In the spring of 2016 I went to Europe to do UNK’s study abroad program in the Czech Republic. For this program we were required to take 4 classes, International Studies Institute, this class was for our field trips. We traveled to 5 different countries on our field trips. International Studies Seminar, which was lectures by Palacky University professors. Introduction to Czech, where we learned a little bit of the Czech language (very difficult!) and Special Topics, and this was just our blog. http://jessicakrecklow.blogspot.com/
This experience changed me by seeing the world differently. When I first got to Europe the language barrier was very tough to get use to. My first experience with this is when I went to the grocery store and I had no idea what the cashier was saying, and she did not speak any English. Luckily, there was a Czech man in front of me who knew little English and helped me out. That is when I realized no matter where I am in the world I need to be respectful of others culture and language. I would say that it challenged me by learning to do things on my own. I didn’t have my mom and dad there with me. I had to hold myself accountable with my actions, with budgeting my money, buying my own plane tickets and train tickets, and planning our trips outside of the program.
My favorite part was traveling to new countries (and the food!!). By the end of my 3 months I had been to 12 different countries and everywhere I went the culture was different. Whether it was the money, language, transportation, everything was different and you learned to adjust quickly.
I would recommend everyone to travel abroad. I think that it is such a learning experience and truly helps you see the world better. I had 24 people in the program with me and we are all still close and there is not one person who regrets their time in Europe.
This experience changed me by seeing the world differently. When I first got to Europe the language barrier was very tough to get use to. My first experience with this is when I went to the grocery store and I had no idea what the cashier was saying, and she did not speak any English. Luckily, there was a Czech man in front of me who knew little English and helped me out. That is when I realized no matter where I am in the world I need to be respectful of others culture and language. I would say that it challenged me by learning to do things on my own. I didn’t have my mom and dad there with me. I had to hold myself accountable with my actions, with budgeting my money, buying my own plane tickets and train tickets, and planning our trips outside of the program.
My favorite part was traveling to new countries (and the food!!). By the end of my 3 months I had been to 12 different countries and everywhere I went the culture was different. Whether it was the money, language, transportation, everything was different and you learned to adjust quickly.
I would recommend everyone to travel abroad. I think that it is such a learning experience and truly helps you see the world better. I had 24 people in the program with me and we are all still close and there is not one person who regrets their time in Europe.
Bailey brigham
Whs class of 2015
Studied abroad in Australia ('16)
My program consisted of taking a 12 hour credit semester in classes of my choice along with one class about the history of Australia. I had a four day orientation at the beginning of my semester and then I was able to travel where ever I wanted when I didn't have class.
My experience challenged me in many ways. Right off the bat I was extremely homesick and had to cope with that, which was even harder since my whole support system was on the other side of the world. But I grew and changed a lot because I had to figure it all out on my own and learn to be with myself and enjoy my own company.
My favorite part of my trip was meeting people from all over the world. I now have friends from Germany, Hungary, India, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and all over the U.S. It's amazing to sit and talk with people from all different walks of life and then become their friend.
I recommend study abroad to anyone and everyone. You have to be able to go through some tough things, but it makes you grow and learn more about yourself and it pushes you out of your comfort zone.
My experience challenged me in many ways. Right off the bat I was extremely homesick and had to cope with that, which was even harder since my whole support system was on the other side of the world. But I grew and changed a lot because I had to figure it all out on my own and learn to be with myself and enjoy my own company.
My favorite part of my trip was meeting people from all over the world. I now have friends from Germany, Hungary, India, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and all over the U.S. It's amazing to sit and talk with people from all different walks of life and then become their friend.
I recommend study abroad to anyone and everyone. You have to be able to go through some tough things, but it makes you grow and learn more about yourself and it pushes you out of your comfort zone.
I attended La Universidad del País Vasco in Bilbao, Spain for the International Business Program. My classes were taught by American and Spanish professors and I got the chance to take classes with students from all over Europe. I lived with a Spanish host-family which allowed me to live life as a Spaniard the whole time I was there (e.g. eat dinner at 10pm). Our program took us on many excursions and I was able to visit a matador arena, celebrate a fiesta, and hike a traditional pilgrimage path. In my free time, I would go surfing, explore a museum, or travel to someplace entirely new.
This experience was something I will never forget. From little things, such as learning to enjoy seafood for the first time, to bigger things, like understanding why people abroad think differently than Americans, this experience impacted me in many parts of my life. Living in the Basque Country, I was able to learn about Spanish lifestyle and, at the same time, learn about the entirely unique Basque culture.
Every day in Spain was a different challenge. I successfully got my hair cut by communicating mostly through body language, I learned to live life with no cell service, and I got lost countless times all over Europe. The challenges I faced abroad were unlike anything I could face at home and pushed me in new ways. I grew in ways that my life at home would never allow for. For example, I now feel confident navigating a train station anywhere in the world, no matter the language.
My favorite part of the abroad experience is definitely the people I met while abroad. I was given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet people from every corner of the globe at the same time. I now have lifelong friends that live in Japan, Latvia, Germany, Bermuda, in addition to the American friends I made from many different states. This is in addition to my second family in Bilbao and all of the people I met from Spain.
I would recommend study abroad to anyone and everyone. Especially those who want to have the weirdest, most confusing, and best experience of their lives. Nothing can compare to living in a foreign country. The personal experiences that one has are for life and the perspectives one gains will last forever. Being in college is about learning and growing as a person and studying abroad is one of the best ways to achieve those goals. Get out and travel!
This experience was something I will never forget. From little things, such as learning to enjoy seafood for the first time, to bigger things, like understanding why people abroad think differently than Americans, this experience impacted me in many parts of my life. Living in the Basque Country, I was able to learn about Spanish lifestyle and, at the same time, learn about the entirely unique Basque culture.
Every day in Spain was a different challenge. I successfully got my hair cut by communicating mostly through body language, I learned to live life with no cell service, and I got lost countless times all over Europe. The challenges I faced abroad were unlike anything I could face at home and pushed me in new ways. I grew in ways that my life at home would never allow for. For example, I now feel confident navigating a train station anywhere in the world, no matter the language.
My favorite part of the abroad experience is definitely the people I met while abroad. I was given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet people from every corner of the globe at the same time. I now have lifelong friends that live in Japan, Latvia, Germany, Bermuda, in addition to the American friends I made from many different states. This is in addition to my second family in Bilbao and all of the people I met from Spain.
I would recommend study abroad to anyone and everyone. Especially those who want to have the weirdest, most confusing, and best experience of their lives. Nothing can compare to living in a foreign country. The personal experiences that one has are for life and the perspectives one gains will last forever. Being in college is about learning and growing as a person and studying abroad is one of the best ways to achieve those goals. Get out and travel!
kaylynn knuth
Whs Class of 2014
Studied abroad in ireland ('16)
My study abroad program was a quick two-week adventure in Ireland. It included a combination of visiting Advertising agencies and comparing them to our advertising here in the United States, exploring the country side of Ireland, and seeing some of their major historical landmarks and learning about their culture.
I’m not big on the idea of leaving home. Which had a lot to do with why my program was only two weeks long. But, I also have a list of places I’d like to travel to and Ireland was at the top of my list. I saw this as a huge opportunity and a chance I couldn’t pass up, knowing I’d kick myself down the road if I chose to stay home instead. This opportunity challenged me to do something for myself and get out on my own away from home, even if it was only two weeks. I definitely grew as a person in that two weeks and it changed the way I look at some of the things I would’ve never thought twice about. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and in the mean time cross a lot of my top items off of my bucket list.
It is extremely hard to pick just one favorite [aspect of studying abroad]. The landmarks I saw, the places I experienced, and the food I ate are all high up on the list. But, I would have to say the people I met during my two weeks were my favorite part. They definitely enhanced my experience while abroad and are now some of my closest friends.
I would recommend traveling abroad to anyone and everyone. If you have the itch to see some places and an open mind, go for it. There’s no better time to do it than now. I’d especially recommend it if you can get class credit out of it because that’s definitely a bonus. I’m glad I didn’t think twice about it because I made the best decision of my life and I would do it again in a heartbeat, so anyone thinking about it I would say GO FOR IT.
I’m not big on the idea of leaving home. Which had a lot to do with why my program was only two weeks long. But, I also have a list of places I’d like to travel to and Ireland was at the top of my list. I saw this as a huge opportunity and a chance I couldn’t pass up, knowing I’d kick myself down the road if I chose to stay home instead. This opportunity challenged me to do something for myself and get out on my own away from home, even if it was only two weeks. I definitely grew as a person in that two weeks and it changed the way I look at some of the things I would’ve never thought twice about. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and in the mean time cross a lot of my top items off of my bucket list.
It is extremely hard to pick just one favorite [aspect of studying abroad]. The landmarks I saw, the places I experienced, and the food I ate are all high up on the list. But, I would have to say the people I met during my two weeks were my favorite part. They definitely enhanced my experience while abroad and are now some of my closest friends.
I would recommend traveling abroad to anyone and everyone. If you have the itch to see some places and an open mind, go for it. There’s no better time to do it than now. I’d especially recommend it if you can get class credit out of it because that’s definitely a bonus. I’m glad I didn’t think twice about it because I made the best decision of my life and I would do it again in a heartbeat, so anyone thinking about it I would say GO FOR IT.