Want to share your study abroad experience? Please complete our Questionnaire!!
Nikki Farahanchi
Business
India
What were some of the most important considerations you had to make before you decided to study abroad? Had you traveled abroad before?
I am legally blind, and I had never left the country alone before this trip. There were so many things to consider: Should I bring a white cane? How am I going to navigate my flights independently? How can I travel a new crowded city without seeing? What if I get lost? I had to adapt a very flexible and open mindset, because many of these questions did not have a definite answer. I had to be more brave and courageous than I had ever been in my life when deciding to travel to India alone.
How long did the planning process take? What additional resources were helpful during your planning process? Did you draw on any supports at U-M? Elsewhere?
Planning process for study abroad always takes a while. I highly recommend going to YouTube and watching other student's travel vlogs. They are so helpful! Moreover, meeting with my advisor and program director to ask about my accommodations and concerns was very reassuring.
What supports did you have while abroad?
Honestly, the most helpful resource was my program coordinator Patrick as well as my amazing study abroad friends I met here. Before the trip, I had gone to many hours of advising appointments, trying to get every last detail on potential situations I would end up in. At the end of the day though, II had to trust those around me. I made friends quickly, and told them of my visual impairment. Almost every person I told was so inspired that they immediately helped me. Many of the friends I made were careful and watchful of me, reading menus and holding my hand on dark streets as a guide without me even asking at the end. My program coordinator Patrick was so incredibly kind, it moves me to ears. Although my disability was an obstacle, self-advocacy and the loving support of my friends I had the most beautiful trip abroad. I cam home feeling so empowered as a young visually impaired woman that had traveled all over India!!!
What is something you wish you had known about in advance that you know now?
Nothing specific. I wish I had a friend that just told me to relax and have fun! It goes by fast, so enjoy it!
What was something that went really well and something that was really challenging?
One thing that went really well was that I really grew into myself during this trip! I learned that I was a great bargainer, and had so much fun with local Indians. I became confident in my own skills of traveling abroad. Just because I am going blind does not mean I am helpless! I truly gained a sense of independence through this experience. Along with that, a truly terrifying moment occurred for me at the India Customs in Bangalore. I wasn't given an immigration form on the plane (if I was, I would've asked the flight attendant to help fill it out for me). And so, when I arrived, I kept getting dismissed and pointed to random corners. I was so so so scared to the point of tears. All the other U of M students had given their visas and were gone. I was totally alone. When I finally got he form, it was the SMALLEST writing I had ever seen. It was too small for me to fill no matter how hard I tried. I was shaking at this point because I had no one to ask for help. The employees kept dismissing me so I turned to this random India man nearby and pleaded for help. I thank God that day because the man happened to be a Professor at Eastern Michigan, and was so so kind. I told him I am legally blind, and trusted him with my passport number and all my information, it was crazy! When I finally got to a Customs Agent with my form, she said there was one box I didn't fill. I told her I couldn't see and that I was legally blind. From here, I had the most bizarre conversation of my life. The officer told me: "Why are you here? You can't do anything if you can't see". In that moment, my courage showed and I preached at the officer about how being legally blind doesn't define me, and that I am an extremely capable woman and student a the Ross School of Business. Finally, I was let through into India, and after that experience I always travel with a white cane.
What were accessibility and social stigma like in your host country and how did that impact your experience?
My disability is invisible so I didn't face any stigma, which I am very privileged and blessed to say. As far as accessibility in India, the smaller more rural cities had quite terrible accessibility, where as the bigger modern cities were well equipped. Particularly, in Bangalore, there were no crosswalks, street lights, or any sense of order, which is dangerous for any person, but even more for someone who is visually impaired. In New Delhi though, accessibility was much more high-tech and easy. In general, the locals are very nice and willing to help out and answer questions for tourists, which made my experience very positive.
What advice or tips do you have for other students with disabilities who are thinking about studying abroad?
First tip, DO IT!!!! Don't be scared, be brave. And come prepared. I carried a white cane with me all over India, even though I only used its once for two minutes. Have a safety net for yourself. And make friends early on. Be social and open about your disability, it will help you out so much. People are so willing to help, you just need to ask! My abroad experience is something I talk about all the time, and I hope hat every single student gets the opportunity!
Did your experience abroad alter your college experience and/or future academic or career goals?
It has helped me greatly in all my job interviews. If anything, it gave me so much more confidence in my career choice of fashion.
Robbie Elliott
Industrial and Operations Engineering
University College Dublin/Dublin, Ireland
What were some of the most important considerations you had to make before you decided to study abroad? Had you traveled abroad before?
For me, the only consideration was whether or not my extended time on tests would be carried over at the host university. This was my first trip abroad and first time out of North America.
How long did the planning process take? What additional resources were helpful during your planning process? Did you draw on any supports at U-M? Elsewhere?
I applied for study abroad in November, was accepted by December, and then it was pretty straight forward from there. I believe that the College of Engineering just reached out to see if I needed accommodations, I said yes, and they handled the rest. It was really easy and I had no worries.
What is something you wish you had known about in advance that you know now?
How fast you find group of friends. There is nothing like being in an unfamiliar place that quickly brings people together. I'm still very close to those friends and talk to them all the time.
What advice or tips do you have for other students with disabilities who are thinking about studying abroad?
Definitely do it! It was an amazing experience and from the time I came back I've been looking for another opportunity to go on a trip again. My host college handle my disability and accommodations request just like the University of Michigan does.
Jasmine Hamilton
Psychology
Prague, Czech Republic
What were some of the most important considerations you had to make before you decided to study abroad? Had you traveled abroad before?
How to transport medicine and what to do to treat it if something out of the ordinary happens in a country where I don't speak the language. I have traveled before
What is something you wish you had known about in advance that you know now?
A note from your doctor, in your carry-on, in person, and in your luggage goes a long way
What was something that went really well and something that was really challenging?
Access to healthcare was easy, challenging was not knowing about food
What advice or tips do you have for other students with disabilities who are thinking about studying abroad?
Do it. Communicate anything important and don't be afraid, you are not the first but you can help open doors by simply being there
Want to share your study abroad experience? Please complete our Questionnaire!!