I became close with two Croatian girls, Eva and Matea. We became good friends and decided to meet in New York when they finished their Work and Travel USA programs. I got to be their personal tour guide, and not just for NYC - we went to Boston and Washington, D.C. as well.
Studying abroad can change your life, and it probably will. But not in the ways that you are expecting. The beauty of study abroad does not lie in the highlight reel that is posted to various forms of social media. It lies within the relationships and the time spent alone.
When you go abroad, do not let it stop you from pursuing your dreams and aspirations. Instead, use it to your advantage to make new connections. Going abroad can open new doors for you, therefore try new activities, reach for the sky, chase your dreams because you will never know what the outcomes will be!
Au pair Elisabeth and her host mom Jackie have an incredibly unique bond. Elisabeth joined Jackie’s household as an au pair in 2012 and has visited her former host family every year since! Recently, Elisabeth had a very special question for her former host mom.
During my eight-month volunteer role with the Mariposa DR Foundation we hosted short-term volunteers periodically. After discussing “responsible volunteering” with one cohort, a thoughtful high school student from the U.S. asked, in a concerned tone, “What do I have to offer to your girls [at Mariposa]? Is it okay for us to even be here? I don’t even speak Spanish!”
My entire experience in Nairobi has been truly life changing. The technical skills I developed through working on projects for my unit, the professional contacts I made, and the friends who will be part of my life for years to come are just part of what my time in Nairobi has given me. Beyond that, I also feel that I’ve changed internally somehow.
When you think of industries most affected by the global lockdown, summer camps might be near the top of the list. This is unfortunate for many reasons. Sandy Hill Camp & Retreat Center found a novel solution! Their international camp counselors created videos of themselves teaching and sharing aspects of their culture, naming it “Sandy Hill Around the World.”
The sheer amount of contrast made me realize, that this might be the very reason why the city in general looks very homogeneous.
I was worried about being lonely in Thailand, prepared to learn about solitude. Instead, I have learned more than I could have imagined about communication and about the varied, beautiful forms that connection can take.
I have moderate hearing loss, which means for me, my hearing aids are like reading glasses. I need them in some situations, but not in all. I wasn’t sure what to expect when studying abroad with a hearing disorder, but these are some of the things I discovered while in London at University of Roehmapton.
I particularly remember that one of our duties at Civic Leadership Summit was to pitch an idea of an impactful project that we were willing to implement in our communities. That is where the idea of Green Art Fest (GAF) - an event that raises environmental awareness - was first discussed and presented.
My first time coming to the U.K. In 2014 through ISEP was one of the most rewarding experiences. There were many rewarding aspects of that original journey, but one of the most rewarding parts of that was understanding how blackness differed once outside of the U.S.
Life brings us experiences that profoundly impact our trajectory, but we often don’t recognize them until we take time to look back. For Finnish native Ulla Härmä, it was the summer of 1988 that set her on the course for her career.
Au pair alumni Una, from Bosnia, came to the U.S. as an au pair in 2012. At the time, her reasons for joining the au pair program were straightforward; she was a kindergarten teacher who wanted to experience teaching in a different culture while using English. Little did Una know that living abroad as an au pair would change the trajectory of her career and her life.
I gained invaluable experience in the field, leading groups of volunteers on surveys and carrying out my own project. I can’t thank the staff enough for their support during my internship. Anyone else considering doing this project shouldn’t hesitate, it is a truly unforgettable experience and you won’t regret it.
This was an incredibly beneficial internship, which have me the opportunity to develop myself professionally whilst also working alongside likeminded people and meeting inspiring figures from within the local community.
My experience in Ghana cemented that I wanted to work with women and children, that I wanted to be a Health Educator, and that I’m not only to serve in my own backyard in America, but across the globe. It cemented my purpose.
My family has given me so much, and provided me with some of my most cherished memories. I wish to be able to do whatever I can to support them, and the rest of Isabela, throughout this difficult time, so that all future travelers to Galapagos can find a home there as I have.
This program allowed me to get to know amazing Galapagueños, adventurous travelers, and to get to know myself. Through UM and IOI’s model for teaching, I found that hands-on experience and learning from local friends and teachers helped me develop and learn more than I could have in a classroom setting.
I had such an incredible, life changing experience on my trip with IOI to Cocodrilo. Pre-Trip communication was clear and my pre-trip questions were quickly responded to. I felt extremely prepared and well informed for my trip. During my trip I felt well taken care of and supported by the IOI Cuba staff.
The most precious reward from participating in the program was being able to talk to people from all over the world, expressing ourselves freely and discovering the common ground. This world is much bigger than I thought. But we’re not alone. People have problems like ours and even more complicated ones. And they pick themselves up each time!