Like a Fish in Water: How to Grow Abroad When You Go Abroad

This book is a true gift to the field of International Education. We read and analyzed it in our team book club circle, used content from it in our pre-departure & re-entry workshops, as well as gifted it to our study abroad students and faculty-led program leaders. The book is fast yet profoundly impactful read filled with true stories and rich lessons. It's a must read for every study abroad participant. Like a Fish in Water is a necessary companion of anyone going abroad.

The author's personal stories and those of his students brought me back to my own experiences traveling abroad and how I could approach them with a different lens moving forward. I like to think I’m well-traveled (5 continents, dozens of countries), but this book helped me to think about my own experiences through my unique “cultural lens”. I also love how he weaves in life lessons/philosophy along the way (the unfamiliar becomes the familiar). There’s a lot here that can be applied to domestic life as well: getting over insecurities, getting comfortable being uncomfortable. The writing style is very accessible to all ages and lends to the genuine and heartfelt voice of the author.As a parent of high school and university students that are/will be considering study abroad, I plan use this book as a reference and share it with them not only when they're underway, but as they're considering whether and where to study. I'm also going to use some of the suggested activities on my next international business trip.Highly recommend for anyone studying, traveling, interested in culture, or simply wanting a different perspective on how we live in our own bubbles.

Well, well, well, looks like I found my secret weapon to conquer the world! "Like a Fish in Water" is the ultimate guide to international living. Say goodbye to awkward cultural mishaps and hello to fitting in like a local – I'll be rubbing shoulders with the natives in no time. Studying abroad just got a whole lot more exciting, and who knows, maybe I'll discover my inner globetrotter! Watch out world, here I come!

Rich Kurtzman wrote an incredibly helpful guide not only for students studying abroad, but for their parents as well. This book has all of the essentials needed to get started, take off, and go forward abroad. More importantly, author Rich Kurtzman personally responded to my email when I was a nervous wreck prior to my son leaving for his abroad experience. What an incredible support that was! I cant recommend this book enough for anyone about to embark on the abroad experience.

I heard about this book from my mother, Tijana, and bought it for a friend as a graduation gift; however, I took a peek. at it. I ended up reading it myself. Honestly, there were some very good ideas to enhance the travel abroad experience.

I was lucky to have Rich as a program director when I studied abroad 11 years ago. His insights helped me to adjust to a different culture back then, and the skills I gained are still useful in a completely different context. Would recommend for anyone looking to study abroad!!

This magnificent book is the new gold standard for those looking to maximize their study abroad experience. It contextualizes and helps makes sense of what can be an intimidating experience to students, many of whom are travelling internationally and/or on their own for the first time. Highly recommend, I wish it had existed when I was a young man heading out for my first study abroad experience!

This book is for students of life! I've traveled to many countries over many years, and I still got a lot of good travel abroad tips from Like a Fish in Water. It's a beautiful book that can help you connect in small yet significant ways, and consider how to retain the soul gifts we gather abroad.

This is THE book to read if you, or your kids are studying abroad.So much stuff in here I wish I’d known before I went. Shame it wasn’t around then.Still lots of things in here I’ll take away.Benefit from all those years of lived experience and…big tip…read it BEFORE you go!!

A great handbook for those looking to make the most of their time studying overseas, and then use that experience to build their character and career. Kurtzman's insight will be invaluable in addressing the nerves and uncertainties of young people who are heading abroad to learn and grow.

Excellent! A must read for anyone thinking of spending any time in another country. The insights provide help to understand how to appreciate and enjoy the differences of other cultures, languages and ways of living.