Glastonbury, a small town in Somerset, England, is likely not on most people’s ‘to do’ lists when they cross the channel; however, it’s a magical place, rich in history, myths and legends.   Well worth a visit, and you can combine it with a trip to Stone Henge.

There are traces of civilisation in this area dating back to Neolithic times (5,200 and 4,500 years ago!), but in more recent times, the settlement of Glastonbury was recorded from the 7th or 8th century.  Glastonbury Abbey, which dominated the town for 700 years, was one of the most important abbeys in England and was the coronation site of the Edmund Ironside as the King of England in 1016 and visiting the ruins is like a step back in time.  The Abbey claims to be the oldest ‘above ground’ Christian Church in the world.  In 1191, monks at the abbey claimed to have found the graves of the famous King Arthur and Guinevere to the south of the Lady Chapel of the Abbey Church – and in some literature Glastonbury is identified with the mystery island of Avalon.

The second legend involves Joseph of Arimathea, who it is said, arrived in Glastonbury by boat over the flooded landscape.  On disembarking, he struck his staff into the ground and it flowered miraculously into the Holy Thorn, which became a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.  According to myth, Joseph requested the construction of the Abbey to house the Holy Grail after the death of Jesus.  Legend has it that Jesus also visited Glastonbury with Joseph.

Glastonbury has been considered a spiritual centre since the megalithic era, and now attracts fascinated tourists and the ‘new age’ crowd.  This quaint town is nestled in the green, rolling hills of the Somerset countryside, in the lea of the famous Tor, which is topped by the remains of an old church and once a Mecca for Druid Priests.

Glastonbury is a festival town, with plenty of arts and music events taking place during the year; and a great place to spend Summer Solstice.

Sagar Patel from Surrey, Vancouver, who won the Ipad!  Sagar was a Business Graduate from SFU and currently works for the Children’s Foundation.

Katie Allen from Toronto won the Safari for two in Africa!

Congratulations to both winners!

Did you make it to the fair?   What a great circuit!  We loved meeting all of you who made it out to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.  We had a great turnout and the universities really enjoyed meeting you.

If you missed it .. don’t worry, you’ll have another opportunity this Fall!  The Fall circuit will be coming to the following cities:

Vancouver – September 22, 2012

Calgary – September 23, 2012

Ottawa – September 26, 2012

Toronto – September 28 and 29, 2012

Halifax – September 30, 2012.

Keep checking back on our website, and follow us on twitter (studygoabroad) and facebook (Study and Go Abroad Fair) for all the updates.

Back in Canada now, I am reflecting on the past 10 day trip to Singapore with mixed feelings of success. I found out a lot from the three ladies I profiled (see former blog posts) but I have yet to fully connect the dots to Canadian students. While I learned about some incredible incentives countries such as Singapore use to encourage international students to study there and about the importance of an education system to encourage students to widen their education overseas, I’m still left wondering what Canada is missing. Why are we more unwilling to travel when compared to other globe trotting nationalities (ie. Australian, American and pretty much any country in the EU).

It hardly makes sense to lump all Canadian students into a category of unwillingness because there are so many reasons one makes or does not make the decision to study abroad. But, from what I can see, it is not for want of financial and educational incentive that Canadian students are choosing not to. There are several websites the Canadian government maintains to provide information about studying abroad (here is one listing international scholarships by country http://bit.ly/rJqJvQ) and almost all universities in Canada encourage exchange programs.

Perhaps it is a lack of awareness? One thing I noticed in Singapore was an overwhelming amount of advertisement for schooling abroad. One subway train became basically a mobile poster for a university in Ireland, with nearly every surface covered in pictures of the ‘emerald isle’ and information about choosing Ireland as a post secondary destination. That was something you don’t often see in Canada.

Perhaps Canadian students are just taking their time when it comes to capitalizing on the increasingly globalized world. It seems to me, with greater than ever access to international news and increasing awareness of the global events as they apply to Canada, it won’t be long until the rush of international fervour breaks like a wave on our igloos and forces us from the comfy bubble of “eh”. Or not. Perhaps this is just the musings of a strung out international junkie who has let her passion for travel lead her to an unfortunate state constant itchy feet, bordering on Canada cabin fever-ish derangement. I’ll leave that one up to you.

The bow out: Chances are if you are reading blogs from Study and Go Abroad, you are already pumped about an upcoming trip or have aspirations of future international travel so I hope you are even more inspired now to make the trip. Maybe someday there will be enough of us venturing abroad that a resounding “take that!” will be heard by those who doubt our collective international wanderlust. Good luck on your future adventures!

What made you decide to work overseas? Rachel explains that her father offered her a position with his construction company’s foreign branch in Singapore when she was 20. “I had the chance to work abroad so I said ‘when do I leave? I will pack my bags!’ She says the plan was for her to stay only two years with the company and then return home. She laughs saying “look how that worked out, eight years later and still here!”

What was it like leaving home so young? “I came here at an age where your character isn’t developed fully,” Rachel explains, “you are kind of like a sponge.” At first she was very wary about offending the locals, “I was still young and maybe a little culturally sensitive.” This changed quickly though which she attributes to the fact that Singapore is a place where many cultures live together and foreigners are frequent visitors. “People rarely take offense, they are just so used to it.”

Was it difficult fitting in? Rachel says it was really helpful that she already knew English coming to Singapore. Her native language is German but in Switzerland they are taught English at a young age. “It can be scary because things are different and different is always scary.” As an example she recalls the first time she was invited to a Malay wedding. “I thought, I’m scared! I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how to behave!” After a couple moments of panic she started to relax and observe the people. In the end she says the experience was fascinating.

What does it take to be a good international traveler? The most important thing, Rachel says, is to be flexible. “Things often don’t go as planned. You will most likely get to the end goal but you will probably go a different way than you expected.” Rachel calls herself a “confirmed seat junkie” explaining that just because she is not a backpacking, dreadlocks sporting traveler doesn’t mean you are restricted to all-inclusive resort style traveling. While she likes to plan her trips around the goal of a hot shower and a clean bed at the destination, she is comfortable with changing plans and unexpected complications.

My thoughts: Rachel really has made a life for herself outside of her home country. She calls herself a SBS, Singaporean born Swiss. When she made the decision to travel to Singapore at age twenty she admits that there was that initial fear of the unknown but assures me that it is all part of the experience. It was interesting to hear her recall mistakes she made or concerns she had when I can relate to so many of them. Seeing how she has grown from it into the person she is today is beyond encouraging for those of us who are just starting out!

Short and sweet bio: Su-Lyn is a 24-year-old, Singaporean born, travel superstar. She has explored many countries over the past 4 years and includes Switzerland and Canada (hurrah!) in her repertoire of schooling abroad. Lyn is the oldest child of two, living with her Grandma and brother in a condominium in Singapore. She is a recent grad with a double major in political science and law. In her second year Lyn went abroad for a three month exchange in Switzerland. After returning home for a short time she applied for another placement overseas and wound up at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. She returned to Singapore to finish her degree after more than a year abroad and now works for a law firm downtown.

Why did you choose to go abroad for school? “I Just wanted to get out of the country basically. I wanted exposure to different cultures. You can’t really learn culture in a school, you have to immerse yourself in it.”

Was your family supportive? “My parents are really open. They were totally supportive. It is pretty typical for students in Singapore to go abroad if they can afford it. Sometimes students who can’t make it into the schools in Singapore go abroad because they might have an easier time getting in.”

Why Switzerland and Canada? “I knew I always wanted to travel in Europe and do the Europe thing.” After three months of courses at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland she toured around taking week trips to France, Spain and Germany to name a few. For her Canadian trip, it was really the luck of the draw. “We had to submit a list of our choice schools for social sciences. The University of Victoria was my fourth choice. I looked mostly at the program elements, not as much at the locations, so I just happened to get the Canadian placement.”

Any travel plans for the future? “New Zealand, Australia and Canada are the top three right now, I will probably be going back to Canada soon.” When she considers a country to travel to, Lynn says she thinks about four things: “How exotic it is, cost, safety and political stability.”

My thoughts: Lyn is an inspiration. Her willingness to leave home and challenge herself with education abroad is admirable, to say the least. She says international exposure has had a huge influence in her career and life in general. Coming from a country as small as Singapore it is a little more expected for students to go abroad but with the world to chose from, no one says they have to stay close to home!

Short and sweet Bio: Priyanka – or Priya – has been a post secondary student in Singapore for almost three years now. She is originally from Lucknow, a city in Northern India South East of New Delhi. She came to Singapore for her undergrad in computer engineering at the Nanyang Technological Institute. Priya is an only child and just celebrated her twenty first birthday. Her mother, a teacher, and father, a business owner, were both supportive of Priya’s decision to study abroad.

I chatted with Priya over frothy drinks at a chocolate bar, one of many in malls across Singapore (yup, they have those. Delicious, in case you are wondering or had any doubts.)

Why Singapore?: It was a safe decision, she says, but still a good place to experience new cultures, meet new people, and broaden your horizons. “That is what it is all about, getting away from what you are use to.” On top of this Singapore offers amazing incentives for foreign students to study in the country. Priya explains that 75 per cent of her tuition is paid for by the government here. The offer comes with a stipulation though - she says – she is obligated to work in Singapore for three years after her graduation, though she is free to choose when and where this happens.

Was it hard or scary to leave home?: Priya recalls that she was too excited to be really scared about moving to Singapore. She admits that traveling alone as a woman can be tricky but “it depends on your attitude,” she says, “if you are vigilant you will be okay.” She admits that her parents sometimes worry about her but she knows that they trust her to make good decisions for the future.

Do you miss home?: “I miss it occasionally, mostly when there are [Hindu] festivals and such.” Home is hard to replace but she says that many Indians travel or move to other countries – Singapore being a popular destination - so it makes it less difficult to leave home when, as she says, “you don’t really feel like you are outside India because there are so many Indians here.”

What happens after school?: “I can’t wait to finish school and start traveling!” While she is not very specific, Priya says she can see herself in North America or Europe in the near future. I ask if there is anywhere in the world she would be scared of traveling to: “New York.” We laugh and she explains that the main reason is not fear as much as the thought that the people are unfriendly and pushy.

What have you heard about Canada?: Priya said that her opinion of Canada is influenced by TV shows, movies and people she has met from Canada. “You guys are so friendly and nice. You apologize even if you didn’t do anything wrong!”

After my chat with Priya I find myself even more interested to learn why other people decide to travel and/or study abroad. Is it important to have a family to encourage you, a financial incentive or just simply the guts to do it? Priya seems to have all of the above but it makes me curious about others. And so with that lingering question, I power down my computer and say goodnight with the promise to continue my search tomorrow!

Well, I’m here! First impressions: hot. Luckily I arrived very early in the morning so there was no direct sunlight to warm the already hot and humid air. From deep winter in Ottawa to the summer of Singapore after a mere 24hours in transit; there has got to be a faster way to get to the heat! Ahh, but cards on the table, I chose to come to Singapore because my brother has been living here for the past school year. He is currently doing a co-op with a tech company based in Japan (undisclosed company – think TV’s and DVD players). The best part of staying with a relative or friend is that the first night, when you are exhausted from travel, have a questionable appearance and smell, you don’t have to worry about navigating to a hostel or hotel. That night was a short but important power sleep as the sunlight arrived quickly in all its fiercely hot glory.

The bulk of today was spent getting to know the vibe of the city and staying out of the sun as much as possible. I have heard that heat stroke can be a problem if you aren’t use to the hot climate right away. Fortunately the city is a shopping mecca. We wandered from air-conditioned shopping mall to air-conditioned shopping mall. Lots to eat, lots of people creeping to be done! I have learned Singapore is a one of the more multicultural cities/countries in SE Asia. In respective order of population size the four major cultural groups are Chinese, Malay (original), Indian and other. I was surprising far from the only blonde wandering the streets though our visiting today was limited to tourist areas.

As promised I will be profiling my first international student soon. Estimates differ but I have heard that as many as half of the people here are either foreign born or non-citizens of Singapore so it shouldn’t be too hard for me to find a subject. I’ll keep you posted!

While I wait in boarding lounges I figure a bit of introductions are in order. Hi! My name is Maria. I am in my fourth year of journalism studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. I have a passion for the pen (though in modern terms I suppose that would be ‘a passion for the keyboard’. Loses the romance, no?) I consider myself a traveler though my adventures have been limited to North America and Europe.

I truly believe travel is an education. It may be motivated by an unhealthy addiction to adventure but the passion is sustained by a curiosity to know more about everything.

So why are Canadian students staying home?

My thoughts:
1) The elephant in the room; it is expensive. Now people will say this to no end, particularly students who have commitments like paying for school. But the truth is it is all about priorities. If you choose to spend your money on other things, you will simply not have any to spend on an extravagance like travel. There is nothing wrong with this. Where we choose to spend our money is a decision we all have to make regardless of age. Some are luckier than others and I’m sure there are some who really don’t have the option, but if you really really want it, almost anyone can make it happen.

2) Straight up, it’s scary. Putting bravado aside, facing the unknown is always scary. It is that gut wrenching feeling you get walking into something you have no control over. The same applies to boarding a plane if you have no idea what will happen when you land. It is scary and I feel it to some extent or another almost everytime I travel.

While it doesn’t take the fear away, these are some things I do before a big trip overseas that may help.
First, research. Always. Go to governemnt sites, google, wikipedia, anything. Reading up on the place can prepare you for a lot of the culture shock.
Secondly, pack smart. Fashion might seem frivolous but wearing the right clothes can not only put you at ease but it is also super important to respect the cultural dress code to avoid disrespect. For example, many places expect you to cover your shoulders in religious areas. Pay attention!
For you women travelers out there, I really like this site because it gives you advice country by country: journeywoman.com
Third, organize all documentation. I like to not only carry electronic and printed copies but also a notebook where I write out all important numbers such as for flights, travel insurance, passport, etc.

So these are just a few ideas. Perhaps you have heard them, perhaps not.
Either way, from the Toronto boarding lounge, I wish you happy future lounging youself!

Blogging live from Singapore .. almost!

I won’t deny that high school is a very important time for young adults. We’re introduced to all the basic studies all the while honing in on a potential career choice. So it was a little unusual when my parents and I decided I would take a month off school in grade 11 to travel with family in Europe.

Now, I have a rather poignant memory of a teacher addressing my grade 11 class – mere days after I had returned – something to the effect of: “I find it very irresponsible of parents to take their children out of school for vacations during such an important time.”

My retort, naturally fully formulized days after the opportunity to express it had passed: “I learned more in that one month than I did the entire school year.”

This response is the truth. And backing me up are 25 university presidents who converged in Ottawa early February to discuss the future of post-secondary education. They came to the consensus that Canadian students are not getting enough international exposure.

According to an article in the Globe and Mail only 12 per cent of Canadian students venture on educational exchanges. Nine out of 10 students don’t even leave their home province for post-secondary.

The overarching concern is that without experiences abroad Canadian students fall short in their level of innovation and global understanding.

Explaining the benefits of travel, Dalhousie University president Tom Traves said it best: “It exposes you, it transforms you, changes you as a person – you never see the world in the same way again.”

So my fellow Canadian students (whether you are officially enrolled or the unofficial live and learn-er), I can’t see any greater incentive to pick up and go.

So here I go. Next stop: Singapore.

** Follow me as I blog about my experiences as a Canadian student traveling in Singapore, documenting lessons learned and profiling students from other nationalities about their decision to travel or study abroad.

The Globe and Mail article: http://bit.ly/wakdqs