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Making the Most of Summer Study Abroad Returnees Talk About Their Experiences
British Summer Institute
Jennie Hocking was ready to get out of Kansas. She claims that "growing up on a farm, [she] never got to go anywhere." That is, until she attended the British Summer Institute. During a five-week program, students studied humanities while traveling throughout Great Britain. For Jennie, the program became an important personal experience as well as academic. "My ancestry is English," she said, "and I was able to visit the graves of some of my ancestors." Jennie's favorite stopping place was Scotland, where the sun came up at three in the morning, and there was a view of the English Channel from her window. She also thought that meeting local people in pubs and around the towns gave her an insight into the culture and proved a lot of fun. She said that while she did not originally choose the trip for its academic value, she feels that she learned more in one summer abroad than in an entire semester at KU.
Hiratsuka
John Schneiderwind was not sure that he would adjust well in Japan. So,he chose the Summer Institute in Hiratsuka and spent five weeks studying the Japanese language and culture. John preferred the five-week program versus a semester or year program because "if [he] was not liking it,[he] knew [he] could go home within weeks instead of months."
But, adjusting to a different culture did not prove to be too difficult. John never wished to go home. He said the way of life in eastern cultures is very different than his life in the
States. "It was strange to see people eating squid and octopus on a stick," he said. But, he kept an open mind. Before too long he actually tried some of the octopus and jellyfish. He recalls "eating jellyfish was like eating a tasteless pickle." As a Japanese Language and Culture major, John said the trip proved to be essential to his degree. He said that "traveling to Japan is something that every Japanese Language and Culture major should have to do."
Hermitage
Carla Tilghman's decision to travel to Russia during the summer was "based solely on the program." She said "it was a pilot program only offered during the summer" and therefore, if she wanted to participate in the program at the Hermitage Museum, she was left with no other options. But, her decision to spend the summer in St. Petersburg, Russia was not one that she regrets. She said that the experience of studying Art History abroad proved to be more valuable than a typical summer at home. Also, choosing a summer program was more viable for her because she does not speak the native language. She felt comfortable with this shorter length of time compared to an entire semester or year in Russia. And, she said summer was better than fall or spring because of the weather. She claims "there are only 4 hours of sun in January-no thank you!"
Carla said that summer in Russia is definitely the best time to go.After all,she said, "Who wants to be in the Hermitage Museum in winter? It's not heated!"
Holzkirchen
Tony Bichelmeyer said he did not miss his typical summer lifestyle at home while he studied in Germany one summer. "I actually don't do a whole lot during the summer except work and school," he said, "so I just transferred school to Germany." A summer program worked best for Tony because he was lacking credit hours he couldn't afford to take off during a semester or year. "I did it so I could catch up and be on a full course load during the fall and spring,"he said. He thought his experience in Holzkichen was so beneficial to his International Business degree that he said, "I am going back to Germany next summer."
Rome
As an Art History major at KU, Elizabeth Jared had not really seen most of the art that she had studied. But, when she attended the Ancient Art and Architecture program in Rome, Italy last summer, the desire to experience the art in person was fulfilled.
"I really wasn't interested in Renaissance and Baroque art before, but seeing it firsthand really made a difference-it's incredible," she said. Walking around the museums in Rome was more memorable than summer school in a classroom. "You just don't get the same experience from a textbook," she said. Elizabeth also chose the summer program so she would not get behind in her regular studies. She said the summer program was intensive, but surprisingly laid back. "We had a lot of free time to do stuff on our own," she said.
Peony Friend, Leslie Spikes, & Jenni Hocking high above Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Study Abroad Fair Wednesday Feb.3 10:00am - 3:00pm
Kansas Union 4th Floor
Jayhawks Abroad www.ukans.edu/~osa
spring 1999