What inspired you to go abroad?
All three of my older brothers participated in study abroad, and from their experiences and adventures, I discovered my inspiration to have similar adventures. One of my brothers went back to the country where he studied abroad and continued his postgraduate education at a local college. He now lives and works there because he took a chance on studying abroad and found his future.
Why did you choose your specific organization?
I chose Forum-Nexus because they offered a unique experience, allowing us to visit five different countries and seven different cities in under a month. It seems like a lot, but there is enough time in each city to make the most out of your time there. I also liked that they offered both an assistantship and an internship that aligned with my major.
What was your favorite part of your host country/city?
Since we have multiple cities and countries, I will state my favorite part about each. First, in Barcelona, was the hotel! It was the nicest one we stayed at, and since I was sick during our time there, I unfortunately spent most of the time there. In Rome, I loved simply walking the old streets! At Lake Como and Lugano, I enjoyed the scenery. In Milan, I enjoyed the culture and watching people hang out at parks and public spaces. In Paris, I enjoyed and appreciated how clean the streets were. In Amsterdam, I was obsessed with walking the canals every day and all day.
Hiked to the top of Park Güell with my classmates
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
My experience abroad was made extraordinary because I got to see so many different places and cultures in such a short time. I had enough time to really appreciate each city, and for this, I am thankful and happy I decided to participate. From the canals in Amsterdam to the beautiful parks in Barcelona, I saw various cultures and architecture that not many can say they experienced.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff supported me a lot throughout the program, as I had food poisoning on the first day. I was by myself and met one of my professors for the first time in the hospital, but I instantly felt safe and relieved. As the trip continued, they helped me grow as I was studying hospitality by giving me assignments related to it and hands-on work. We discussed what I needed to work on and what I was doing great with.
What's one thing you wish you had done differently during your time abroad?
There is not much I would change or do differently. I would mostly urge myself to try to get more involved with my fellow classmates. I took advantage of the days I had and the classes I attended, but I only made one strong friendship after the fact. I am ok with this, but I guess it wouldn’t have hurt to have more!
Met up with my brother in Amsterdam. He lives in Germany!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day abroad consisted of me waking up and getting ready for class. I would go down to breakfast either alone for my “alone time ” or with my friends. We would then go to our classes, and I would study and catch up on work while my friends were in their classes. Once class was over for everyone, we would go out and explore! We usually had different things pre-booked, and then we would walk around until we found the best places to eat. We would then go back and do it all over again the next day.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
During my free time abroad, I enjoyed the freedom of being able to explore the city. It seems like a simple statement, but I really could go anywhere and do anything in Paris, Rome, etc. If I wanted to go see the Eiffel Tower or the Coliseum for the 3rd time, then I could. If I wanted Gelato for the 5th night in a row, then I would walk around the corner and grab some after dinner.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
My program provided 4-star hotels for us to stay at, and I honestly enjoyed the complimentary breakfast every morning. This helped a lot with cost and took off a stressor of deciding on food for the day. I would grab a fruit or make a croissant and keep it with me for lunch on some days if I did not want to spend money that day.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I believe that every future participant should know and fully understand that you will be living out of your suitcase, so pack smart and light. The travel days are not that hard, but it does help to have less to drag along! Also, leave room in your suitcases so you can bring back more souvenirs!!! You will be visiting a lot of places, and you will want something from each city.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
I would recommend this program to others because it’s more unique than most. You get the most “bang for your buck” out of this itinerary, and it’s with a great group of professors and advisors who really want to show you each city and learn and care about you. It’s a great way to make connections with both the students and professors who come from all over the world.
Friends at Lake Como
What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?
I feel like the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is obtaining an understanding of how each country and culture is different. Again, this seems like common knowledge and a basic statement, but being in these new places firsthand gives you a perspective on how similar yet different we all are. It makes these foreign places feel real.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I am home, I realize the value of studying abroad. I try to live every day to the max because who knows what is out there to explore. While abroad, I would explore every day to make the most of my time there. Once I got back, I realized why I should not have this same philosophy. I now make an extra effort to make the most of each day or take the long walk home.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means to me that you make the most of your trip. You travel with a purpose and a goal. If your purpose is to travel and relax, then that trip was meaningful. For me, traveling abroad, my goal was to see the differences in hospitality internationally and how the cultures affected this, and I was able to see it firsthand and study it.
