What Honors Students Say About Their Study Abroad Experiences
Andrew Whitaker spent 12 months in China on a National Security Education-Boren scholarship. The most memorable experience for him was the close friendship he developed with his Chinese roommate – despite the vast cultural differences between them. Andrew is intrigued by the challenge of learning a second language and continues to practice his Chinese while taking classes this year. His favorite part of traveling throughout that vast country was visiting the small villages in the rural areas where someone would always "take him under their wing."
Sara Crumb is a double major in genetics and Spanish who spent an entire year studying in Granada, Spain. After a two-week intensive Spanish course, Sara was ready to take all of her coursework in Spanish. She lived with "the best host family in all of Granada" and quickly became part of that extended family. She also enjoyed meeting students from many areas in the United States who were also participating in this program and traveling to many countries in Europe. Her career goal is to conduct research on genetic disorders. Her Honors Thesis will involve public opinion on stem cell research.
Ashley Loyd ('07) has actually participated in three summer international education experiences – a service learning activity in the Dominican Republic through the International Student Volunteer Program, and two College of Business summer school programs in China and Thailand. Ashley's advice to new students is "don't conform to staying inside the box. Be willing to stay an additional semester or use summer opportunities to study abroad."
Brian Carlton spent two semesters studying at the University of Santiago, Chile where he took courses in Spanish and History and played in two local bands. Brian is a civil engineering major who has always wanted to be fluent in a second language. He hopes to return to Santiago for an internship in summer 2008. According to Brian, studying abroad opens your perspective and broadens your horizons. It helps develop the "whole person." His family travelled to visit him while he was abroad.
Jordan Bush ('07) is a College of Business graduate who received the National Security Education-Boren scholarship to spend two semesters studying in Harbin, China. He collected research for his Honors thesis which focused on corporate success factors in China and the United States. Although it was difficult to gather his data in the remote area of Harbin, he has no regrets about spending two semesters studying in China. Jordan has three years after graduation to complete the service requirement associated with this federal scholarship.
Andrew Whitaker with Chinese friends
Ashley Loyd in Thailand
