Student Spotlight: Madison Binstock in England
What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome it?
One challenge that I experienced during my first month here is the time difference between my home and study country. There is a 5-hour difference, so being able to figure out specific times to talk to people was hard at first because I have so many friends and family I communicate with daily, but I've finally been able to find the perfect times to communicate with them.
Student Spotlight: Taylor Hoyte in Scotland
What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome it?
One challenge I faced this month was learning the new school system. I was so used to how my old school did class registration, clubs, housing and so many other things that I was lost when I got here. It was something I did not expect at all. I kept leaving my keycard at home because my keycard at school is usually on my phone, and had so much trouble picking my classes.
Student Spotlight: Addy Lamaute in Spain
What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome it?
One challenge I experienced during my first month was remembering why I was here. One of the biggest reasons I applied to this program was for the academic benefits of attending a music school that I wouldn't otherwise have access to at my home university. I was so excited about the study abroad experience and how it would help me grow professionally, but I often found myself feeling distracted and overwhelmed by all the new things around me.
Student Spotlight: Betty Eagan in England
What is one challenge you experienced during your first month? How did you overcome it?
One challenge that I have experience during my first month is not being in close proximity to my community back home. This has made me eager to branch out and make new connections with the people that I’m meeting at my university. It has also encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and build a new community here in London.
Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest Winners Spring 2026
We’re excited to announce the winners of the Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest! These stunning photos capture unique perspectives and unforgettable moments from our participants' study abroad journeys.
Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest Finalists Spring 2026
We’re excited to announce the Joy Worldwide Inc. Study Abroad Photo Contest, where our students can showcase their incredible moments abroad! Whether they’re capturing stunning landscapes, sharing a piece of culture, or snapping themselves in unique destinations, we love seeing the world through their lens. Here are our top finalists in each category:
Making New Friends While Studying Abroad
Studying abroad is one of the most exciting experiences you can have but it can also feel surprisingly lonely at first.
You’ve landed in a new country, everything is unfamiliar, and suddenly you’re surrounded by people… yet you don’t know anyone.
The good news? Making friends abroad is absolutely possible—even if you’re introverted, shy, or nervous about putting yourself out there. In fact, many students say the friendships they form abroad become some of the most meaningful of their lives.
Student Spotlight: Mary Napoleon in England
What’s one challenge you’ve already encountered? How are you navigating it so far?
A challenge that I have encountered is remaining conscious of fees and converted prices, especially when it comes to shopping for necessities. To navigate how to reduce the amount of money spent, I asked locals I meet at cafes and events where they normally shop. I started going to the recommended stores an my grocery bill was almost half the price in the stores they recommended compared to where I was going previously.
Student Spotlight: Quirino Griffin in Japan
What’s one challenge you’ve already encountered? How are you navigating it so far?
One challenge I've come across is the language barrier, especially when learning Japanese. It's been more difficult than I thought, and with a hectic schedule, finding consistent time to practice takes work. Even though I usually comprehend parts of what people say, ordering food or dealing with little daily interactions can still be scary at times.
Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest Winners Fall 2025
We’re excited to announce the winners of the Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest! These stunning photos capture unique perspectives and unforgettable moments from our participants' study abroad journeys.
To dive deeper, we asked our winners two questions: What does your submitted photo represent to you? and How has your study abroad experience already impacted or changed you? Their answers revealed personal transformations, newfound perspectives, and unforgettable memories shaped by their experiences abroad.
How Study Abroad Shapes Gen Z Into Global Citizens
Gen Z has grown up in a world that moves fast. They’ve experienced global crises, technological revolutions, and cultural shifts—all before the age of 25. They’re connected, informed, and passionate. But there’s one experience that can’t be downloaded, scrolled through, or simulated: living and learning in another country.
Joy Worldwide Inc. Photo Contest Finalists Fall 2025
We’re excited to announce the Joy Worldwide Inc. Study Abroad Photo Contest, where our students can showcase their incredible moments abroad! Whether they’re capturing stunning landscapes, sharing a piece of culture, or snapping themselves in unique destinations, we love seeing the world through their lens. Here are our top finalists in each category:
Student Spotlight: Temilade Onile in Greece
I would say that Greeks take a more natural approach to food as fresh fruit, produce, meats etc are very accessible. They have a very Mediterranean diet with plenty red onions, tomatoes, seafood and fresh ingredients. I haven't noticed anything yet pertaining to traditions around digestion but I know that they eat a lot of acidic food like tomatoes, lemons, yogurt etc which are good for gut health.
Student Spotlight: Laila Barnes in Scotland
“In Mississippi, we don’t really use public transportation. Here in Edinburgh, Scotland, public transport is the main transportation to any destination. Learning how to navigate it by making sure I catch the bus on time or catch the right bus was a struggle at first. I decided to take a day to ride three main buses just to see where they would take me, and so I could become very familiar with them. I am now a public transportation pro!”
Finding Your People Abroad: The Unexpected Art of Making Friends
When students head overseas, one of the first questions they often ask themselves isn’t about classes, food, or even language—it’s: “How will I make friends?”
On paper, it sounds simple. You pack your bags, arrive in a new country, and meet people from all over the world. But the reality can feel much different. That moment can feel daunting but it’s also where the growth begins.
Why Every Major Can Benefit from Studying Abroad And Where to Go
Studying abroad isn’t just a fun adventure — it’s a career-boosting, perspective-expanding experience that helps students develop global skills, adaptability, and cultural awareness. While the benefits are universal, certain majors can gain unique advantages depending on where they study. Here’s a look at a few fields and the best international destinations.
Student Spotlight: Sidney Eramil in Denmark
“I have found it challenging to make friends as I found that many people in my program are attending with groups of friends from their schools which makes it challenging to get to know people. Additionally, it can be quite frustrating knowing that 80% of my study abroad program is white people from the US making it hard to identify and relate to many of them.”
Student Spotlight: Hadija Primus in South Korea
“One challenge that I've encountered is not allowing myself to be okay with not knowing. I've been beating myself up about not being fluent in Korean or freezing up too much when someone starts to speak to me in Korean. I expect myself to be good at navigating through Korea, but that's impossible because this is my first time here. So, I'm having a hard with giving myself a break.”
Why Study Abroad Builds the Leaders of Tomorrow
In today’s global economy, employers are looking for talent that is adaptable, resourceful, and culturally fluent. Study abroad programs cultivate exactly these traits, making students not only academically enriched but ready to thrive in professional environments. By supporting these experiences, donors and partners are shaping the workforce of tomorrow.
Student Spotlight: Adriana Sneed in France
“One challenge I have encountered is communicating properly within the language. I have had issues at grocery stores where I struggled to explain an issue. I am navigating it by using translate to figure out a word then still talking to them. This is helping me consistently learn new phrases and words everyday. I practice and write down these phrases so I can return to them later. This has made connecting with locals a little harder, but I remain committed to making these connections.”