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Voices of #TerpsAbroad - The Social Side of Side of Study Abroad

Getting involved on campus
Michelle Rosinski

In a recent conversation, my friend who is also studying abroad asked whether I had met any local Scottish students. My initial response was, “Yes, of course!” because I feel completely immersed in the student and community life in Glasgow. However, when I began to think about the Scottish students I knew, I came up with a small number.
 
I realized that living somewhere for just a few months is indeed enough time to build friendships with those who live there, but this is also a long process. I had fallen into the habit of comparing my social network in Glasgow with my network in College Park and have learned that this is entirely unrealistic. Studying abroad is a short and concentrated time rather than a long-term college experience, and that is what makes it so great.

Michelle (left) stands with friends she has met abroad on a bridge over the River Kelvin. The University of Glasgow is in the background.

Getting involved on campus
As a study abroad student, I have found that university clubs are a great way to engage with fellow students, much like at the University of Maryland. During my orientation at the University of Glasgow, our leaders highlighted student-run groups as the best way to meet Scottish students, as the student population here is largely comprised of commuters. Getting involved in a student group has not only given me a social network from the start and added valuable experience to my resume, but it has given me insight into how students in the UK build their professional skills while at University.
                       
When I arrived on campus, one of the university magazines, Qmunicate, grabbed my attention. I attended an interest meeting displaying the campus publications and media groups that were open to new members for the semester. Representatives from the campus television, radio station, and various newspapers were looking for those with untapped creativity and the ability to speak out enough to pitch in.
 
Qmunicate has become my key to campus involvement. I found that the University of Glasgow’s student unions are heavily student-run. Publications are incredibly open to new writers and talents, so they welcomed an American student new to writing for a newspaper with open arms. I was published electronically and in print multiple times, adding to my professional portfolio while gaining new friends in on the magazine’s staff.
 
Student groups abroad
One afternoon, I met with the Editor and Chief of Qmunicate, Scott Wilson, to gain insight about the ins and outs of student groups at the University of Glasgow. I learned a lot about how the student union uses concerts and social events to shape the university campus into a social hub for the school, and the revenue from such events also funds student groups like Qmunicate.
 
We also discussed how in the UK, students are not expected to gain experience from outside internships quite as much as students in the US. With less expectation for experience outside of the university, students in the UK have more time and eagerness to engage with campus extracurriculars. Positions on the Student Union committee boards are highly sought after because they offer valuable resume builders.
 
One of the Qmunicate editors, Emmie Harrison, was recently offered a full-time job with her top choice company. She stressed that samples from her work with the student magazine was crucial in giving her a professional edge. “Keep a copy of everything you do,” she told us, “Employers love to see your work in print, so make sure you hang on to multiple copies!” After that meeting I made sure to grab a generous handful of that month’s issue. Getting involved in this group has helped enforce the idea that being a part of student clubs is not only a great way to meet people but can also help you build valuable professional experiences.
 
What I learned
When it comes to engaging with social life abroad, it is not very different from beginning at an American university. It’s a great challenge that will leave you with the unique ability to connect with people who have different social habits and expectations than your own. Adapting socially is a skill that will carry over into every new situation that you encounter. It is important to remember that while studying abroad for five months sounds like a long time, it is short compared to the time you have at your home university. Do not pressure yourself or compare your network with others, but rather take advantage of this opportunity to grow socially and professionally.