Anyone here ever live abroad?

[latteromden]

I'm thinking about doing some study abroad stuff, specifically in Russia, Ukraine, or Norway, but I don't know where the best place to go would be. Considering language isn't a barrier for me, if you have lived abroad, where, and what did you like about it?

[alittlelark]

1. Studied in Mexico for a semester and loved it!!!

The people were friendly, the food was great, and the bars ROCKED!!!

[enigmatic]

2. Yes!

I'm living in Canada now; about to emmigrate..

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

3. I lived in Germany for 3 years and 6 months ...

and it got even better once I learned the language . At first I learned on my own , and then I took a course at the local community college in the town where everyone came from Russian speaking countries and one other person spoke English - the only way we could communicate was to speak German . Challenging at first I stuck to it and got good at it . So I did not take the next level course I learned the rest at home with my books . I even spent entire days reading encyclopedias in German , reading about Germanic history , monarchies and also about Europe - all in German . I speak it too myself from time to time and I still read German websites . I liked living in Germany . I miss it a lot . I have been back in the States since summer 2004 . Its cool to see how other cultures live and how other countries are . Thats when you really see America . Sometimes you have to step out of the picture to get a good view of what is really going on .

[yellowdogintexas]

25. I lived in Germany w/ my aunt & uncle who were stationed there

at the time..lived on the base, went to the dependent school and we traveled around whenever we could.

Loved it loved it loved it.

This was back when the exchange rate was 4 marks to the dollar.

Did not get to take German in school, but picked up a bit from my uncle who was fluent. We went to Paris for a week, which was great.

I wish I had been older but you take the chances you get when they come along, you know?

We were near the Mosel Wine region, and Mosel wine is still my favorite.

[Kipepeo]

4. check out the School for International Training

http://www.sit.edu/

[AVID]

5. yes - Spain and Portugal

for 3 summers in a row - 1987-90

loved it - siestas, tapas, sangria

I was by myself each time for three months at a time. The solo traveling, making friends as I went, and camping much of the time was a great experience.

[RagingInMiami]

6. I spent two years in Europe after graduating college

I loved it.

[Historic NY]

7. Done England....and it was a gas..............n/t

[cire4]

8. Studied in England.....Absolutely loved it

Words cannot describe just how beneficial studying abroad is. Devoting some of your undergraduate education to studying in another country should be a requirement for every college student. You will have lifelong benefits.

Russia and the Ukraine will probably have a steep learning curve in terms of adjusting to the culture. But the rewards will likely be greater because of it. Norway will be fairly easy for any American to acclimate to. However, it is very expensive. Overall, you can't go wrong with any of the EU states.

Just go. You will not regret it.

[Gemini Cat]

9. Studied in the UK.

I loved it. The only thing I missed was popcorn.
The people were great and very easy to talk to, especially when the topic of politics was being discussed.

[Menshevik]

10. studying in the UK right now

also studied in Russia for two summers...go to Russia...I fell in love with the country. If you want to study Russian in Moscow, check out Moscow State University's Center for International Education (www.cie.ru). Also, studying in Russia is extremely cheap (when compared with studying in the UK).

[Behind the Aegis]

11. I wish!

I speak multiple languages and have never left the US (except the Bahamas). I would love to go to the Netherlands, Greece, and Spain!

[jdots]

12. this is another sex thread isn't it ?

see a few months ago some wise ass would have done a copy cat thread=Anyone ever live adude ? but no everyone has to be mature and tastefull now.
I want to visit everywhere but the mid east oooh Spain ah that sounds good

[Joe Power]

13. Does Texas count?

;)

[latteromden]

28. Oh, it most certainly does. ;)

[Allenberg]

14. I live in rural Japan on an Air Force base...

...and it sucks. I'm a city-boy, and being surrounded by rice paddies without a decent mall within driving distance sucks more than a Dirt Devil.

[CRK7376]

15. I've lived all over and love it

Germany 78-80
Japan 88-89
Afghanistan 02
Korea 03-04

Uncle Sam has sent me to some great places and to some not so great places. Although I've never been good at languages, I try and always am able to speak basic/survival phrases. Love experiencing new culture, food, people etc...Germany is my favorite, food, mountains, oh yeah and beer.....

[progmom]

16. I lived in the Netherlands for 3 years and I loved it.

If I were to spend a significant time abroad again, I would probably go to northern Italy. Such a warm culture....and such good food! Holland was great - very progressive, beautiful countryside, friendly people...but the food was not so hot.

[bikebloke]

17. A few places where I actually lived.

Norway, Israel, Switzerland, Holland

Then lots of long. open ended (but poor in the pocket book) travelling other places. I fit in better in Eurpoe, than here. Our value systems seems to mesh. A pity I couldn't find a legal way, other than marrying someone in order to stay. But I don't regret turning down the marriage offer that came my way. Wise decisions.

[SmokingJacket]

18. Britain.

No language problem, which was good, but I also didn't get to learn a new one, which was too bad in retrospect.

Certainly does give you perspective on the way things are in the US. I gained an appreciation for certain aspects of our country, but also a more critical eye about other things.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

19. Well, the U.S. is my "abroad"

since I was born and grew up for 15 years of my life in Italy. Technically, the U.S. is my "living abroad" experience. It's been quite an interesting adventure.

If it were feasible, I'd require every high schooler to spend 6 months to a year abroad to gain a wider perspective on the world beyond the U.S. borders.

[Smallberries]

20. I used to live in the Philippines.

Back in the seventies. Like most of the world, it was a great place to live if you had money, a crappy place if you didn't.

According to family who still live there, it's a little dodgy these days.

I'm in no hurry to return.

[candle_bright]

21. I lived in Brussels, Belgium

for 2 years. Loved it! Beautiful architecture, zillions of restaurants and bars, and the location is great. Within a couple of hours you can be at the border of The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, or France. From the Belgian coast you can hop on a ferry to the U.K.

[baby_bear]

29. I loved Brussels, too

English works in Flanders and French in Wallonia. Five hours by train to Paris. Wonderful people, food, castles, history...just amazing. Great beer, too. They drink more beer per capita in Brussels than in Germany.

b_b

[Zomby Woof]

22. Yes

3 years in Spain, back in the mid-to-late 70's, and in Mexico during the summer of 1990.

I consider Spain the most enriching and broadening experience of my life. I think it is healthy to step outside one's own cultural norms if one is open to it, and experience life in ways you never imagined otherwise. Many cultures, one people. Do it.

Mexico was fantastic too, off the beaten path of the normal tourist spots.

[yellowdogintexas]

24. I love Spain, only got to spend 3 weeks there but fell so totally

in love.

If I could figure out a way to live there for like a year, I would do it.

Living in another country changes you in so many ways, both the obvious and the subtle. I also would recommend it to every college student who has the opportunity, and anyone else who can figure out a way to live abroad.

In fact, if I suddenly became independently wealthy, one of the first things I would do is take my daughter to Europe for an extended stay.

so far we have only been able to get her to Mexico but we have hopes for the future.

[kitkatrose]

23. Trying to go to Costa Rica this summer for tropical research.

I'm just estactic at the thought that I might get in the program. :bounce:

[candle_bright]

26. Sounds awesome!

I haven't been to Costa Rica, but I've been to Panama which is right next door. I've never met a person who's been to Costa Rica and didn't have a blast.

Make sure to take a trip down to Panama City if you go to Costa Rica. You wont be sorry; it's a GREAT place!

[latteromden]

27. Thanks all! I applied today to go to Italy. Crossing my fingers!

Should be interesting.

[Swamp Rat]

30. Norway is awesome! I lived in Telemark.

Besides USA, Canada and Mexico, I've also lived and studied in Austria, Spain, Costa Rica, and more recently Brasil, and traveled all over Europe.

Favorite Cities: Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro. My favorite country is Brasil. Oba! :)

GO! Travel is the best education!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. I lived in Japan for a year as a student

It was one of the pivotal experiences of my life. I always urged my students to study abroad, and all the ones who did it said that it was the best thing they'd ever done.