Major: Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Program: Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Location: Quito, Ecuador

What was a unique experience you had while abroad?
I got to travel to Cuenca with a group of friends I met in Ecuador for our 4-day break for Carnaval. We left Quito and took a 10-hour long bus ride (only $12!) to the beautiful city of Cuenca. The first day we went to all the small markets across town, listened to live concerts being performed the whole day, and ate the traditional cuisine. The second day was spent mainly with parades, where we got relentlessly sprayed with water and foam. I avoided all the eggs, but some people in my group weren’t as lucky. For our final day we hiked in Parque Nacional Cajas and relaxed in the few shops still open for the holiday. It was an event I would’ve never imagined existing and am thankful that my study abroad program gave me the opportunity to experience it.

Major: Law and Society and Spanish
Minor: Psychology and Italian Studies
Program: Universidad de Carlos III (UC3M) (exchange)
Location: Madrid, Spain

What advice would you give to another student about studying abroad?
I would say not give up. Even when the circumstances seem to withhold you from the possibility of studying abroad, there is always some opportunity out there for you to take advantage of. One just needs to look for it and apply. I believed I was not able to study abroad due to financial circumstances and the application itself looked daunting. I am not a U.S. citizen, and I am a first-generation student. I felt like it was close to impossible to not only convince my immigrant parents that I could go abroad, but also believe in myself that I am capable and independent enough to start this journey. Thankfully, I soon found scholarships such as Global Leaps and Purdue Moves that helped make this dream of mine a possibility. So, stay open-minded, look for opportunities, and persevere through the moments of uncertainty.

Major: Business Analytics and Information Management
Program: IES Milan & Bocconi University
Location: Milan, Italy

What was your favorite part about studying abroad?
My favorite part about studying abroad was the people I met and the unique experiences I had. When you choose to study abroad you won’t just meet people from your destination country but rather you become surrounded by peers from all over the world each with a different perspective and unique experiences. Also, study abroad provides you the opportunity to travel while you are young and each trip you go on gives you a new experience you never thought you would have and memories that last a lifetime.

Major: Health and Disease (Biological Sciences)
Program: University of New South Wales, Environment and Culture in the Galapagos
Location: Sydney, Australia; Ecuador

What was a unique experience you had while abroad?
One unique experience I had while abroad was visiting the Great Barrier Reef. For our university’s term break, my friends and I traveled to Cairns, a smaller town in northern Australia that offers many tours to the reef. Once we were out by the reef, we had the opportunity to snorkel and explore the area. The reef was absolutely beautiful and full of amazing species. I saw sea turtles, reef sharks, and tons of vibrantly colored fish. The tour guides were also incredibly knowledgeable and taught us about the reef as well as the conservation efforts in place to protect it. I am forever grateful to have experienced such an amazing piece of nature and hope that we can preserve it for generations to come!