Seville, Spain
When I first arrived to Sevilla the only thing I wanted to do was return to the United States. I could not see pass my own fear and insecurities to see the beauty that Spain had to offer. I immediately began to do exactly what I was told not to do. I was comparing Spain to America. Mostly, I complained about the streets and the noise. However, upon returning home and having time to reflect on my experience, I have come to realize studying or even traveling abroad is well worth the journey. Spain was magical. There were Gothic cathedrals, Flamenco dancing, fresh pan everyday, siestas, and wonderful Señoras to make you feel right at home. Now I think every person should journey abroad at least once in life.
Diamond Munerlyn,
Lincoln University
|
Lugano, Switzerland
Studying abroad in Lugano, Switzerland at Franklin College will go down as the best summer in my life--I'm sure of it. There was nothing quite like traveling around Europe for a weekend and having a place to come back to like Lugano. The Swiss are the cleanest, most adventurous, fit, wealthy, and pleasant people I've met in my life and you would not understand until you go to this beautiful country. From the breathtaking views from the Lake and downtown Lugano looking up into the Alps, and the breathtaking views looking down upon the small towns from the mountains is something no picture can capture, because trust me, I tried. When studying at Franklin College, the Resident's Assistants were always finding activities for the students to do together, none of which were inside because who would want to miss the weather and glorious views when sitting indoors? I am making it a priority to travel back to Switzerland within the next five years, and I would be fine only traveling within it's borders. No other country has as much diversity as Switzerland with the French, German, and Italian regions, so it's almost as if you're getting parts of Europe in one. As a result of this diversity, the French, German, and Italian cuisines are all authentic and words can't describe the taste of the delicious food. Go and get the real European experience all within one country, go to Switzerland!
Aubrey Kettrick
St Bonaventure University
|
Seville, Spain
I would say that everyone should take the opportunity to study abroad as a blessing. The experiences you get are incredible and once in a lifetime. You will see yourself grow as a person over the course of just a few short months. You will learn about yourself, and be tested in every single way imaginable, and unimaginable. You will end the semester saying goodbyes to your best friends, to go home to your best friends. Get out of your room and explore! Talk to everyone, taste everything, and just live life to the fullest. The time goes by too quickly but you will always remember everything. Over time you will see the person you have become, and learn how to balance both of the worlds in one. That is the most incredible part of the journey.
Shimriya Richard, Student
Brookdale Community College
|
Sevilla, Spain
Sevilla has stolen my heart. Studying abroad in Sevilla has changed me in so many ways. I learned more than just another language. I became very independent and made a lot of new friends from all over the world. I would recommend studying in Sevilla because the lifestyle is amazing. The people are extremely friendly. Life is a little different there but its great. You can walk just about anywhere and the sun is always shining. It is also very accessible to other countries such as Italy, France, Morocco, Sweeden, Germany, Ireland and Belgium.
Sevilla is the best place to study abroad and I will definitely be returning soon.
Marianna Nercesia
Hillsborough Community College
|
Dundee, Scotland
In Summer 2011 I spent six weeks in Dundee, Scotland. My time there was absolutely fantastic! I learned a great deal about a different culture and I believe I had a truly enriching experience that I know will be beneficial to my career as a physician.
Scotland is a truly beautiful country. I had a chance to visit the Highlands and it was possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been to. The many hills, the green grass, the lochs, and the waterfalls all contributed to the Highland’s beauty. While in the Highlands, I also had a chance to experience Highland Hospitality. The locals of the Highlands are incredibly welcoming and polite.
I got engaged in the culture outside of the classroom simply by meeting and having conversations with locals, visiting other towns, and exploring the beautiful areas.
Brian Kim, Student
Truman State University
|
Angers, France
I studied abroad in Angers, France during the 2010-2011 school year, and it was an incredible experience! So much so that I would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to return there one day! I fell in love with the city not long after arriving, and was sad to have to leave it at the end of my program! I would strongly recommend that any student studying French choose Angers. It is such a gorgeous city, and located only an hour and a half away from Paris by train! Not to mention it has many great spots to visit, such as the castle, which is only about a five minute walk away from the downtown area.
Looking back on my experience, I realize just how great this study abroad program was in terms of improving my French. There's nothing better you can do than becoming immersed in the language you are studying, experiencing every day situations in that foreign language and learning more and more about the host culture until finally starting to blend in a bit and become a part of it. I am so glad that I had this opportunity!
Kelli Connell
|
Annecy, France
My study abroad experience has been wonderful and while I am starting to miss my life in the U.S. more and more, I am incredibly lucky to have had these opportunities. I wish that this kind of experience was available to every student, as it was something that I learned a great deal from. This was the first real independent thing I have done in my life, and knowing that I succeeded on my own is an incredible feeling. I had to learn to survive without my parents and their advice, which forced me to make decisions for myself. I had to learn to cope with the differences of another culture, food that I wasn’t used to, living with a family I didn’t know, forcing myself to speak French when all the other students were speaking English. I will never forget my four months in Annecy and I am sure I wont forget my time as an au pair. I see my time studying abroad as a great accomplishment with memories that I will keep forever.
Bridget Milford
|
Angers, France
I could write a book on the cultural and social richness of France. I can’t really even start to explain just how beautiful of a country it really is and how incredible the people and the places and the food are. You just really have to go there for yourself. But certainly, I am very glad and consider myself fortunate to have had this experience in France.
Andrew Hughes |
Bond, Australia
Spending a semester at Bond was an unbelievably amazing experience for me, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. This experience really introduced me to the global community, at Bond the student population is so diverse that no one cares where you’re from. I feel like I made a lot of quality friendships with people from a variety of countries, and I even met my wife – who is German- as a result of studying abroad.
Jacob Schrum
|
I have many memories from my time in Ireland. It is a beautiful country and I believe that I got to know the place both as a tourist and a local. I spent part of my time travelling to various tourist destinations and part of it staying in Limerick and just hanging out with people. I am entirely satisfied with my study abroad experience and I highly recommend studying abroad to anyone. I hope to return to Ireland in the future.
Angela Scheperle, Student
Limerick, Ireland |
New Castle Australia
My experience in Newcastle and Australia in general was amazing. I got all of my academics done while still having time to explore such a beautiful country. I definitely got the "travel bug" from my experience and cant wait till my next adventure. It was truly an eye-opening and growing experience. I would change very little to nothing about my experience in Australia- except maybe to stay another year! It was a once in a lifetime experience and I feel I am a much better person for doing it.
Benjamin Rusk
|
SPAIN
During the fall semester of my senior year here at St. Bonaventure University I had the most wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Sevilla, Spain. The program lasted for three months and I took of plethora of Spanish courses both at the Universidad de Sevilla, and also at the International College of Seville. Through these classes I was able to deepen my knowledge about Spanish literature, grammar, and culture.
Every other weekend or so the ICS had planned weekend excursions for the entire program, and we were able to visit such cities as Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Granada, Córdoba, and Ronda. We were also allowed to participate in weekly excursions to various historical places around or in Sevilla. However, there are two moments that trump all of the above mentioned experiences: my host family, and my Spanish intercambio Ricky. While living in Sevilla I lived with the wonderful Garcia family in a small apartment not far from school. One weekend they took my roommate and I to their home pueblo of Segura de León for a weekend, and we were able to participate in the festival of Capeas. Ricky, on the other hand, is a local "Sevillano" who studies English. We would meet a few times a week to help each other practice our langauges. Through him I was able to make friends with a bunch of local Spaniards, and he would take me around Sevilla showing me all the popular spots to visit. I still keep in touch with him today as he hopes to sometime visit the United States. All in all, I had the experience of a lifetime and I thank my parents, my university, and CCIS for making this experience possible.
Michael Chiponis, Student
Sevilla, Spain, St. Bonaventure University |
New Castle Australia
When I first thought of going to Newcastle Australia, it was not something that I was fully committed to. I was having a good time studying my schoolwork where I was, but the thought of studying in a foreign land seemed like a fun idea. After being in Australia for a whole semester, it turned out to be more than just a “fun idea”, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My first day in Australia, it was 111 degrees Fahrenheit. I was coming from Ellensburg where the temperature was hovering around 5 degrees Fahrenheit. After a week or so of brutal heat, I started to get used to it and was able to come outside and enjoy the weather. The first Australians I met were too friendly to be real. They wanted to know all about me, where I was from, and why the heck I wanted to come to Australia. My answer now; because Australians really are the most friendly people in the world.
I was living in the International House of my school so I was able to meet people from all over Africa, Europe, Asia, and America. My trip down to Australia was about studying in a new place. After my journey, I can easily say I learned more from the immersion of 50 different cultures than I did during the class time. Some of my best friends that I will be keeping frequent contact with live in Germany, France, South Korea, and Australia.
I cannot stress how many great times I had “down under”. I never once felt out of place there. It was as if the Australians whole goal was to make the exchange students feel at home. Late nights on the town, social gatherings at all hours of the day, awesome professors, intriguing discussions with other foreigners, and the creation of new lifelong friends are a small part of why going to Australia was one of the best choices I have made.
Eric Tichenor
|
PERU
This summer, I spent 40 days in Cusco, Peru, and every single day I learned something new! Cusco is a city filled with an extraordinary culture that everyone should have the opportunity of experiencing.
During my stay there, I visited Machu Picchu, an ancient city that attracts many tourists, and one of the reasons why visitors come to Peru. It was absolutely beautiful, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
My home stay in Cusco was wonderful! My courses, taken at USIL were exciting. I’m glad I selected Cusco as my first study abroad experience. I made new friends, gained knowledge of the Inca culture and expanded my Spanish vocabulary. If I could do it all over again, I would! Sadly it has come to an end, but action-packed, culturally fulfilling Cusco will always be in my memories. I would recommend this program to anyone, and I look forward to sharing my Cusco pictures with everyone I meet.
Tyisha Massey, Student
Cusco, Peru, Lincoln University |
|
COSTA RICA
Getting off the plane at the San Jose,
airport in Costa Rica, I really did not
know what to expect whether good or bad. I
just knew that I would be spending five
weeks of summer in one of the most beautiful
places on earth. I have been to
quite a few countries but my study abroad
experience in Costa Rica is one that
I will always remember. I can wholeheartedly
say that I never had a “bad day” while
studying abroad. My tica family
welcomed me into their home with open
arms. I was one of three students
living with the family and we all bonded
together as if we were all a part of
their family. I attended Universidad Veritas,
in San Jose, Costa Rica where I took
an intercultural communication class
and a Spanish class . The ticas
and ticos of Costa Rica have a
rich culture that draws in each and everyone
who have visited their country. My
program was not solely surrounded by
school work but we were able to visit
different parts of Costa Rica every weekend;
from the sunny beach of Tamarindo,
the reggae filled Puerto Viejo
to canopying through the rainforest of
Monteverde. It was the best two
for one experience of my life. My
greatest disappointment was that rainy
Sunday morning when I had to board my
flight back to my American home.
Shanalee Gallimore, Graduate
Student
Florida A&M University |
BELIZE
The best place to learn is out of the
classroom, and that's exactly what I
did, and out of it I got the most incredible
experience of meeting new people, learning
a new culture as well as learning about
myself.
Jessica Ness
University of Indianapolis |
ARGENTINA
Study abroad is AMAAAAZING! But honestly,
if you want to learn more about yourself
and your home country, study outside
the United States. It will change your
life and your view on life...
Hannah Snyder
University of Indianapolis |
SPAIN
Sevilla, Spain is the largest city in,
and, subsequently, the capital of, Spain's
fabled autonomy of Andalusia. I studied
and lived here for four months with a
Spanish family. At first I was nervous
with the idea of living with a family
that does not speak English, but quickly
learned that Spaniards are extremely
warm people who are very, very welcoming.
My senora was extremely kind, considerate
and helpful. The school where I studied
was equally as fun and helpful. Located
next to Parque de María Luisa, I found
my self going for walks after class and
taking in beautiful Sevilla and all it
has to offer. Thanks to ICS, I went on
many excursions, provided by the school,
throughout Andalusia. I also took advantage
of Sevilla's location and made trips
to Morocco, Portugal, Madrid, etc. In
my short four months here I made friends
and memories from all over the world
that will last me a lifetime!
Kevin McGarr
St. Bonaventure University |
|
Chambery is a quaint little town that
I very much enjoyed living in. Since
I was born and raised in Miami, it was
especially nice to live in a small city
and get the feel for their way of life.
As for the bad reputation of the French
here in the states, I have made it my
personal mission to correct it. Everywhere
I went people were very kind, considerate,
and incredibly helpful. School itself
was a pleasure to attend. The chateau
where schooling took place was located
on a beautiful park, which consisted
of several rose gardens. After class
I loved sitting in the park and taking
in the scenery. The school also offered
a variety of excursions throughout the
week that made assimilating much easier.
In five weeks, I took approximately 800
pictures and have made friends around
the world during this once in a lifetime
experience!
Priscilla Carolyn Schmidt
Miami-Dade College
|
|
I spent a month in Morocco as part of
an intensive Arabic program, and it was
one of the most challenging and rewarding
experiences of my life. One weekend a
small group of us went to explore the
Old Medina of Fes, which is basically
a gigantic, maze-like bazaar that seemingly
never ends. Around lunch time, an Arab
man offered to bring us to his restaurant
and we gladly followed. Fifteen minutes
later, and after walking into more and
more desolate areas, we finally arrived
at the restaurant equally terrified and
relieved. The restaurant/home had the
most beautiful tile work I have ever
seen, the food was delicious, and the
service was incomparable. After our meal
we looked through the guest book and
came upon one of the few English passages
that read: “If you are an American
and you were brought here the same route
that we were, you are probably feeling
very scared. Relax and don’t worry.
Sometimes you just have to trust people.” This
story summarizes what I learned while
abroad. Even though you may be scared
and very unfamiliar with a different
culture, people are the same no matter
where you go. And when people of two
different places and cultures can both
share an amazing day in the Medina, that
is the beauty of travel and one of the
joys of partaking on a journey abroad.
Ashia Wehbe
Montana State University |
This past summer, I studied abroad at
the American University of Rome. It was
truly an experience of a lifetime. While
there, I studied Italian language, culture,
and art, but also learned much more.
This experience taught me so much about
the world, others, and myself. I stepped
out of the comfort zone I know and tried
new things. From figuring out the Roman
bus system, to interacting with the people
of Italy, to exploring the glorious city
of Rome, each day brought new excitement
and new challenges. I am so glad I had
the chance to study abroad. It is an
experience I will never forget.
Genna Randazzo
Central Michigan University
|
This past summer I was fortunate enough
to study abroad in Florence, Italy; and
it was one of the most amazing experiences
of my life thus far. I loved walking
around the city being immersed in the
culture and eating all the amazing pasta
and gelato I could get! I also thoroughly
enjoyed the class I took while I was
there. It was a history course focusing
on the civilization and culture during
the Italian Renaissance. Before I took
this class, I knew of the painters and
sculptors of the Italian Renaissance,
but I had no idea about the politics
going on at that time. I learned all
about the Medici family, and their significance
during the Italian Renaissance. Even
though my class was three hours long
Monday through Thursday, I enjoyed every
second of it. I had a wonderful professor
who kept my attention and always had
funny stories to tell about his childhood
in Florence or his world famous moped.
I knew study abroad was a great opportunity,
but I never knew it would be so life
changing!
Angela Mendoza
Saint Xavier University |
My study abroad experience was by far
the best experience of my life. Overall,
it has enabled me to grow as an individual
and has opened my eyes to the world.
Studying abroad taught me how to adapt
to the different cultures in aspects
such as language, food, and body language
as a way of life. Basically, I had to
adjust certain things in my life to fit
into their culture. For instance, Italy
has a time called "siesta," where they
close everything down to go home and
take a nap, or eat lunch, and relax with
family. Studying abroad also allows you
to meet lots of new people. I met some
of my best friends on this study abroad
trip, and we still talk and see each
other even though some of them live half
way across the country. Everyday is a
new learning adventure and what I have
learned and experienced is knowledge
that will last for a lifetime. For all
of those students that are concerned
about finances, I was in the same situation.
But given what I know today, I wouldn't
trade my experience for a million dollars.
Anthony Tisi
College of Staten Island/CUNY |
