Traveling is often as stressful as it is exciting, regardless of any outside factors. It is the nature of the experience, exploring the unknown brings up deep primal feelings of both allure and apprehension. This is made worse by less-than-ideal circumstances, and one of the most common of these for students traveling abroad is having to travel alone.

Traveling alone causes stress in two categories. First, it causes physical stress from dealing with luggage in a system that requires both a lot of luggage and constant vigilance of that luggage. Secondly, traveling alone can cause mental and emotional stress from leaving the familiar completely behind, alone in an increasingly foreign environment.

Airports since 9/11 have greatly increased their policy against unattended bags, to the extent that most will play warnings against unattended luggage on their PA systems. Therefore, it is just not feasible to go and do anything at all until bags are checked, as bringing a full-sized suitcase or two into the bathroom, convenience store or in line for a burger is inconvenient and rude. Even then, with the sizable carry-on warranted by an international flight, navigation around the airport is difficult and exhausting.

This can be remedied in part by limiting the amount of luggage taken before leaving and by reducing the size of that luggage. Students do have a tendency to over-pack, and taking little more than a week’s worth of close is fine in most cases and waiting to buy stationary abroad can also help keep packing light. Aside from that, things like vacuum sealed storage bags can help reduce baggage, and even just cramming as much as possible into stowed bags, while inelegant, has proven effective.

The second half of this issue is more insidious. Studying abroad can fill a student with a sort of nervous buzz of energy, which is in a way pleasant and exciting, but rapidly wears thin as the slow boring realities of international travel set in and leave no opportunity to burn that energy off. Having no one to really talk to, contending with new sights, sounds and cultures with no one to discuss these with: this can leave a student feeling small, confused and alone.

It may help to kill some of the downtime with something brought from home. A familiar movie or video game, or even just a favorite album to listen to. Also helpful may be a last call home before fully setting off or partway through your journey, this can grant a brief period to reflect on the sudden rush of unfamiliar experiences with familiar faces. If that is not possible, or if the prospect of calling home so soon sounds stressful in itself, it may be helpful to simply take pictures and notes to later share online once settled.

Ultimately, there is nothing anyone can do to completely eliminate the stresses of traveling or traveling alone. There are, however, things that can be done to ensure that the excitement of the experience to come can overcome those stresses. If one ever feels truly lost or overwhelmed, you can always look to your purpose for studying abroad, whatever that may be, and remember that that is what you strive for.

The Information Systems Security Association is looking for new officers for Fall 2018 - Spring 2019. We are looking for the following positions:

Vice President of Communications – Attend SGA and related organization meetings/ activities,
social media, marketing ideas, flyers and introductory networking.

Secretary - Keep notes for all meetings, send monthly emails on updates, manage the shared calendar, and help reserve rooms.

Benefits of becoming an officer:

·         Leadership experience

·         Looks great on a resume

·         Networking opportunities

·         Professional connections with ISSA

Please email amin4@umbc.edu with what position you are running for and why (resume preferred ).

Priority Deadline is April 30th, 2018 by 11:59PM
Deadline is May 13th, 2018 by 11:59 pm

On April 12th 2017, UMBC hosted Take Back the Night. The night began with an introduction by the emcees and march leaders, Morgan, Ellie, and Autumn, and Women’s Center staff member, Samiksha.

Photo credit: Jaedon Huie

After the introduction was the survivor speak-out. The speak-out is the heart and soul of Take Back the Night. Survivors are encouraged to come up and share their story with the crowd before the march throughout campus. As a survivor, sharing your story at TBTN allows you to acknowledge your experience with others who believe and support you.

Photo credit: Jaedon Huie

We then moved on to the march portion of the night, where we got loud and chanted in support of victims of sexual violence. We Believe You, an activist group dedicated to ending sexual violence, led the march, the survivor circle of care, and a private discussion in the Women’s Center following the march.

The survival circle is a new addition to Take Back the Night. At the peak of the march, everyone formed a circle around True Grit. Survivors were invited to the middle of the circle, while supporters chanted the refrain, “We see you. We believe you. You matter.” After the survival circle, the march back to Main Street commenced.

 Photo credit: Jaedon Huie

After the march, community members got back together for some craftivism! This part of the night is intended to provide space for reflection, creative expression, and community-building between survivors and supporters alike. 

Photo credit: Jaedon Huie

Thank you so much to everyone for a powerful and moving evening. Thank you to every survivor for sharing their story, to every ally who supported the survivors, and a special thank you to all the volunteers and We Believe You members who made TBTN possible!

If you weren’t able to make it, here are some resources:

• Women’s Center at UMBC
• UMBC Counseling Center
• Title IX and UMBC’s Interim Policy on Prohibited Sexual Misconduct and Other Related Misconduct

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is all of April and we still have many events happening throughout the month. Check out the SAAM calendar for other upcoming events you can attend!