How to Apply for Study Abroad and What to Expect

With less than 48 hours to go before I'm on a plane to Japan, I thought it would be a great idea to talk about how I got here. Deciding to study abroad was not a decision that I made on a whim - I spent many nights thinking about whether I should apply and then later preparing the application materials needed for the CSU-IP Program. It was not an easy task, but I would certainly do it over again.
With that said, let me tell you how it all went down.

First things first, I never ever thought I would apply to study abroad.  I had it in my head that studying abroad was only for rich students with impeccable grades (as much as I want it to, this does not really apply to me) and it was therefore something that was just not in the cards for me. Even after completing 3 years of Japanese and Asian Studies courses, I still felt that I would not make the cut. It wasn't until I learned a friend of mine (who had been taking Japanese courses along with me) applied and was accepted to study abroad in Tokyo, Japan with the CSU IP Program ('13-14) that I decided that enough was enough. If she had the confidence to not only apply but also get accepted into this incredible program, then I could too. If I applied and failed, at least I would have tried. Sitting back on the sidelines watching others live their dreams was no longer an option- I had to get into the game.

So, I began compiling my application to the CSU IP Program.  I talked with friends who went through the study abroad process, meet with the lovely study abroad adviser Janis, and had different people look over the many drafts of my application essay. I spent several months alone writing and rewriting this particular essay because I wanted to make sure my passion and excitement would shine through. I asked my Japanese professor and a Biology professor from my freshman years to write me letters of recommendation and was pleasantly surprised when both agreed without hesitation.
 *My advice to prospective applicants is to not be afraid to ask a professor if they could write you a nice letter. If the professor is not too familiar with you, be prepared with a little bullet point list of interesting/impressive things about you that a he/she may include in their letter. Also make sure to email the professors every now and again after they agree to write your letter. Professors get busy and tend to forget to complete/submit the letters (from personal experience :)).

After the frenzy of completing my application, I then had to worry (a little) about the two interviews with professors on campus. This step can be either relatively easy or a little nerve-wracking depending on who happens to interview you. In my case both professors were easy to talk to and didn't hit me with any hard to answer questions (although one professor, who upon learning I had some knowledge of Japanese, pretended that our interview would happen entirely in Japanese!!! NOOO WAY I'm not that good yet!)

After the interviews are done, and as long as you aren't deemed insane by the Sac State committee, your application is sent to CSU IP for review by their committee. And the long wait begins. And by long I mean turning in your application on December 15th and receiving your acceptance letter in the mailbox around mid-MARCH. That's March with a capital M y'all!!! So yes the wait is nearly unbearable, BUT when I finally received that acceptance letter in the mail...I can tell you that it was one of the happiest days in my life thus far. I could not stop smiling and even skipped (Yes I skipped, and you will too!!) to class the next day :)

Of course following my acceptance there was much, much more paperwork and then several unforeseen circumstances on my part that put into question whether I would be able to go abroad at all - this is because just submitting an application and getting accepted would be entirely TOO easy.

After many months of manhandling, my letter is sadly a little worse for wear.

 But this I'll save that for another post. For now just revel in the fact that you have been selected among ALL applicants in the entire CSU University System. Read and then frame

that beautiful little letter on your wall. Hold it close and picture yourself in Japan (or wherever your heart desires). You have just passed the first hurdle and you are a few steps closer to the finish line.

 じゃまた

Ashia A.