By Alyssa Asick, Staff Writer
Students and faculty discussed study abroad trips at the Let’s Talk meeting on Feb. 26, sharing their experiences to help let students that have yet to travel know what to expect.
The talk was held in The Center for Diversity and Inclusion and was aimed to create a safe place for students to talk about their concerns and excitements about their future GO programs.
Some topics that were discussed were how students choose their program, the cultural differences that they experienced and what it was like when they came back to Susquehanna.
Sophomore Malia Simon decided to study abroad in New Zealand next Spring because she is a full native from America and she wanted to experience the indigenous culture of the Māori people.
Senior Angelina Poole studied in Galway, Ireland because she was raised with Irish traditions. She said that being in Ireland was the “first time I’ve ever really been to a country where religion had such a major influence on the forming of the country.”
While some students chose their programs for cultural reasons, others relied on advice from their advisors to help make their decision. Senior Jay Henderson mentioned that her advisor told her to think about what places would help her improve upon her major the most.
The students also discussed what the transition back into America would be like.
“Be prepared for things to not be the same when you come back,” Senior Hanifah Jones said.
Jones also noted that sometimes friends will go abroad different semesters and it is easy to feel alone during those times.
Another adjustment brought up was transitioning back into the American school system.
Henderson said to “be prepared for a real shift in how you treat academics.” Other countries are not as strict about attendance or assignments so it can sometimes be difficult for students to transition back.
Students that went on GO Short programs also shared their difficulty adjusting back into American life.
Senior Kerry Lewis went on a GO Short program to South Africa and said that on these trips there are so many activities and places to visit that the students do not have much time to adjust to the culture.
Students also experience internal conflicts and growth while they study abroad.
Poole noted that when students get back, sometimes their perspectives change and they decide to reevaluate their relationships and friendships.
The main bits of advice students said they would have appreciated to have before they left are to be more informed about the immigration process and to integrate with the local culture more.
Shane Sanders, the short-term programs coordinator at Susquehanna who has studied in several countries, said that she “put a ton of effort into staying out of the American bubble, but it was worth it.”
Sanders stated that best way to get more involved is to start participating in an activity within the local culture.
