ASUN

Studying abroad is an absolutely magical once in a lifetime experience, but for some it can seem a little daunting especially when dealing with a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. If you ever have the opportunity to study abroad it is definitely something to consider! Studying abroad gives you a taste of the world outside of what you previously knew. You get to explore new places, experience new people and cultures, it is amazing! Here are some tips on how to prepare for studying abroad when dealing with a mental illness.

1. Learn coping techniques Before you study abroad it’s important to prepare yourself for any difficulties you may face. Culture shock can be a big one, but that’s okay. Bad days happen! Learn some coping techniques or activities that can help ease you through those bad days. A simple Google search is all you need to start learning about all the different coping mechanisms out there. If you see a therapist make sure to talk to them about techniques that could help you once abroad and make sure to keep their number or email on hand. If you are on any medication make sure to stay consistent with taking it and have enough to last your entire study abroad session!
2. Know yourself When deciding when and where to study abroad take into consideration the length of time you’d be gone and where you think would be the best fit for you. Many study abroad programs have all sorts of sessions to choose from including summer or winter sessions, full semester, even sessions that last a full year. Ask yourself what would be the best length of time for you. If you don’t think you could do a full semester look into any possible summer or winter sessions which are shorter. Which country do you think would not only be fun but provide you with an easier adjustment compared to others? What classes are offered? Which ones would be the most exciting and useful for you? Ask yourself these questions to set yourself up for the best trip possible!
3. Don’t be afraid to say no Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself when abroad. As much fun as it is to try new things and explore don’t be afraid to say no when you need to. Everyone needs time to recuperate, relax, and take time for themselves. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and try new things. If you’re not feeling your best forcing yourself to participate, especially if you don’t want to, can sometimes just make you feel worse. It is perfectly okay to take time to yourself.
4. Don’t be afraid to branch out Remember it’s more than likely many of the other students participating in the program are just as nervous as you. If there’s something you really want see or do don’t be afraid to ask other students if they’d be interested. More often than not someone will always be down. Who doesn’t love a new adventure?
5. Research Do some research on the country before you travel. Learn some basic phrases in the local language as well as what kinds of things to expect once you arrive. Doing this will help you with adjust to the new culture easier since you already have some prior knowledge of what to expect. Make sure to research what kind of weather to expect when over there, too.
6. Stay in contact Make sure to stay connected to those back home and keep them updated. Send them pictures, and tell them all about your adventures. Staying connected will help you feel at ease knowing everyone you love is just a phone call away.
7. Study Although it can seem like one long vacation, keep in mind you are still there to take classes. Make sure to keep up with the workload and study hard to get those credits.
8. Journal Last but not least, journaling. Make sure to document all the adventures that comes your way. It will absolutely be worth it in the end when you can look back and relive all the amazing things you were able to experience when abroad and really, I mean everything. From the people to the food to a detailed description of the room you stay in. Trust me, it is absolutely so worth it.

Sikh Sewa Society of Reno (SSSR), a local non-profit, will be distributing food to about 400 homeless people on July 22nd near the downtown homeless shelter. The organization cooks and distributes meals on the last Sunday of every month and twice on longer months. Rae Mangat, the Founder and President of SSSR, said, “The purpose for this organization is to help those who are in need with life essentials without discrimination of age, gender, disability or race.”

Each month, the organization receives donations from regular donors, purchases and prepares food, and then distributes it. “It’s me and nine of my members. We contribute $50 a month into a pot, and we use that money to cook for the homeless,” said Mangat, “We serve without judging. The point is not to judge, it’s to treat each others as humans. You know, it’s just selfless care.”

Mangat said she started feeding the homeless about two years ago when she decided to start the non-profit, which now serves 300-400 homeless every month. “If it’s snowing really hard, we still feed, and there are still people there. We try to quickly prepare plates and start distributing them, so they don’t have to wait too long,” said Mangat, “I mean, we come home [after]. They’re actually sleeping under the bridges. We have a home to go to— they don’t.”

Mangat said she was inspired by the beliefs of Sikhism. “Sikhism, that’s what we are. It’s a new religion. It’s about 500 years old and the belief is, you do selfless care to others,” said Mangat, “We are firm believers of taking care of each other as humans without judging anyone. And the best way to take care of each other is by feeding the hungry.”

SSSR has plans to expand their efforts to help the community by assisting a broader demographic. According to Mangat, the organization will donate backpacks and school supplies to 100 children who are in low income housing, and will be supplying mobile help emergency helpline buttons to several elderly members of the community.

Mangat encourages the community to become involved by volunteering their time to help distribute food. “It’s the manpower we need more than anything,” said Mangat, “If we have more people, we can distribute food faster.” Mangat also encourages the community to donate clothing and shoes to the homeless as well.

On Saturday, July 28, local non-profit, Our Center, is once again putting on the Northern Nevada Pride Celebration. Now in its fifth year, the event will feature a Pride Parade starting at 10am, with a route along California Ave. From 11am to 6pm, there will also be a Pride Festival in Wingfield Park next to the Truckee River.

While the Pride Parade is free to watch, there is a five dollar donation/entrance fee for the Pride Festival. The event is a major fundraiser for Our Center, earning approximately a third of the center’s operating costs, according to Jeromy Manke, President of Our Center.

The event will feature dozens of local vendors throughout the festival. “Last year we had about 120 different organizations or businesses that came out,” said Manke, “We had booths, whether to provide information and promote resources for the community, and also businesses who are just supporters of the LGBT community and wanted to get their name out there.”

Northern Nevada Pride Festival takes place during Reno’s Artown, and therefore places an emphasis on the arts. “We really want to emphasize the art aspects of the overall event,” said Manke, “Everything from visual art, we definitely have a community art project every year, and then all of our performance art, which will take place on two stages this year. It’s typically composed of entertainers that are LGBT or LGBT allies.”

In addition, there will be several events the preceding night, including the Reno Pride Rainbow Crawl and Drag Wars. “We have a kickoff event on Friday night, which will be July 27^th. It’s called Drag Wars, and that takes place at the Harrah’s Plaza in downtown Reno,” said Manke, “That’s open to all ages. It’s a lot of fun, it’s different drag queens competing in a variety of events. And that is open to people who are interested and want to come out in drag and compete.”

Manke urges the community to become involved in the festival, or with Our Center. “If you are interested, we definitely want you to get involved,” said Manke, “If you aren’t sure where to go, please reach out to us. Of course you can sign up online, and if people are interested in helping out year-round, we definitely have volunteer spots open with Our Center and some of the other things that we do throughout the year.”

Manke believes that Pride Celebrations are an important reminder of the type of acceptance that should be practiced year-round. “One of the main reasons that we created Northern Nevada Pride was to bring everyone together and that support of bringing everyone together,” said Manke, “It’s not only celebrating the LGBT community, but demonstrating that there is acceptance. We want to create awareness, and that should be carried on, and hopefully is carried on, throughout the year.”