THE HARDEST PART IS SAYING GOODBYE! Laura Serbus studied abroad in Bonn, Germany during the 2006-2007 academic year
I have spent the 2006-07 academic year studying abroad at the University of Bonn in Germany. Now I am back in Kansas after a wonderful year and I would love to share my experiences of studying abroad with you. I am a German major so my reason for studying abroad was simple: I wanted to learn German in Germany!
The Bonn Program begins with a five-week Orientatio, which consists of language instruction and excursions to nearby places of interest. At the end of Orientation I was given advice about which classes to take. I chose to take a number of grammar classes designed for international students, and to attend two lectures at the University. The following semester I was ready to enroll in regular lectures and seminars at the University. I really enjoyed the experience of attending real German classes, although it took me a little while to become accustomed to the German style of teaching. I took mainly literature classes and my advice to future study-abroad participants would be to always complete the assigned reading before class! Doing so enables you to follow so much more of the discussion in class.
The city of Bonn is a fantastic place to live and study. It is small enough that getting your bearings doesn't take long, but large enough that there will always be something new for you to do or see. My favorite pastime in Bonn was to meet friends on the "Alten Zoll", an area overlooking the Rhine River with an outdoor café selling pizza, salads and beer. In order to become a real "Bonner", buying a bike is a must! It made getting around that much easier, and Bonn is a very bike-friendly city.
I don't remember experiencing too much culture shock when I arrived in Bonn, but there was definitely an initial period of adjustment that comes with any big move. I found it helpful to spend time with other international students going through the same transition, but it is also essential that you make an effort to meet German students. One program that is excellent for doing so is called "Sprachtandem", which connects people looking for language partners. I had two German language partners that I would meet with once a week and talk to in a mixture of German and English. This is a brilliant way to improve your language skills, while also being sociable! The International Office also provides a similar program, as well as an opportunity to volunteer in an elementary school. This is the kind of program that is as fun and as useful as you make it. I had lots of fun interacting with six-year-old German kids!
So, if you want to experience a different culture, learn another language, make new friends, and achieve more than you previously thought you were capable of, then study abroad!
I would definitely recommend studying abroad for a year rather than just a semester if you can. By staying for two semesters I had time to form lasting friendships and really become accustomed to the German way of life. I think the only downside to staying for a year is that it is harder to say goodbye! I absolutely loved hearing the German language around me all the time, and asking for help was always a new experience! During my year abroad I have learned a lot about myself and have changed a little as well. For example, I now have a better understanding of how much change I can handle and which features I really appreciate in a city and university. I also feel a lot less shy than before. Communicating in German with Professors is a challenge, but it is an extremely valuable experience that can only get easier!
LAURA SERBUS ON HER LAST DAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BONN.
IT WAS A DREAM OF A SEMESTER Kerala Erdman studied abroad on a student-initiated program to the Santa Reparata International School of Art during the Spring 2007 semester.
KERALA ERDMAN TAKES A GONDOLA RIDE IN VENICE WITH A FRIEND.
Studying abroad was the most amazing experience I have had throughout my college career. I am extremely grateful I was able to go and "out-of-staters", listen up! Studying abroad is about the same in expense as your current tuition aside from some extra traveling costs. So although we all love KU, why not jump at the chance to leave Kansas and take advantage of this great option? Even if you are in-state, take the chance, see what's out there, and broaden your horizons. It's not just a corny say; I realize now how important it is to travel, learn, and really explore other countries and their relationship with the U.S. It helps you grow socially, develop marketability for life after graduation, and cultivates a strong source of personal confidence.
I was located in Florence, Italy, which as an Art major and Art history minor couldn't have been more ideal. I met all sorts of locals and students, had access to almost every museum and gallery for free, plus tons of great shopping. The culture, food, fashion, nightlife, and history were incredible. My street was loaded with high fashion shops, only a block away from the famous Amo River, and a five-minute walk from the Historical City Center. I couldn't have asked for a better spot and my apartment was beautiful. And let me just say that if none of this has convinced you yet, just go for the food. The pasta dishes, seafood, wine, and gelato are absolutely to die for and don't worry about weight gain because Europeans walk or bike everywhere.
I chose to enroll in an independent program, going to Santa Reparata, International School of Art. Going alone, I was slightly anxious about meeting new people and living with five other girls in an apartment I had never even seen. Reflecting back, it was a bold move and I had serious doubts on my judgment by the time I arrived at the airport. However, once in Italy, I met some of the staff, was shown our stunning, expansive apartment, and became acquainted with all my housemates. My roommate ended up being my best friend there and we have still been keeping in touch all summer. All my concerns were quickly erased and it became a purely incredible dream, of a semester.
I can't fully describe and impress upon other students how important my semester abroad has become to me. I deeply value all the good, bad, worries, excitement, and growth during that semester. I met so many awesome people, traveled to Spain, Austria, and really got a feel for Italy. I realized how many similarities exist between the United States and the international world and to learn from and appreciate the differences. Traveling will impact your life, motivate, encourage, challenge, and reward you in ways you cannot expect or foresee. I plan to highly involve traveling in my future and continue to learn and explore other people, cultures, and places. I don't regret a thing and I sincerely hope more people take advantage of the study abroad option while achieving their higher educations at KU.
FRIENDS ABROAD: THEN AND NOW
KU Alum, Adrienne Vogt studied abroad in 2004. She and the friends she met at the University of Wollongong in Australia are still traveling together.
I studied at the University of
I studied at the University of Wollongong the spring semester of 2004 and met a lot of amazing people many of which I am still friends with today. None of us new each other before Australia even though some of us went to the same universities, that is what is so interesting. I almost think that it was fate that brought this group of friends together because we are all so close. The great thing about this group of friends is that we make it a point to meet up with each other multiple times throughout the year. Since one of our friends live in Kentucky we usually go to the Kentucky Derby. However, this year was different since he was teaching English in Japan. Our group met in February in Scottsdale, Arizona and then just this past month in July we all met in Chicago for a reunion. There are usually 8-10 of us that get
THREE YEARS LATR, KU STUDY ABROAD ALUM ADRIENNE VOOGT IS STILL IN TOUCH WITH HER FRIENDS FROM WOLLONGON. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DAVID PATTON, ADRIENNE VOGT (KU), ASHLEE MARSHALL (KU), ABBY YEMM (KU), NORA SALMON, MARK WILLIAMS, MIKE CHEHLICH, AND DR DREAM SMITH
together for these reunions, it really just depends on who can make it. They are always a blast and we have a great time remembering our times in Australia while creating new ones. I am so happy that I have found a group of friends that I know I will be close with until I'm in my eighties!
JAYHAWKS ABROAD
7
FALL 2007