Nathalia Ferreira
Spain

Major: International Business and Management
Hometown: Lowell, Massachusetts
Other activities: Sigma Kappa Sorority, Cheerleading

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?
I chose Spain because I wanted to go to a Spanish speaking country to improve my language skills. I have always dreamed of going to Barcelona because of their unique Catalonian culture. I also wanted to go somewhere I could travel to different countries from.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?
My time abroad has given me a better understanding of my host culture and has also given me the opportunity to share my own culture with others. During my time in Spain, I was exposed to countless different experiences that will always have an influence in my future choices. My experience abroad changed my worldview, sense of confidence, and direction in life.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?
The best meal I had while in Barcelona was the ‘fideuá de mariscos’ — a traditional Catalonian dish. It’s made with thin noodles (or fideu in Catalan) and seafood such as shrimp, mussels, and scallops. It’s usually served with allioli sauce and a glass of sangria. There wasn’t any food that I didn’t like.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?

  • Hike Mount Tibidabo and the Montserrat
  • Go on a Cava (wine produced in Catalonia) Tour
  • Watch a Barcelona game at Camp Nou
  • Visit la Sagrada Familia
  • Have a picnic at Park Güell
  • Paddleboard on the Mediterranean

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?
Be open-minded! Not everything will be the same as home, make sure you’re willing to accept the differences of your host country. Consider your travel goals and your personal needs. Be friends with locals — they can teach you a lot and it’s a great opportunity to learn the language. Enjoy it. It’s the chance of a lifetime!

Derrick Houston
United Arab Emirates

Major: Petroleum Engineering
Hometown: Boardman, Ohio
Other activities: Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Physics Club, and the American Association of Petroleum Geology (AAPG).

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?
Ever since I was a little kid I was fascinated about the Middle East, in particular the Gulf States. This was mostly due to the cultural nature with cars. I also found that in today’s media the Middle East is not represented well, and I wanted to create my opinion first hand. Also, I am a Petroleum Engineering student after all — so why wouldn’t I want to go to the Middle East.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?
I found myself thinking more and more about how small our world really is. There are so many things that are universal and I wonder why we have so many problems. It’s like we create separate societies and boarders that in many ways disconnects the simple truth that we are all human. My time in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed that I want to work there someday — most likely in Abu Dhabi.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?
My worst meal would have to be on the United flight … long story let’s just say I will never fly with them again. My best meal abroad was never really about what I was eating it was about the people I was with. For example one of the times we went out to the desert to eat I was talked in to eating the fish brain (which was actually quite good). But the best part about it was when we would all jump off the sand dune, and I would make everyone laugh by making a “sand” angel. In all some of the best “meals” would be going out with friends for a karak (tea) and a barata with cheese (like a wrap).

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?
I will visit again, Inshallah. This is quite a simple list as I would want to be able to see everyone that I meet there again.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?
Don’t be afraid to go after your goals, define how you want to live your life. Push your boundaries and go out of your comfort zone. But also don’t forget to study. I also recommend putting a lot of time into planning things out, but don’t freak out when something goes wrong, they will work themselves out. Overall, I would strongly recommend studying abroad it is a great time to find out about yourself and meet new and exciting people, in the end making the world that much smaller. You may even find another place to call home.

Lindsey Schrock
Italy

Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Theatre; Leadership
Hometown: Alliance, Ohio
Other activities: Theatre Department, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ)

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?
I found Lorenzo de’Medici online through independent searching, and then followed up with the Study Abroad Office. They were very helpful in helping me find the right program to use.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?
Spending time abroad has been truly eye opening. I have learned of my own cultural preferences, my communication behaviors and how those are effective or ineffective in our globalizing workplace, and learned about who I am as an individual. You learn a lot about yourself when you study abroad. It forces you to face your fears of being alone, being uncertain, being lost, and being unfamiliar with your surroundings and how you fit in.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?
A friend and I had researched a great place to eat, but when we arrived it was closed. We turned the corner and found this hidden restaurant where we had the most amazing meal. We began talking to the owner/head chef, and we stayed and ate until closing. Afterwards, he was kind enough to escort us to the train station to catch our train, and gave us a tour of the town and treated us to coffee on the way. It was never about the food, but more about the experiences that accompanied it!

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?
When I go back (which I will), I will definitely be hiking in Cinque Terre. The trails were closed when we were there, so we were forced to take the trains between the lands. However, first and foremost, I will be revisiting my hometown of Florence, going to my favorite coffee shops, praying in my favorite churches, walking down my favorite streets, in an effort to reconnect with this amazing piece of my life.

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?
If you are considering studying abroad (if there is any way you can make it work in your schedule, if it is at all possible), you need to go. It is the most life-changing experience, and even writing these words is difficult because it is impossible to tell someone what studying abroad is like. It is impossible to convey how amazing it is. The only way to know is to experience it for yourself. It is the biggest challenge you will face during college, but carries the most rewards.

Rachel Thompson
Ireland

Major: Petroleum Engineering
Minor: Energy Systems Engineering
Certificate: Leadership Studies
Hometown: Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania
Other activities: McDonough Leadership Program, Student Government Association, Alpha Xi Delta

How did you choose the location of your Education Abroad experience?
It can be difficult for Petroleum Engineering students to study abroad because of the rigorous course load and the small number of colleges that offer the program. Luckily, I was able to find a country that not only had a rich and warm culture but also an excellent reputation for engineering. Ireland’s location also made it easy to travel to other countries within Europe. I had always wanted to visit Ireland, but I never thought I would have this life-changing opportunity.

How has your time in another country impacted your view of the world and your future goals?
Students who study abroad always seem to describe their experience as eye opening — I definitely agree. Living in a different country is a very humbling experience; I have realized how big the world really is and how fortunate we are to be able to travel so easily from country to country. I had been interested in working internationally as an engineer, and my time abroad has developed that interest even further. It is difficult to get placed on an international project in my field, but regardless of whether or not that works out for me, I know I will be traveling in my future.

What was your best/worst meal while abroad?
Ireland is not exactly known for having the best cuisine. I consider their food a little bland compared to other countries. My favorite meal abroad was actually in Croatia. A friend and I had traveled to an island called Brač, and ordered lunch at a restaurant right next to the water. I had the most colorful and unusual salad topped with sheep’s cheese and delicious Croatian olives.

My least favorite meal was in Galway where I lived. My friends and I had been fanatics about garlic cheese fries at our local Kebab House. White garlic sauce is rather popular in Ireland. I loved it at the beginning of the semester, but this late night snack was too much to handle by the second month.

If you ever visit your host country again, what will be on your list of things to do?
I am planning to return to Galway within the next few years and meet up with the friends I made abroad. I would love to:

  • Travel to Donegal
  • Go back to the Cliffs of Moher
  • See the Wicklow Mountains
  • Go to a rugby match
  • Retrace some of my steps from my study abroad experience

What advice can you give fellow students who are considering the Education Abroad program?
Look at any and every location! Every country has something unique to offer. It will be difficult to narrow your choices down to just one. Keep in mind your finances, education requirements, and time frame, and eventually one will be the perfect fit. Don’t get discouraged; planning your experience abroad can be challenging, but it is definitely worth it! Our faculty will definitely help you along the way. Best of luck!