Returning from Senegal

Audra DeRidder Major: Special Education and Elementary Education: Learning Disabilities and Emotional Impairments K-12 Program: Cultural Connections in Senegal Senegal, West Africa was a truly amazing and eye opening experience. Traveling across the world and living in another culture gave me the opportunity to build new connections and gain a better understanding of our world….

Meeting the Genuine People of Jordan

Jacob Kubiak Majors: Global and International Studies and the Arabic language Program: Qasid Arabic Institute, Jordan Since I departed the United States to study abroad in Jordan, I have met the nicest people in both Dubai and Amman. Not only are the people I have met incredibly friendly and helpful, but they are so genuine…

It’s No Starbucks

Megan Weaver Major: Graphic Design Program: The Book of Arts in Italy It feels weird being back home in the states, especially Kalamazoo for that matter. I was just getting used to the hustle and bustle of Venice, that Kalamazoo seems like a ghost town. I’m going to miss the close vicinity of everything. It…

“Adventure Is Out There”

Samantha McGrath Majors: Food and Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing and Leadership and Business Strategy Program: Business and Culture in Thailand I am super excited to travel to Thailand. I think the phrase that best describes how I’m feeling at this moment is from a well-known movie UP, “Adventure is out there!”. After attending the pre-departure…

Mark My Words, I Will Be Back

Kayla Battle Major:Graphic Design Program: the Book of Arts in Italy Week one in my adventure has officially been completed, and I’ve already decided that I never want to leave. Florence has become so much of a home for me this past week, and I am amazed at how comfortable I have become with this…

Mofongo, Larimar, and Béisbol

Kylie R. Madsen Major: Advertising and Promotion Program: Business & Culture Dominican Republic While in the Dominican Republic, mofongo, larimar, and béisbol were the three most popular and reoccurring Dominican culture aspects I witnessed. Mofongo is a traditional food in the Dominican. It consists of plantains, your choice of meat, garlic, olive oil and any…

A Taste of Thailand in the U.S.

Dylan Coleman Sales and Business Marketing and Leadership and Business Strategy Business Culture in Thailand I went grocery shopping the day after my return. I quickly began looking for the Sweet Chili Sauce that is traditional to Thailand. I found a bottle of the sauce while browsing the many isles at Meijer, along with white…

A Changing Mind-Set

Max Wicklund Major: Film, Video, and Media Studies Program: Business and Culture in Thailand While heading to Thailand, I began to grow concern about the communication barriers I would face. We were told there would be many times that we would be left to fend for ourselves, but leading up to the trip we were…

Mindful of One’s Surroundings

Madeline Burda Major: Public Relations Program: Religion and Culture in Japan   My name is Madeline Burda and I participated in a Japanese religion and culture study abroad program. Upon arrival to Japan, hearing a different language that you have only been studying for two semesters is very nerve wracking, but Japan is very accepting…

No More Pancakes for Breakfast

Eden Vansicklen Major: Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing Program: Business & Culture in Germany   No More Pancakes for Breakfast! I have found that the food in Germany is pretty different than the food I have been use to, living in the United States. They focus a lot of their meals on bread, meat…

Bringing home more than some Spices

Austin Malotke Major: Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing Program: Business and Culture in Thailand At the end of my trip my communication improved greatly. It wasn’t the fact of actual verbal communication, but more of understanding how the Thai people approached things different from Americans as well as how to communicate without a shared…

Finding “Forza” to Leave Florence

Megan Weaver Major: Graphic Design Program: Book of Arts in Italy I feel extremely privileged to be here right now. Florence was iconic. It’s exactly how it’s depicted in movies, only better. We had the Duomo Cathedral just down the street from our hostel. There was art, both old and new, around every corner. I…