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Madrid, Hawaii
Where and when did you study abroad?
In Fall 2003, as a sophomore, I studied the fall semester in Madrid, Spain. Then, during my junior year, I participated in the Ethics in Hawaii J-Term class in January 2005.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I always knew that I wanted to travel. I am the youngest of seven children and my parents emigrated from Laos to the United States. As a child, my mother often spoke about her home thousands of miles away, across hundreds of countries and two oceans. As happy as she was with her new found home in the United States, I knew she sometimes wished she could go back to the plain, simple life the Hmong led for centuries. Even then I knew my parents were grateful to have had the opportunity to explore and travel to a different land and to provide their children with an education. From this, I realized just how important it is to explore and travel new lands and to discover the infinite opportunities there are in the world for me.
Deciding on a city and program is not an easy task. There were a million programs available in every city imaginable. After speaking with an IEC Peer Advisor, I was told I could go to any city and participate in any program and still be happy, as long as I make the experience my own.
I decided on the IES program in Madrid, Spain because the courses seemed interesting, and I thought living like a European city would be exciting. (A nice change from the Minnesota routine.)
I decided to do the J-Term in Hawaii not only because it was a required class, but after returning from Spain, I simply wanted to explore more lands. Once I experienced studying abroad, I became addicted. As soon as I arrived home, I began looking for another place to go and the Hawaii course worked out well with my schedule.
What is the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
Traveling, in education is the best teacher. I would suggest everyone allowing themselves to be constant students to this ever-changing world. You learn so much simply by experiencing a new culture, a new language and a new way of life. In Europe, no one can resist traveling to other cities and countries. The majority of the weekends throughout my four months in Madrid, I traveled outside of the city. In total: I visited more than two dozen cities in Spain, six countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, England and Morocco) and two continents (Europe and Africa).
What is the biggest challenge of studying abroad?
It is typical for any young adult to get off a plane in a foreign country and be nervous. I was terrified when I got off the plane. But because I had arrived with no one else, I had to fend for myself. I asked for directions, hopped on the subway and arrived in downtown Madrid. The true secret to making a study abroad experience successful is to immerse yourself in the culture.
Did the classes fit into your schedule?
All of my classes counted toward my Spanish major. I was living with a non-English speaking family, taking six courses in Spanish, while experiencing as much of the Spanish culture as I could. Surprisingly, I earned better grades that semester in Spain than I earned in previous semesters at St. Thomas. I think it was because I never took my classes for granted. I loved every moment of it. I would often have class held at world-renown museums, theatres and even restaurants.
Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of studying abroad?
You only have the chance to be young and travel once ? take advantage of it! When else will you have an experience like this? Being in Spain and Hawaii were the most fortunate experiences of my life. I had so many exciting opportunities at my fingertips--a thousand-year history just waiting to be explored. And students beware: Traveling can become a serious addiction!
Do you have a favorite study abroad story?
The morning I was supposed to leave for Hawaii, I caught the flu. I was so sick, I vomited four times. My mom was about to call the professor and tell him that I couldn't go. But I was determined; no sickness would ruin my month in paradise. Besides, I didn?t want to let the other group members down by canceling. My mother was just as determined not to let me go. She even started unpacking my suitcase. But I packed it back up. When I finally made it to the airport, I talked to my classmates about being sick. They weren?t excited about me being sick on an eight-hour flight but I really wanted to go. For the first couple days, I rested every chance I got. When we had free time, the other students were out on the beach and I was sleeping. I started to feel much better mentally and physically when I unloaded the rest of my suitcase and saw that my mother had slid some of her Hmong medicine into my bag as I was packing. I smiled and knew that she understood how important the trip was for me.
In Fall 2003, as a sophomore, I studied the fall semester in Madrid, Spain. Then, during my junior year, I participated in the Ethics in Hawaii J-Term class in January 2005.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I always knew that I wanted to travel. I am the youngest of seven children and my parents emigrated from Laos to the United States. As a child, my mother often spoke about her home thousands of miles away, across hundreds of countries and two oceans. As happy as she was with her new found home in the United States, I knew she sometimes wished she could go back to the plain, simple life the Hmong led for centuries. Even then I knew my parents were grateful to have had the opportunity to explore and travel to a different land and to provide their children with an education. From this, I realized just how important it is to explore and travel new lands and to discover the infinite opportunities there are in the world for me.
Deciding on a city and program is not an easy task. There were a million programs available in every city imaginable. After speaking with an IEC Peer Advisor, I was told I could go to any city and participate in any program and still be happy, as long as I make the experience my own.
I decided on the IES program in Madrid, Spain because the courses seemed interesting, and I thought living like a European city would be exciting. (A nice change from the Minnesota routine.)
I decided to do the J-Term in Hawaii not only because it was a required class, but after returning from Spain, I simply wanted to explore more lands. Once I experienced studying abroad, I became addicted. As soon as I arrived home, I began looking for another place to go and the Hawaii course worked out well with my schedule.
What is the greatest benefit of studying abroad?
Traveling, in education is the best teacher. I would suggest everyone allowing themselves to be constant students to this ever-changing world. You learn so much simply by experiencing a new culture, a new language and a new way of life. In Europe, no one can resist traveling to other cities and countries. The majority of the weekends throughout my four months in Madrid, I traveled outside of the city. In total: I visited more than two dozen cities in Spain, six countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, England and Morocco) and two continents (Europe and Africa).
What is the biggest challenge of studying abroad?
It is typical for any young adult to get off a plane in a foreign country and be nervous. I was terrified when I got off the plane. But because I had arrived with no one else, I had to fend for myself. I asked for directions, hopped on the subway and arrived in downtown Madrid. The true secret to making a study abroad experience successful is to immerse yourself in the culture.
Did the classes fit into your schedule?
All of my classes counted toward my Spanish major. I was living with a non-English speaking family, taking six courses in Spanish, while experiencing as much of the Spanish culture as I could. Surprisingly, I earned better grades that semester in Spain than I earned in previous semesters at St. Thomas. I think it was because I never took my classes for granted. I loved every moment of it. I would often have class held at world-renown museums, theatres and even restaurants.
Do you have any advice for students who are thinking of studying abroad?
You only have the chance to be young and travel once ? take advantage of it! When else will you have an experience like this? Being in Spain and Hawaii were the most fortunate experiences of my life. I had so many exciting opportunities at my fingertips--a thousand-year history just waiting to be explored. And students beware: Traveling can become a serious addiction!
Do you have a favorite study abroad story?
The morning I was supposed to leave for Hawaii, I caught the flu. I was so sick, I vomited four times. My mom was about to call the professor and tell him that I couldn't go. But I was determined; no sickness would ruin my month in paradise. Besides, I didn?t want to let the other group members down by canceling. My mother was just as determined not to let me go. She even started unpacking my suitcase. But I packed it back up. When I finally made it to the airport, I talked to my classmates about being sick. They weren?t excited about me being sick on an eight-hour flight but I really wanted to go. For the first couple days, I rested every chance I got. When we had free time, the other students were out on the beach and I was sleeping. I started to feel much better mentally and physically when I unloaded the rest of my suitcase and saw that my mother had slid some of her Hmong medicine into my bag as I was packing. I smiled and knew that she understood how important the trip was for me.
