Spending a semester abroad is an opportunity offered by most universities which allow undergraduate and graduate students to experience parts of the world before submitting to the responsibilities of adulthood. Depending on the program, some semesters spent overseas may even be cheaper than a regular semester for students paying out-of-state tuition.
Students who decide to study abroad grow as individuals and come back with a new outlook on life and the world around them. Here you will relive the memories of three different students, each of them retelling unique stories of their life from their time abroad.
Hello travel friends, my name is Aimee Armitage and I am currently a junior at Virginia Tech. In the Fall of 2017, I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain with a program called ISA.
My name is Anna Gunter, and I am a junior at Virginia Tech. I studied abroad this past semester in Preston, England – just north of Manchester.
My name is Hannah Malian, I’m a senior. I studied abroad in Lugano, Switzerland, Rwanda, Africa and Cusco, Peru.
What are some things you wish you had known as a student before spending a semester abroad?
Anna: Before I left for England, I wish I had been aware of all the paperwork I would need to complete once I got there. I had a preconceived notion that after all the visas and forms were signed stateside that I was good to go. So, don’t be like me and make sure to bring an official copy of your transcript – overseas shipping is expensive!
Aimee: A few things that I wish I knew before going abroad were to save even more money than I originally had saved because transportation, food, alcohol, clothes, and gifts all add up. Additionally, I wish I would have known that water is NOT free in some places, such as Spain. Water was sometimes more expensive than wine or beer. I think the biggest thing I wish I would have known before choosing the city that I did, is to choose a city that was closer to an airport. The closest major airport to Salamanca was Madrid, which was a two hour bus ride and costs about 17-20 euros (one-way). So you could imagine that buying a 40 euro round trip bus ticket, plus a 70-100 euro plane ticket each weekend adds up. I definitely could have gone on one more trip if I had lived in a major airport city, such as Madrid or Barcelona.
Hannah: Honestly, there isn’t much you can know before going abroad that you won’t learn there. I wouldn’t change a thing, everything I learned within each experience had made those experiences so much more valuable.
What is your single most important piece of advice for students either planning to study abroad or are currently studying abroad this semester?
Anna: In an era, where being on your phone is so easy – international SIM cards, public WiFi widely available – try your hardest to be present in the moment wherever you are. I found myself nearly succumbing to my inner ‘FOMO’ and checking people’s social media, but the best moments I experienced abroad were when I could fully take in all the experiences around me while exploring exotic places and meeting new people. My advice would be to prepare yourself, mentally, to check out from life at home for the length of your stay so that you can really appreciate all the exciting unfamiliarity.
Aimee: Take every opportunity and experience you can get. Whether it’s visiting a new place, trying a strange food, or learning how to Flamenco dance, do it all. It was a quick three months, but in that time I was able to practice my Spanish with my host mom, try new foods, and meet friends from all over the world. From the Italian food in Italy, to shaving Dutch men’s beards in Brussels, to walking through the Sahara Desert, all were very different experiences, but nothing I wouldn’t do over again.
Hannah: Take it all in. Don’t sleep on any experience. Have no expectations. This is the most valuable experience, you’ll grow as a person in more ways than you’ll ever think you could. Branch out and meet new people, there are journeys you’ll go on with them that will make them your best friends.
What is your most cherished experience from your time abroad?
Anna: The most special experience of my study abroad journey, though only a brief 24 hours, was spending my 21st birthday on the Greek Island of Santorini. While exploring mainland Europe was enlightening and exciting, Santorini was unlike anywhere I had ever been before. It was a like a fairytale moment that I had dreamed about my whole life and never thought I would be able to experience on my own. It was a surreal way to be welcomed into adult life, and I’ll never forget it.
Aimee: The best experience I had was the five days I spent in Morocco. On our first day we walked around the medina in Fez, which consisted of 1,000 narrow streets. We went to a tile place, where they made beautiful handmade bowls, cups, tables, vases, and plates. Then, we ventured into a “Pharmacy,” where the pharmacist let us sample lotions, oils, lipsticks, perfumes, and spices. I ended up buying a muscle relaxer oil for my sister and Rasse hanoute spice for my mom. Later, we visited a store where they sowed handmade turbans. They recommended buying one for the desert because they protect your face from the sun and wind.The next day we took a 9 hour bus ride into the Sahara Desert. When the buses could not travel on the roads anymore, 120 of us hopped into Jeeps and “off-roaded” to our campsite. We stopped in the middle of nowhere to watch the sunset from the top of our Jeep. We finally made it to our campsite, which was more like “glamping” if you ask me. The campsite had toilets in the ground, tents with electric lights inside, thin mattresses with pillows and blankets, and a huge tent for meals and entertainment. I wasn’t sure what to expect, whether it was sleeping under the stars or in a four-star hotel, but this was definitely an experience.
The next day we woke up before sunrise and the locals walked us over the dunes to find the perfect spot to watch the sunrise. The sunrise was breathtaking and so close to use. Later, we put on our turbans and went on a camel ride. The locals in the nearby town owned the camels, therefore, they lead our camel train into the desert, where we ended up at the bottom of one of the biggest dunes in the area. We hopped off our camels and hiked up the dune to find the most amazing panoramic views. After our journey into the desert, we traveled to another city, Meknes. We did not have as much time to walk around, but we were able to visit the markets and drink some delicious mint green tea. The food in Morocco was surprisingly very good, bursting with spices and flavor. Tangine is a popular dish served, which is served with various meats, such as lamb or chicken, and then served with carrots, potatoes, pickled cucumbers, and various spices. Overall, my adventure to Morocco and the Sahara Desert was one of my most cherished experiences; pictures and videos don’t do it justice.
Hannah: This question is particularly difficult to answer, because I deeply cherish so many of them. If I had to pick one, I think it would be my time spent teaching English to the kids in Rwanda. The reason that I cherish this so much is because although I was technically teaching them, they were actually teaching me in more ways than I thought they would.
Watching the eyes of these children light up at their ability to grasp new English words taught me appreciation for how lucky and privileged I was to be able to attend a strong educational system from Kindergarten through my Bachelor’s Degree. As we educated them using dances like the Macarena, their spirited laughs taught me to appreciate the little things and not to take life so seriously. Finally, playing soccer, or futbol as they call it, taught me that teamwork is universal. A common goal can unite complete strangers and something beautiful can always come out of putting differences aside and working together. I am so grateful for this experience, I think about those kiddos everyday and I can’t wait to go back to the people who opened my eyes in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
As you may have noticed, each narrative was only as unique as its storyteller. Every experience and memory custom tailored to the individual.
We are all voyagers leading our own expeditions. Our curious minds are constantly driven by the desire to understand what is unfamiliar and the inclination to venture into the unknown. Here at Impulse Odyssey, we aspire to share experiences among a community of wanderers and globetrotters, retelling our own stories as well as the stories of others. To all you seasoned travelers and to those of you who have yet to step into new lands; the world is your oyster. Your life and your journeys are only limited by the adventures you decide not to take.
