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….

A Reflection: Being Grateful For My Experiences Abroad

Dana Waddell Major: Behavioral Science Major Program: Spanish in Quito,Ecuador My time in Ecuador has impacted my life in numerous ways. I was completely immersed in the Ecuadorian culture the minute I was welcomed by my host family at the airport. They welcomed me with open arms and I spent a great amount of time…

A Pinnacle Time to Study Abroad

Sarah Trumbull Major: Graphic Design Program: The Book of Arts in Italy “When you live in a country that’s only been formally established for a little over two hundred years, it comes to you as a starking contrast when you visit somewhere like Europe. Europe is western culture similar to our own, but different just…

Hello Tokyo

Hanna Fussman Major: Tourism & Travel Program: Religion and Culture in Japan   Tokyo stole my heart. I’ve always wanted to go to Tokyo. It’s a huge city with tons to offer. There’s skyscrapers towering around you but then a temple or shrine that was built hundreds of years ago in the middle of it…

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…

Being Welcomed as Guest

Samantha McGrath Majors: Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing & Management Program: Business and Culture in Thailand When you think third-world country typically the first couple thoughts that come to mind are dirty, uneducated, and poor. After traveling to Thailand it’s amazing to see what the local can create with what they have. There might…

Thank you Italy

Kayla Battle Major: Graphic Design Program: The Book of Arts in Italy Thank you Florence For welcoming me With wide open arms At the start of my journey As soon as I arrived I felt right at home In this brand new place Whose streets I’d roam Thank you Cornuda And your beautiful skies Your…

Brainstorming Intaglio Prints

Nicole Wetzel Major: Graphic Design Program: The Book of Arts in Italy We spent our last week abroad in Venice, where we worked with the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica. After settling into our apartments and spending some time checking out the city, we met at the studio to begin our project. Our first day was…

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…

The Curtain Call: Reflecting on A Surreal Week

Emma Kuechler Majors: Dance and Public Relations Program: WMU Movement Exchange Annual Exchange to Panama   Panama. Wow. I’ve been home for nearly a month, and not a day has gone by where I have not thought about those kids. I have had a lot of trouble finding the words to explain how this trip…

When In Doubt, Act Like You Are Considering It

Carly Baldwin Major(s): Early Childhood Professional & Spanish Program: Education & Service in Nepal   A commonality with every person native to Nepal, was how they responded to anything that they were not fully on board with. I hardly ever heard anyone say, “No.” Was this because we were a large group of all white…

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…