Home / Essay by Arlinda C.

Essay by Arlinda C.

A travel experience that I hold close to my heart is when I was a child and my family and I went to my mother’s home country of Antigua. I experienced so many new things there that it has a special place in my heart. It was not my first time traveling but it is the first experience that I can vividly remember. Having been born and raised in New York, the first thing I noticed looking through the airplane window, was how short and spaced out the buildings were. Everything seemed so flat in comparison to what I was used to in the city. The next thing I remember is how fresh the air smelled. It was clean and crisp with no lingering smell of exhaust. To me, it was like we were completely teleported to a whole new world.

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We stayed with some of my aunts, uncles and their children in one big house. Pulling up to the house in my uncle’s car, I distinctly remember all the chickens that lived underneath it and the huge rooster that seemed to guard them all. I desperately wanted to pet one but my mother cautioned me against it. I had so many wonderful experiences there that I never would have experienced if we didn’t travel. I got to see people literally catch the food that they ate, and people trade for things that they needed in a close knit community. I also had the chance to experience carnival season and I got to see some of the many parades that take place at that time. My favorite parade was the children’s parade. I loved their costumes and the wings that the children got to wear. It’s like the whole island changes during this time. There is live music and celebration everywhere.

Since we were traveling abroad my mother made double sure that we were prepared in case of anything and that everything was in order. What she did everyone should do as they prepare to travel, especially if they are planning to go somewhere away from their home country. Apply or renew your passport at least 2 months before your trip to make sure you will have ample time to receive it. Know where your country’s embassy is located and have their number with you in case of an emergency. Now this tip my family learned the hard way, make sure you notify your bank and credit card Company of your travel, or they may cut off your card right when you need it. Plus at the start of your trip, the last thing you want to do is have to sit on the phone with your bank.

It is also a good idea to bring some money in that country’s currency with you if possible. Sometimes banks can be far away from where you are staying. If you or someone with you needs to take medication for any reason, make sure that you bring more than enough for your trip with you. Bring the prescription with you too if you can, you never know what could happen. It is also important that you have emergency contacts handy and that other people like friends of family know you are going on a trip. This next tip may not seem as important as the rest, but when you’re planning to travel, especially overseas, you need to think about how you plan to get around that country. If you are going to a place like Antigua that has lots of mountain roads with no guard rails or road markings, it would be much safer for you to take a taxi driven by a native of the island than rent a car and drive yourself.

These tips may seem like a lot of work but they can be easily done with a little effort and what you gain from traveling is well worth it. My experience of traveling to my mother’s home country let me experience first-hand some of the stories she use to tell me about what it was like for her growing up back home. How my grandfather would go out in the morning and collect eggs for breakfast, or go out and catch a bunch of lobsters or crab for dinner. How they didn’t have much but they always had what they needed through their community or their own ingenuity. It allowed me to expand my point of view by experiencing a different culture and way of life. I became a more open person because of it. I encourage others to travel and see the world for themselves whether within their home country or outside it. I believe that through travel we can gain a better understanding of other cultures. It also gives you the chance to make new friends who may be a little different from you and give you a new story to tell.

By Arlinda C.

Home / Essay By Claudia D.

Essay By Claudia D.

My name is Claudia D. and I am currently a biomedical engineering student with a concentration in biomechanics and human performance and a minor in psychology at Drexel University. I chose to study Biomedical Engineering in high school with the hope of pursuing a career working in rehabilitation, specifically as part of an organization such as Engineers Without Boarders. Drexel University is a co-op school, which means that I would complete my undergraduate degree in five years with three, six month co-ops. It was throughout these co-ops that I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in global development, but more specifically in rehabilitation in low-income countries. My first Co-Op was in Shanghai, China as a Pre-Medical School Intern where I observed and practiced patient care in the Neurointensive Care Unit, the Sports Rehabilitation Centre and Nursing Homes. For 6 months, I shadowed doctors in these various units at various hospitals in Shanghai as well as volunteered at the Shanghai Healing home which is a non-profit foster home that provides pre and post-surgical care to abandoned Chinese orphans with surgically correctable deformities. I prepared medicine and performed daily to monthly check ups to over 60 children with various disabilities and physical abnormalities. My second co-op was in Philadelphia, USA as a Neurosurgery Clinical Research Assistant where I participated in weekly case reviews discussing new and recurring brain tumour patients and their treatment plan by reviewing pathology and MRIs. I also shadowed multiple neurosurgeons at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania and observed different brain tumour cases at various stages of their illness.

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I am a 2017 Dornsife Global Development Scholar, and with that, I spent my third co-op in Zambia, Africa teaching and training villagers about the impact of poor hygiene practices, and the dangers, treatment, and prevention of contaminated drinking water. After having lived in a low-income country, I noticed that the access to basic sanitation, which is a right guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is not accessed by many people around the world. I witnessed firsthand that people with a lower body disability could not use the pit latrine independently due to their inability to squat and would have to crawl in order to use the bathroom. It is for that reason, that I chose to create an assistive device for flat foot squat in low income countries as my senior design project. I was able to convince my 3 teammates to work on this 9 month project in order to increase the well-being of individuals with lower body disabilities.

My team currently has 4 advisors for the senior design project, two from the School of Biomedical Engineering, and two from the School of Public Health. We are currently a third of the way done and have faced challenges with regards to building a prototype. Although my team is trying to keep our device under 25$, there have been multiple iterations of our prototype which, on a college budget, is difficult. The Travel Visa Pro scholarship would help fund our senior design project and we aspire to bring a working prototype to Zambia once completed.

By Claudia D.

Home / Luiza Essay

Luiza Essay

My husband and I love traveling. We have it as one of our priority, so we have been to more than thirty countries; however, one of our most interesting trips was one we did to Argentina ten years ago. We spent two months driving round-trip from home in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil entering in Argentina from the north of the country to the extremely south, in a place called Ushuaia, but also known as “Tierra del Fuego.” For the whole trip, we drove about nineteen thousand kilometers in a varied landscape with mountain, ranges, lakes, blue water rivers, glaciers, natural parks, big cities, and small welcoming places.

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The trip started in our city Petropolis after my husband bought a new truck. He loves driving, so the new car was the perfect reason to go on the trip he was thinking about since many years before. From our city, we drove for almost one week passing by some of Brazil’s cities that we did not know before until arriving in the first city on Brazil and Argentina’s border where is located the Cataratas do Iguacu Park. The falls are impressed bigger than I had imagined. Not so far from the cataratas is located the Itaipu Dam where part of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay’s electric power is generated.

After that, we crossed the north of Argentina from east to west to go around the mountain range in the direction of the south part of the country. We saw many beautiful places until we arrived in the charming Bariloche, which is one of the most famous Argentina’s cities for its skiing, hotels, and restaurants. The other less famous but not less charming places around such as Villa Angostura and Junin the Los Andes have very good restaurants and cafes where people can enjoy not only the local food but also the international food. Argentina is known for its delicious wines and its tasteful and tender red meat. Wherever we went we could found and enjoy both.

Some more kilometers to the south we stopped in a city called Al Calafate where we could live one of the most exited experience. We went to visit Perito Moreno Glacier which is part of Argentina’s Patagonia. It is a 250km2 ice formation with a light blue color that has a place with a structure of decks where we can stand to watch the spectacular natural show. Large pieces of ice collapse in the water from time to time, producing a loud sound and an impressive image. Perito Moreno is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Most to the southwest we crossed Chile’s border because there is no way to go to Ushuaia without doing it. There is no road inside Argentina to go straight. There we went to Puerto Natales, the city where we travel to pass by to go to Torres del Paine Park which is another impressive place. It is perfect place for who likes hiking. There people can find several trails to go and enjoy. There are some hotels and restaurants inside the park and camping to enjoy in the summer. It is also part of the Patagonia. The three ice covered granite towers from which the park takes its name reflecting the sunlight, produce an inexplicable coloring and an unforgettable scenario.

To arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of the South America, we had to cross Chile’s board twice, show passports to be stamped, and so on. The region is so windy that if, when you open the car’s door and do not hold it tight, is possible that the door could be thrown against the car damaging it. The city is very beautiful with the Beagle Chanel view and the Martial Mountains on its back. The Beagle Channel, the Straits of Magellan, and the open-ocean Drake Passage are the three navigable passages between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans around South America. In Ushuaia city, we could appreciate the fantastic seafood they offer. They have the famous “centolla” which is a giant crab that taste delicious. I am a little bit frustrated because I have no pictures from there. As I said, the region is too windy, so one day I set my camera and laid it upon the stone to take our picture. The wind blew so strongly that my camera fell and broke. At that time, we had no IPhone or something like that to replace our camera; consequently, we lost our pictures.

We started the trip back to the north by the Atlantic coast to Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital direction. Although the east side was not so beautiful, we had some fun. In Puerto Deseado city for example, we could stay close to penguins and other animals we never had chance to know before. In Buenos Aires, we met our two sons who arrived, one from Australia and the other from Brazil. That time, my youngest was living in Australia for more than one year, and we were missing him a lot. It was very good having them with us there. We spent some days in Buenos Aires and places around. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and people there are very friendly. They have many art fairs on Sundays, tango dance shows at night, and excellent restaurants to appreciate their typical food. From there we drove to Uruguay and visited Colonia del Sacramento which is a colonial and charming city that we loved.

Back to Brazil, we stopped in some places such a Ilha do Mel, Florianopolis and Curitiba. Ilha do Mel is a paradise with its sandy streets, small hotels, and clean beaches. There is no car circulating, so, besides its natural beauty, the place is very peaceful. We thought it would be a good place to retire. Florianopolis is a city that in fact is an island linked to the continent by two long bridges. It is a very popular destination to whom want to surf or enjoy beautiful beaches and scenery. Curitiba is a city colonized by Italians with many attractions to enjoy such as a Wire Opera House, Botanical Garden, and excellent Italian restaurants located in the Italian community.

At the end of the trip, we felt grateful for the opportunity to spend those days in such beautiful and relaxing rides through cities and places which we will never forget. The images of each park, river, glacier, beach, and mountains will stay with us forever.

By Luiza L.

Home / Essay By Hira

Essay By Hira

It’s been 5 months since I have returned from Pakistan. I still think about it vividly to this day. In case you forgot, let me remind you…

It all began when my mother informed me that she had bought plane tickets for June 17^th, 2017 to Lahore, Pakistan. Five months ago, I was filled with mixed emotions when realizing that I would be flying halfway across the world for three months, my entire summer. What about my friends? My significant other? My life? I would be dropping everything familiar to me and immersing myself in an environment that was so far from my everyday lifestyle. I had not visited Pakistan (my parents’ birth country) for six years, and from what I remember, it was a completely different lifestyle. Pakistan is a third world country, so there were a lot of adjustments and adaptations that I had to make; however, now here I am five months later, finding myself smiling while sharing my eye-opening experience. My trip to Pakistan was a rollercoaster of an experience that showed me the importance of patience in life, humbled me, and showed me the value of growth in immersing myself in unfamiliar environments.

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June 17^th came before I knew it, and I rubbed my tired eyes as I got out of my bed after a restless night. We actually got off on the wrong foot, as due to a misunderstanding, we actually ended up missing our flight. That was where the trouble began. There we were, 4am, standing in the airport, with a million questions running through our minds. What if there were no more available flights until next week? How much money were new tickets going to cost? How did we have to miss our flight? Why us? The next day was spent by my mom vigorously running around between airline offices trying to reschedule our tickets. Because we flew with two different airlines, everything was double the hectic. After hours and hours of sitting on an airport chair, my mom informed me we’d be flying June 19^th and that this time, we would have to be extra early. Just watching what my mom had to go through to reschedule our tickets showed me that you’re not always going to get what you want and things won’t always go as planned. It opened my eyes to the challenges of the world out there and made me realize life has its ups and downs, but everything will turn out okay. Patience is the key to hastiness of life. Pouting or yelling at the airport staff was not going to move any of us forward. Challenges like this happen in life, but everything would turn out okay and ultimately, for the better.

When we finally reached Pakistan, there was so much to do. We had to prepare for the wedding, all while exploring the country. My mom took us to several places, but there was one in particular that stood out, the village. The village was the poorer part of Pakistan. The houses were extremely narrow and most only had one room, if any. Many had one common area, often times with no chairs nor everyday amenities I saw in my life such as a television or couch. They lacked many of the privileges I had in my everyday life. Life in the village was so simple and mundane that it made me realize how truly blessed I am to have my home, a wide variety of clothes to choose from, food in the fridge to eat, and so much more. Nothing has made me appreciate my life more than viewing how village people have to live. The children would use anything and everything to start up a game of soccer. They would play with rocks, sticks, dirt piles, anything that they could find. There was no breakfast, lunch, or dinner, just simple food including bread and soup when families had the funds to buy it. The water was contaminated, but there was no other choice, and the village goers’ bodies had built resistance to it. It was an experience that I had never seen before. A lifestyle so far from my own. A trip that humbled me. The images still are vivid in my mind today, and it was an experience that will always stick with me in my life journey.

The third life lesson my journey to Pakistan taught me was to appreciate the risks of life, as there is beauty even in the most challenging experiences. While I was nervous to leave my comfortable life behind, I was exposed to many people and lifestyles that allowed me to grow in ways I did not even know that I could. My time abroad was one in which I was able to escape my life and learn about another world. Essentially, I had dropped everything and flew halfway across the world and even though the journey had its challenges, it was still one filled with lasting experiences I have not and could not gain elsewhere. It taught me to take seize opportunities that are foreign to me because that is where the most growth occurs.

So diary, my trip to Pakistan was an experience that allowed me to see a side of the world I did not even know existed. It taught me valuable lessons that I have carried with me since boarding the plane back home. Traveling in general provides experiences that are invaluable because of the foreign nature of it. Stepping outside of your own lenses and opening up your world to these kinds of experiences is what allows for growth and opportunity. To this day, I still remember my experience vividly, and will always be grateful for the journey that shaped me into the growing individual that I am.

Yours truly,

Hira J.

Winner of 2017 Travel Visa Pro Scholarship

Home / Honest dos and don’ts of travelling

Honest dos and don’ts of travelling

Let’s not get too carried away with our optimism here.

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Stop right there… in all the flurry and excitement of the upcoming vacation, you are bound to make some choices that compromise the quality of your trip. I can definitely speak for myself when I say that I look back at my first few travels with regret and much shaking of the head in disappointment. Admittedly I could have remedied many of my rookie mistakes by immersing myself into the wisdom that Google had to offer, but I easily see myself frustrated after reading article after article of tiny nuances to fuss over ultimately adding stress to the vacation. In response to the existing worrisome do and don’t lists on travelling, I intend to make mine simple, de-stressing, and above all realistic.

To start off, I wouldn’t even think about bringing 5 different activities with you in your carry-on to keep you busy at the airport. Even though you may have a 4 hour stopover in Toronto, that doesn’t mean you will be bored mindless for that entire time. I would allocate a whole hour to comfortably getting myself to my next gate, and also factor in my discomfort after spending hours seated in a stuffy plane. Bring a book, but even a self-proclaimed bookworm like me couldn’t be brought to read more than a chapter after so much mental exhaustion. So as of right now, you can unpack the Sudoku, crosswords, knitting, embroidery, and especially any sort of coloring or painting with watercolors from your-carry on.

Secondly, ladies (although this can apply to gentlemen too) please take the bare minimum grooming materials and accessories with you. Over the years I have narrowed it down to the single hair tie holding up my ponytail at the airport, a toothbrush with toothpaste, sunglasses, and a comb. No tissues or shampoos or wet napkins for “freshening up”, and definitely no accessories (this means no earrings, necklaces, and bracelets you think you don’t wear often enough). What better opportunity to buy the crafts of your travel destination and wear them on the spot? Quite frankly there is absolutely no need to ‘take one of everything’ you own. I found that this ultimately led to clutter, and this was especially brought to light as I packed my luggage to return home.

Lastly, for packing clothes I would strongly recommend against packing uncomfortable clothes just for the sake of wearing them. Since I was guilty of this myself, I experienced the unfortunate distraction from ‘taking the moment in’ during my travels with incessant wardrobe malfunctions. I can even confidently say to completely omit formal wear; should an occasion pop up a semi-formal outfit should pass, but I like to test that this same outfit would not appear to be out of place if you were for a walk in the park.

On the other hand, I would by all means encourage leaving lots of space in your luggage for souvenirs. It has taken me 7 trips to realize that it is most optimal to arrive at your destination with a half empty luggage. For anyone who enjoys shopping this is the perfect opportunity to justify splurging on one-of-a-kind local products, instead of constantly restraining yourself by the lack of room in your luggage.

Secondly, as a highly introspective person, I cannot emphasize enough the impact of journaling, especially during eventful times such as travel. In my experience, to make such an activity work it must be concretely scheduled within the day. Personally, I engage in this during my afternoons as a way to wind down, and I am fortunate to have reaped the rewards so soon. When staying for half a year in Cairo, Egypt, I kept weekly note of the funniest event, most interesting purchase or sight, and a myriad of thoughts and worries I had back then. Reading back, it is comical to see how my priorities shifted and it was insightful to read a stall by stall description of the trip through Khan Khalili Bazaar, the biggest in the world. I regret not doing the same for my recent trips to Portugal and Morocco, since I arrogantly assumed that my memory would retain it all.

My final regret is not taking enough pictures with friends and family. The unfortunate realization dawned upon me when I looked though my pictures of the charming cities in Portugal and likened them to the plethora already on Google images. There was nothing to set mine apart, other than the inferior professional photography abilities. The few photos that did capture the exhaustion on my sister’s face or the determination in my mother’s eyes as we stood waiting in a two hour long line for some tourist attraction are now priceless to me.

All in all, I encourage you to reflect, compare, laugh, and learn from these experiences. Nothing but pragmatism in the preface of travel will guarantee a smooth ride, and it is the lack of restraints during the vacation that embody the sought-after relaxation. Embrace these two points and bon voyage!

By Nia A.

Home / Melissa Essay

Melissa Essay

The question I was often asked after studying abroad, is “what studying abroad meant to me,” which it is hard to put into words; simply because, it was beyond the best months of my life. Especially during that time, study abroad meant everything. While studying abroad, I was forced to change. This positive force, that, when pushed upon me, gave me the opportunity to create an entirely new chapter of my life, one that few would probably experience with me. The ability of how I handled a new city, new language, new people, new customs; led me to the person I am today. This large push that I put upon myself, through being involved in study abroad, allowed me to truly grasp my knowledge of what I can handle. Therefore, being focused with handling and enjoying every minute, there are large changes that occur; and because of this, a new part of me emerged. This part of me, that I was able to become and thrive as, defines the person that I have become since studying abroad.

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I believe a large part is the ability to learn. By this, I mean the ability to learn, respect, and accept a new culture and customs. An example in France was the entrance and exit of small in-closed spaces. In France, it is very custom and polite to sat “Bonjour” when you enter a store and “merci” and some sort of salutation such as “au revoir” as you exit. Through many of situations living in France, being able to embrace whatever normality the French do and forget your common routines, you can fully embrace a culture. Of course, there were countless times I was in weird, awkward, and embarrassing situations. There were times I would nod and smile, until there is the moment. The moment when I realized I was asked a question, and the answer was not yes or “oui.” There were other times, when I tried to say English words with a French accent, hoping it was a French word, when it was not at all. However, I allowed the humility and growth that comes along with these moments allow me to understand them, and to use them to help me in the future.

Along with understanding a new culture, I found myself. I am aware of the phrase “studying abroad helps you find yourself” and until I studying abroad, I simply ignored this phrase and thought it was stereotypical. However, I did find myself. I gave up having my fears stop me from achieving the goals I aspire. This fear came from many different places. It came from friends who did not understand my yearning to live in another country, from family who struggled with the distance, from terrorists who aim to strike fear in all of us, as well as my own self creating doubts. I could have chosen to let this fear from others and myself determine my future, but I broke through those barriers of fear, that surrounds all of us, and I chose to live freely, openly, and happily, in France. I did not know French well, I did not know anyone in France, I was anxious about meeting new friends, I was nervous for my new classes, and I would have loved to be closer to family and friends; however, these fears became my motivation. I could improve my French, I could meet people, I could learn more, and I could understand that friendship and love has no distance, and fear has no control.

Learning goes beyond an external physical understanding, but an emotional one. Not just about customs and cultures, but about people because people make a place. I have been fortunate enough to meet many people from different parts of the world and country. Every time I have meet someone, I am always in awe of the things that differentiate, as well as things that unite us. Each person I have meet, has further my thinking and appreciation of their own culture as well as mine. I have seen kindness in a Swedish family, allowing me a place to celebrate Easter, trying hard to speak English around the table, and allowing a shoulder to cry on when my great-grandmother pass away. I have seen patience in a Korean friend, as he tries to speak English, while I try to understand. I have seen humor in an Italian friend and family as she tries to lift a dog that outweighs her by thirty pounds. I have seen acceptance through Australian and New Zealand friends as they welcome a newcomer as one of their own. I have seen satisfaction in a Tunisian lady as I attempt to say a word in her own language. I have seen family in my American classmates as we lived the past semester together. Through these people, I have seen friendships form, as well as hope for the acceptance of our differences, and the bonding of our similarities.

So, what did study abroad mean to me? It meant everything. It meant that humility is nothing to be ashamed of, but something to cherish. It shows that to learn about a culture requires experience in it. The embarrassing, nerve-racking moments; the moments that are hard or are fearful, are in fact nothings to fear, but rather look forward to. Pushing limits can be scary, but can also hold some of the most rewarding experiences. It means that the people you meet, not only effect you in the current time, but hold a part of your thinking in future days to come. Studying abroad means allowing yourself to grow into a person in which you can become and be proud of. Lastly, study abroad is something you can look back in years to come, smile, and dismay any regrets.

By Melissa B.

Home / Essay by Nicole L.

Essay by Nicole L.

Regarding travel, I believe it is extremely important for people to grasp any opportunity they can. There must be so much to embrace that other parts of the world have to offer. Growing up, I was not as fortunate as those around me when it came to school vacations. My dad becomes filled with fear when he thinks about stepping foot on an airplane, and we were not as financially stable to be able to leave our home so much. However, as I grew older, I was driven by a particular instinct to involve myself with opportunities to travel independently.

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My first experience outside of the United States was a school trip to Italy for spring break during my junior year of high school. I couldn’t wait to tell my parents that I would be able to explore the revitalized culture of my ancestral roots and that I would be doing so with some of my closest friends. Although there were a couple chaperones on the trip, my parents were hesitant to let me go without them. It took a lot of convincing, but by the end of it, I was able to spend eight days traveling down the boot of Italy while exploring ancient ruins, meeting new people, taking tours, and filling up on authentic pasta and gelato. I did not want to come back to the reality of a consistent lifestyle in New York so quickly.

Shortly after, it was time to apply for college. My parents made it pretty clear in the beginning that they did not want me to travel for school. Their ideal scenario was for me to choose one that was close-by, or at least driving distance. This made me frustrated; I was not only looking for a new school, but a chance to gain independence in a fresh environment surrounded by different people. I still applied for a number of schools all over the country, with a particular interest in my current one, the University of Florida. When my mom and I visited, I was not the only one who fell in love with the campus and who was able to picture myself here. We learned more about the kinesiology major that would be a great fit for my career goals, the number of students on campus, the diversity on campus, and the focus on athletics that the students hold with much pride. It was a few weeks later when I walked into my house after high school and my mom told me that we would be able to make it work. Since I committed to the University of Florida, I do not have any regrets. It was intimidating at first, but I have come to appreciate every friendship I have made and every opportunity I was able to come across on my own. I consider myself a more independent and mature individual because of this experience.

Currently a junior seeking my bachelor degree, I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to not only study abroad next semester at the University of Western Australia, but intern for an Australian Rules football team. This experience will provide direct patient care hours and make me a more competitive applicant for physician assistant school. However, as a result of my participation in this program, I primarily hope to become even more independent as I travel alone to live on the opposite side of the world for a semester. I am looking forward to growing accustomed to fresh perspectives and ways of living. I strive to let this opportunity take its natural course and teach me things that will further my personal development. Consequently, I am sure I will learn more about myself and how I live in comparison to those across the world. I’m sure this aspect will make me humble and appreciative towards everything I’m fortunate to have in my own life as well as eager to learn more about the evolvement of different cultures. I also hope to form new friendships with those whom I ordinarily would not have the chance to meet if not for this experience. Starting a new school alone will give me the opportunity to branch out and meet those with similar interests and academic goals. Additionally, I hope to make the most of my experience abroad as I immerse myself in a typical Australian day. Since there is no language barrier, it will be exciting to learn new outlooks and ideas. I also strive to become more fearless throughout this experience. I want to grasp future opportunities in reach without question or hesitation. I believe an experience like this will make me much more willing to embrace what life has to offer in the future. Lastly, I hope to grow more mature from this program. I can only imagine how I will adapt to everything this opportunity will be fulfilled with and how I will return to the United States embracing a new worldly outlook.

I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I also know it will be worth it. I am very passionate about discovering what the rest of the world has to offer, and I know that I would not get this experience to immerse myself in a different culture for this much time if I do not grasp it now. I am looking forward to my trip to New Zealand during my semester break as well, where I will be immersed in many breath-taking sites and adventures. From the Franz Josef glacier, just near the highest pass across the Southern Alps, to Queenstown, the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, there is so much to explore and learn from in this country as well. I strive to make the most out of this opportunity and allow it to teach me things that I may not learn otherwise. The character traits I will develop and enhance during this upcoming semester will continue to shape me and I know I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

By Nicole L.

Home / Essay by Meghan H.

Essay by Meghan H.

As a passionate linguist and Modern Languages major, travel provides the language and culture immersion which is one of the most Important aspects of my studies. Language immersion brings about the opportunity to master the languages I have been studying since high school and hopefully will one day use effortlessly. Cultural immersion gives me the opportunity to broaden my horizons. Lessons learned from being abroad can be applied in real life situations. Experiencing a different culture first hand changes you as a person, it opens you up to be willing to experience things outside of your personal bubble. It’s important that I gain this trait while abroad because the world needs more openminded people especially now in a time where the people of the world need to stand together. I hope to gain better communication skills especially in the Spanish language that I can apply in the future for my education and profession. I want the real world experience and I want to apply what I have learned in my classes here at Plymouth State in a real setting. In return, I am excited to share the American culture with my host family in Costa Rica and give them a positive experience while hosting me whether they have done it before or not. I want to leave behind an impression in Costa Rica and encourage students there to study abroad if they get the opportunity.

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My hopes are that studying abroad will open my eyes to a new cultural experience. I currently work for the international relations office at my school. I hope to come back with new ideas for the office on how to expand the student’s knowledge of studying abroad. I want to advertise and show others that any opportunity they have to study abroad should be taken for their benefit. I want to go into freshman classrooms and do a presentation on study abroad so the thought will be planted in their head from the beginning and that it won’t be too late. The main issue facing students when they come into the office is that they think it’s too late for them to go or it won’t work because of their major which is rarely the case. I want to share my experience with faculty and staff so that they will encourage the students they advise to study abroad. The international relations department at my school works very hard and I want it to get the recognition that it deserves.

Over all I am very excited and enthusiastic about my opportunity to go abroad. I think it will change me as a person. I hope it will bring in new thoughts and ideas that I can share with others. I think study abroad is the right option for me and for my personal and professional development. One day I hope to look back on my experience and realize all that I have taken from it and the benefits studying abroad has. So many kids before me have gone and they come back radiating with plenty of stories that have my full attention. I hope to be this person when I get home.

By Meghan H.

Home / Essay by Valerie W.

Essay by Valerie W.

When my husband and I got married in July 2010, we took our honeymoon in Lincoln City, Oregon. This was my first trip there. My mom helped us pay and arrange for the reservations at the Ocean Terrace Condominiums. She had printed off the reservation paper work, directions with a picture of the hotel for us. Also, she printed activities that you could do while you stayed at the Ocean Terrace and put it all in a folder. We left Monday, July 26^th and came back Friday, July 30^th.

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My husbands’ uncle let us borrow his Toyota Solara to drive to Lincoln City, Oregon from Yakima, Washington. It was a little over five hours of driving. My husband and I took turns driving. While he drove, I snapped pictures with our camera out the passenger window. It was a very pretty drive on the way to Lincoln City. One I had never seen before.

Check in time was 4:00 P.M. So, once we got to Lincoln city, we checked into the office and got our key to room 37. The side of the condos we reserved were called the Ocean View Units. They had international guide books to the Oregon Coast that had stickers on the front that stated: Please take. Compliments on management. So, I did. The condo was very nice. There was a sliding glass door outside of the living room portion where you could see the ocean! So, I took some pictures of the ocean view! They had a cute picture in the bathroom that said, “no job is finished until the paperwork is done.” I thought that was very funny. So, I took a picture of that too!

The first day we walked to the beach! We walked around collecting rocks and sand dollars and put them in the back pack I was wearing. Pretty soon it almost got too heavy for me to carry! We found a rock that looked like it had a long face. So, we kept it and we still have it to this day. Even though it was cloudy and cold, we still had a blast walking around in the sand! For dinner we went to the Chinook Winds Casino. Inside they had this pretty waterfall and I took a picture and was told after by security that I’m not allowed to take pictures. Whoops!

Wednesday, we walked around in town to all the little stores. My favorite was the Christmas Cottage. On the outside there was a huge Christmas bow and on top of the roof there was a huge Santa! Inside the store, it was jam packed with decorated Christmas trees, ornaments and decorations! You could barely see the walls! My next favorite store had a huge sign that said, chocolate. How can you not go in? I found the fudge and I don’t think the fudge even made it out of the store. It was called Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Walking down the sidewalks they had a few spots with things like sand dollars and red star fish in the ground. We walked around on the beach again, to walk off the fudge. Later that afternoon we went to the movie theatre to see Toy Story 3. We were probably the only adults without kids with them!

Thursday, we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. I took an amazing picture of the bridge. Which I swear could be a post card! For dinner that night we went to a restaurant called Kyllo’s Seafood and Grill. Where we of course, had some yummy seafood! Since it was our last night in the condo, we rented some movies from red box and stayed in that night to enjoy it for the last time.

Friday, we had to check out by 11:00 A.M. so, we unwillingly checked out. We returned the red box movies on our way out and headed back home to Yakima.

Depending on where you’re driving from, I would definitely recommend a gas friendly car. We drove about 275 miles from Yakima, Washington to Lincoln City, Oregon. Pack some comfortable walking shoes with you. The stores we went to were right down the road from the condos. So, we walked a lot! Probably the most I had walked since gym class in high school. It was so much fun to just walk down the sidewalks and walk into every single store that we could. Even if we were just window shopping. I’d also recommend double checking your bags before you leave. Plan on packing for warm and cold weather. Even though we went in July there were times that were warm and some cold ones. The first time it was cold and raining we realized that my husband and I had forget to pack him a sweater! So, we found the closest Wal-Mart to buy him one while we were there. Which, by the way the closest one was in Newport and that was about 30 minutes from where we were. If you walk on the beach, take extra shoes with you or make sure you cover your floor with something, because it will be covered in sand as soon as you get in. If you really like seafood, I’d also recommend the restaurant Kyllo’s. The casino also had all you can eat seafood.

I really enjoyed the condo we stayed in. I wanted to take the bed and pillows home with us, but didn’t have room in the car. They had a heated pool and a game room. There are also different sides to them. In the front where the parking lot is, you can’t see the ocean. The side we were on you could view the ocean, but on the opposite side they had first, second and third floor ocean front units where you could see it all! I plan to get those ones next time we go. You could walk to the beach from the condos. What could be better than that? You don’t even have to drive!

By Valerie W.

Home / Essay by Nivita A.

Essay by Nivita A.

I have spent my entire life looking at the world, rather than seeing it.

I have looked at its history through textbooks, its present through newscasts, and its future through scientific research articles. I have looked at its people through storybooks, and its cultures through language classes. But I have not yet been able to see the world, experience it in all its beauty and uniqueness – and that is something I want to change.

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Growing up as a young girl whose family immigrated to America from India, I have always lived in an environment torn between two very distinct cultures. This perspective, however, has allowed me to realize that no amount of time spent reading books or watching television could ever accurately depict another country’s essence. My friends’ perceptions of India, formed from the various media they have encountered, is often either fragmentary or erroneous. Personally speaking, even after spending eight years taking Spanish language classes, learning about the culture, and reading the literature, I know I have only been exposed to a few narratives and many generalizations, which is one of the main reason I will be studying abroad in Spain next semester. The sun rises differently in every part of the world, even though it is the same sun that rises.

Countries and cultures often have a single narrative attached to them, riddled with stereotypes and false impressions created by the foreigners who weave these stories together. As author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says in her TED talk, “The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Travellers have a unique privilege that allows them to enter another person’s world, temporarily. We can experience another’s environment and lifestyle, with the safety net of a ticket back home. However, with every privilege comes a duty. Travellers to a country have the obligation of ensuring that they are not blinded by preconceived notions of its people, and that they do not project new stereotypes onto them. A visitor must not simply walk their land and eat their food and occupy their space; that is colonization. Instead, we must interact with the people themselves and constantly work to break down these ideas that have been implanted in our minds. How can we genuinely interact with other human beings if we cannot see the humanity beneath each body, or hear the story behind each face?

In a digital age where we often fail to see each other as humans, and a racialized period when many of us are dehumanized by the majority, the skill of being able to connect with other people is a crucial one. One of the main reasons I love travelling so much is this opportunity it offers to deconstruct the stereotypes that so often filter my vision, and allow me to better understand and communicate with people in general. Spending a semester studying and working in Spain, surrounded by entirely new people, speaking a language that is not even remotely native to me, will push me beyond the limits of my comfort zone, and enforce a perspective on the world that does not blindly paint people into socially constructed frames. The sun rises differently for each person in the world, even though it is the same sun that rises.

Journeying to a new place allows you to watch that sun rising from the perspective of another person in another part of the world. It allows you to hear the world rather than listen to it, and understand it rather than merely nod along to others’ stories. It allows you to see, rather than simply look. That is the beauty of travel.

By Nivita A.