If you’re studying abroad this semester, your experience probably didn’t come to fruition overnight. Chances are that you’ve spent months working with our staff in the Central Office to make study abroad happen, and we think we make a great team! So, as you step off the plane in your host country and start immersing in your local culture, don’t forget about us back home. In fact, we love when students actively engage with us during there time abroad. Not sure how to stay in touch? Here are some of our favorite ways students can stay connected and engaged with USAC.
Send An Email
This one might seem obvious, but once you get into the swing of things abroad, you’ll forget all about things back home. One of the quickest ways to engage with USAC is to just shoot off a quick email to your Program Advisor or any other staff that has helped you get to where you are today. Share a word of gratitude, as for advice, let us know what you’ve been up to. Seriously, just hearing that our students are doing well and loving life abroad will make our entire day.
Write A Blog
This one might wait until you’re a little further into your study abroad, but make it a goal to contribute to the USAC blog. We’re always looking for students to share about their unique experiences abroad, how they made it happen, and what they hope to accomplish in their host country. And your story can help future students find their perfect study abroad program and prepare to join the USAC network.
Not sure where to start? Email usacmarketing@gmail.com to brainstorm ideas with a member of our Marketing Communications team.
Donate Your Photos & Videos
While it’s great to hear what you’ve been up to abroad, we want to see it (and so do prospective students). Donating your photos and videos to USAC can help us create content for student outreach efforts and will show future students exactly what a day abroad looks like. From updating our website, to posting on social media, to printing materials for study abroad fairs around the country, we need student photos and videos to keep things fresh, and we rely on student-generated content to make that happen.
Bonus: Our Digital Documenter Program offers students the opportunity to take photos and videos for USAC and get paid for their content. Learn more here.
Interact on Social Media
We know you’re on social! Even abroad, the temptation to scroll, like, and post on social media is all around us, so why not give us some love? You can find USAC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube at @studyabroadusac. Furthermore, be sure to tag us in your study abroad posts and we’re repost your photos and videos on our pages.
If you want to try your hand at running the USAC Instagram for a day, send us a DM and ask about hosting an Instagram Stories takeover. Our followers love seeing study abroad through the eyes of a USAC student, and you can highlight your experience in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas:
- A Day in The Life in X Location – Walk us through an average day abroad in real time. Show us your campus, your commute, where you like to eat, etc.
- Housing Tour – Students always want to know where they’ll be living abroad, and you can help. Hop on our Instagram Stories and walk us through your apartment, homestay, or dorm and share your favorite aspects about your living situation.
- Study Abroad Q&A – Start a conversation with our Instagram followers! Use the questions feature to collect questions from prospective students and share your best advice.
Interview On The Podcast
The Students Beyond Borders Podcast team is always searching for more students to interview, especially while they are knee-deep in their study abroad experience, so why not you? For many people, talking about their study abroad comes more naturally than writing, and the hosts of the podcast love getting to actually chat with our students abroad. We’re currently looking for podcast guests who are:
- Participating in an internship abroad.
- First-generation college students.
- Racially and/or ethnically diverse.
- Members of the LGBQIA+ community.
- STEM majors.
If you don’t fall into one of these categories but still want to participate, reach out! A little background on your study abroad plans can help us find the right topic for you.
Want to get in touch? Reach out to usacmarketing@gmail.com to share videos, volunteer for the podcast, and more.
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