Phone: 616-331-3203
Modern Languages and Literatures
B-2-243 Mackinac Hall
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
Science majors can Study Abroad too!
*All banner pictures on this website are personal pictures I took in my semester abroad
Studying abroad could quite possibly be the best experience of your life. You will learn lessons that simply cannot be taught in a text book. For example, it is one thing to read about the culture of Spain in class, but to actually watch a matador working with a bull in front of my very eyes is one cultural lesson I will never forget. You will learn not only about culture, but also about people (including yourself!) The life lessons, new experiences, and cross-cultural friendships experienced during study abroad will stay with you for the rest of your life. Table of Contents
Benefits of Studying Abroad (According to numerous studies)
develop cross cultural skills
gain a greater global understanding
preparation for functioning in a multicultural world
become more open
gain flexibility in life
obtain higher levels of emotional resilience
reach greater personal autonomy
gain a greater perceptual acuity
enhance acquisition of a foreign language
make you stand out on a resume (only 1% of American students study abroad each year)
increases awareness of disciplines other than science, thus creating a more rounded individual
About Me
Melissa Van Drie
I will graduate in April 2009 with a BS in Health Professions and a minor in Spanish. After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I will continue on to obtain a master's of Physician Assistant Studies. Even before I started my time here at Grand Valley, I knew that I wanted to study abroad. Being a Science major, I was told by numerous fellow students as well as facultythat studying abroad was just not logical because of my heavy course load. If I did study abroad, I would just be delaying my graduation date by wasting a semester not completing my Health Professions pre-requisites. But I knew what I wanted to do and I was not going to let other people tell me what I could and could not do during my time at GVSU. I never regretted my decision to go abroad, not even for one second! My mission is to raise awareness that you can and SHOULD study abroad; the benefits far outweigh the so called 'drawbacks.'
My Experience
I studied in Bilbao Spain, which is located on the northern coast of Spain, near the French boarder. Bilbao is similar in size to Grand Rapids. I lived with a host family that consisted of a 27 year old woman named Oihana and her mother Noemi. I spent most of my time with Noemi since she did the cooking and laundry for me. Noemi did not speak one word of English, thus literally forcing me to communicate in Spanish at all times. It was not like my Spanish classes in high school and college where I could say a word or two in English and be understood; there was no cheating. My time with Noemi was by itself instrumental in my further development of my ability to speak Spanish fluently. However, in addition all of my classes were taught in Spanish by local professors, and daily activities were all done in Spanish. These activities included: going to the bank, setting up a cell phone plan, shopping and traveling.
My eyes were opened up to a whole new perspective. Looking back upon my previous self I realize my former world view was closed minded and a bit
judgmental . I was guilty of the ever-so- typical self centered belief that the United States is the best country, and therefore the only country that really mattered. I am
ashamed to admit my former attitude about the world, but I dare say that I was not alone in my view, and I now make it my mission to change this all too common self-centered, arrogant attitude of Americans.
Personal Benefits From Study Abroad
The benefits that I have reaped as a result of my study abroad experience are countless. I will not even attempt to list them all, but there are a few that stand out in my mind. My 8 hour flight from Chicago to Paris was the first plane ride I had ever been on; I was all by myself, so when flight arrived 2 hours late causing me to miss my connection flight to Bilbao, I had to rely on myself to figure out what to do next. Since I had never flown I had no schema of what to expect, and in the moment I was absolutely terrified. But, I overcame my fears and took the necesary actions to get to Bilbao. About 10 hours after my first ordeal in the Paris airport, I finally was in the apartment of my host family. It was very different living conditions than I was accustomed to. After meeting my family and eating a quick meal I went to bed and I immediately broke down in tears wondering 'what the world I had gotten myself into.' I remember thinking there was no way I could spent a whole semester there and I desperately wanted to return to the comforts of MY country, MY home with MY things. Obviously I stayed and I grew so much from that day. I became more autonomous, I learned to trust myself and my instincts.
My time abroad allowed me the opportunity to meet some of the most awesome people. I developed amazing friendships that will last me a lifetime. During those 5 months, strangers became family; they will always have a spot in my heart. Not only did I develop meaningful friendships with classmates, I had numerous opportunities to meet the locals and learn about their lives and their cultures. I learned a lot from others during that semester; and those lessons will always be with me.
Some tangible benefits in my life now are the opportunities I have had to use my Spanish here in the United States. For example, this summer I will be working in a medical clinic for migrant workers, delivering health care in their native tongue of Spanish. From personal experience I know how it feels to be a foreigner in a country where I do not speak their language; I hope to utilize this knowledge in order to act with compassion and empathy. Another organization I recently started working with is a non-profit called Son-Beam International. They provide help to Central America; I work with them to do translating of applications and other documents. I am also in negotiations with a urban Grand Rapids church called Cross-Winds to do translating for their website. I am convinced my time in Spain made these opportunities available for me.
I'm not alone; hear Kristen & Elisa's stories (other science majors at GVSU)
Kristen Streitenberger (HPR Major, Spain)
Study abroad has been the best experience of my life and I don’t think anything will be able to surpass it.Although there were mostly highs there were also a few lows; however, the challenges I faced only made the experience that more valuable and life changing.I have learned many life skills which is what makes me forever grateful for the opportunity I had to partake in this experience.My expeditions around Spain and parts of Europe have filled numerous photo albums with candid photos and lasting memories.Eventful days seem ordinary compared to the adventures I had while abroad.Every day I see things that remind me of the months abroad which fills me with excitement and longing to go back.I feel the need to share my experiences with everyone, often including strangers; yet, I find it difficult to explain for my experiences are overshadowed with emotions as I reminisce.Unless they have experienced it, they can not grasp the life changing impact it has.I would highly suggest study abroad to every single person I meet.Whether it is just to satisfy your thirst for adventure or it is a voyage to figure out who you are, it will be an experience you will never regret.
Elisa Menck (BMS Major, Germany)
I studied in Germany and my program had absolutely nothing to do with science in any way--we studied new countries applying for admission to the European Union. Prior to this, I had never been more than half an hour outside of the United States. This experience opened up a whole new world and gave me a greater understanding of other cultures, and, it changed me. This was my first time traveling anywhere by myself, so it stretched me a lot. One of the best parts of the trip was when we traveled to Croatia, Bosnia, and Turkey. It was such an eye-opener to me, especially when we were at the border for Bosnia and the buildings next to us had shell holes in the walls from the war. The whole trip was such an amazing experience, I would never change it.
YOU can study aboard too!
Visit Padnos International's official webpage to learn more about how you can make Study Abroad a reality in your life!
We'd love to hear about your time abroad and add it to this page for the benefit of other students. To add your story just e-mail professor Natalia Gomez at gomezn@gvsu.edu
Melissa Van Drie
