Experience of the Study Abroad knowledge

 

The Study Abroad program is a very good program for any student that would love to travel outside of the United States and get credit for it. Most Colleges and Universities have a study abroad program of one kind or another, some take place on ships that travel to foreign locales. Edmonds Community College has a good program to check out if you’re a student there. There are specific classes that will count for credits during these adventures overseas.

 If you or someone you know is interested in the study abroad program and a student at EdCC or another university, you make get more information at the International Students Services which is located on the third floor of the Snohomish Hall for the Edmonds Community College student and talk with the students at the front desk and they can point you to the right people. For other schools check with student services for their information.  Or you may contact Melissa Randolf, Jesse Aspree or Emily at study_abroad@edcc.edu or call and leave a message 425.640.1618 for any information needed.  They will be gladly to help you on your endeavours for more experience and knowledge.

Jesse Aspree the Study Abroad Student Programmer “? I would say that they should first meet with a study abroad advisor (Emily or myself) to discuss the several options that EdCC offers. And that studying abroad can be a life-changing experience for students, connecting them to new cultures, friends, and perspectives. Students can get EdCC credit and if eligible, financial aid, and scholarships can apply to most programs. I would also suggest starting the process early but reaching out to one of the advisors to learn more.”

At EdCC there are short term programs and full quarter programs to many different countries, Damon Moody a former EdCC Study Abroad student had a few words for students thinking of doing the programs. “It was great! Everyone was very friendly and always willing to help. As someone who is tall (6'3" 6'4") and of non-Asian descent I of course did stand out. However, I never felt like that was a problem. People do stare a bit more when you're a foreigner but I'm oblivious to that so I was never the one to notice. People over there do also hold good opinions of Americans so I was never worried about where I was from being a negative when meeting new people. The differences can sometimes make things easier because people can be more interested in meeting and getting to know someone from somewhere else. And being obviously foreign probably made things easier because people would understand that you're probably not used to the culture and language so there was less pressure in making mistakes. While I was there I made plenty of friends, got to experience many great places, eat great food, and do many things I would have never experienced. I never felt like being a foreigner was an issue during my time in Japan.”

Some of the great locales that you get to visit and experience are places like Barcelona, Spain and Tokyo, Japan which will be the Fall quarter programs. 

Moody said this about his time in Japan “ I lived in Nagasaki Japan during my time there and would be more than happy to go back on my own time. It would be great to visit with the friends I made while I was there and visit some of the places I never made it to.”

Winter quarter at EdCC has a couple of wonderful choices too such as Australia and New Zealand which seem to be an always popular experience for the students. And when your there who knows you might be able to visit the part of New Zealand where ‘Lord of the Rings’ and the ‘Hobbit’ were filmed and visit the real shire. This program for the winter quarter is fifteen credits and the whole quarter long as well. Then the Spring quarter location for study is Berlin, Germany, so there are many choices for a study abroad experience. 

Moody shared his experience in Japan “I have many great memories and went to many beautiful, fantastic, and interesting places during my time in Japan. I visited amazing temples and gardens. Went to many historical sites like Dejima and where the atomic bomb was dropped now called Peace Park. Besides just being in Nagasaki I also could visit Fukuoka and Tokyo during my time there. I wish I would have had more time to have made my way to more places. Honestly my favourite things to do were the little things like walk around the city, go out to eat, go out with friends, learning about the culture in person, and just take in the new environment. “

If you ask any student that has gone on the Study Abroad program, they will most likely tell you the something, “I think it's a great experience that they will remember forever. You get to meet great and interesting people, make new friends, see new places, and experience new things that you otherwise would never experience. Every day even down the littlest things can be new and exciting. It's a lot different than just going for a vacation, you'll be more immersed within the culture and experience things you otherwise wouldn't as just a tourist.” Moody shared

Just a couple of years ago a young running start student who graduated with her High School Diploma and Associates Degree from EdCC, then headed to St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York, Ivy Alexandria Raines has been a wonderful student and very active on her campus. She was a member of a sorority and SLU dance team.  Ivy is a young woman who likes to stay active and always wanting to find something to do. So, when an opportunity arose for her to gain more knowledge and experience by doing seven months in a study abroad program in Jordan and the Middle East, she took the opportunity and went with it.

When Ivy puts her mind to something there isn’t much she cannot or will not do to further her education in being a better person. This is a person that we all can learn from; Ivy is a 2017 Laurentian from St. Lawrence University and a young member of the United Nations Association at SLU. No matter what Ivy does, she always seems to succeed at it, so it’s no wonder that her trip to Jordan and the other countries that she experienced was great for her mind.   

Raines “During the 2017 Spring semester I was the only student from my university which studied abroad in Amman, Jordan in an Arabic language program with AmidEast. Amideast has establishments in many Arab countries, but only a few with education abroad departments. I was a student of 18 others studying both Modern Standard and Colloquial Arabic also known as “Ah-me-ah” in which we studied the Jordanian Dialect which is far different than what many Arabic students are used to studying in the classroom. We also took “content courses” which are elective classes related to the region – I took Women in Islam, Arab Israeli Relations taught by the ex-Jordanian Ambassador to Israel, Social Policy, and Community Based Learning where I was fortunate to teach English to Iraqi and Sudanese refugees twice a week as the Jesuit Refugee Service. “

Ivy travelled from Jordan, to other countries and areas of the Middle East, and Israel, She got to see and photograph some of the most ancient structures in the world. She walked around on the same ground that our ancestors had walked, even viewed structures that were built before and during the Roman Empire. Ivy had an experience that only students doing a study abroad program would get to experience.

Raines “One thing to note as a US citizen traveling abroad is to be aware that everyone is aware of your politics and culture as an American and this creates both positive and negative reactions by those around you. Many people were enthusiastic to meet you and follow their introduction with their opinions on Trump which follow with asking you about yours. Another thing that has its pro and cons is you see your culture infiltrated within your host country in music on the radio, to ads, fast food chains, and the prominent presence of the English language. On one hand this makes transitioning to a new place easier but also defeats the purpose of integrating within a new culture and country (especially when trying to learn a language).”

Ivy’s experience is unlike anyone’s, since she was in her study abroad program for seven months, She had just recently returned home and had a lot to say about her travels.

Raines “I visited Jordan of course, Cyprus, Greece, Ukraine and Palestine (Israel). Easily I can say I would want to revisit all these countries because there is always more to see anywhere you go no matter how much time you may spend there. Even spending 4 months in Jordan there is still so many parts of the country I would like to see that I didn’t have the chance to especially in the north-east part of the country which is less travelled to. I think it is easy to fall into the “city bubble” of any country but in doing so you’re doing yourself a disservice and unable to capture the full picture of the country.”

When asked about what she liked the most Ivy was all too thrilled to talk about that too, and share what she would do if she travelled back

Raines “My favourite activity was “Wild Weekend Trips” offered by a Eco Tourism company (and restaurant) called Wild Jordan. These were all inclusive day and overnight trips that took you to Jordan’s various nature reserves that were less travelled and known. This is the way in which I saw a lot of Jordan I otherwise wouldn’t have and a way I met a lot of new people, Jordanians and foreigners alike. Around Amman, my favourite pastime was smoking hookah or in the Arab world known as “Ar-Ge-La” at a local café with my friends and a nice hot cup to mint tea or cold mango juice.”

“Without hesitation I would recommend my abroad program with AmidEast to other students interested in going abroad in the Arab world but don’t feel quite confident themselves to go about it solo. I think regardless study abroad in general (if your academic situation allows) is an absolute necessary for any undergraduate. There is so much that you gain from putting yourself outside your comfort zone not only in academic terms in furthering your knowledge but also in regards to live experiences. More than anything it teaches one adaptability, appreciation for other lifestyles, and a yearn to learn more about the world in which you live in.”

So the experience and knowledge you can from doing a study abroad program is a great learning experience for any student that wants to learn outside the box or the classroom.

Raines “My advice in short would be to not hesitate in saying “yes”. Go to the country less travelled, travel by yourself, go out to a new place with your study abroad mates, use the native language of the country even if it’s broken and you feel silly. Take advantage of your youth and the support of your home institution and see the world while you have the time to.”