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

by Rich Kurtzman

Studying abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, but the idea of leaving home so far behind can feel overwhelming. Like a Fish in Water prepares you to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to take on the world, even in unfamiliar territory.

Rich Kurtzman is a Chicago native who has spent more than twenty years living in Barcelona, overseeing study abroad programs and coaching multinational organizations—teaching students and executives alike how to thrive in new countries and cultures. Step by step, Kurtzman shows you what to expect from your experience abroad, helping you harness your new cultural superpowers to land your dream job.

Like a Fish in Water is your personal guide to international living. Learn how to adapt to any culture, fit in with the locals, and turn what you thought were challenges into exciting opportunities. Done right, studying abroad will dramatically expand your horizons—not just in your professional career but for the rest of your life.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2022

Reviews

[Veronica Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book we used for the inaugural semester of our Study Abroad 101 for Artists and Designers course. It provides a very thorough overview of everything students should consider before, during, and after their study abroad experience. I found myself nodding along and reflecting back on my own study abroad experience 10 years ago while reading. I appreciate the multiple interactive activities provided in each chapter, and am thinking we can incorporate more of them in our class next semester. One minor critique is that sometimes the chapter headings/subheadings were organized confusingly- this is something that I definitely noticed while taking notes. It's a little unclear within the chapters where certain sub-sections begin or end. I really appreciated this reading experience though as an Ed Abroad professional and will definitely be referring to it in the future.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is currently studying abroad, this book seemed almost cheesy, like so many other "abroad advice" books I was not looking forward to reading it. However, this not only challenged my current perspective of approaching cultures other than your own but offered insight into how to live life as a more well-rounded person, not just a traveler.

Even if you aren't going abroad, I recommend a few chapters from this book to encourage opening your mind to the idea of others that are different from yourself, and learning about the importance of "iceberging."

However, if you are going abroad, this is a definite yes for a short and informative read.

[Amelia Knutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for my trip to England. (Required for my class) But what the author had to say was truly helpful and made me more prepared for a new country and culture. I would definitely recommend this book if you'll be traveling abroad anytime soon.