Friday, December 12, 2008
Past Study Abroad Experiences
Rachel Resneck and Lauren Freier both studied overseas last spring and said it was one of the best decisions they had ever made. Though they resided in two entirely different countries, their experiences abroad had a large impact on their lives. Continue reading for a snapshot of the their time overseas.
Rachel Resneck
Paris, France
Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Paris?
A: I had never been to Europe before and I’ve been fascinated with France and its culture my entire life. I’ve been taking French since I was in the 2nd grade and I’ve learned a lot about Paris and the city and I had always wanted to experience it for myself.
Q: What was your most memorable experience while in that location?
A: When my two best friends came to visit. They traveled 8000 miles across the world just to visit me because I missed them and all my friends from Los Angeles so it was really great to see them.
Q: Did you travel while you were there?
A: Yes, I went to London, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin.
Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: I really liked Florence. It was small enough so that to could walk everywhere. It had a younger crowds, the food was incredible and beautiful.
Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: People walk more and I like how people don’t talk on their phones all the time. People interact more.
Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Paris to other students?
A: Because when else are you going to be young, have all this freedom, and be able to spend 5 months in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world?
Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: To really get to know the city well, to make an effort to know the city you’re in because that’s the only way you can really immerse yourself in the culture and truly experience it and have a real authentic international experience.
Q: What did you wish you knew before studying abroad?
A: I wish I knew that it was not sunny very often in Paris. I wish I was more prepared for the disgusting weather.
Lauren Freier
Prague, Czech Republic
Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Prague?
A: I liked that it was very central which made it very easy to travel throughout Europe. Most people I had talked to told me that Prague was their favorite city that they’ve ever visited and that made me want to go there too.
Q: What was your favorite part about spending the semester in Prague?
A: All the people that I got to meet and getting to live with a Czech student and learning about what it's like for people our age in a completely different situation.
Q: Where did you travel while you were there?
A: Hungry, Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, Amsterdam, and France
Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: Paris because they had really cool fashion and we went on Valentine’s day which was fun and and there was a lot to see there. We took a nighttime cruise on the river on Valentine’s day night. It was beautiful.
Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: I liked how casual everything is there. Some people criticize their lack of fashion but I liked it because nobody really cared about anything. People call Prague the poor man’s Paris because they have very cheap beer and cheap food, and the best nightlife in Europe.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being an international student in another country?
A: The language barrier was a big issue. Also, people’s perceptions of Americans and trying not to live up to being loud and obnoxious because that’s what they expect you to be.
Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Prague to other students?
A: As I traveled to different cities throughout Europe I always compared them to Prague to see if I made the right choice and I definitely did. I think Prague has a little bit of everything: amazing sights and a lot of which most people haven’t heard of, they are known for their nightlife which is an obvious perk as student, and it's probably one of the least expensive cities in Europe which is also ideal for students. It's not a giant city but its big enough so you’re never bored and it's small enough so you can get to know the whole city and it feels like home.
Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: Keep a really open mind; priorities there are a lot different there then here. You will learn a lot more outside of class than in class, more than you would ever expect. Don’t be stupid but go outside your comfort zone, and definitely travel.
Rachel Resneck
Paris, France
Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Paris?
A: I had never been to Europe before and I’ve been fascinated with France and its culture my entire life. I’ve been taking French since I was in the 2nd grade and I’ve learned a lot about Paris and the city and I had always wanted to experience it for myself.
Q: What was your most memorable experience while in that location?
A: When my two best friends came to visit. They traveled 8000 miles across the world just to visit me because I missed them and all my friends from Los Angeles so it was really great to see them.
Q: Did you travel while you were there?
A: Yes, I went to London, Amsterdam, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin.
Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: I really liked Florence. It was small enough so that to could walk everywhere. It had a younger crowds, the food was incredible and beautiful.
Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: People walk more and I like how people don’t talk on their phones all the time. People interact more.
Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Paris to other students?
A: Because when else are you going to be young, have all this freedom, and be able to spend 5 months in one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world?
Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: To really get to know the city well, to make an effort to know the city you’re in because that’s the only way you can really immerse yourself in the culture and truly experience it and have a real authentic international experience.
Q: What did you wish you knew before studying abroad?
A: I wish I knew that it was not sunny very often in Paris. I wish I was more prepared for the disgusting weather.
Lauren Freier
Prague, Czech Republic
Q: Why did you choose to study abroad in Prague?
A: I liked that it was very central which made it very easy to travel throughout Europe. Most people I had talked to told me that Prague was their favorite city that they’ve ever visited and that made me want to go there too.
Q: What was your favorite part about spending the semester in Prague?
A: All the people that I got to meet and getting to live with a Czech student and learning about what it's like for people our age in a completely different situation.
Q: Where did you travel while you were there?
A: Hungry, Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, Amsterdam, and France
Q: What was your favorite travel destination and why?
A: Paris because they had really cool fashion and we went on Valentine’s day which was fun and and there was a lot to see there. We took a nighttime cruise on the river on Valentine’s day night. It was beautiful.
Q: What aspects of the culture did you particularly like that are different from our American culture?
A: I liked how casual everything is there. Some people criticize their lack of fashion but I liked it because nobody really cared about anything. People call Prague the poor man’s Paris because they have very cheap beer and cheap food, and the best nightlife in Europe.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being an international student in another country?
A: The language barrier was a big issue. Also, people’s perceptions of Americans and trying not to live up to being loud and obnoxious because that’s what they expect you to be.
Q: Why would you recommend studying abroad in Prague to other students?
A: As I traveled to different cities throughout Europe I always compared them to Prague to see if I made the right choice and I definitely did. I think Prague has a little bit of everything: amazing sights and a lot of which most people haven’t heard of, they are known for their nightlife which is an obvious perk as student, and it's probably one of the least expensive cities in Europe which is also ideal for students. It's not a giant city but its big enough so you’re never bored and it's small enough so you can get to know the whole city and it feels like home.
Q: What advice do you have for students going abroad this spring?
A: Keep a really open mind; priorities there are a lot different there then here. You will learn a lot more outside of class than in class, more than you would ever expect. Don’t be stupid but go outside your comfort zone, and definitely travel.