 |
Jennifer Benz at a medieval castle in Carcassonne,
France.
"Studying abroad, in Toulouse,
France, has given me the opportunity to learn about European
culture by immersing myself in it. I can get a different perspective
on global news and America's role in the international arena.
Exposing myself to different points of view is helping to
expand my knowledge of international affairs. I highly recommend
it to everyone in the Global Studies Major." - Jennifer
Benz
_____________________________________________________________________________
Lindsay Asbury with a Peacock that lived in the backyard at
her place in Patzcuaro, Mexico.
"This summer I studied
abroad in Morelia, Michoacan in Mexico. A lot of people laughed
when I told them I would be going “abroad” when
it was only Mexico, but after hearing about my experiences
they changed their minds. It was so amazing! I lived with
a Mexican family and was able to travel every weekend. We
saw Guadalajara, Guanajuato (Diego Rivera’s hometown
where much of his art is displayed) Zijutanejo (which is the
beach seen at the end of The Shawshank Redemption –
beautiful!), Ixtapa, Patzcuaro, Tequila (where tequila originated)
and so many other places! We stayed in hospedajes, which are
family homes that rent rooms to travelers, as we traveled
and met so many different people. One house that we stayed
in even had peacocks in the backyard that chased us every
time we came out of our rooms. Mexico was sooo unique that
far south of the border. I loved learning about their culture,
their families and ways of life in Morelia. Although there
were, of course, several varieties of families and people,
Morelia was not as diverse as Southern California in race
and cultures. Catholicism and indigenous roots played an important
part in their social history, but I did notice the influence
of the drastic modern changes in Mexico, too. The people in
Morelia were very very interesting and welcoming and I loved
being a part of their city for 4 months. I was sad to leave!
Attached is a picture of the peacock in Patzcuaro. I would
encourage anyone to choose Mexico for an amazing abroad experience!"
-- Lindsay Asbury
_____________________________________________________________________________
Paul Stilley and Friends enjoying Oktoberfest
in Munich, Germany
Click
here to read more from Paul
and view more of his photos |
"There is so much
more that can be written about my year abroad than simply
my trips and my adventures. However, all the words in
the world could not describe in full the insight and personal
experience I gained from living, speaking, becoming a
part of a foreign culture. Not only did it open my mind
to a more global perspective, it also gave me a deeper
understanding of the different kinds of people and cultures
that exist outside of the United States. As the capital
city of the Alps, Grenoble was an ideal location to study
abroad. Beautifully surrounded by beautiful mountains
and situated on the Drac and Isère rivers, it was
a lively, thriving, modern city, home to a university
of more than 35,000 students, and more specifically, home
to me. Looking back on all my travels and all my experiences,
I can say without a doubt that my year abroad was a truly
enriching and inspiring part of my life that changed me
not only as university student, but as a person as well."
- Paul Stilley |
_____________________________________________________________________________
"I spent the 2002-2003 year at the University of Sussex
in England, and I enjoyed myself so much that I will be returning
to work for an additional 6 months. Being abroad, in a time
of war, was an eye opening experience. I was in London for
the largest public demonstration ever held in Britain, and
it was unbelievable. Living and studying in England was absolutely
brilliant... can't wait to get back to my local for a pint
with my old mates from Uni." - Sarah Maki
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
| "The
greatest year of my life was spent in Spain with EAP.
Deciding not to take advantage of this program should
be thoght of as an awful crime. Do yourself a favor
and get out of this country." - Samuel
DeFranceschi |
|
"I
have studied abroad in both Granada, Spain, and Brisbane,
Australia. I am having the time of my life and have
realized what it is like to truly live." -
Jamie Cegelski |
_____________________________________________________________________________
"I am emailing from an internet cafe
in Costa Rica, my study abroad country. After spending almost
a year here, I am certain that the study-abroad experience
is absolutely indispensable for global studies majors. Studying
concepts of globalization and reading about the impacts can
never compare to the experience of living in a country directly
impacted by these processes. (Which are often overlooked in
the United States, especially when it comes to cultural aspects.)"
- Summer Cagle
_____________________________________________________________________________
"UC
Center Paris (currently) --
It's one thing to hear lectures, read literature, or
even to watch a film. But
nothing comes close to smelling, tasting, and feeling
a different country. The
longer I am away from the states, the more I realize
how people have so much
more in common than differences." - Sylvia
Frain |
|
"I
just studied in Siena, Italy, this past summer and it
was the greatest
experience! The food, the scenery, and the people were
wonderful. I think anyone who has the opportunity should
visit Europe to experience the mixture of cultures and
the historical sites of the region!" - Dominique
Dorgan
|
_____________________________________________________________________________
" I am currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy,
right now and having a wonderful time! The teachers and
people I have met have all been amazing. I think that studying
abroad in Europe and having access to all the European countries
is something that everyone should do! I have traveled all
around Italy and to Germany so far, with Switzerland, England,
France, and the Netherlands destinations before I leave."
- Chelsey Gelow
_____________________________________________________________________________
| "I
studied in Brazil in the spring of 2003. My experience
there was by far the most rewarding in my life. In the
seven months I was there, there was not one single day
where I didn't learn something new either about myself
or about the culture in general. Although some courses
there were not as challenging or time consuming as UC
courses, I found myself exploring the city with that
extra time. I absolutely fell in love!" -
Zallury Lopez |
|
"Choosing
to stay in Munich for a year with the Wayne State University
program was the best decision I could have made regarding
my junior year. It takes a semester to get adjusted
and another semester to enjoy it...my point: DO A YEAR
PROGRAM. Through my experience, I have learned about
German and European culture and have expanded my horizons
on many issues." - Paula Jahn
|
_____________________________________________________________________________
"I am a senior Global
Studies major who studied in Alcala, Spain last year. This
experience allowed me to see the effects of globalization
on the world we live in today and fully understand the interconnectedness
of all societies. It is imperative that we try to understand
these issues from all sides and one of the best ways to
gain another perspective, is by living in another culture
and experiencing things through their eyes." -
Neika Watts
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Last year I studied
abroad in Goettingen, Germany, which was definetly the best
college experience a student could ever ask for. Not only
are you learing about yourself, and the country you are
visiting, but at the same time learning significantly about
your home country. You learn about how other countries around
the world view your country and you get the chance to act
as a laison for the US and tell others how Americans and
America really is. Studying abroad is the best experience
ever and everyone should take advantage of it!!"
- Dahlia Krausse
_____________________________________________________________________________
| "Studying
abroad in Granada, Spain, was a digestive process. The
world swallowed me whole. It stripped me of everything
I once knew and assumed, and spit me out. The outcome
wasn't a whole new person, it was an open slate in which
everything I now see and hear is digested in a whole
new manner that can't be explained but only experienced
by traveling abroad." - Julie Santos |
|
"I
had the awesome experience of absorbing Spanish culture
in the town of Salamamca. Not only was I emmersed into
the Spanish way of life, but I met Norwegians, Argenitines,
Germans, Swedish, and even Breumuduans that I still
keep in contact with and plan to visit when ever I can.
It is amazing to bearound so many different cultures
in such a rich environment and it really expannded my
world view. I would not give it up for anything."
- Julie Williams
|
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Doing the EAP program
was the most enlightening intellectual experience of my
life. Not only did EAP motivate my career aspirations, but
it increased my appetite for knowledge and exploration of
the world." - James Zola
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Hello fellow Gauchos.
My name is Paul Wilson and I am studying abroad in Heidelberg
Germany in an intensive Germany language program. The city
is amazing, the people are incredibly friendly and the food
is to die for. Every day I wake up I cannot believe I live
in a city that has a castle. Every building has a history
older than that of the United States but has stores as modern
as Beverly Hills, it truly is amazing. Although I love it
here and do not want to leave at all, there is a big part
of me craving the beach and that laidback Santa Barabara
lifestyle again. I hope all is going well for UCSB and I
will see you all winter 2004." - Paul
Wilson
_____________________________________________________________________________
"My name is Sophie Milton
and I am a fourth year global major. I have been studying
this entire year in Santiago de Chile. I would say that
no global studies education would be complete without studying
abroad. Traveling is important, but seeing new places and
cultures is not as powerful or important as living in new
places and really getting to know what its like. Just learning
how to communicate in a new language provides a wider lens
and deeper range. Studying in Chile is definitely going
to validate my degree in global studies. And if you're going
to do study abroad, 6 months doesn't really cut it, because
soon as you get your bearings and catch your breath its
over and time to get back to gringolandia!" -
Sophie Milton
We
want to hear from you too!
Please e-mail your letters
and photos to Mark Juergensmeyer: juergens@global.ucsb.edu
and Chris Gregory, Webmaster: cgregory@global.ucsb.edu
Return to Global Abroad page
|
