Writing the book I wish I had when I was 20
'How to Study Abroad,' co-written with Texas State student Lauren Hopkins, is out now!
I wrote a book about studying abroad!
This year-long project stemmed from a chance meeting last year with Lauren Hopkins, a soon-to-be college graduate who was on the verge of studying abroad.
Lauren’s mom is a friend of mine who knew I’d had a successful study abroad experience in 2003 and 2004 and that I enjoy working with people in unique ways, so she asked if I would be willing to meet with Lauren in the year before her study abroad semester last fall.
Lauren and I started meeting every other week to go through the myriad issues students face when moving to another country for school, from how friendships back home change to how our relationships with ourselves change.
When she finally left for Spain that August, I was confident she would be able to handle anything thrown her way, and my hunch was right: Lauren had a life-changing semester that she was eager to tell me about when she got back home in December.
That’s how we started working on this book in January, and it’s been an incredible experience to bring this dream project to life.
I’m excited to announce that, after clearing the last production hurdles, the book is finally available for sale!
It’s been a long haul to get here, but this has been one of the most fulfilling creative writing projects I’ve worked on because it challenged me to put into words some of those transformative moments from way back in 2003 in a way that might make a difference all these years later.
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Even though the technology has changed, the emotional and relational work of leaving the country when you’ve barely learned how to stretch your wings has remained mostly the same. Lauren had some of the same struggles that I did with her friends, teachers, and inner critic, etc., so that’s when I started seeing the opportunity to reach out to other people who are on the cusp of making a big giant leap that they didn’t think they would have the courage to make.
In the book, we make the case that there’s never been a more important time to study abroad than right now, even as the world seems like it’s spinning in ways we don’t totally understand. Travel is one thing, but studying abroad is another. Living in another place requires you to build new routines, make new friends, and learn a new culture for more than a few weeks at a time.
We hope this book helps future students — and students at heart — who want to take an adventure abroad.
And I hope you’ll enjoy the storytelling and “invisible thread” nature of the work!
You can find the book here. If you pick up a copy, consider leaving a review! That would greatly help other folks find the book in the coming years.
Thank you for your support of my work! It means so much to me that you have subscribed here.
Stay curious, fellow travelers.
Addie
I’m so excited about this one! I ordered for my daughter. I hope she feels inspired to follow my steps and studying abroad. Thanks for being a gift and inspiration to this world! 💕Deb
Hooray! Congratulations, Addie! XO