Study Abroad:
From the mouths of those who experienced it…
"I had never been on a plane before..."
...and flying for the first time to England was quite the adventure in itself. Furthermore, I was terrified in general with figuring out the public transportation system abroad. But I was able to get around just fine all on my own, which helped build my confidence with future travels. I had also never encountered many of the different nationalities (South Africa, Germany, France) and getting to know them really opened my eyes to the cultural differences that make them unique."
Matthew F., Communications - Fall 2010, University of Leicester, England
Matt F., Leicester, England
"Not knowing the language taught me how to adapt to my surroundings and gain a sense of independence."
"My experience was unique because I got a chance to connect with my mother's family and experience a culture that is very different from the United States. Living with my Korean aunt and not knowing the language taught me how to adapt to my surroundings and gain a sense of independence. I am really happy that I got to live in a Korean household and experience first hand their culture and lifestyle. This was a "life-changing" experience because I learned so much and met so many nice people from around the world. Everything about Korea was great, especially the food, people, and landscape. I am very thankful that I was able to study abroad in Korea. Thank you!"
Marlene B., Accounting - Fall 2010, Yonsei University, South Korea
Marlene B. (far right), Seoul, South Korea
"I shared my abroad experience with people whom I would have never met... but whom I now call my friends."
"[What] connected to me most were the amazing students I met while studying at the University of Guadalajara's CEPE from different parts of the world. I shared my abroad experience with people whom I would have never met if I had not taken this excursion, but whom I now call my friends."
Tara F., Spanish - Fall 2010, University of Guadalajara - CEPE, Guadalajara, Mexico
"I can most certainly say it changed my plans for the future."
"I went to the Middle East, a place where most people fear to go, and I got to live with a Jordanian host family and experience their life style and see the world through their eyes. It gave me the perspective of "the other side." I wouldn't have been able to learn these things to this depth through reading. … I also learned about a project that I'm looking forward to bringing back to the United States to help educate people on events occurring [there] through a perspective different from the media. … I plan on returning to Egypt to study in American University in Cairo, and working at the American Embassy there. So I can most certainly say it changed my plans for the future."
Jessica W., International Studies - Fall 2010, CIEE - Amman, Jordan
Jessica W., Amman, Jordan
"The host family really made my experience great. ... I really felt like I was a part of their family."
"The host family really made my experience great. I loved coming home to them and just chatting about their lives, pasts, and Mexican culture. I really felt like I was a part of their family. I still keep contact with them today."
Amber J., Psychology - Summer 2010, University of Guadalajara - CEPE, Guadalajara, Mexico
Amber J., Guadalajara, Mexico
"Quite simply, Rome became home."
"I loved that every day was a learning experience. Being in a different culture and a country with a different language made everything, even just going to the store for some milk, more of a challenge. Even a day when I didn't really do much wasn't boring. I always had to think. I always had to try piece things together... And to live and walk and be amongst buildings that are older than our country, in many cases much older, was surreal. To think that the city was founded in 753 BC is unfathomable to an American like me. All that history and all that beautiful culture oozed from the streets and from the walls and infused itself into my being. Quite simply, Rome became home. Going into this experience, I didn't think that it would, but when I recognized that I was headed in that direction, it happened rather quickly. I will be back. I need to go back. If I never made it back to Rome, I don't think I would feel whole."
Greg. G., Exercise Science - Fall 2010, ISA - Rome, Italy
Greg G., Rome, Italy
"This was the GREATEST opportunity of my life..."
"... and it truly was a life-changing experience. Having never been out of the U.S., I was exposed to people of a different language and culture. I had the opportunity to see outside of the relatively confined world I have lived in. I was challenged physically and mentally during the experience and I know I came away a stronger individual with new friends both here and abroad. EVERYTHING I learned and experienced during my program has the potential to be of great value to me in the next few years when I become a teacher."
Richard P., History - Summer 2010, ODU Faculty-led program in Morocco
