chicago

chicago is the closiest big city to michigan living abroad have me experiance going to all the cities around michigen and thats a pic of chicago and i can honestly say its one of my favourite cities that i have been to

the saginaw mall

thats where all the events and concerts happen in saginaw .. its located down town saginaw

a map that shows where saginaw is

dogz

i kinda live in a bad naighborhood so i bought me a rottwiller to protect me because you cant always be safe when you living abroad ,,, here is a pic of me and the dog

downtown detroit

this is a pic from downttown detroit .. detroit is 2 hours ago but i go thiere almost every weekend for a change .. its a pic of an abonded house not the pretty side of downtown detroit .. . when you live abroad making trips is one of the fun things to do

my uni

the uni im studying in abroad

10 reasons why you should study in a foreign country

Have you considered studying abroad, but are not sure whether it's worth your time? If you ask anybody who has studied abroad, he or she will most certainly tell you that it is a life-changing experience and one of the most rewarding things he or she has ever done. Perhaps you're not certain what benefits you can reap from an extended stay in a foreign country. Here are 10 very excellent reasons why you should take the plunge:

1. Study abroad is the optimal way to learn a language. There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning. You're surrounded by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context. Language learning happens most quickly under these circumstances.

2. Study abroad provides the opportunity to travel. Weekends and academic breaks allow you to venture out and explore your surroundings - both your immediate and more distant surroundings. Since studying abroad often puts you on a completely different continent, you are much closer to places you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit. Some more structured study abroad programs even have field trips planned in or around the curriculum.

3. Study abroad allows you get to know another culture first-hand. Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and personal habits. A person's culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence his or her way of life and the way that s/he views the world. Students who experience cultural differences personally can come to truly understand where other cultures are coming from.

4. Study abroad will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide. Being immersed in an entirely new cultural setting is scary at first, but it's also exciting. It's an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. You will encounter situations that are wholly unfamiliar to you and will learn to adapt and respond in effective ways.

5. Study abroad affords you the opportunity to make friends around the world. While abroad, you will meet not only natives to the culture in which you are studying, but also other international students who are as far from home as yourself.

6. Study abroad helps you to learn about yourself. Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture. The experience abroad often challenges them to reconsider their own beliefs and values. The experience may perhaps strengthen those values or it may cause students to alter or abandon them and embrace new concepts and perceptions. The encounter with other cultures enables students to see their own culture through new eyes.

7. Study abroad expands your worldview. In comparison with citizens of most other countries, Americans tend to be uninformed about the world beyond the nation's boundaries. Students who study abroad return home with an informed and much less biased perspective toward other cultures and peoples.

8. Study abroad gives you the opportunity to break out of your academic routine. Study abroad is likely to be much unlike what you are used to doing as a student. You may become familiar with an entirely new academic system and you will have the chance to take courses not offered on your home campus. It's also a great opportunity to break out the monotony of the routine you follow semester after semester.

9. Study abroad enhances employment opportunities. Did you know that only 4% of U.S. undergraduates ever study abroad? Yet, the world continues to become more globalized, American countries are increasingly investing dollars abroad, and companies from countries around the world continue to invest in the international market. Through an employer's seyes, a student who has studied abroad is self-motivated, independent, willing to embrace challenges, and able to cope with diverse problems and situations. Your experience living and studying in a foreign country, negotiating another culture, and acquiring another language will all set you apart from the majority of other job applicants. [Read about careers in foreign languages.]

10. Study abroad can enhance the value of your degree. While abroad, you can take courses you would never have had the opportunity to take on your home campus. In addition, study abroad gives your language skills such a boost that it is normally quite easy to add a minor in a language or even a second major without having to take many more additional courses after the return to your home campus.

Studying Abroad

Studying abroad can be a fun and safe experience but it is important to realize that you are subject to the laws and customs of another country. Here are some tips prepared by the Office of Overseas Services to help keep you prepared and safe.

Although most trips abroad are trouble free, being prepared will go a long way to avoiding the possibility of serious trouble.
Become familiar with the basic laws and customs of the country you plan to visit before you travel.
Remember: Reckless behavior while in another country can do more than ruin your vacation; it can land you in a foreign jail or worse! To have a safe trip, avoid risky behavior and plan ahead.

Preparing for Your Trip Abroad

Apply early for your passport and, if necessary, any visas: Passports are required to enter and/or depart most countries around the world. Apply for a passport as soon as possible. Some countries also require U.S. citizens to obtain visas before entering. Most countries require visitors who are planning to study or work abroad to obtain visas before entering. Check with the embassy of the foreign country that you are planning to visit for up-to-date visa and other entry requirements.

Learn about the countries that you plan to visit. Before departing, take the time to do some research about the people and their culture, and any problems that the country is experiencing that may affect your travel plans. The Department of State publishes Background Notes on about 170 countries. These brief, factual pamphlets contain information on each country''s culture, history, geography, economy, government, and current political situation.
Read the Country Specific Information. Country Specific Information provide up-to-date travel information on any country in the world that you plan to visit. They cover topics such as entry regulations, the crime and security situation, drug penalties, road conditions, and the location of the U.S. embassy, consulates, and consular agencies.

Check for Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Travel Warnings recommend U.S. citizens defer travel to a country because of dangerous conditions. Travel Alerts provide fast-breaking information about relatively short-term conditions that may pose risks to the security of travelers.

Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website . Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts may not be released without your express authorization. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States. (U.S. embassy and consulate locations can be found in the country''s Country Specific Information.) If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 202-647-5225. This office will contact the embassy or consulate in the country where you are traveling and pass a message from your family to you. Remember consular officers cannot cash checks, lend money or serve as your attorney. They can, however, if the need arises, assist you in obtaining emergency funds from your family, help you find an attorney, help you find medical assistance, and replace your lost or stolen passport.


Find out what information your school offers. Find out whether your school offers additional information for students who are planning to study, travel, or work abroad. Many student advisors can provide you with information about studying or working abroad. They may also be able to provide you with information on any travel benefits for students (e.g. how to save money on transportation and accommodations, and other resources.)

Before committing yourself or your finances, find out about the organization and what it offers. The majority of private programs for vacation, study or work abroad are reputable and financially sound. However, some charge exorbitant fees, use deliberately false "educational" claims, and provide working conditions far different from those advertised. Even programs of legitimate organizations can be poorly administered.

living with a host family abroad

4 years ago i decided that i want to go to London to study English abroad. but i was only 15 then and going by my self away from my family is something hard to do. so my parents decided its a good idea to live with a host family. a host family is a family that live there and host students for a while to help them learn more about the culture and learn the language more also cook food for them and take care of them. so i lived with a British family for 2 months. You can make new friends, see new places and immerse yourself thoroughly in a new culture complete with local languages and slang, foods, customs, music, books and even television programmes! But when it all goes wrong, living abroad with a family can be horrid. To make sure that you're host family experience falls into the former, follow the three C's of living abroad with a host family: Communication, Cleanliness and Caring. .. i had a great experiance then and learned alot and i can trully say living with a host family is a must for someone that just started living abroad.

Expat Advice: City Review of saginaw

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

saginaw , MI

How long have you lived there?
since dec 08

What activities, clubs and organizations would you recommend to newcomers to help them meet others?

mienbergs pub

In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

most of them are.

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

from what i know , jobs in SVSU the university where i study people can get jobs easily in it without needing a social security number, other than that jobs in the mall sometimes available but social security number is a requirement in most jobs

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

Dont do it if you dont like small towns and not used to cold weather. other than that its a nice town to live in.

a video on you tube about living abroad

Downtown saginaw, where i live.

How to adjust to living in a foreign country

Moving abroad can be a life-changing event. Here are some tips to ensure that you become acclimatised as quickly as possible.

Moving to a new country is a big step at any age, particularly if the culture and/or language

of the country in question is very different from your own. However, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure that you get the best of your time in your host country.

Prepare in advance

Even if you are moving abroad for work purposes and expect to have all the moving and settling in done for you, it is still important to spend some time beforehand reading

up on the host country. Of course

, reading is not the same as experiencing first-hand, but you will at least have some idea of what to expect. This is particularly important if you are moving to a country where the religion is alien to you - you will want to know, for example, if there are any 'rules' on what women should wear or if there are any customs that you will be expected to follow. And if you have to find your own accommodation on arrival, you will want to research prices, locations and any regulations you need to follow.

Learn the language

If the language in your host country is different from your own, then you will want to put some time towards learning at least the basics - please, thank you, hello and how to ask for directions. Ideally, you should begin before arriving at your new destination; if not, then on arrival arrange for a language tutor, even if it is just for a few weeks. You may not feel that you want or need to speak the language fluently, but putting some effort towards speaking the basics will stand you in good stead, make you that little bit more independent and hopefully will create some goodwill with the locals.

Mix with the locals

If moving to a country where everything is very alien - perhaps the locals are of a different race, speak a different language and practice very different customs - it can be very tempting to withdraw, mixing only with people of your own race. Try to avoid this. If your language skills are poor, consider arranging a language exchange, or advertising for a local person who speaks your language. Spend time in local cafes and restaurants; you will learn a lot about your host country just by watching and it will help you to adjust to your new surroundings. And you will probably get to try some delicious new food in the process.

Do what the locals do

Find out how the local people entertain themselves. In some countries, parks are a highlight of their social life; in China, for example, wandering around a park in the early morning will give you the opportunity to see people practicing tai chi, singing opera and ballroom dancing. You may even be able to join in, making some new friends in the process. It can be hard at times, especially if you stand out because of skin or hair colour and build and you don't like being stared at, but don't be tempted to retaliate because you think someone is being rude - the chances are, they are just interested, so try to ensure that they are left with a good impression of you.

Travel

Travelling in a foreign country, especially if you are on your own, can be a daunting prospect. However, this will enable you to learn about different aspects of your host country's culture. If you are living in a city, for example, you will find that life in the countryside is very different. Best of all, when you return to your new home, it will hopefully feel as though you are returning home, which will reinforce your feelings of having readjusted and settled into your new life.

Have some friends from your own culture

Some people are tempted to throw themselves whole-heartedly into their new culture, make friends with local people and avoid those from your own country and culture. However, it is important to have some friends who are of a similar background to yourself. Exploring your new country with someone else can be very rewarding; plus they understand what you are going through and can offer a support mechanism. At times, you may find yourself frustrated because of the language and cultural differences and a friend who speaks your language will be very welcome.

Stay in touch with home

Last but not least, you are likely to suffer from some homesickness at some point, especially in your first weeks. Stay in touch with your friends and family back home so that you don't lose the connection. And after a few months, you may want to consider going home for a holiday. But try not to travel backwards and forwards too regularly - it can be very disruptive to your new routine and you may find yourself unable to settle properly in either your host or home country.

Most of these tips are common sense. Nevertheless, it is amazing how many people move to a new country, and, either through fear of the new or just plain ignorance, don't settle or immerse themselves in people and places from their own culture, never learning the local language or having more than the most cursory of contact with local people. This is a great shame because they are missing out on a great learning opportunity; one that they may regret at a later point.

Coming Home After Living Abroad

Dealing with Culture Shock and Readjusting to Life in Your Country

Returning from a work or study abroad experience? Here are a few ways to get over culture shock and appreciate both your time spent away and life in your home country.

Returning to your home country after living abroad can be difficult. While it is great to see all of the people you care about again, there is still culture shock to deal with. Not to mention the fact that most of your family and friends, despite their genuine interest in your experience, probably do not understand what it was like in whatever country you just returned from.

Here is some advice on dealing with the emotional time after returning from an extended stay abroad.

Tips for Keeping the Other Country in Your Life

• Find someone to talk to who is from the country you've just gotten back from. If the language of the other country is not your native language, you can at least try to find someone to speak that language with.
• Chat with someone else who lived abroad, somewhere different from where you were, and compare experiences.
• Don't lose touch with people overseas – write letters, send postcards from your home country, chat with them on Skype, or send emails.
• Try to incorporate aspects of the culture and/or lifestyle you just left into your everyday life. For example, if you rode a bike everywhere abroad, use one in your home country.

Tips for Readjusting to Being at Home and Appreciating Where Your Are

• Do something fun, be it going to a sporting event, your favorite restaurant, a cool museum, the beach you've spent several summers on, that you can only do in your home country.
• Get involved with some sort of activity you love in your community...especially if you are still in the process of finding a job.
• Invite friends over who you haven't seen in a while; work on reconnecting with people.
• Visit relatives, be they nearby or in another part of the country.
• Go to a town, city, landmark, etc. that you've never been to before.
• Read a book about culture shock when returning home after living abroad, such as Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away (Broadway Books, 1999).

Any of the above suggestions can help you appreciate the fact that you now have two homes, a broader understanding of the world, a host of memorable experiences, and most importantly the opportunity to resume and build up a life for yourself in your home country. Time living abroad is a fantastic experience, and one of the best ways to readjust after returning is to achieve a balance between appreciating what you just left and appreciating where you are.

is Living Abroad Enrich or Frustrating?

When you think about living abroad you think about being in a new country, being away from your family , changing your world view, or having cultural differences and language barriers ...its kind of frustrating because you get times where you really home sick , missing everything about back home and im typing about this out of experience because i go through this every day being from Saudi Arabia, living by my self away from my family . especially when i first got here back on December, everything was hard looking at how everything is done differently around here, the law , the weather changing for example where im from we never had to deal with snow , its always hot and if its winter its just a little bit windy .. it took me a while to get used to this but i know once it start snowing again it gonna be hard all over again. all of that coming together would is frustrating, also there is always the element of surprise before u leave your country, not knowing what to expect,, planing everything different based on the way your living ...but the whole living abroad experience is amazing to be honest, you get to experience a new cultural , new people , learn more and being more opening minded .. its one of the best things to experience in my opinion, living abroad forces you to fit into different cultures and expand the avenues you take to tackle different problems and that's why I like it. i been in the states for almost 8 months It would be hard to know how my personality would be different if I had not experienced that and if i had not socialized with people from different cultures It would be hard to know how my personality would be different if I had not been year. living in different countries and being around people from different countries changed the way i look at a life a lot and i would not trade it for anything.