COM360
Griffin Sassano
Mike Viverito
Amanda Prosperi
Bradley University Study Abroad Program
Many students go through their academic lives looking at the world through a single lens. This lens is presented to students through the forms of textbook, novels, and videos. Personally living in a foreign country and interacting with locals provides its own benefits. To truly experience the world and all that it has to offer, Bradley University offers its students the opportunity to view the world through a second lens via studying abroad.
The Bradley study abroad program is a very simple idea and process, according to Kathleen Stinson, one of the two spirited women who head the International Programs Office. “Students can elect to study abroad for a full semester in over 25 countries around the world.” If students find that living on their own in a foreign country for a full semester or year does not seem appealing, fear not! “We also offer some unique short-term trips during winter break in January, and then again in May and June at the end of Spring Semester.” For these shorter trips, Bradley faculty members lead students abroad as they act as guides and, sometimes, as interpreters.
The Mission Statement for the International Programs Office is reflective of Kathleen Stinson and Christine Blouch’s commitment to students both experiencing what the world has to offer as well as ensuring that students learn in the classroom while abroad. The study abroad program works with both faculty and students at Bradley, in addition with the respective programs in foreign countries to ensure that students are safe and secure abroad, while at the same time planning out academic courses. Student safety is a primary concern for the International Programs Office. There is a section on student safety that offers advice and precautions for students to read over before they make the trip to a foreign country.
For some people, timing is everything when they consider studying abroad. Current study abroad office intern and former alumni of the Granada program, Sojourner White, knew that timing played a big part in her decision to study abroad. “I’ve always wanted to go out of the country, but then it was never the right timing.” She owes the idea and persuasion of taking the opportunity to study abroad to her high school teachers. “A lot of those teachers told us that when we get to college there’s this thing study abroad. Just go do it.” White had been studying Spanish her whole life, but wanted something more than just reading and writing. The study abroad program at Bradley allowed White to experience conversation with fluent speakers in Granada, Spain.
Bradley student Paloma Martinez remembers that living in a foreign country was unlike anything she had ever read about or watched on TV. “I went in not knowing anything other than what I had seen on TV.” And this statement has merit. There truly is no way to fully prepare one’s self for living alone in a foreign country for an extended period of time. There is a period of acclamation to a new culture and lifestyle. “It was definitely different from how we live in the United States. It took time to adjust to everything and everyone.” Culture shock is a big factor that can deter a student from studying abroad. The fear of sticking out as a foreigner and not having the capability to adjust to a new culture seems like a daunting task for an unprepared student. “The culture shock was a bit much at first, but by the end of the semester it was like second nature.”
The opportunity to study abroad is more than just an invitation to experience a whole new world outside of textbooks and television. A New York Times article points out that every student should study abroad when presented with the chance. The experience to build relationships and culture one’s self in areas outside of the United States reflects in the long run. Globalization is a giant staple in today’s society and it is up to the younger generations to culture themselves in a way that makes them marketable in a growing global economy.
What advice does Sojourner White have for students still on the fence about studying abroad or not? “I would say just go! Apply and if you change your mind after a while you can drop out of the program.” White added, “You never know what could happen when you go for a semester.” Once abroad, the best advice that White had to offer was plain and simple: “Don’t get arrested and go to class.”
Pope Francis the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
This picture was taken at the Vatican in 2015 by Morgan Fields.
The hills of Orvieto, Italy. This photo was taken by Meghan Grott in 2015.
This picture was taken on the top of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. The views of
the city are breathtaking from the top of the Castle. Photo taken by Amanda Prosperi
Alhanbra Granda Spain taken by Mike Viverito
The colosseum or also know as Flavian Amphitheatre is located in
the center of Rome. Photo taken by Amanda Prosperi.