Here are three simple ideas for helping to get your parents excited about this amazing opportunity:

1. Information is power

So do your research! Preparation is key in lots of things, and convincing your parents they should back you during a semester abroad is no different. Look into what programs are available (such as the fantastic opportunities offered by Golden Key partners the International Scholar Laureate Program, Study Abroad, and the Sant’Anna Institute) and work out which one is the best for you. Make notes about details including dates, costs, and application requirements, and put all of this information together into one document that you can present to your parents.

2. Get funding

Saving up to study abroad is a great thing to do, if you can manage it. But we totally understand that it can be hard to do this when you’re focusing on study and community projects. This is why Golden Key offers numerous scholarships and awards to help our members fulfil their dreams of studying and traveling abroad. There are a few different option for you to check out, including the Professor Jeff Johnson Study Abroad Scholarship, the Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholarship, and many more. Applying for a scholarship is a great way to show your parents you’re serious about this opportunity and are willing to work hard and make an effort to make it happen.

3. Choose carefully

It pays to think big picture and long term and do a study abroad program that supports your ambitions. This isn’t just a holiday abroad (although there are lots of benefits to doing a study abroad semester, and it’s definitely lots of fun) but also an opportunity to push your career forward and take some significant steps. So make the most of it, and select a program that will help you achieve your dreams – and your parents are much more likely to respond positively to your plan.

Be Organized

It is important that you are organized in your schoolwork and in your traveling plans. Studying abroad can be pretty hectic at times so it can be helpful to have a planner for you to write down when any assignments, quizzes, papers, etc. are due. As well as keeping track of any trips you plan with the right flight information, hotel reservations, additional transportation, etc. Being organized can help you a lot abroad, especially when you need to be on time when catching a bus, flight or train. Also, planning your trips beforehand can save you a lot of money on transportation and stay. If you know of a city or country where you really want to go, book it as soon as you can. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Early Check in

It is easier and cheaper for you to check in online and print your boarding passes before you arrive at the airport. It can be more expensive for you to check in additional luggage at the airport instead of checking in and paying for the luggage online. If you are worried about not having a printer, you can still check in on your phone and have your boarding pass that can be scanned when going through security or boarding the plane.

Pack Small     

Packing light is also easier and cheaper because you can bring a small carry on that can fit on airlines such as RyanAir and Vueling with no extra cost. Air compression bags can be a lifesaver when traveling. You can fit a lot of clothes in these bags and then press the air out of them to save more space in your carry on. Remember, it’s okay to wash and re-wear outfits!

Be Confident

Don’t be afraid to talk to locals and practice new languages. It’s the easiest way to learn a new language and learn about cultures and the people living in that country you are visiting. If you want to meet people, it is important to be confident and initiate conversations with new people. You could end up creating long lasting friendships and possibly visiting them later in life.

Be Patient

Traveling can be very tiring and stressful at times. Being patient can help you and the people you are traveling with. When you are living and traveling to different countries, it can be scary adjusting to such a new and different environment. There is such a different lifestyle abroad that it can be hard for people to get used to. Language barriers can make people impatient and cause confusion between two people from different places or cultures. As long as you are patient, you can adjust easily to the language barriers and different cultures.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partners The Intern Group.

Check out the grants and scholarships offered by Golden Key

Some of the scholarships currently offered by Golden Key include:

Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship is for any Golden Key member with emphasis will be placed on how studying abroad will assist the student in their future goals, as well as desire for trip and planned outcomes.

Golden Key Advisor Professional Development Grant

This $1,000 grant allows currently active Golden Key chapter advisors the ability to attend professional development conferences or pursue research within their academic disciplines.  It can also be used to attend Golden Key conferences.

GEICO Life Scholarship

This award (for $1,000) recognizes outstanding members who achieve academic excellence while balancing additional personal commitments (such as full-time work, family, etc.).

Golden Key Research Grant

This $2,000 grant help student achieve their research goals, with emphasis placed on the quality of the proposed research submission and how this grant will allow the member to accomplish a critical part of his/her research.

Golden Key Undergraduate Achievement Award

This $5,000 award recognizes Golden Key members for their excellence throughout their undergraduate careers.

Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award

This $10,000 award supports graduate study with emphasis will be placed on why the student is continuing their education, future academic goals and career goals, as well as how the student feels that can truly create change in the future.

Golden Key Chartering Officer Scholarship

This $500 award recognizes Golden Key officers who have demonstrated academics, leadership, and service in supporting their chapter.

The Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy is offering you the chance to do just that. Enjoy the sort of summer that dreams are made of and take a huge leap forward in your career, all at the same time.

Applications for the Sant’Anna Institute summer internships close on April 30.

But don’t just take our word for it. Golden Key member Jackson Zaccaria recently took part in an internship at Sant’Anna institute and believes it was one of the best things he has ever done.

As an honors philosophy major at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, with a view towards international law, he jumped at the chance to broaden his horizons with a semester abroad. His four-month experience included top-notch academics at the Institute, plus “road trips” to Amsterdam, Naples and Morocco and, by the end of his time there, he had visited 18 cities in seven countries across two continents.

“This has been the most eye-opening, humbling and invigorating adventure of my life. It has evolved me into an entirely new person directed toward global citizenship,” says Jackson.

Want a memorable and life-changing experience you’ll never forget? Golden Key members have a wealth of study abroad experiences to choose from, so check out Jackson’s tips for making the most of yours.

1.      Choose a culture that strikes a chord. Jackson chose the Italy-based Sant’Anna Institute as a nod to his Italian-American roots, which he called “a huge part of my identity.” Coolest thing: “Walking down a street in Sorrento, I heard someone yell my name, Zaccaria. Even though I’d never been to Italy before, I felt like a true Italian.”

2.   Widen your horizons with service. Jackson jumped at the chance to lead a volunteer project with L.E.S.S., a nonprofit refugee assistance organization based in Naples. He and fellow Sant’Anna Institute scholars collected clothing and supplies and delivered them to African and Pakistani refugees in Naples. Jackson called it a “humbling, uplifting experience”.

3.      Pay attention to your program requirements. Most universities require a stellar GPA before they’ll green-light a semester abroad, and you’ll have to demonstrate a strong correlation between your overseas program and your major. Do your research, but also tap your knowledge base—your advisor or other Golden Key chapter members who’ve studied abroad.

“I’m thankful to my parents, my advisor, Golden Key and the Sant’Anna Institute for providing this incredible family-like home in Sorrento.”

– Jackson Zaccaria

Jackson Zaccaria may be crushing it as an honors philosophy major at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, but he also has his eye on an international law career. So Jackson lined up a semester abroad by choosing a program offered by the Sant’Anna Institute, a Golden Key partner, in Sorrento, Italy. His four-month experience included top-notch academics at the Institute, plus “road trips” to Amsterdam, Naples and Morocco. All told, he visited 18 cities in 7 countries on 2 continents.

The experience changed Jackson in incredible and unexpected ways. Here’s what the Golden Key junior wrote: “This has been the most eye-opening, humbling and invigorating adventure of my life. It has evolved me into an entirely new person directed toward global citizenship.”

Want a memorable and life-changing experience you’ll never forget? Golden Key members have a wealth of study abroad experiences to choose from, so check out Jackson’s tips for making the most of yours.

1.      Choose a culture that strikes a chord. Jackson chose the Italy-based Sant’Anna Institute as a nod to his Italian-American roots, which he called “a huge part of my identity.” Coolest thing: “Walking down a street in Sorrento, I heard someone yell my name, Zaccaria. Even though I’d never been to Italy before, I felt like a true Italian.”

2.   Widen your horizons with service. Jackson jumped at the chance to lead a volunteer project with L.E.S.S., a nonprofit refugee assistance organization based in Naples. He and fellow Sant’Anna Institute scholars collected clothing and supplies and delivered them to African and Pakistani refugees in Naples. Jackson called it a “humbling, uplifting experience”.

3.      Pay attention to your program requirements. Most universities require a stellar GPA before they’ll green-light a semester abroad, and you’ll have to demonstrate a strong correlation between your overseas program and your major. Do your research, but also tap your knowledge base—your advisor or other Golden Key chapter members who’ve studied abroad.

Check out other study abroad opportunities offered by the Sant’Anna Institute, just one of Golden Key’s amazing partners, and learn more about all the incredible benefits you get when you join Golden Key.

1. You’ll have experience nobody else has

There’s something very unique about having an international internship under your belt. Many young people still hesitate when it comes to seeking international work experiences. Showing your dedication to having diverse experiences and overcoming challenges abroad will make a hiring manager realize that you’re the kind of person who brings something special to the table.

2. Networking opportunities

Interns can develop their own network of international professionals in addition to personal contacts. As you start to make connections both at your office and at The Intern Group meetups, you will become more connected to the professionals in your industry all around the world. These kind of international connections are much harder to establish through an internship in your home country.

3. You can build up your foreign language skills

An internship abroad presents the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in another language in a professional environment. Being proficient in a second language at the office is an incredibly useful skill to list on your resume. As our economy becomes increasingly globalized, it’s more and more important to be able to speak other languages as companies expand operations in emerging markets.

4. Work experience in your field

An internship abroad offers a young person the chance to test out their career by interning in the field of their choice. Earning industry experience, interns hone professional skills and learn the ins and outs of their field. Leaving your internship abroad, you’ll be more skilled and plugged into your field.

5. Real-world work experience abroad

Whether or not you’ve decided exactly what you want to do with your life, having international office experience under your belt will help boost your resume for many types of job opportunities. Having taken a risk and sought out professional experiences outside your comfort zone and in a foreign land, you’ll be seen as a gutsy, dedicated professional.

6. You’ll have a more global perspective

The experience of going abroad causes young people to become more worldly and open-minded. They learn how the different countries around the world interact and exchange goods and ideas. Naturally, going to another country forces you to learn about the world in a new way, soaking in a new culture and working through differences. Through this kind of international exchange experience, interns develop increased acceptance of others, making for a more globally-minded, informed and tolerant person.

7. You’ll gain office experience

Employers are seeking people who already have work experience in an office and know what it’s like to work from 9 to 5. After having completed an international internship, interns have a greater understanding of the demands of the professional world. They are better prepared to take on those responsibilities and challenges.

Golden Key is proud to partner with The Intern Group, the leading provider of international internships in London, New York, Europe, China, Australia and Latin America. As a member of Golden Key, you benefit from a 5% discount off of all programs. For more information about their programs, click here.

Want an exciting way to enhance your personal and professional life in a short amount of time? Study abroad!

Why is studying abroad so important? If you ask Golden Key member Sherma Noble, she will tell you that “it gives one a wider perspective on other peoples’ way of life and their culture which will ultimately enrich one’s mind and understanding of a diversified world.” Sherma traveled to China last summer with the Business & Entrepreneurship delegation of the International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP). There, not only did she trek up the Great Wall, but she also “gained knowledge about China’s customs on how to conduct business.

Like Sherma, many students have experienced the personal, academic and professional benefits of study abroad programs. Here are three reasons to add studying abroad to your academic bucket list.

1. Studying abroad requires ingenuity, adaptability, and critical thinking skills, all of which employers seek in potential candidates.

Walking into a new culture without your basic resources (e.g., literacy, personal connections, and local familiarity) challenges you to think of creative ways to complete ordinary tasks. Suddenly a quick trip to the grocery store turns into a three-hour ordeal. You take risks each step along the way, deciding between a taxi and public transportation, asking for directions in another language, buying food you may have never seen before. Sherma attests to this by saying, “The ISLP experience encouraged me to take risks, be a better negotiator, be better in time management, be a better creative thinker, and finally, become more adaptable.”

2. Studying abroad builds your professional and personal network.

Traveling with a group of individuals builds a unique bond as you all experience a new culture together. Sure, you can meet like-minded professionals in your hometown, but when you are working with each other not only to complete a group project but also to survive, you develop a unique bond.

Depending on the type of study abroad program, you may have direct access to experts in your field. For Sherma, “ISLP China gave me an opportunity to form lasting personal and professional connections via ISLP students, advisors, and the many business professionals across China. For that I am eternally grateful.” ISLP offers you exposure to professionals and experts in your field whom you may not have otherwise have had access to. You receive concentrated information related to your career, meet others who are passionate about pursuing their career goals, and leave with a new list of connections.

3. Studying abroad gives you a competitive advantage in the classroom.

Would you rather read about international business from a textbook and a few Forbes articles? Or learn how to start a business overseas from established expat entrepreneurs in Shanghai? Would you like to learn about the startup industry in China from the Internet, or ask your questions directly to local CEOs from a startup incubator in Hangzhou? Studying abroad takes experiential learning to new levels and gives you an opportunity to live your learning. You learn about culture, international issues, and policy not through reading but living it.

“Some of my assumptions of China were shattered as they were replaced with new confirmed facts. Not only have I gained knowledge about Chinese customs on about how to conduct business; I also learnt about climate change, air pollution, the availability of clean water, politics, social practices and their awesome technologies as a nation.”

Imagine—in just 10 short days you can connect with knowledge and human resources that you can take with you in your future career path. It’s more than a trip for fun. It will change you. You shouldn’t leave your academic career without it.

Choose your career delegation. Select a destination. Apply now for 2017 International Scholar Laureate. The deadline to enroll is February 24, 2017.

If you have any questions or would prefer to complete enrollment over the phone, contact ISLP Office of Admissions at (800) 778-0164, email admissions@scholarlaureate.org or connect with ISLP scholars on Facebook: @ScholarLaureateProgram #ScholarLaureate

The Many Virtues of Studying Abroad
by Andrew Potter

Spend some time studying abroad and you are very likely to improve your grades, enhance your personality and be more prepared to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.
Several new studies suggest that studying internationally is like eating a super nutritious vegetable- it improves your mental capacity (IQ), your emotional intelligence (EQ) and your cultural adaptability (CQ).

Enhance Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

Want to get hired right after graduating from college? An increasing number of companies, now facing increased global competition, are demanding more workers  with cross-cultural skills and abilities.
Of the 10 most significant challengers facing hiring managers today, according to the Society for Human Resource Management, two are related to CQ- “finding the right employees in the right markets where we do global business” and “breaking down cultural barriers that make it difficult to create a truly global company”.
When students learn in culturally diverse settings, they improve their cultural intelligence (CQ). Those with high CQ benefit in four ways, according to the International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies:

• They are able to anticipate what will happen in cross-cultural situations.
• They have a wide understanding of multicultural situations.
• They are confident of their capabilities and are intrinsically interested in experiencing culturally diverse settings.
• They are able to vary their verbal and nonverbal behaviors in response to cultural characteristics of the situation.

Boost Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Perhaps most surprisingly, new research shows that studying in another country also boosts emotional intelligence (EQ). In fact, personal development improvements begin as soon as a student makes the decision to study in a foreign country.
“Those students who are about to study abroad are – even before they leave – more open-minded, conscientious and extravert than their fellow students who stay at home,” said psychologist Dr. Julia Zimmermann, a researcher at the Friedrich Schiller University at Jena, Germany.

Improve Your IQ
A 10-year study – the Georgia Learning Outcomes of Students Studying Abroad Research Initiative (GLOSSARI) – documents the academic outcomes of study abroad across 35 Georgia institutions. It found that students with study abroad experience where able to raise their mean cumulative GPA from 3.24 prior to journeying oversees to 3.30 afterward.
The study also found that the four-year graduation rate was 49.6 percent for study abroad students, compared to 42.1 percent for students in the control group.

Global Opportunities Abound
Study abroad programs come in many shapes and sizes. But it is clear that they are highly valuable in preparing college students for career success.
“Given the widely accepted impact of globalization on the U.S. economy and in light of the new skills in demand by businesses, nonprofits, and government, it’s to your advantage to consider the career implications of what may be a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience,” according to the American Institute of Foreign Study.
Nosiphiwo, a Golden Key International Honour Society member and a 2013 alumna of the Envision Global Forum on Business & Entrepreneurship, agrees:

“You’ll learn so much about yourself, about the world around you and how to further yourself in a career path you are interested in. You will meet people of different ages and from different cultures and countries. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. It’s one of those amazing things. So just do it.”

Andrew Potter is the Vice President of Education for Envision, including the Envision Global Forum and its five delegations: Business & Entrepreneurship, International Relations & Diplomacy, Engineering & Technology, Medicine and Science and Nursing & Health Care.