Photo credit: Nora Santiago '23 (South Korea, CIEE, fall 2021)
Curious to know what studying abroad is really like? No better way than hearing from students themselves! Here you'll find stories, videos, reflections, photos and OCS evaluations from students who have recently returned from studying abroad. Don't forget to check out our Photo Contest submissions!
"If you’re on the fence about studying abroad, I highly recommend doing it! I went with a small language program and had a great time. It gave me a sense of independence that I never got in the US."
It wasn’t until Fall of 2021 that I was finally able to go [abroad], and I am so glad that I did. I met amazing people and saw a lot of amazing places. I was able to experience living abroad in a country that I was mostly unfamiliar with and I came to love it there.
"After a long day at the lab or in classes, I could envision sitting at the dining room table with my host family. [...] Through living with [them], Sweden soon became more than a foreign country in which I studied abroad; it became a place I began to call home, albeit their home, for four months."
During the fall 2021 semester Patty Gannon '22 studied in Spain with SAI Barcelona, a petition program. She shares her experience of one of the classes she took abroad: "The holistic approach to this course allowed each day we met in person to discuss a new and exciting topic about our collective and connected world."
Chris Stone is a junior studying Engineering and Environmental Studies, with an interest in renewable energy, community mobilization and multi-media storytelling. During summer 2021, they participated in a virtual study abroad program that took them to Vietnam. They were matched with the ICS Center of Vietnam, a community-led LGBTI+ organization. They shared their experiences through this series of blog posts!
Jayna Jones '21 (Greece, CYA, spring 2020) studied abroad in Athens. She shares what made studying in Greece so special for her. "I loved this experience! [...] I would really recommend studying abroad, it was the best decision I made in my College career."
Colin Donahue '22 (Spain, NYU Madrid, spring 2020) created a beautiful cinematographic reflection on his study abroad experience in Madrid - and how COVID-19 crudely steered that experience in a different direction.
"Every day presented me with exciting challenges and these experiences helped me grow and learn. I am so incredibly grateful for the time that I had in France, even if it was cut short, and I hope to be able to visit again soon."
"My experience abroad really informs my career and academic interests—after working at the Museum of nonconformist art, I hope to pursue a career in museums or cultural institutions. Along with my classes and the city, my internship was by far my favorite part of my study abroad experience."
Studying in Paris (France) made such an impact on Colin Howell '19 that he decided to move to France permanently!
