Studying Abroad in London With Brent Blahnik

Director of International Education Brent Blahnik

“I hear so often students say they learned more and changed more as a person in one semester abroad than they did in all of college” — Brent Blahnik 🦘

In this interview I talk with Brent Blahnik who is the Director of International Education at UW – Green Bay. Brent is the first person I interviewed who studied abroad in London. I was waiting for someone who has gone to one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world, and I’m glad Brent was the first person I spoke to about this amazing city. He did a great job of recollecting his time there and gives terrific advice to students who are on the bubble about studying abroad.

I make it a point to not sound repetitive or regurgitate the same information that other study abroad blogs write about, but Brent truly gives great advice on the long term benefits of studying abroad. He graduated years ago, and still remains friends with the people he met on his trip.

One point of emphasis in the interview is The International House, which is linked and map below and where Brent stayed during his time there. It seems like a fabulous place if you’re thinking about London as your study abroad destination.

 

SHOW NOTES

  • Brent’s first study abroad experience and early influences 🌍 [1:46]
  • Brent’s reservations prior to taking his first study abroad strip 🎟 [4:55]
  • The International Student’s house 🏢 [6:51]
  • Brent’s class structure while living in London 👨🏻‍🏫 [9:59]
  • Brent’s advice to students who are on the bubble about studying abroad 🙌 [12:29]
  • The benefits of studying abroad 🧭[14:54]
  • How UWGB manages international education in house 🧐 [16:30]
  • Brent’s epic travel story 🕵️‍♂️ [19:00]
  • Indian food in London 🍛 [20:29]
  • Keeping up to date on your school’s study abroad blogs 🤳 [21:40]
  • Brent’s final advice for students interested in studying abroad 🙌[22:54]

Educating Students About What Study Abroad Is With Lacy Frewerd

Lacy Freward Talks About The Importance Of Studying Abroad

“Why would they study abroad, why is it going to help them on their educational journey, how is it going to relate to their career field, and once I start piecing it together for them I can see that light bulb go off” — Lacy Freward

The numbers of students that study abroad are low, at technical colleges the’re even lower; about 1.8 percent study abroad compared 10 percent at traditional four year colleges.

Enter Lacy Frewerd who is the study abroad advisor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College where 32,000 students are enrolled.

In this interview Lacy and I talk about educating students about what studying abroad actually is. Now, if you’re a student and you’re reading this you’re probably saying to yourself “well, I already know what it is.” But do you know why you should go, and how it incorporates with what you want to do after graduation?

Are you aware of the multitude of options that are available to you as far as price and length? One student I spoke with studied abroad in Poland…for 12 days. Others students go for an entire year.

In this interview, Lacy articulates this better than I can write it, so its definitely worth a listen.

Lacy’s travel quote (she rationalizes this in the episode)

“Travel isn’t always pretty” — Anthony Bourdain

 

 

SHOW NOTES

  • Lacy’s study abroad experience [3:50]
  • Lacy’s advice to a student who is on the bubble about studying abroad [5:20]
  • Start with why [6:56]
  • Educating students about studying abroad [9:10]
  • Getting on the wrong bus! [14:04]
  • Lacy’s most missed food from her travels [17:50]
  • Travel As A Political Act by Rick Steves [19:15]

8 Fascinating Facts About NWTC [Infographic]

NWTC is prominent technical college in Green Bay, WI

Sichuan Hot Pot Video