We have Moved!!

Hello All! We wanted to drop a note and extend our sincerest gratitude for the multitude of stories and experiences hundreds of WMU students have shared here on our blog! The narratives and lessons learned by countless students abroad have helped educate and enrich our campus community in the mission of global engagement! We have…

Too Old for Study Abroad? Not with WMU!

Heather Mauney Youth and Community Development major, Gerontology minor Blogging for International Perspectives of Older Adults in Ireland, Summer II My biggest fear (well, one of them) going into a study abroad program was my age. Unlike my other travel-mates, I am almost 40. How would other students react to having me on the trip?…

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…

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…

Taking Flight:An Aspiring Blonde Polyglot’s Narrative of the Study Abroad Experience

Gabrielle Aubermann Majors:Spanish/Arabic Major Program: Qasid Arabic Institute, Amman, Jordan   I barely managed to hold back my tears as I hugged my mom and dad again and again before crossing into the security checkpoint in Chicago O’Hare International Airport. As my mom kissed my head and held me tight, I wasn’t regretting leaving; however,…

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…

Money is everything right

Maddie Burda Major: Public Relations Program: Religion and Culture in Japan Money is everything right? Well, this is very true in Japan. Japan is a cash-based society, so I had to do some research prior to departure. With my research I found that my personal bank, Chase does currency exchange for a very low fee….

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…

LATE NIGHTS & EARLY MORNING FLIGHTS

Erika Whithead Major: Communication studies Program:International Perspectives on Interracial Communication in Costa Rica I think we should start this post off with complete honesty, my sleep habits pre-departure are always horrible. Despite my best intentions, I never go to bed on time prior to travel. As a result, here I am, sitting at the airport…

Creating a Cartoline dall’Italia

Nicole Wetzel Major: Graphic Design Program: Book of Arts in Italy We have done SO MUCH in the short time we have been abroad! While the occasional day off has been spent in a museum, most of what we do takes places in the studio. So far, we have been able to work with experts…