Courtesy Joe Sullivan via Flickr

Whether you’re looking for a real relationship or simply a fun flirt, studying abroad is perhaps the best time to experiment with romance. Being in a different country gives us an excuse to meet new people. Are you one to complain that there are absolutely no dateable guys at your school? Well, when you’re out and about, there are no excuses.

We are often worried about what to do in the awkward situation of running into an old flame and forget to have fun in present moment. It’s safe to say that when you’re roaming the romantic sidewalks of some European country, there’s a very small chance that you’ll ever see the people you come across again. So why not be a little more daring for once, bat your eyes at the waiter and hint that you’d like to hang out after he gets off work? Have fun and see which flirting techniques work for you and which don’t.

The great thing about being abroad is that you can explore your options when it comes to romance. You’ll be able to discover what kind of personalities you like and practice interacting with those you become interested in. If you challenge yourself to talk to a new person every day (they don’t necessarily have to be a love interest), then you are already expanding your people skills.

One of the most important things to remember is that confidence is attractive. If you’re bold enough to start a conversation and you casually drop in that you’re from a different country (a perfect icebreaker), you’re halfway to starting a new friendship. You don’t have to get a boyfriend out of this experience—just some practice. Get to know a different side of yourself when you’re not around your usual peers. It’s exhilarating to discover the fierceness inside of you.

While Maurice and Andrew had to end things when Maurice returned home, the two maintain a light-hearted friendship. They might not have been soulmates, but a great friend and lasting memories are what count. To this day, Maurice does not regret approaching Andrew—in fact, it is one of the highlights of his study abroad experience.

Perhaps approaching someone isn’t always as easy as it was in Maurice’s case. The point is: what could be the harm of simply saying “hello” to someone you find yourself attracted to? You could never talk to them again, or you could make a lifelong friend—you never know.

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Courtesy Mandy Yeh

What do I do if I’m stuck in a weight-loss plateau?

Keep your workout routine interesting and change up your everyday regimen. If you find yourself always hopping on the treadmill, try doing some squats and abs first and then heading outside for a run. Running outside can challenge your body in different ways with the natural terrain. Kicking up your workout a few notches will create new muscle in your body. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, this workout will result in a stimulated metabolism and ultimately lead to faster weight loss.

Try using a journal or calendar to keep tabs on your weight loss and diet. Remember, this should be as much about making healthier food choices as slimming down. Keeping a food log can also track progress while preventing food boredom. Note that many beverages contain a fair amount of calories, so try to moderate your consumption of soft drinks, fruits juices and other flavored drinks.

How do I get better stamina?

Exercising too much at a time can tire you out easily and make you feel less energized. Try doing easier workouts and gradually building up your time. Every day, switch between at least 5-minute increments or an intensity push (i.e. going from 10 push-ups on your knees to 10 push-ups on your feet). Before you know it, you’ll be up at 45 to 60 minutes at high intensity. For example, while training for a half marathon, I try to increase my running distance by half a mile every time I run until my anticipated 13.1 miles. In addition, try to eat food that is rich in fiber and protein to give you the energy to help your workouts. Eating healthy will not only make you feel better, but do better as well; I have seen an improvement in my stamina when I munch on healthier foods.

How do I set new fitness goals?

Research some new workout routines. Do you normally run on the treadmill? Then try switching to the elliptical or rowing machine. Sometimes, the easiest way to find new workouts without machines is to take group fitness classes—also a great way to meet new people and challenge yourself. Your body will appreciate the new movement, and you’ll feel the soreness in the morning. Don’t have a gym membership? Take it outside—ride a bike, go kayaking, play tennis or hiking.

How do I make the most out of my workout?

Stay focused on your goals and keep reminders of them for extra motivation. For example, post a picture of yourself when you felt the healthiest and aim to reach that goal–or beyond. Perform each activity to the best of your ability, and you will see serious results.

Ever wonder why people have their iPods with them while they work out? Research shows that when you listen to feel-good music, you perform better. Create a playlist full of songs that make you happy so that you’ll feel inspired when you’re running.

How can I tone my “problem” areas?

Keep in mind that you cannot lose fat on one specific part of your body. In order to get great abs, for example, you have to do cardio to lose the top layers of fat that are covering them. Then, you can sculpt and tone through Pilates or other intense core exercises to get that six-pack to show through.

For arms, try lifting 5-8 lb dumbbells. You can do basic bicep curls, going three counts up and taking it one count down, and vice versa. Try doing 3 sets of 10 reps for shape over bulk. For legs, lunges are the easiest quick fix. Be sure that you have a good stance—don’t let your front knee pass your foot and keep your hips squared. For a stronger core, skip the crunches on the mat, and challenge yourself on a big fitness ball. Make sure you switch it up so that you are not doing the same move every time.

Remember to pair these workout goals with a healthy diet, and you are good to go. See you at the beach! If you’ve got any fitness questions, shoot us an e-mail at jackelyn@mochimag.com.

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Courtesy Brandie Raasch

If you think it’s ridiculous to cough up $25 just to check your luggage onto a plane, learn these quick tips to get rid of all the extra baggage. Our packing guide will show you how to avoid the additional fees, so you can spend that cash on souvenirs instead.

Leave behind what’s not needed
The most common packing mistake is bringing more items than necessary. Check the weather at your destination before you leave so that you know exactly what to expect. It’s okay to bring one extra jacket—the plane can get cold sometimes—but don’t overdo it. Going on a relaxing hike or somewhere adventurous? Leave the heels behind! You can also bring a travel-sized version of your must-have products and leave the rest behind. You won’t be using all 16 ounces of your body lotion when you’re only gone for a week.

Save room
Most of the time, it’s not a matter of whether you are bringing too much, but how you bring it. Don’t pay for empty spaces in your luggage. Start with your clothes, which can be packed “pancake style” rather than folded. This means that you lay your outfits out on top of one another. If you must, fold once in half, but no more than that! Extra space can also be found in your tennis shoes and purses, which are perfect for holding socks and camera chargers.

Double up
Beauty products can often be used for multiple purposes. Body wash can double as face wash, black eye shadow works just as well as eyeliner when applied carefully, and workout shoes can often be worn during the day. If you are only going to use something once, be innovative and see if you are already bringing something that could substitute for that item. For more tips, check out our beauty guide on traveling with your favorite products.

Once you’ve minimized as much as possible, make sure you have what you actually need—our list of travel essentials has you covered.

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Photo by Mandy Yeh

You’re at a party. You see a cute guy across the room. He approaches you. There is instant chemistry. Before you know it, he’s telling you that his roommate went home for the weekend and he’s asking you to spend the night with him.

A majority of you may have already fallen for his impeccably bright smile and said, “Yes!” Others may have said, “It’s getting late, why don’t you call me?” And a few may have said, “Freak!” and walked away.

Without ruining your night out, it’s important to realize the pros and cons of each situation. Saying yes might guarantee you a night of fun, but also a much-dreaded morning wake-up call. On the other hand, saying no might give you a stand-offish reputation, but at least guarantee that you’ll be safe (and you get to hang out with all the other cute guys at the party).

Regardless of your reaction to the situation, there are ways to avoid the whole scenario altogether. Welcome to my college dating life.

I have learned that my style of dating may be different from those of other college students. Although I am secretly jealous of girls who have enough time to go out and party every weekend, my Friday night study sessions have saved me from so many heartbreaks. As one who falls in love very easily, I know that I wouldn’t be able to handle meeting a guy, sharing a connection and then never talking to him again. I also don’t want to find myself getting caught up in the moment and making a decision I’ll later regret.

Instead, I tend to stray away from these party animals and try talking to the cutie in my statistics class, or the down-to-earth guy in my student club. If you’re like me and are searching for a stable relationship, trust me, you’ll be better off avoiding the party scene. So where else can you meet people? Try going to the library, a local coffee shop, a low-key concert or maybe a school game event. Also consider what your interests are. Participating in activities and events that are enjoyable and important to you will ultimately lead you to someone who shares similar values. The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is someone out there, but you have to make sure you’re looking in the right places.

Let’s face it, most guys you meet at these parties aren’t the long-term type. You might be a hopeless romantic like me—hoping to meet your soul mate at the most unexpected moment and have him sweep you off your feet. Although it is possible, it’s unlikely you’ll find him chugging down a cup at the beer pong table.

What has stimulated my outlook is that nowadays, and especially in college, a kiss tends to be just a kiss. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to actually know the name of the guy I’m kissing. Plus, guys that only want one-night stands usually don’t have intentions of being your friend, let alone being your boyfriend.

The reason college dating seems to be so different than high school dating is because college is seen as a time to let loose. It’s your first time living life without supervision, and you want epic stories to tell your best friends. Under these circumstances, being committed to just one person doesn’t seem ideal. People want to go out, meet as many people as possible, have insane fun while they’re at these parties and flirt the night away. The bottom line is this: People in college want to have fun—and for some, a serious relationship doesn’t scream fun.

For those who are not currently interested in having either a significant other or one-night encounters, you are not alone. Many of us are experiencing the freshman fun, while others are living up their last semester of midterms and finals. With that said, go have a good time and party it up. Just remember to be careful, because one day you might wake up and realize that you may not want to make that long walk back to your room alone.

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Courtesy Piotr Lewandowski/SXC

Then one day, I got the letter that changed my life forever. I had received a $25,000 scholarship from the Asian American Journalists Association and CNN for being an aspiring broadcast journalist. This was the one scholarship that I had taken a chance on and applied for on a whim. I remember being so happy that I started crying—the stress and hard work had been totally worth it.

Many people ignore scholarships because they think it’s a waste of time to apply—all that preparing, essay-writing and form-filling, for the slight possibility of receiving some money towards college. However, those who are qualified should absolutely apply. It only takes a few good hours to put together a scholarship application. Even if you only receive a couple hundred dollars, that could buy a semester’s worth of textbooks. As the saying goes, every little bit helps.

Since I went through the arduous process not long ago, I am hoping to pass on some good karma to Mochi readers. We’ve cut the research half of the work with our list of scholarships, so you can focus your energies on your application. The best part? These scholarships are all geared toward Asian Americans, so you’re already at an advantage. Good luck!

For fitness buffs:

CanFit

Deadline: March 31, 2010

Amount: Not specified.

For Chinese Americans:

Organization of Chinese Americans

Deadline: April 1, 2010

Amount: $2,000

For aspiring journalists:

Asian American Journalists Association.

Deadline: April 23, 2010

Amount: From $1,500 – $2,500

For budding West Coast news anchors:

Fisher Communication

Deadline: April 30th, 2010

Amount: Not specified.

For Korean Americans:

Korean American Scholarship Foundation

Deadline: May, June, or August (depending on your region)

Amount: $2,000+

For Vietnamese Americans:

Vietnamese American Armed Forces Association.

Deadline: June 1st, 2010

Amount: $1,000

For entrepreneurial types:

Asian Women In Business

Deadline: August 1, 2010

Amount: $2,500

Also, try looking up specific colleges you want to apply to see if they offer scholarships for minorities, but work fast because deadlines are quickly approaching. If you end up receiving one of these scholarships, drop us a line at info@mochimag.com. We would love to feature your story in an upcoming issue of Mochi.

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Courtesy of King Perez de Tagle of Kimatherapy.com

Anna began her entertainment career at age 12, singing and placing as a junior finalist in Star Search, a TV talent competition. After the show, she landed miscellaneous acting and modeling jobs, including starring as Ashley Dewitt in the popular Disney series “Hannah Montana,” Ella in the Jonas Brothers’ “Camp Rock” and most recently Joy in the remake of “Fame.” Throughout it all, she maintained an easygoing and optimistic attitude despite the obstacles of stardom.

She might be one of the brightest rising stars today, but Anna admits that her life isn’t as easy as it looks. Since rejection is one of the many difficulties she faces as an actress, a thick skin and strong morale are required for the job. Despite opposition from her mom early on in her career, Anna knew that acting was the path for her. Now, her mom is her biggest supporter.

On the other hand, she has seen people forced into the business. “You have to really love [acting],” Anna said. “It takes a lot of sacrifices.” Instead of hanging out at the movies with friends, dressing up for prom or stressing over whether the cute guy in Chemistry likes her, she’s preparing for auditions, getting ready for industry events and setting up even bigger goals for herself. It looks like Anna’s hard work is paying off, since her mystifying stage presence is undeniable whether you’re watching her in a movie theater, in your living room or on YouTube.

One of the common pressures on young stars is the constant scrutiny of their bodies. However, the Disney Channel provides an encouraging work environment that allowed Anna to feel comfortable in her own skin. It wasn’t until after she landed her role in “Fame” that she started to work out more. Since Anna, who is naturally skinny, yearned to be a little curvier, she worked with experts to tone her body. Instead of simply eating more to gain weight, she “fattened up in a healthy way.” Her personal trainer provided her with a nutritious diet plan and a workout of lunges, weight-lifting and crunches. Since starting this new active lifestyle, she has noticed herself being more energized and active. Performing and acting no longer tire her out.

The “Fame” star may have a lot under her belt, but she shows no signs of stopping. The self-proclaimed “easy-go-lucky girl” is currently in the studio recording songs with Disney. Her next project is a remix of the classic “Part of Your World” song from “The Little Mermaid,” which will be featured on the next Disney Mania CD. Anna may not be a typical 18-year-old, but her attitude is one that we can all aspire to. “There’s nothing to be negative about if I’m still alive and happy,” she said. “I just tell myself to live life to the fullest.”

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There’s something so alluring about “summer guys” – the carefree and fun vibe that comes with being around them. Stressful schedules during the school year typically make it harder to go out and meet new people, whereas summer holds countless opportunities. Once that last final exam is taken, the books are thrown out and swimsuits dutifully take their place.

Many girls detest these “summer flings,” claiming that they ruin any possibility of sustaining a real and long-lasting relationship. But the question is: What type of relationship are you looking for within these three months?

There are several upsides to having a summer fling. For one, it’s a fling! You are not entitled to any one person, allowing you to “talk” to whomever you desire. By being open-minded, you have the opportunity to explore your likes and dislikes in guys. As risqué as this sounds, think of it as giving yourself more chances to run into someone you’ll truly fall for.

The best part of a relationship is usually the chase. The rush you get right after meeting someone you can’t get enough of is quite exciting. This “sprung” feeling usually lasts for a few weeks to a few months – coincidently the typical duration of summer. By the time school starts again you may have already lost interest in that summer relationship and someone new might just walk into your life.

I’ve had my fair share of summer fun. There were certain guys who wanted to take me out every day, loved our spontaneous adventures, wouldn’t stop calling, and may have fallen in love with me. The list goes on, but it all boils down to this: I used to be a shy and timid girl, but I finally decided to open up emotionally over the summer. Once I did, I noticed that talking to guys was easier than I thought. Not only did it improve my boldness around guys, but my relationship and communication skills improved dramatically. I noticed that every summer I came out a more confident, outgoing, and laidback person. Guys do not define my personality, but they do help me discover unique traits about myself and characteristics that I desire in a relationship. These valuable experiences have helped me make wiser decisions when it comes to guys.

Keep in mind that summer relationships sound short-term, but it all depends on your mindset. The possibilities are endless. If the two of you are truly compatible, what started as a summer fling can turn into a long-term relationship. By avoiding assumption and going with the flow, anything can happen – just make sure all parties stay on the same page in terms of expectations and wishes.

One last thing, do not always wait for romance to come to you. When you see something you like, go after it! The adrenaline rush can be amazing. Summer flings are all about having safe fun, being daring, and learning about yourself. Don’t be so hesitant. Let your hair down, throw on that summer dress you’ve been saving all year and go start up a conversation with that handsome surfer. You’re never going run into him again anyway – or will you?

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