Study Abroad, Make a Difference
Patrick, Arabic: My language skills advanced so much faster than it would’ve if I was in a purely academic environment. And I would’ve never been able to gain the same understanding of how the language is used in context unless I was living in the country.
Unknown: It almost, in a way, forces you to learn more because if you want to communicate with your host mom or figure out the transportation system then you’re gonna have to learn for yourself.
Philip, Russian: I was the first American to come to the city where I was living, the first American to attend the school that I attended. And it was a challenge, but with that much seclusion from English and from my home, I had a lot of pressure and a lot of incentive to learn Russian. And within five months, I became pretty functional.
Lena, Turkish: It’s definitely a worthwhile experience that there can be really difficult times, but also, it’s very meaningful and it really does put things into perspective.
Melody, Turkish: I wish that we had a better reputation, and I feel like this generation, we can really make that change. We can just show them, you know, how we’re not like the media perceives us to be.
Holly, Turkish: You know, it was just really like, an extra push to get out into the world and broaden my worldview and understand where these people are coming from and what I can do to represent America and represent American youth.
Hannah, Arabic: With that, I hope that we can make the world more peaceful and more understanding. And I just hope that more people can be able do this and have the opportunities that I’ve had.
Sarah: You will have a lot of fun and you will learn so much more then you could’ve ever done if you stayed in America to study.
Unknown: I hope everyone, you know, looks into this program and does it because it really is such a beneficial tool for your future and it just, it really opens up so many doors.