Etown Study Abroad

“Living in Tokyo was the first time I ever lived on my own. It was even scarier because it was also my first time living in a city! Even the thought of trying to read the subway maps, something I also had never done, made me nervous. But I was surprised by how easy it was to adjust. By the end of my study abroad, I was translating for another American family trying to shop in the Tokyo Pokemon Center!” – Nicole Huegel ’18, Japanese major who studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan for the fall 2016 semester

This album is a compilation of students from Elizabethtown College who will/have studied abroad in the past, present or future. A story from each student accompanies each photo with hopes that it will get others excited about studying abroad.

This project is the culmination of senior Corporate Communications major Lauren Poland’s four years at Elizabethtown College, as part of her Senior Capstone project.

Emily West a Political Science Major here at E-town wrote an article for BCA's blog about how she was able to make her decision on where she wanted to study abroad. BCA Study Abroad

European Peace and Security Studies (EPSS) Certificate Program at BCA's Brussels Program - BCA Study Abroad Choosing the right study abroad program is quite the task. I struggled for months deciding what location was best for me, and I was never able to fully make up my mind until I learned about the European Peace & Security Studies (EPSS) certificate program offered through BCA Brussels at Vesalius Coll...

“Everyone second guesses themselves. We don’t always trust our instincts. That’s what makes moment of reassurance so special, when we realize that we are on the right path all along. I had one of these reassuring moments during my second week of living in Florence. I had just gotten out of my first travel writing class. I was feeling so inspired and ready to pursue writing prompts that had developed in my head. As I walked down the steps from my campus, I noticed that it was raining. Oddly, I didn’t feel annoyed or angry by the rain. I just pulled out my red umbrella and began to walk. I glided past the Duomo headed toward Piazza della Repubblica as I admired the lights of the carousel twinkling in the rain.
"As I crossed over the Ponte Vecchio, a street performer on the corner began to sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” The song choice struck me and I stopped to look out at the beautiful Arno river without a care in the world. I didn’t have to run home because I felt safe. I’m content here in Florence. I feel at home. I’ve never felt this way in any other city that I’ve ever traveled to. Even while surrounded by dozens of people speaking a variety of languages that I can’t understand, I feel a sense of belonging, of being, of existing here. I’ve become comfortable in my discomfort.” – Shaye DiPasquale ’19, communications major studying in Florence, Italy for the spring 2018 semester

Many people study abroad searching for something bigger in their lives. They may not exactly know what that “something” is, whether it’s adventure, happiness, or a change. Nevertheless, they are searching. Humans tend to forget the present, the here and now that we have been waiting for and what will soon become the memories we miss. Recently, my program and I went to a Marae (a meeting place for Māori people, indigenous people of New Zealand). When we first came to the Marae, I felt rigid and nervous because we were entering onto a different culture’s land and you feel scared to screw things up. Looking back now, I laugh at myself because I always get anxious about the silliest things. The Marae we went to was on such a beautiful plot of land that overlooked the ocean. There is a sense of community and love all over the Marae, and they feed you the best food. My program has become my family here, so sharing this experience with them was rewarding and made me feel even closer to them than I already am. We spent hours at this Marae learning Māori games, haka (Maori dance), aspects of the culture, playing mafia, laughing till the wee hours of the morning and talking about our lives here and back at home. It reminded me of how much I have grown and how far I have come. It made me stop and realize how much I suddenly could not believe how quickly I had adjusted to this foreign place with different people (and opposite seasons!) and realized how much I am going to miss my family here. I feel so at home now that my real home feels weird. I was so exhausted and emotionally fragile after this time at the Marae that I could not stop crying at the fact that I will eventually have to go home and leave this place that I have built out of nothing into something extraordinary. My biggest adventure here has not been the mountains I have climbed or the glacial waters I have swam in, but finding out who I am, and if finding out who you are isn’t the biggest adventure out there, than I don’t know what is. - Aimee Stonelake '19, psychology major studying in Dunedin, New Zealand for the spring 2018 semester

“I hadn’t cried yet. I thought I would have started crying the day my “gringa sister”, Julie, left the place we had called our home for the past 3 months, but I didn’t. Seconds to go before the arrival of an Uber. Nydia was in the kitchen cleaning. I thanked her for everything. Then I hugged her tight…and that was all it took. She hushed me, “tranquila, liz, tranquila”. A flood of uncontrollable sobbing came over me. It was a hug that contained every personal memory and relationship that I had made in that beautiful country; ones that had changed my life forever. It was the little moments. I loved her. I loved Rodolfo (tico father), Paola (their daughter), Maria Paula (their granddaughter), Pamela (tica sister), and Steven (tico brother)! I loved Jota and Jafeth (tico brothers/friends)! Jafeth had surprised us each with hugs and sunflowers because they symbolize friendship. Jota traversed for over 2 hours just to drop me off at Juan Santamaria Airport and say farewell in person. I loved Julie! And I loved Sam, my other “gringa sister” and housemate! She and Julie had been there with me through every Spanish mistake, every cumbia dance, and every Conversation Club meeting! The places in Costa Rica were breathtaking, but it’s true what they say. It’s the people that make a place your home and one day I will return with my “gringa sisters” because now that’s our home away from home.” – Elizabeth Mazer ’19, Occupational Therapy major who studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica for the fall 2017 semester

Today marks the start of the Thai New Year, and if your as obsessed with Thialand as we are then you should probably check out CIS Abroads Thialand study abroad options, and you too can study abroad in the "land of smiles"! If you have any questions be sure to stop by the Study Abroad Office in Nicarry!

Semester in Thailand With CISabroad, study at one of Thailand's top-ranked universities while living in the heart of Southeast Asia.

Emily Seratch studied abroad in China last semester with BCA study abroad, and she made an awesome video explaining how to order food when going out to eat!

How to Order Chinese Food | Student Video from a BCA Storyteller Fall 2017 BCA students in Dalian, China, walk you through how to successfully order food. WARNING: This video will make you extremely hungry! Learn more abou...

Are you studying abroad in Cheltenham, Dalian, or St. Augustine with BCA next semester? There is still time to apply for a $500 scholarship for your time abroad next semester! Deadlines for this scholarship depend on which location you are studying at, but deadlines are approaching for all locations, so be sure to check it out! BCA Study Abroad

Receive a $500 Scholarship for Enrolling in Select Fall 2018 BCA Programs - BCA Study Abroad BCA Study Abroad would like to help you realize your dream to study abroad this fall by offering you a $500 scholarship that you can use toward your study abroad costs. All students studying abroad at one of the BCA programs listed below for the fall 2018 semester will automatically receive the scho...

Colby Schweibenz a senior Biochem major and Spanish minor at E-town wrote a blog post for BCA about her amazing opportunity to research while studying abroad in Ecuador! BCA Study Abroad

Researching in Quito, Ecuador: STEM Opportunities Abroad Fall '17 Storyteller reflects on the opportunity to work in a cellular biology research lab through the Latitude Zero Ecuador Research Initiative Program.

Are you as over this cold weather as we are? Then we are sure you would be interested in hearing about CIS Abroads Costa Rica study abroad program! If this article peaks your interests be sure to stop by the Study Aboard Office to talk about the options available!

10 Tips for Studying Abroad in Costa Rica Thinking about studying abroad in Costa Rica? Here's 10 tips from a CISabroad Semester in Costa Rica Alumna to help you prepare!

Emily Seratch talks about the cultural differences she faced while studying abroad in China in her artcle she wrote for BCA study abroad.

How to Tie a Knot (And 5 Other Unique Cultural Differences in China) Having now studied abroad in Dalian, I've learned that these cultural differences in China make everyday a new experience!