Everyone has 3 categories of things they do everyday.. basic needs (food/sleep), responsibilities (work/school), and pleasure (social/exercise.)  Remember that all work and no play is not a recipe for success.
2. Establish support network and reach out to your old network if necessary: it is normal to invite someone to have coffee in Spain.. it took me awhile to understand that concept.
3. Take time to yourself when necessary: Don't be ashamed, everyone needs a night to themselves to catch up on their favorite tv show.
4. Accept that you will have some very, very tough days.  Pick yourself up as soon as possible and get back on track: one day, after an exhausting week, I got lost on my way home at night and all I wanted was to get back to my bed and pass out.  I walked into a flower shopped, asked how to get home, and brought back flowers for my host mom.  The magical powers of her gratitude and a hot shower solved my problems and I woke up the next day ready to get back to business.

STOP SHOWERING: Awareness & Respect

CLAUDIA VEN AQUI! My host mother screamed while I was eating my tortilla for dinner (at 9:30pm as usual.)  One of the Italian girls had been showering for 8 minutes, and I had to utilize my high school knowledge of Italian to tell the Italian girl to turn off the water.  Three minutes later the water was back on and my host mother was yelling at the very top of her lungs.  She stormed into the kitchen and lectured me about how manners were free to blow off some steam.

I know that I already wrote a post about host family living, but it is so important.  If the Italian girl had read my blog she wouldn’t have gotten scolded... maybe she would have read my blog if I changed the title to Claudia’s Pizza or Pasta perhaps.

In order to prevent any miscommunication despite the existence of a language barrier, one must exercise a high level of AWARENESS and RESPECT.

Its simple…

Before traveling: Research etiquette, customs, and traditions.  Consult various sources including the internet, program directors, abroad alumni, study abroad office, friends, and family.  Anyone who has traveled to the country can offer you valuable insight that can save you a lot of discomfort.

Upon Arrival: Directly ask host mother for her rules and expectations, and FOLLOW them.  If you know the rules and don’t respect them you are just as guilty if not more than people who are completely oblivious.

During: Observe and Adapt.  Be open to cultural differences; the way your host family lives their lives is not stupid, its just different.  Break the American attitude that your way is always the best.

After: Share your experiences with others and break the “ignorant American stereotype!”