"My best advice is that if you are given the opportunity to study abroad, take it!! I was very hesitant at first about going abroad, but it ended up being an invaluable experience I will never forget. I loved everything about my experience- from learning about the culture to getting to know the other students in my program."

"We experienced living in a village (San Jose de Uchupiamonas), which was the most heartwarming experience of the trip. The locals made us feel very welcomed and reminded us that we could call this place our home. I feel that we have left this trip with new mentors that we can call family."

"Within the first week, my classmates and I bonded over our interest in dancing and trying new foods. One day after class, my classmates took me to an arcade to dance and a night market to go to try different food stands."

"Be respectful of the culture, yet also very cautious and responsible. It’s easy to get caught up in all the fun, but remember why you went there and the image you’re representing."

"I am happy to say that I have a network of close friends from all over the country! The four months absolutely flew by and now I feel more independent, open-minded, and motivated to make travel and international experiences a lifelong interest."

"The hesitations of going abroad as minority group members due to safety, cultural reservations, or lack of seeing potential growth is common. However, I MUST urge you to do it!"

"Being abroad in Vienna taught me not to be afraid of figuring out things by myself. If I get lost or can't find what I'm looking for, I change and create an even better adventure."

"As a Physiology and Neurobiology major with a double minor in Spanish and Statistics, this winter study abroad was an amazing fit into my pre-med course load while enriching my language skills."

"As a black and Puerto Rican woman, I know that it can be discouraging to think about traveling to areas where you don't anticipate seeing people who look like you. Although I was the only black girl in my program in Barcelona and that intimidated me at first, I was able to meet great people and find comfort in my surroundings."

"In order to understand different cultures, we can't just look at them in textbooks, going out and speaking to others, listening, and understanding is more valuable than any reading you could do on another culture."