By I’m Olivia Pughe, an exchange student from England spending the year at Carroll College. Hearing Carroll’s own faculty and students talk about their experiences abroad reinforced how valuable these opportunities are.
On March 3, Carroll students filled the Wiegand Amphitheater for the panel, Non Scholae, Sed Vitae: A Roundtable Discussion on International Exchange.
Speaking on the panel were: Dr. Ryan Hallows, an associate professor of Hispanic studies, Angelica Brown, a junior, English major with a history and Spanish double-minor, Kaden Crozier a senior, political science major, and Anzhela Scott-Stoliar a December ’24 Carroll graduate.
Ashlynne Jefferies, a senior majoring in international relations and political science and interning for World Montana, served as the moderator.
Every panelist attested to the point that traveling abroad, whether that is to study, teach, or just to experience the culture, is one of the most valuable things a student can do with their limited time in this privileged position where these opportunities are available.
All of the panelists spoke about how making the decision to leave the comfort of your own country and live somewhere you have never been before can be daunting. However, it is rare to find someone who regrets this decision.
“The opportunities that Carroll College provides for studying abroad usually last between three and five weeks, giving students the chance to not only learn the language better but to actually immerse themselves in the culture and interact with the people there, rather than just playing tourist,” said Hallows.
Experiencing the reality of different countries and cultures and disproving many of the stereotypes or expectations we might have about certain places is valuable.
“Do I live up to the expectations others have of me and my culture?” was a question Scott-Stoliar asked herself when coming to the U.S. from Ukraine.
We don’t just learn new things about others, but also about ourselves. How do others perceive us, and how do we act as true representatives of our homelands?
“The discomfort of representing something so much larger than yourself was unexpected,” said Brown.
We, as Americans, have an opportunity to share with people the things we are most proud of about our own country, culture, and traditions.
Sharing these insights about where you come from, and learning the same about other people, is the main takeaway from travel abroad experiences, noted all the panelists.
The relationships we form while abroad are precious. The thought that we have a wide network of friends across the world is comforting, ultimately showing that we’re not so different after all.
The things we have in common with people from extremely different backgrounds and places than ourselves are often surprising, but these commonalities allow for these lasting connections and friendships.
Each panelist noted how they all left their travel abroad experiences changed. Not necessarily in a big way, but more subtly.
Whether these changes are learning new phrases or simply being more open-minded, taking the opportunity to explore another place and immerse yourself there is a life-changing experience that everyone should take advantage of while they have the opportunity.
