I embarked on the World Odyssey, a 700-person ship in Antwerp, Belgium, bidding farewell to land, service and the familiarity of daily life. Thus began my life at sea school, Semester At Sea. In an unconventional classroom setting, we find ourselves aboard a cruise ship where lounging by the pool between classes is the norm, and running on the treadmills offered breathtaking ocean views instead of Sterling Center walls. Semester…
Ciao, my name is Chase Lee, and I am currently a senior at the College of Charleston majoring in marketing. I am studying abroad in Rome, Italy at John Cabot University through the affiliate program SAI for the Fall 2023 semester. I chose this program because I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy, and it allows me to enhance my academic goals as a marketing major. John Cabot University is…
My academic experience here in Spain differs in regards to my usual experience on campus in Charleston. To start, my classes take place in a charming and mystical converted convent in the heart of the medieval city of Trujillo, Spain. With a wrought-iron gate to enter, expansive arch walkways, and windows with breathtaking views, you can already see how it differs from the halls of the Maybank building. You can…
I have been back in the States for three days now, and it feels so strange. I already miss everything about Trujillo; my friends, my host family, the food, the town itself, and just the feeling that goes along with living in Spain. It has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life so far. I got to meet new people and learn about their culture, try amazing…
One of my absolute favorite things about my study abroad experience so far has been the food! I had heard about how great the food in Spain was, and was always so excited to try it. I am a pescetarian, meaning I don’t eat any types of meat except for fish, so I was nervous about how that would affect what my host family makes for me. However after the…
When I first arrived in Trujillo, the town was ending their two week long festivities celebrating their Saint Patroness, Maria Victoria. Our first night in Trujillo, most of the students and I went to the Capeas at the Plaza de Toros, or the bull ring in town, accompanied by our host brothers and sisters. The event consisted of local teens and adults in the bull ring with one to three…
After only a month of living in Florence, I have learned so much about my host city and the norms of studying abroad. Here are five things I have learned so far while studying abroad that have helped me adapt and immerse myself in a new culture! Attempting to speak your host country’s language goes a long way! I came into this program knowing very little Italian other than some…
While reflecting on this past month in London, England, I find myself most affected by the live performances that I was able to view. Since being here, I have seen The Phantom of the Opera, King Lear, and My Fair Lady with my class. Too, I also saw Mad House with some friends. All of these performances were amazing, two of them causing me to genuinely cry by the end…
Since I have been studying in Germany nearly every day has consisted of me experiencing many new and amazing things. The academic portion of my program was phenomenal, and I was emersed in an environment that hosted students from all over the world. I met people from Cameroon, Egypt, Turkey, The Ukraine, South Korea and so on. Even though I was in a foreign place with foreign people the instruction…
Name: Lydia Klumb Majors: Psychology and Marine Biology Year in School: Sophomore Host Institution: University of Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands Why did you choose your program: I knew I wanted to go somewhere in Europe where I could travel easily, and wanted to push myself outside of my comfort zone by going to a country where English isn’t the official language. The Netherlands meets both of those requirements, along with…
