Studying abroad is a one of a kind experience that exposes individuals to challenges, culture, and best of all: adventures. These students shared their favorite study abroad experiences from Morocco, the UK, Luxembourg and Ireland. Take it in, maybe you’ll be inspired to travel the world.
Name: Juanita Gonzalez Valencia
From: Medellin, Colombia
Studying in: Meknes, Morocco
Favorite Place: My favorite place so far has to be southern Morocco. Between the landscapes of Paradise Valley and the beaches of Agadir, the south is a dream.
Favorite Experience: Even though many would deem this a terrible experience, I think it’s one I’ll never forget, therefore making it my favorite. On our way to Paradise Valley, we had some ups and downs (mostly downs). After a seven-hour train ride at 3 a.m., a smelly bus was the last thing we needed. Yet, that’s what we got. A bus where the curtains were stained… with something, the seat backs gum infested, air conditioning coming from the broken roof emergency exit and enough dirt to fill the Sahara. After three plus hours of that, we arrived by taxi to the “Banana Village” and took a small van to the middle of nowhere. The blue van, which would usually fit maybe 10 people could now magically hold double that amount. With live stock tied to the roof and odors only thought possible in a science lab, we made it to the middle of nowhere (Immouzer) and were graciously fed by a police officer. So maybe awful transportation and starving for 24 hours isn’t ideal, but the things we experienced and saw the next day, no one can take from us. That, to me, is more important than a fancy bus and easy breezy transportation plans.
Why I chose to study abroad: I chose to study abroad because for the past couple of years, I can’t seem to stop doing it. After living in Honfleur, France, my junior year of high school and graduating from Lima, Peru, the following year, I guess you can say I caught the travel bug. It didn’t even really matter where I went. To be honest, I cared more about buying a rad lamp than I did googling what kind of city I’d be living in, in Morocco. I did it for the experience. To be able to say that I lived in Africa, and out of pure curiosity for a culture I knew little about.
Biggest lesson: The biggest lesson I learned is patience. Living in Morocco hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been the opposite of that. But, I learned to pop in my headphones in order to ignore the catcalling (or “the he’s just being nice” gesture, as my professor calls it), to ask for a menu when I walk into a restaurant (I won’t be served unless I ask for it), and to be grateful for everyone that I was able to meet this year. Without the people, and my newfound super-patience, this experience wouldn’t have been the same.
Name: Petie Burgdoerfer
From: Columbus, Ohio (or U Penn in Philadelphia)
Studying Abroad in: London, UK
Favorite Place I’ve Been: Berlin
Favorite Experience: Climbing to the top of the Piazzale Michaelangelo to watch the sunset over Florence.
Why I chose to study abroad: To meet new people, see new places, and experience new cultures.
Biggest Lesson I’ve Learned: There is no language barrier or cultural stereotype a smile can’t overcome.
Name: Colleen Burke
Where you’re from: Chicago, IL
Where you’re studying abroad: Luxembourg
Favorite place you’ve been: Galway, Ireland. It is such a quaint, quiet city with so many things to do. The nightlife is great, featuring “early bars” that close at 11 p.m. and are more for pre-gaming and hanging out; there are also clubs, which are just as fun. It’s also located right by the Cliffs of Moher, which was something I had wanted to see since I was little. It was definitely my favorite trip that I’ve been on this semester.
Favorite experience: I traveled around Italy with 12 of my friends during our weeklong fall break. For two days, we were in Sorrento at a little hostel that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. We rented a boat during our second day there and hired a driver to take us around. The views were amazing, and we even got to go scuba diving! We drove right by an area where a Dolce & Gabbana ad was shot. When we got to the island of Capri, we got a few hours to eat and walk around. It was so gorgeous, with boats docked everywhere and people smiling and willing to help you with whatever you needed. I’ll never forget that day.
Why you chose to study abroad: A few of my cousins went before me and loved it, so I figured I’d try it out too. I always thought I’d study somewhere in Ireland, like Dublin or Galway. However, I was talked out of it when I realized how difficult it would be to travel out of Ireland every weekend to see places like Italy and France. Luxembourg has the perfect location, as it is so central to nearly every country in Europe, and traveling is easy by taking trains that go nearly everywhere.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned: I’ve definitely learned to be patient with others who don’t speak the same language as I do because I now understand how frustrating it can be trying to communicate with someone when you’re in a foreign land and don’t speak the language.
Name: Ellie Callinan
Where you’re from: New Jersey
Where you’re studying abroad: Galway, Ireland
Favorite place you’ve been: Aran Islands (a group of 3 islands off the coast of Galway, Ireland). My friends and I took a day trip to visit the largest island, Inishmor. We rented bikes and explored the island! Gorgeous views and real authentic Irish culture…a must-see if you visit Ireland’s west coast!
Favorite experience: My parents visited me in Ireland a little more than half way through my semester abroad. Because I had already visited the touristy sites multiple times, we decided to explore a different part of Ireland. We didn’t really have a plan but took the rental car and drove out to County Kerry. We then asked a local from a cafe where we should go, and she (in the friendly manner that all Irish possess) directed us to the Gap of Dunloe, which was an unbelievable site to see! My parents and I spent a few hours in the narrow mountain pass, then asked another local where to go next. He suggested the Dingle Peninsula (the westernmost point of Ireland), so we drove there and spent the evening at a quaint bar and later ate at an amazing seafood restaurant. This was my favorite experience because it was a true adventure, and I got to spend the whole day exploring a new part of Ireland with my parents!
Why you chose to study abroad: I had always known that I wanted to study abroad. The question was where! I wanted to find a place that resonated with me and the type of person I want to become. I’m part Irish, so that had a huge influence on my decision. I really felt this unexplainable connection to this place and that’s why I went with my gut and decided on Ireland.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned: I came into studying abroad thinking that this experience would be all about me and what I wanted to do, and solely about how I would grow as an individual. I learned, however, that a whole semester abroad can get a bit lonely, and although I think of myself as an independent and introverted person, I need people in my life who I can rely on and have fun with. The friends I made studying abroad are so important to me because they understand what it’s like to be in this amazing place that’s so far from where we are comfortable. I learned that you can’t be afraid of opening up to new people, they might just surprise you and end up being some of your best friends!
The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear, for newer and richer experience. -Eleanor Roosevelt
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