Study Abroad
Journalism and public relations students should think about getting their passports ready and going abroad while at CSULB. CSULB study abroad allows students to earn college credit, pay in-state tuition and receive financial aid, if applicable, while living and studying in another country. CSULB has partnerships with institutions in dozens of countries, including, but not limited to, Australia, South Korea, China, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Denmark. If you’re interested in learning more about CSULB study-abroad programs, the Education Abroad Office on campus is the best place to start. You can reach them at (562) 985-8429 or studyabroad@csulb.edu.
Click on the images of our students below to learn more about their Study Abroad experiences!
“Having the opportunity to experience the Spanish culture, as well as cultures from around the world has been the best part of my study abroad experience. As a journalism major, it’s tough to be an introverted person, which I struggled with at the beginning of my journalism career. You may doubt yourself, shy away from talking to people that can truly enhance your story, or maybe you didn’t ask a question because you felt like it was too obvious. Going into a foreign country, where I knew absolutely no one, forced me out of my shell and into a world where tolerance and respect for other cultures is the only answer. I have had to ask obvious questions, often in a foreign language, and knowing no one here, I broke free from any inhibitions I had about myself in order to become immersed in this incredible abroad experience. I’ve met people from all around the world who live completely differently from me, I have had the opportunity to listen to what their lives are like, and in return I was able to share what life is like for me in the U.S. and share some of my life experiences from home. You will learn that the scope of the world is much larger than it seems, however, if you have the ability to connect and relate and talk to most anyone you will go far in your journalism ventures, and in life itself.”
“The food was definitely the best thing abroad by being in a different country and experiencing a new culture! Food is different. Dinner is a time where you sit and eat for two hours, you have a full course meal and that’s something we do not do here in the states. The food quality is different too, everything in Italy tastes fresh and I loved that.
I think going abroad will benefit my career because I will know what it is like to be exposed to different cultures and how to be respectful to everyone. In Italy, religion is huge, and if you want to go to a basilica or church, as a woman you must always be covered up. It is required or you may not enter, being exposed to little things like this has shown me that you cannot just arrive in another country and assume you know how things work. You have to do your research and respect values. This also is something that will help me personally as well. Always be respectful to others. It is a humbling experience studying abroad, you see how other people live in different countries and you realize how blessed you are to live in the United States. I really appreciated that aspect. I see the outside world now through a different lens.”
“My best memory abroad was meeting new friends from all around the world. I got a chance to travel to eight countries and will never forget the memories I made. Going abroad as a journalism major benefited me personally because I really got to learn how media is in other countries besides our own. Also, it benefited me because the Danish School of Media and Journalism is really prestigious!”
“Studying and volunteering abroad in Morocco was hands down the best decision I have ever made. Living in a Muslim majority society for the first time allowed me to understand their culture and life through their eyes, instead of learning about it through western media/news. Our media has inaccurately portrayed Muslim culture through agenda setting and xenophobia. This trip was truly the biggest blessing in my life because the Moroccan society is one of the most beautiful, welcoming, and open-minded cultures I have ever experienced. As a journalist, you have to put yourself in someone else’s shoes to write and document accurate accounts of people, cultures, and religion. The amazing Moroccan friends I met are here to stay. I couldn’t be more grateful for their friendship and for teaching me the true meaning of life.”
“My best memory abroad would probably have to be the day I felt like I really belonged in London. It had been a few weeks in and for the most part, I was getting the hang of the tube system and making a routine for myself. It took a while for the experience to stop feeling like a vacation and instead feel more like the new norm. My friends and I were trying to see everything we could and school/work took a while to become priorities once more. But one day, after a long day of work (Thursdays I worked a full 8 hour shift) I was making my way back to the house when my roommates texted me to meet them at the pub that was five minutes away. I hopped on the bus and went to meet them along with some other friends who joined in. We had some drinks, ate some food, and talked about our work, all the while surrounded by others who seemed to be doing the same thing. It made me feel like someone who was really living there and not just someone visiting for fun. There were a lot of touristy times and feeling overall amazement of the place I was in, but that Thursday I was living in London, not just visiting.
Going as a journalism major allowed me to get an internship that was within the realm of journalism. I was able to work with some of the journalism students in London to do a project my internship wanted done. I helped get ready for and attended an event that had the main focus of networking with everybody who attended and recognizing businesses that use tech for good. I think this experience will definitely give my resume a boost since it shows that not only can I work abroad in a short time, but also that I can do work in my chosen field.”
“My best memory abroad was getting to hang out with so many international students every day and dancing till 4 am every weekend and getting pizza from Ali Baba after. If I had to choose a singular moment, it would be jumping in the Baltic Sea as the sun rose one morning and floating with someone I met there.
Going abroad helped me to see what I was capable of. The work course there pushed me so much more than I’ve ever been pushed and even though it was hard at times, I was still able to work through it all and I was so proud of myself. Being abroad got me out of my comfort zone and gave me confidence. Although my current work isn’t what I learned when I studied abroad, a lot of the software I was taught is used at my current job.”
“My best memory was traveling all over Europe. I saw so many places that I never thought I would. Paris, Rome, Barcelona. It was the most eye-opening experience I’ve ever had in my life.
Personally studying abroad widened my view on international affairs. Cultures and people and food are so different. I got to step out of my own social norms and I met incredible people. Professionally I got to be an international reporter and report on special projects such as the EU refugee crisis and victims of torture and human rights violations in Turkey. It gave me a chance to expand my mind and report on things not happening in the states. It has definitely helped me stand out among other journalists. I’ve done so much at such a young age. I will cherish that opportunity forever.”
My best memory from my study abroad experience has to be my first Thanksgiving away from home – a day that I thought would be difficult because I wouldn’t be with my family. Myself and several other American students wanted our English and international classmates to experience an American tradition so we organized a Friendsgiving. We ended up having over 50 students from all over the world and one of the biggest potlucks ever! Everyone cooked and brought traditional dishes from their home country and we spent the entire night meeting new people, chatting and dancing the night away!
Studying abroad increased my self-confidence and taught me how to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations. I would meet someone new every single day and would sometimes spend time by myself getting lost in the city… I didn’t have my car to go sit in during breaks, my dorm mates became my “family” as they were the only familiar faces I would see every day. I always stood out and drew attention as I had an American accent that everyone found fascinating. It sounds frightening but this experience pushed me to be confident when I’m outside of my comfort zone. I returned home as a different person. I was more confident and independent than ever and I felt as if I could do anything and nothing was out of my reach. It’s something that has tremendously helped me start my professional career as I transitioned from being a student (a role I’ve known and been comfortable with for my entire life.)
“Some of my best memories from my time in London come from my decision to do a home stay. The North London house I lived in was so cozy and my house “mum” made me and my roommates feel so welcomed. She really took care of us and shared great tips about where to visit in and out of the city. She played a huge role in making my trip the best it could be. We still keep in touch over Facebook.
There are so many ways I can connect my study abroad experience to my career and to my personal life. Specifically in my job as a PR professional, I work a lot with international members of media. My study abroad experience gives me many topics of conversation to connect and build relationships with these journalists. Personally, studying abroad helped me learn to be very independent, manage my time well and experience different cultures to make me a better educated and more well-rounded person.”
