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It felt weird leaving Greece, as life became normal there so quickly. During my three week journey in Greece, I spent time in Athens (our home-base), Delphi, Crete, and Spetses. Here at these places is where I traveled with my classmates and professor through museums, archaeology sites, cities, and graffiti walks. As an artist, I gained valuable insights by observing the craftsmanship and skillful use of complex tools in creating intricate works of art up close. The National Archaeology Museum (NAM) in Athens was one of my favorites to study from.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was the best decision I have ever made! I participated in the GlobalWorks Internship program and spent the summer working as a wedding planning intern. Working in such a vibrant city allowed me to immerse myself in the local culture, meet people from all over the world, and practice speaking Spanish. I loved attending all of the weddings that I was helping with and truly valued the hands-on experience of working with clients and suppliers.

After my trip to Barcelona, I believe every student who has the opportunity should study abroad. The university’s classes are fast-paced but highly engaging, focusing on students enjoying their time in the city. However, the main point of traveling is to immerse yourself in the culture and experience what life is like on a different side of the globe.

I consider this experience to not be life-changing, but more of a life upgrade. I made so many new friends and connections, gained perspective into a new culture's attitudes and approaches to life, and taken away a love and appreciation for exploring the world. As a Type 1 diabetic, traveling far away from home and my doctors was daunting. However, I felt safe and taken care of in this program. I think this is the best way to venture into the unknown when you’re a first-time solo traveler.

My experience studying abroad in Ireland was one that entered my life exactly when I most needed it. I feel so fortunate to come out of this program a stronger filmmaker that can now confidently edit and shoot my own films. I truly loved the work I was able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. However, the friendships I formed and the memories I was able to make will last a lifetime. I was surprised that it was the moments you don’t excessively plan for that linger.

This was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to finally visit the country that my parents are from. Mexico was a beautiful experience filled with many surprises. The biggest surprise was being able to meet former Mexican President Vicente Fox and getting to see the library underneath his hacienda, a large estate. 

The best part of the trip was seeing the amount of people in Mexico that love Goku and "Dragon Ball Z." Ultimately, It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone and I hope to one day be able to do it again.

Studying abroad in Korea was a dream I had cherished for years, and finally, living there was nothing short of magical. People often speak of foreign countries as if they are distant and almost otherworldly; my experience in Korea shattered that notion. I immersed myself in a place where everyday life felt incredibly vibrant and natural. From the bustling city streets of Seoul to the serene beauty of the countryside, every moment was an adventure, and every corner held a discovery.

I loved my experience in Oxford, U.K. I was able to visit many places with my amazing peers and see beautiful, older architecture that is so classical. I visited the Oxford Botanical Gardens, Christ Church, and Headington Shark. I loved being in a smaller city that had so much going on, and visiting a bigger city that is London once a week. It allowed me to see myself as a traveler and how that will enable us to use our revolutionary imagination to view ourselves as leaders in our lives and experiences. The company and lectures created the best experience along with the people.

During my time in the Galapagos, I was able to visit two islands: San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz. While I was there, we went to visit local farms to learn about how produce is grown and distributed to the community. We also visited research stations where we learned how locals are testing and monitoring the ecosystems around the island. Additionally, we visited water and waste facilities sites, tortoise farms, and other local areas where we learned more about native species and the overall impact of climate change.

As a first-generation student, this has been an amazing opportunity that has curated memories I will never forget! Shadowing doctors from different branches has broadened my perspectives of the healthcare field internationally. I have made new connections with some amazing and kind doctors at IRCCS Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri. Through this opportunity, I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of how open-mindedness plays an important role when going abroad and celebrating other cultures that truly bring out the richness of my experiences in Italy. 

Jessalyn Beninati