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Study Abroad
Melissa Kosky, who spent a semester abroad in Sweden.
Marie Lerud, who spent a semester in Spain
Mary McAndrews, who worked with an accounting firm in Sweden
Whitney Retzer, who interned with USA Today in London
Chris Young, who spent a semester in Australia
Melissa Kosky
Studying abroad is an experience that has molded me into the person
I am today. I have grown, learned, and seen more in the five
and a half months that I spent in Vaxjo, Sweden than I did in
two years of my stay in Duluth. The study abroad experience throws
you into the realm of the unknown, and makes you face issues
and situations that once were considered insurmountable. I have
expanded my capabilities educationally, personally, and professionally.
On an academic level, I got to experience how people in a different
culture learn and function under their own and very different
educational methods. On a personal level, I have discovered many
new aspects about life and about myself that I may have never
known without this opportunity. Lastly, on a professional level,
I feel that my employers can only benefit from my cultural awareness,
independence, and communication skills that I acquired while
studying abroad. I highly recommend this experience to anyone
who is considering the option of spending some time abroad. If
asked to do it again, I would say yes without even thinking twice.
Marie Lerud
Studying abroad was a life-changing experience for me. I studied
in Spain and had the opportunity to meet new people and see memorable
sites. The obvious challenge that I encountered was the language
barrier. Having studied Spanish for 5 years, I thought I had
a basic understanding of the language. When I arrived in Spain,
I felt like I knew nothing. That changed though, once I started
practicing my Spanish with my host mom (who did not speak any
English) on a daily basis. Watching TV and making Spanish friends
also helped me work on my Spanish language skills. I had three
Spanish classes where the professors spoke no English, so it
made it necessary for me to develop my Spanish language skills
to the best of my ability. I also had two additional business
courses that were taught in English. These courses helped deepen
my interest in international business to an extent that I would
now like to pursue a career in it.
Besides learning the language, I also learned a lot about the
culture and traditions of the people of Spain. My experiences also
helped me understand what it means to be an American and how others
view America. My time abroad was a great experience. I learned
many new and exciting things, met great people, and most importantly
had fun.
Mary McAndrews
I went to Vaxjo, Sweden for my study abroad experience. I highly
recommend going through a study abroad experience. I found studying
abroad to be simply amazing. I had the opportunity to make friends
from all over the world. Academically, I completed a research
project at an accounting firm. I observed the globalization aspect
of a big four accounting firm. My travel experience really opened
my eyes to different walks of life. Studying abroad gives you
the chance to learn about yourself by placing you outside your
comfort zone. From dinners, to group work, and travels, studying
abroad is phenomenal all the way around.
Whitney Retzer
Studying abroad in London was the best education I've ever received.
I learned about world business, culture, people and myself as
well. It expands your mind to the endless possibilities you have
to travel, work and live. I interned in London at USA Today where
the international edition is produced; I worked with Italians,
Germans, Scots, local Londoners and Americans in the advertising
department. The best part of my internship was learning these
different cultural views of international business and relations.
The classes were great too; the professors taught about how the
rest of the world views finance, trade, and culture. For my classes
we had the option to take an art history class where you visited
a different museum every week, and a theatre class where we studied
different play genres and attended a different play almost every
week.
My study experience changed the way I viewed America, the world,
and myself. It was the best time of my life, and if anyone ever
asks about studying abroad- I say DO IT – you have nothing
to lose and a lot to gain!
Chris Young
My study abroad experience in Australia is something I will never
forget. One of the greatest things about my experience was all
the people I met. I met students from at least 30 different countries.
I was surprised just how much I had in common with students from
all over the world. Finding out just how easy it was to relate
to each other was definitely a surprise. I learned so much about
the other culture from living in and experiencing it for myself.
It opened my eyes to how other people live in places far away
from my own environment back home. One of the greatest things
about my experience was learning not only about my host country
but also about myself. It gave me a whole new perspective on
what it is like to be an American and live in the world today.
Learning about business in Australia was great. Everything we
covered also applies to our country. However, looking at it from
their point of view was something that I could not have gained
anywhere else. Traveling is something I have found to be “addictive”.
With this chance to experience new places and see amazing things,
I started to think outside my own “world”. I found
that everyone who has studied abroad says the same thing-- they
wish they could do it again or can’t wait to travel somewhere
else.
A study abroad experience is something that will change you forever
-- the way you look at the world, different countries, culture,
and people. I am confident this experience has made me a better
person and student. I am also confident it has taught me things
that will help me a great deal in the future.
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