Expand your worldview
Learn about students international experiences around the world.
An international learning experience is a great way to change the way you see the world. You'll come back a different person, too. More independent, more focused, more self-confident.
"It’s not just about the big things, different languages, and cultures; its really about the little things, the way you say hello, the way you eat a meal. Its about waking up in the morning and knowing you are in another country, but not registering what that means until you are home. Its about a whole new meaning of the phrase home away from home. Study abroad is about defining the indefinable, of who you are and where you fit in the world. Mostly, its about making the whole big scary world out there, a community, and an opportunity. "
Nikki Palmer, Class of 2010
University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Spring 2008
Africa
Rhodes South Africa
Scott Jones '11, Maple Glen, PA
Read Scott's Blog from Rhodes in South Africa
Valeri Wexler '10, Alexandria, VA
Read Valerie's Blog from Rhodes in South Africa and view her photos below:
Spring 2008 semester in South Africa at Rhodes University, eight Washington College students, from left to right: Karen Hye, Grace Harter, Kevin Rodriguez, Kate Towson, Ryan Coulson, and Kana Takio.
The South Africa Experience
Courtney Madden '08, Woodstown, NJ
Anthropology Major
Things are going well in South Africa. Can't believe how fast it's going by. I don't know if you heard or not but Val and I got to feed lions. That was quite an experience.
Last Sunday we went on a horseback safari too. It was amazing.... seeing game on horse, and also riding on a private beach with the horses. It was really nice.
This place is just WOW. I dont know why more people don't go do the South Africa program. Etienne is amazing as our advisor and the trips planned for us are fantastic. Not to mention it's gorgeous here. I wonder if it is the distance factor that gets people? Hmm people just dont know what they are missing.
Niki Tripp '05, Baltimore, MD
Anthropology Major
"Spending a semester in South Africa changed my life. Most people overlook the chance to visit Africa in lieu of countries that are more in the mainstream, but that was one reason why I wanted to go. No one knows much about it, and it turns out that South Africa is probably one of the most beautiful, diverse places on Earth.
I was able to hang out on pristine beaches, go on your mandatory African safari (think lions, elephants, zebra, dung beetles), have a paintball fight with slingshots in the bush, climb mountains, and volunteer at a township kindergarten (probably the best experience out of the whole semester).
Classes were challenging because they are taught differently than at Washington College, but in many ways that became an advantage. I met so many amazing people from so many different countries, and Rhodes definitely upholds its reputation for an unbeatable nightlife, so there was really never a boring moment. Something about South Africa gets into your bones and becomes a part of you—I look back and can't believe I was fortunate enough to choose studying there over any of the other countries I could have gone to.
It's so hard to sum up what the experience was like, but I can't wait to go back, and I absolutely recommend this program for anyone looking for more than just an average 'study abroad' experience."
Minety Abraham '04, Liberia
Political Science Major
"My favorite memory from South Africa was traveling to the Transkei and visiting a place named Coffee Bay. You will find the most beautiful, non-tourist beaches in South Africa. When I visited, we spent the night around a bonfire singing, playing African drums, chatting, and engaging in fruitful debates with South Africans and other students studying in South Africa about the future of the country."
"This is one of the best programs Washington College has to offer, a trip to South Africa would not only challenge on multiple levels, but also, at the end of your journey, you leave South Africa knowing that your long flights from Chestertown to the end of Africa was extremely rewarding."
"I would challenge other students to study in South Africa and explore the country for what it is has to offer. Definitely travel beyond the campus and meet as many South Africans as possible. South Africa is in a league by itself, it has so much to offer in terms of knowledge and personal growth. South Africa is experiencing a period of transition, and I would encourage students to study in South Africa and experience this process as it progresses."
Asia
Hong Kong
Lingnan University
Laura Reiter '10
Read Laura's Blog from Lingnan University in Hong Kong
Christina Naguiat '07, Beacon, New York
International Relations Major with Concentration in Asia and Economics
"When I was in Hong Kong, I joined the dance society, called DanSo, and participated in a "Mass Dance" of Hip Hop. It allowed me to bring part of the American culture to the students. It made me feel like I was a part of the campus, and I didn't feel like an outsider."
"You can make friends in all different cultures, even in the cultures that you think are the most extreme, different, or conservative in comparison to your country."
"I really hope others will go to Hong Kong; it's a wonderful place. I would love to go back and visit sometime in the near future."
Nicole Alpert, Columbia, MD and Good Hart, MI
Economics and International Studies Major with Concentrations in Asian and African Studies
"My decision to study in Hong Kong was based on a need to learn more about China in the atmosphere. Obviously going abroad broadens a life, but it broadened my sphere of knowledge, being taught by non-Americans, and using texts that weren't written by Americans, led me to more views within history, and the world's current events. These kind of eye opening opportunities were discovered because I chose to take myself out of a setting and a knowledge that I already had a grasp of."
"I had a great time learning the basics of Putonghua and the development of the characters. The Chinese New Year and many other Festivals are also quite exciting and rich in tradition. The beaches and barbeques as well as the efficient transportation within Hong Kong were lovely. Indeed, Hong Kong easily connects one to the rest of Asia, especially South East Asia and main land China. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to travel."
"The "West" and the "East" thought are not so different after all. I learned that there are many different "logics" in the world, and that true enough to the saying that one's enemy is another's liberator, one's truth is another's conjecture. Many people in the world are close-minded, and it may often take experience firsthand to lose a myopic view, but what also can help is a friendly challenge."
"Making lifelong friends and acquiring new knowledge is always the best of experiences, and that's exactly what you get when you travel abroad."
Japan
Japan photos by Michael Hauss.
Meiji Gakuin
Eve Nealon '10, Huntly, VA
Read Eve's Blog from Meiji Gakuin in Japan
Michael Hauss '10, Baltimore, MD
International Studies Major
There are two types of people in the world: people who daydream and people who make the dream a reality. Going to Japan, I wanted to do everything I possibly could and that is exactly what I did. I walked among the Geisha in Kyoto, ate the freshest sushi at Tsukiji, and visited countless temples and shrines. Everyday, I utilized the massive, yet simplistic train systems to explore all that Tokyo had to offer. However, the most rewarding experience I had was climbing Mt. Fuji. It was hands down one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life.
My friends and I were planning to climb Mt. Fuji the night after our final exams during my first semester at Meiji Gakuin University. We bought bus tickets to take us from Shinjuku to the fifth station on Mt. Fuji, which is the starting point for climbers. However, because we were all studying for our finals, we did not really prepare in anyway for the trip. The day of, on the way to the bus station we picked up some essentials we thought we needed for the ascent to the summit, consisting of bottled water and some trail mix. When we got to the fifth station, we were all pumped and excited to get going. However, that enthusiasm was short lived. Two hours into the hike up the mountain, we all were exhausted and wanted to quit, but there was no turning back by this point. We were cold and had no idea how much longer it would take to reach the summit, but we banded together and helped each other up the mountain. A mere three hours later, when we finally reached the top, we had no energy left. We literarily collapsed on top of each other and huddled for warmth. We knew it was going to be cold at the top, but no one realized that it was going to be as cold as it was. Sitting at the top, we waited for the sun to rise and when it did it, words could not explain the beauty in which it bestowed. Never in life had I seen day and night blend together in such a way. In front of you, the sun was rising and behind you, it was pitch black and all you could see were the moon and stars. As you looked from one extreme to the other it felt as if you were seeing day and night morph into one another. Words do not give it justice. Seeing the sunrise after hiking the tallest mountain in Japan was the most personally gratifying feat I achieved during my time spent in Japan, that and surviving the hike back down the mountain.
South Korea
Yonsei University
Meredith Collier '07, Millersville, MD
English Major
I can say with certainty that going abroad for a year to South Korea to study at Yonsei University is the best single thing I’ve done for myself. Not every experience was pleasant, but every experience was personally significant and essential to who I am today. When I left Washington College, I was a shy, quiet young girl. I returned as a confident, outspoken young woman with the determination and ability to make her dreams into reality.
Living in a culture so fundamentally different from my own challenged my preconceived notions of what life is like, and I have come to regard challenge, growth, and positive change as pillars of that which I value in life. Studying in Korea, learning the Korean language, eating Korean food (very cheap and delicious—be sure to try the street food!), celebrating Korean holidays with local families, and making friends from all over the world gave me opportunities for growth that I could never have had otherwise.
I gained a love of travel from my trips all over the Korean peninsula (travel in South Korea is cheap and easy by bus or by plane, and accommodations for student groups large and small are affordable and plenty, and the subway system in Seoul is extremely cheap, clean, and efficient). Over the lengthy winter break, for Christmas I kicked back on the tropical island of Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Just after New Years, I rode elephants and bamboo rafts in Thailand’s northern Chiang Mai province and spent my nights in mountain village huts. I was also able to visit the indescribable temples of Angkor Wat in Seam Reap, Cambodia, an experience that should be on everyone’s “To Do Before I Die” list.
As an English Literature major with a minor in Philosophy, I was particularly interested in comparing Eastern and Western contributions to these fields. I was able to study Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and both modern and ancient Chinese and Korean literature at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. I was also able to join a Korean literature club and participate as a Guest Editor at Yonsei’s English-language magazine, The Yonsei Annals. For Washington College’s newspaper, The Elm, I was able to write weekly column about my travels for both semesters.
But the things learned away from the classroom were far more meaningful. If you go abroad—and I believe that everyone attending Washington College should do so—remember to take chances, go off the beaten path, let life surprise you. The most rewarding experiences were those that took me by surprise, not the ones I planned well in advance. If you can, be sure to go abroad for an entire year. The first semester is fun but often very difficult; by the time the second semester begins, you’re ready to take on the world and drink in all it has to offer.
I will always be grateful to Washington College and the Office of International Programs for this remarkable opportunity. It has opened me to a world of wondrous possibilities.
Australia
Amber St. Louis '11 and Sarah Garretson '10
Bond University
Amber St. Louis '11, Fort Washington, MD
Business Major
"Australia is known for its mateship, rugged image and picturesque beaches. This country is so beautiful ranging from its green pastures to the translucent water. Thus far, my experience has been very rewarding and memorable. I have met some of the most amazing people from countries across the globe. I am so pleased that I seized this grand opportunity to learn about other cultures and particularly, Australia’s social, economic, and political background. I am very privileged to be where I am today and I continue to embrace every moment I have here. Australia’s culture and society is definitely unique from other countries. "
Bond University
Jordan Lange '07, Poughkeepsie, NY
Business and Economics Major
"My study abroad experience has been the best thing I have ever done in my life. You have the opportunity to experience a new culture, meet people from all over the world, and discover many things about yourself that you never knew. Not a day goes by where I do not remember the phenomenal experience I had studying, traveling, and broadening my horizons in Australia."
Monash University
Seth Olson '09, Branford, CT
Political Science and Economics Major
"I just got in 2 hrs ago (Fri Night) from a week long trip to the center
of AUS for my midsemester break. I spent a night in Alice Springs, before
heading off on a 3 day tour to Uluru (Ayres Rock), the Olgas, and Kings
Canyon, as well as many more smaller sights along the way before returning
to Alice Springs for another night. The weather there was gorgeous 80's
and bright sunshine, and slept under the stars at night, they were
fabulous, so bright and clear, could see the milky way stretch from one
horizon to the other. Saturday morning I am off sailing again, racing on
Port Philip Bay on the 50foot boat I have earned a regular weekend crewing
spot on. So life is good, and just checking in."
Europe
England
Jordan Brown studying at Royal Holloway, takes advantage of the London sights.
Royal Holloway/University of London
William Bruce '09, Rydal PA
English Major
"We have had a fantastic semester! The teaching style is very different here; we've done a lot of independent research and it's been really stimulating, and we've made some great friends from all over the world! It's really been worth it!"
France
Universite D'Artois
Ryan Trone '07, New Oxford, PA
History and French Major
"The only important advice I could give would be to be patient and open minded with the French administration which works at a different pace and has a different theory than that of America. The other thing would be to set reasonable goals with what you want to accomplish while abroad. Know what you are capable of doing, then plan accordingly. But make the most of your once in a lifetime opportunity!"
American Business School Paris
Brenna Doyle '07, Hampton, CT
Biology Major
Many college alums with whom I have spoken say the one thing they regret about their college experience is not taking the opportunity to study abroad. Not wanting to end up saying this, I decided to stop by the Office of International Programs and see what they had to offer. Figuring out where to go seemed to be my only problem! France was at the top of my list, but the only programs available were in Grenoble, Arras, and Provence. I had my doubts about each of these, so I began considering South Africa and Australia. Luckily, the college began a new program with the American Business School in Paris. And despite being a biology major with little fluency in French, I decided to sign up as Washington College’s first guinea pig to brave the City of Lights!
Getting accepted was very exciting and terrifying at the same time. I was nervous about leaving my friends for a semester, taking classes at a foreign school, and living in a city that speaks no English! But everything worked out just perfectly. The school had arranged for a shuttle to pick me up from Charles de Gaulle Airport and bring me directly to my apartment. I could not have asked to be placed in a better part of the city! My apartment was located in the 12 th district of downtown Paris, within walking distance of the Bastille, Nation, and Notre Dame. I always felt safe because the neighborhood was residential, and my building was filled mostly with students and other people my age.
Paris is a fantastic city to walk around, but on days that were too rainy or cold, taking the metro was an easy and affordable alternative! I also signed up for a one-week orientation for exchange students, before the semester began, and I could not be happier that I did it! In addition to taking us to every important monument and museum in the city, our guide also helped us with the laundry mat, post office, metro, bank, restaurants and the grocery store.
The American Business School in Paris does not have a campus like Washington College, rather three buildings in the same vicinity where classes are held. The buildings are shared with about five other colleges, so you get to meet a ton of people! Students at ABS Paris come from all over the world; I made friends with people from Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, and Iran. Professors are extremely well educated, and also ready to help you acclimate to the city in any way possible! Almost every one of my classes would venture out of the classroom: whether it was on a field trip to the Louvre or to a café to practice French dialogue. My friend Kaitlyn Ruitenberg who studied in Cork, Ireland came to visit when my French Civilization class went to Versailles for a tour as well as a wine and cheese tasting!
My experience abroad was absolutely perfect! Paris is such a huge city with so much to offer. It’s so historic and beautiful, and has the best restaurants, museums, theatres, and nightlife. While abroad I was able to visit eleven other countries! This was definitely a big advantage of studying in Europe versus South Africa or Australia. The trains are such an easy way to see so many places.
I really encourage anyone and everyone to study at the American Business School in Paris. You don’t even have to be a business or French major to go! It’s such a great program, and the only regret I have is that I did not go for a full year!
Germany
Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen
Kristin Porter '06, Damascus, MD
German Studies Major
Choosing to spend my junior year studying abroad in Germany was an easy decision for me to make, as it was something I had wanted to do since my first year of high school. During my freshman year at Washington College, I decided to major in German Studies and became certain that I would transform this dream of studying in Germany into a reality.
Looking back, choosing to study at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen was the right decision for me. The city of Tübingen is small and personal. The professors were very nice, and the Germans with whom I became friends were caring and thoughtful. The location of Tübingen is ideal for those wishing to travel to the countries of Austria and Switzerland as well as into Bavaria. Do take advantage of the excellent public transportation system! My favorite time of the year is the Christmas season and in Germany it's certainly beautiful. Make sure you visit as many Christmas markets as possible!
While studying in Tübingen, Germany, I not only had the opportunity to improve my German-language skills and build upon my knowledge of the German culture, but I also had the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful, interesting people from all over the world. Through these friendships I not only learned a lot about other cultures and languages, but I also learned a lot about myself.
My year in Germany taught me to appreciate even more where I am from and to realize how important it is to cherish relationships you have with people. Being away from home for an extended period of time not only opens your eyes to new, different things, but it also opens your eyes to things which have always been around you.
If you have the opportunity to study abroad for any length of time, I highly recommend it.
Hungary
Pécs University
Jill Kelly '07, Pasadena, MD
Sociology and Political Science Major
I don’t have an exact reason why I decided to spend a semester in Pécs, Hungary, but in the end it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Though it is the second largest city in Hungary, Pécs is not exactly on a European backpacker’s list of must-see cities. It’s a shame, because this gorgeous city has a lot to offer, in both culture and nightlife. It was recently selected to be the European Capital of Culture for 2010, which is also when my European friends and I are planning our reunion.
Along with studying European politics, I took classes in Hungarian language to help me in my adventures around both Pécs and Hungary. English is not widely spoken, but I did not have too much trouble going grocery shopping or communicating with native Hungarians. I chose to live in a dorm, and our international floor had students from all over Europe and Asia. I was the only American female in the international program, but I never felt out of place with my friends.
The location of the city is great for exploring Eastern Europe and the Balkans. I went places I thought I would never see in person, like Croatia and Sarajevo. The International Programs department even arranged a trip to Prague for the international students.
Everyone should take the opportunity to study abroad, and consider countries that are not as popular. Going somewhere completely foreign may seem scary at first, but the places you go and the people you meet will make every minute worth it.
Ireland
Ireland photos by Molly O'Connell.
Univeristy College, Cork
Allison Fischbach '09, Woodbine, MD
Read Allison's Blog from UCC in Ireland
University College Cork
Molly O'Connell '10, Portsmouth, NH
Humnanities Major
Everyone asked me how it was during my first week, and the first one-word response I could come up with each time was, “Green.” Silly, they’d reply, of course its green – you’re in Ireland! But really, you have never seen the color green correctly unless you’ve been to Ireland. I personally believe that if it’s green, it grows here, no matter what kind of greenery it is! I have seen palm trees next to pine trees and all manner of things in between. In the city of Cork (Corcaigh, in Irish), there is more than just green. I don’t really know what I was expecting. I’ve been to Paris and Madrid and Rome before; seen the high Gothic towers and beautiful Georgian apartments. Ireland is built of what they have always had available – stone. Most modern buildings use a lot of concrete. But they have painted them so you can never tell unless you’re close. My apartment building is a mild shade of light pink. Across the river, there is light green, yellow, white and blue. Even when the sky is grey – and, being Ireland, it is grey more than it is sunny – color still exists all around you. When the sun comes out, the whole city looks spectacular; when it is sunny in the countryside, it takes your breath away. The green I was describing earlier is magnificent when it’s cloudy and rainy, and thus its beauty is amplified beyond compare when the sun shines. One of my favorite things about Ireland, and Europe in general, is its history. Everything is so old. On an archaeology trip, we went to Newgrange – a stone portal tomb older than the Egyptian pyramids – and we stood inside to look at the carvings on the walls. In Galway, I walked a bit of the “salthill prom” made infamous in Mundy’s song “Galway Girl.” I kissed the Blarney Stone, twice, and walked through castles left crumbling on the side of the road. It was real perspective to discover, while in Dublin, that the Guinness Factory is older than our country’s government (by about ten years, in fact!). But even more than that, I learned about myself. Living in a culture you know nothing about requires you to find out what you’re made of. It’s the simple things you need to learn – like buying groceries, finding a coffee shop, shopping for school – and at first it seems daunting. At the end of four months, however, everything becomes familiar, and you realize you’ve become a part of another place, another people you never thought you’d get to know.
University College Cork
Katherine Honold '08, Summit, NJ
History Major
I got to go to Dublin and Belfast with my class for early start and have visited quite a few places locally--Limerick, Kinsale, Cobh, etc. Hopefully I'll get to Galway, the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry too before I head back to the US. Living over here definitely did take some getting used to (all the information you gave out in the predeparture orientation was extremely helpful). The Irish people are all SO nice. It's unbelievable, I had dinner with Caroline and Michelle from Washington College last night and we were talking about how the people here really go out of their way to accommodate you and help you in any way they can. And I absolutely love Cork! The Jazz Festival took place last weekend and over 40,000 people came into Cork for it. It was supposed to raise 25,000,000 Euros for the city.
University College Cork
Val Larson '07, Landenberg, PA
English and Drama Major
"I'm studying abroad for the semester in Cork. I love it here so far. The city has a more laid-back, friendly feel than many of its metropolitian cousins in the States. The Irish are kindly disposed to Americans; many of Ireland's sons and daughters now live there, and most everyone has visited, and will happily regale you with that time they visited Boston as you sit inthe pub with a pint."
" Cork in particular is a very enthusiatic city. It is the 2005 European Capital of Culture, and is very proud of that fact. The orange logo sporting fireworks is to be found all over the city. Combined with the red and white of the city colors (and we just won the all-Ireland hurling finals, so it's around quite a lot), this is a very bright place at the moment. Cork considers itself just as important as Dublin , if not more so (that's what's called the Second-City syndrome here). The woman who informaed us of Cork's status as the Capital of Culture at Orientation stated quite matter of factly, "We *are* the Capital of Culture, we've *always* been the Capital of Culture, it's just that this year it's finally been recognized." It's a sentiment echoes allup and down the Lee River."
"The college campus is quite beautiful, all limestone and gothic architecture. It's surprisingly easy to find your way around, and if you do get lost, anyone off the street will give you directions. The teachers and study abroad officials are very friendly, and are absolutely on your side."
"Travel around Ireland can be done quite cheaply by bus...at the moment, it's 12 euro for a round trip to Dublin . Dublin's a popular place to visit, and so is the Burren, in county Clare. Our class was brought to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Galway, a wonderful trip. And now airlines are offering flights to England for 1 euro, and flights all around the Continent for 10 euro. Travel is spectacularly easy, and fairly cheap if you plan ahead."
Scotland
University of St. Andrews
Liam Daley '07, Drexel Hill, PA
English Major
St. Andrews is a small, medieval town on the south east coast of Scotland. The community is somewhat isolated, about an hour north of the nearest major city, Edinburgh. The town can boast a castle, a sprawling ruined cathedral, a pier, about dozen medieval churches, botanical gardens, and rows of seventeenth century town houses. Everything you could hope from a Scottish town.
But the geography is deceptive. Packed into that small town, are students from every pocket of the world, and every kind of background. It’s a truly an international university, and the students are constantly traveling. You’d think Amsterdam was a suburb of St. Andrews from the amount of weekend trips there.
The academic atmosphere is an odd mixture of formality and relaxation. You would never call a professor by their first name, but it’s not unusual for class to be held in a pub. The actual work load is about half of what we have at Washington College (only two classes a semester), but the level of thought they expect for each project is far about the normal level here.
Ultimately, the place will totally reshape the way you look at college, at other people, and at life. You are much more aware of what a wide and glorious place the world is at St. Andrews.
Spain
Semester in Granada
Akin Walker '10, Germantown, MD
Business Major
To some la vida granadina can be described in few words: ham, siesta and fiesta. To me the city and my experience in Spain have been so much more. Granada is a charming city in the province of Granada in the autonomous community of Andalucía which is situated in the south of Spain. My two months here have been absolutely incredible! Granada is a vibrant city with a distinct culture that is difficult to put into words.
Latin America
Peru
Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru
Amy Uebel '07, Martinsville, IN
History and Political Science Major
I admit it. I was scared to leave Washington College and travel south of the equator to live in a city that I knew two things about. One, the city was larger than any other city I had ever known; and two, crime was high, and I mean REALLY high. However, the plane ticket was bought and my mind was set. I grew up with a poster of Macchu Picchu on my wall and a strange fascination with Lake Titicaca and the Amazon, and I HAD to see them. If not now, when?? So, it might come as a surprise when looking back at my time abroad my favorite memories are not of my first sight of Macchu Picchu, or swimming in the Amazon River with pink (yes, bright pink) dolphins. My top two all-time favorite memories of the semester happened in the most uninteresting of places, the bus stop in front of my house.
The first happened not long after arrival. I was still trying to learn the bus system. (I had not quite gotten the whole “stick your arm out and the bus will stop” move.) A small indigenous woman, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, was walking past me on the street. All of the sudden she looked up at me (tall, blond, and EXTREMELY American), stopped dead in her tracks and gawked at me. Not knowing what to do with such attention, I politely said “Buenos Días, Señora”. Her mouth fell open. It then dawned on me, that, while I had come to Peru to see a strange new people, I WAS the strange new person. Not them. The realization that while you travel to see new people, the natives will probably find you just as strange, will never leave me.
The second happened near the end of my time in Lima, I was in fact returning from my last day at the university when I met another Peruvian at my stop. This time it was a more cosmopolitan man. When he began to speak to me in English (Peruvians are ALWAYS polite, but his English was quite bad), I quickly informed him that I spoke, “Castellaño quite well. Thank you very much.” After a few minutes of polite chatter, I told him that I indeed was not a native and was soon returning to the United States. The poor man could not believe that a foreigner was able to speak Spanish as well as I could and flat out refused to believe that I had only lived in Lima for five months. No foreigner, he declared, would have such a clean accent, and Limeños are quite proud of their clean accent.
Those two mundane conversations taught me that traveling abroad is not about the adventures you will have while gone, although that part is fun. Living abroad is about the experience of stepping outside your comfort zone. The thought of waking up in a strange house, without the friends you depend on, only to hear the honking of cars and the chatter of dozens of extremely energetic (and loud) bus drivers who all want your business may frighten many students away from leaving their well-established life. However, it is the fear that teaches you who you are better than any class you can ever take. A few months later, you will wake up one morning to realize that the house no longer scares you and you actually UNDERSTAND the bus drivers. You can successfully navigate your way around the city, even if you do not fully understand your professors. Then it will dawn on you that this new world, one of strange people and customs, has become your NEW comfort zone. You will remember those days of homesickness, the classes you didn’t understand, the times you got lost, the weekends filled with little sleep and more travel, and you will realize that the hardest thing about your time abroad was stepping on the airplane to come home.
Ecuador
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador
Nicole Hovernale '11, Davidsonville, MD
Hispanic Studies and Anthropology Major
I didn’t know what to expect when I waved goodbye to my family, walked through security, and stepped onto the plane that would take me to a completely different world—with a distinct culture, language, and way of life. If you asked me at that moment what I was expecting out of my experience, all I could say is I was looking for an adventure. Well, and of course, improved Spanish speaking-skills. But what I didn’t know was I was getting more than anything I could have imagined. My host family insisted on picking me up at the airport, as opposed to the alternative of having the University send a taxi. ( I recognized their smiling faces from the picture they had sent me.) As I walked out through luggage claims and customs. What I didn’t know when they welcomed me with the Peruvian greeting of a kiss on the right cheek, was that in a few months they would stop being just a host family and become my papis. The first weekend I was in Peru, it happened to be the anniversary of the city Arequipa, a beautiful city in the south known as la ciudad blanca or the white city, named for the volcanic ash that falls over the city when El Misti erupts. So the other exchange students living with my host family and I decided to travel there for the festivities, which included a dance festival full of traditional dances from all over South America. Not knowing anything about how to get around, our host family was there to help. They set up our bus tickets and our hotel and gave us tips on traveling in Peru. After the overnight bus ride of about 14 hours, we arrived in Arequipa. This was just the first of my many travels, as I decided to take advantage of the cheap and efficient Peruvian way of traveling, by bus, and travel as much as possible during my time abroad. After all, I had the desert coast, the Andes Mountain range, and the jungle to explore! In all of my travels throughout Peru, I frequently met interesting people, some were Peruvians and others were travelers like me. And although at times I felt like a foreigner, I more frequently encountered the warm culture I expected to find in South America. During a trip to Ica, a desert city four hours south of Lima, we hired a taxi to take us to several bodegas, or wineries, for which Ica is known. After spending a few hours talking as we toured, he invited us to go dancing with a couple of his cousins at one of the bodegas that is popular with the locals. We were introduced to his entire family—parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and siblings—who welcomed us with smiles and of course lots of questions. I have traveled to many wonderful places and had a great number of experiences in Peru so far, and expect to have more. One of the highlights of my experience happened because I decided to stay and spend the three-month break, and consequently Christmas, in Peru. The Christmas that I spent with my Peruvian family is one that I will never forget. All six of us piled into the small red car, and drove around the city to look at the Christmas lights. After eating supper at 11 at night on Christmas Eve, we went outside with everyone else, to set off fireworks in the street at midnight. I also spent the New Year celebration with my Peruvian family, but I was lucky enough that my family could visit me as well. Not all of us spoke English or Spanish, but we had an unforgettable New Years together. During this break I was able to spend more time with my Peruvian family than during the semester—whether it was salsa dancing until 4 in the morning with my Peruvian sister or making over 200 tamales for a community celebration—making me more a part of the family and just a little more peruana. And although I know that Peru is not perfect, with its machismo, children begging in the street, and poverty, it still has found a permanent place in my heart. I came looking for just an adventure and have found a second home, complete with brothers and sisters, and of course, a dog.
Middle East
Egypt and Morocco
American Univeristy in Cairo
Al-Akhawayn University
Brittny Parsells '10, Keene,NH
International Studies Major
I spent the Fall 2008 semester in Cairo, Egypt at the American University in Cairo. My most memorable experience in Egypt was befriending an Egyptian man, Tawfik, in Khan al-Khalili, the souq (market) in Cairo, and having him guide us around the marketplace. Tawfik showed us the Egyptian section of the market, a part that tourists don't usually have the chance to see. We saw artisans carving miniature animal figurines out of buffalo tusk and making beautiful wooden jewelry boxes. He then invited us to his shop for dinner, where we ate home cooked rice and beans with bread and coconut milk, a traditional Egyptian drink. I really enjoyed that day because it was the first time I felt at home in Egypt, rather than a tourist.
I am in Ifrane, Morocco at Al-Akhawayn University for the Spring 2009 semester. Ifrane is a small town up in the Middle Atlas mountain range, which is a beautiful area. Because the university is isolated from the rest of Morocco, I have done a lot of traveling to the bigger cities. So far, my favorite city in Morocco is Fes, the oldest imperial city in the country. The old section of the city, called Fes al-Bali, has an amazing souq (market) that is a maze of vendors, cafes and shops. I spent a whole day walking around the souq taking in the sights and sounds of Fes, as well as the smells of the delicious Moroccan pastries!
Turkey
Bogazici University
Katie Schriner '06, Bethlehem, PA
International Studies Major
"Do everything--don't wait till the weather is better or you feel you know
the language better or any other excuse you can find, just do it!"
Washington College students, Brittny Parsells '10 and Joyell Johnson '10, enjoy a visit to the Sphinx, while studying at the American University Cairo, Egypt.
Washington College
Ashwin Pienaar
From: Rhodes University
As the summer sun warmed the Southern tip of Africa during the New Year's vacation of 2004-05, I left in the dead of night for a plane bound for the Northern hemisphere, and the land of George W Bush. I viewed the exchange as an opportunity to expand my knowledge of the world through personal experience, as well as to share and learn of other cultures. America has always been a Mecca for immigrants. Yet now, more than ever, it is filled with people holding foreign passports, pasted with a US visa. For this reason it has become a cultural melting pot. For me it was an opportunity to explore some of that vast and beautiful country whilst meeting students, such as myself, from other interesting countries.
As I looked at the vast number of stopovers on my itinerary, I viewed my journey to the US as an airport hopping adventure. However, when I arrived in Baltimore 48 hours later, viewed the journey as a travel agent's elaborate practical joke. However, weary as I was, I was thrilled to be in The States, and keenly asked an airport attendant for directions to a hotel. From the glasses perched on her nose, she eyeballed me in a manner that Donald Rumsfeld might regard a member of Hamas. My dark skin and foreign accent had thrown the poor woman. Yet once she established that I had no intention on taking her with me into the afterlife, she flashed a jolly smile and directed me to the airport shuttles.
When going from South to North in January, many a traveller has questioned why they would want to sacrifice an African summer in exchange for an American winter. I, however, questioned why I would want to enter a country where the legal drinking age was 21. However, right from the start I was taken by the whole experience: the snow, the incredibly friendly people, and of course the SIZE. Everything is bigger in America, including the roads, the food portions and some of the people. I was amazed by the giant, fuel guzzling SUVs that ruled the roads. At any given time you could watch in awe as an array to cars would go by: from 6 wheel SUVs with Bull Horns attached to the bumpers, to cars that looked like they had come straight from the workshop at West Coast Customs on MTV's "Pimp My Ride."
Whilst much of my time at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland was spent applying myself in the classrooms and lecture theatres, I also got the opportunity to make numerous trips to Washington DC, and I valued being just an hour from the Political Capital. Washington DC is an international hub of diplomats, students, and academics. It was fascinating to gauge the workings of the most powerful government in the world.
It goes without saying that I formed strong bonds with those in my hall of residence, the co-ed "International House." I thoroughly enjoyed the company of my Slovakian roommate, Andrej, and it was a privilege to learn about his culture and state of Eastern Europe. The countries represented by exchange students during the Spring Semester included students from Finland, Germany, Ireland, Guatemala, Ukraine, Scotland, Kenya, Japan, Korea, China and of course the foxy young ladies from Ecuador and Spain. I have discovered that there are only beautiful people in Ecuador and Spain.
Over weekends and vacations I managed visit Vermont, Boston, New York, Baltimore and Chicago. Vermont, nestled against the Canadian Boarder, holds some of the most stunning natural scenery in America and as the maple trees were tapped in the spring, I had come at a time when the syrup was fresh. Boston and New York hold their own cosmopolitan appeal: Boston, for its youth culture, and New York, for its dynamism. Chicago is undoubtedly America's best kept secret. If you manage to negotiate O'Hare International Airport, the city is highly impressive. In the summer, the fresh breeze off Lake Michigan clears the city air. The public transportation is efficient and clean whilst a walk down The Magnificent Mile can give one a good introduction to downtown Chicago.
Washington College offers a high standard of liberal arts courses, and its Political Science department is of an exceptional calibre. The student/ lecturer relations are healthy and what is of significance is the care for the individual at this institution. Right from our arrival, the staff at the International Office took a keen interest in each of the international students, which ensured excellent relations in an exchange that passed like a pleasant dream. When embarking on a university exchange it is important to note the efforts of staff from both the home and overseas institutions. I am highly appreciative of the efforts of those who work tirelessly in the International Offices to facilitate these exchanges. Their time and effort in preparing students to leave, whilst others arrive, is invaluable. Thank you to those at Rhodes and Washington for making my experience so worthwhile. I treasure the memories I have of a special College tucked away in Chestertown, Maryland.
Brenna Nan Schneider
East Hall Resident Assistant
From a letter addressed to Kelly Keer, Director of International Programs:
Today was AMAZING!! Almost everyone in the house showed up and we spent hours together building furniture, organizing, and cleaning....it was better than I ever imagined. Everyone had a project...you should have seen the girls building the porch furniture!
The crabs were a hit....as was the pizza and the veggies I picked up. We got a few drop in internationals and some Americans who taught the group how to pick crabs. Everyone loves the basement and there was a movie playing when I went down earlier.
Its really exciting. You'll have to come and check it out. We are really lucky to have such a great group of internationals this year!