I’m Audrey, a senior studying Political Science who stumbled upon an opportunity to spend my last semester at BSU in China and decided to seize it. This blog post will be the first of many describing my lessons learned, mistakes made, and tips to share during my studies in the beautiful city of Chengdu—so come along and join me for the ride! 

In Fall 2024, Ball State’s phenomenal Director of Study Abroad approached me with the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in China. My initial reaction was uncertain—even though I had been studying Chinese for years and telling people that China was my dream travel destination, I didn’t really believe an experience like this would be possible for me. Fortunately, after talking it over with my family, friends, and the lovely folks in the Study Abroad office, I decided to take the plunge…five months later, I find myself in the Giant Panda capital of the world. 

I could spend the next four months telling you about the gorgeous city that has already stolen my heart, sharing photos of Chengdu’s vast public parks and delicious (but affordable) food stalls, and doing everything within my power to convince readers like you to just come study abroad. And believe me, I will get to all that. But given that I’ve just arrived here a week ago and am still adjusting to life in another country myself, I figure this would be a good time to talk to those students who are cautiously curious about study abroad and paint a picture of what the pre-departure process might look like. If you are like I was a little over five months ago—interested in the opportunities for growth and exploration that a study abroad program provides but nervous at the prospect of stepping into a world of unknowns—this blog post is for you. 

Picking a Program & Applying 

Study abroad programs have to check a lot of individual-specific boxes: they have to fit your price range, satisfy your curriculum needs, and get you excited to pack up and leave the country for a bit. However, I can guarantee you that searching for a program that checks these boxes for you gets a whole lot easier with the help of the Rinker Center. If you’re unsure how to start the program search, you can learn about the program types with this overview. Alternatively, you can search Ball State’s offerings by location, term, length, and more. Give it a try and see for yourself! 

Preparing to Live Abroad 

The level of assistance you receive pre-departure will vary greatly depending on the type of program you choose, but my biggest piece of advice is to use any and all resources you have. I chose a program through USAC, a study abroad provider that offers a great deal of guidance for students on just about everything you’d need to know before studying abroad—from visa application information to webinars on using the metro to get from the airport to our host campus. However, not all programs have this support, and it will be on you to make sure you are well-prepared on the day you depart. 

I could say it a million times, but I’ll limit myself to once: the study abroad team is a critical resource for pre-departure information. You will be required to meet with the study abroad folks a couple of times before you leave, but you can also schedule additional check-ins for further assistance (I even had the study abroad office help me book plane tickets). Additionally, here are some of the most fundamental things to know before you leave: 

  • Passport, visa, and immunization requirements for your destination (each country’s specific entry requirements are outlined by the US State Department) 
  • Etiquette, norms, and significant cultural differences to be aware of 
  • Local language (or at least the basic formalities—have a translator app downloaded!) 
  • Local climate (during the time of your program) 
  • What to pack (and not to pack) 

When in doubt, search the phrase “things to know before visiting/living in [destination].” Some of the best tips come from the people who have been in your shoes before.

 

Travel Tips 

Full transparency: I’m no travel expert. Before my 15-hour flight to Hong Kong, I had very little experience traveling internationally. That said, here are my best tips based on my personal experience flying from Chicago to Chengdu: 

  • Pack light—seriously! Make sure you aren’t charged for your suitcase being overweight and/or risking having no space in your luggage to bring home souvenirs. 
  • Wear layers. 
  • Keep chargers for phones/earbuds/etc. with you, and make sure you have charging bricks or adapters compatible with the outlets at your destination. 
  • Have your passport with you, but keep a photocopy of it in a separate bag. 
  • Bring an empty water bottle and TSA-approved snacks in your carry-on. 
  • If you have a long layover, consider getting a hotel or exploring the city (if possible without a visa)—just remember that once you go through the transfer security checkpoint, you won’t be able to leave the airport again. 
  • Ask your well-traveled friends and family members for their international travel tips! 

Above all, the best advice I can give you is to take advantage of the resources at your disposal—both in-person and on the internet. I realize the logistics of travel can be boring and overwhelming, but I promise you that all the hassle is worth it. If you don’t believe me, check back here in a few weeks, and I’ll prove it to you! 

Until then, I’m wishing you the best from Chengdu!