As a Mexican American student who isn’t part of the SOJC, I will always have a deep appreciation for the SOJC and GEO for giving me the opportunity to visit my home country. I’ll never forget the emotions I felt experiencing a plane take off for the first time in my life. Although my time there was short, I had the pleasure of meeting a former Mexican president, getting confused as a tour guide, and finally feeling at home. I’ll never forget my time in Mexico. Es mi patria. Es mi corazón. Y es mi hogar.

Arturo Trujillo-Bedolla

Studying abroad was easily one of the greatest three months of my life. I was paired with the best host family, who were all so kind and patient with me. I practiced my Spanish and adapted to the language barrier more quickly and easily than I anticipated! But the biggest takeaway for me was how my confidence skyrocketed. Suddenly, I was living in a new country, speaking a language I knew minimally, traveling by myself, and figuring things out on my own. I’m no longer afraid of moving cities, leaving my friends and family, or taking a huge risk, because I’ve already done all of that.

My time in Barcelona was truly formative; I made lifelong friends and memories. I gained hands-on advertising experience while living and immersing myself in Spanish culture. I was able to travel to nine countries, experiences I will forever be grateful for! Studying abroad is one of my top college memories, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Maya Sykes

My time abroad in Barcelona was truly life-changing! As a human physiology major on the pre-med track, I grew academically and professionally through clinical shadowing across various specialties in this international healthcare setting! Learning from the skilled doctors and surgeons really broadened my perspective on patient care and medicine as a whole. Beyond the hospital, I met the most amazing people, forming friendships and memories that I will cherish forever!

Lindsay Wong

During my time abroad, I was able to immerse myself in the culture and enhance my Spanish-speaking skills. Every week, my classmates and I explored Segovia and sometimes took trips to other parts of the country or even abroad. My time abroad allowed me to learn and grow in many ways I did not expect. I am forever grateful to the program and professor who encouraged me to take this journey.

Ariel Carreon

My time studying in Siena, Italy, was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. Living abroad allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture and learn so much about the Italian way of life. I also had the opportunity to make new friends, travel to other parts of Europe, try a ton of new food, and start building my Italian language skills! Being far from home pushed me to try new things and constantly adapt to unfamiliar situations. It allowed me to expand my global perspective and gain a great appreciation for cultures outside my own.

I spent four weeks in Rome through a clinical fellowship, shadowing across orthopedic surgery, urology, stroke care, and pediatric surgery. It was an eye-opening experience seeing medicine practiced in a foreign country while navigating a language barrier and still learning so much from each case. Outside the hospital, I explored Italy and grew a lot personally, an experience that definitely strengthened my passion for medicine and global healthcare.

Densel Villaspir

Studying abroad in Siena, Italy, was a highlight of my college experience. In the wine marketing program, we had the opportunity to work with our peers to consult for real-world clients and learn about the rich history of their wineries. Living abroad for six weeks in a city like Siena truly allowed me to immerse myself in Italian culture and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Evan Dadant

I am now halfway through my program, and I will come home in a few weeks! I’ve honestly seen a lot, such as the palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, and the Arc De Triomphe. I’ve been inside the Louvre, walked around Montmartre, and I even took an hour-long train to Giverny to see inside Monet’s gardens. I saw Monet’s home and even the spot where his famous water lily painting was inspired. It is so beautiful in France, as expected! 

My name is Gisele Turchon and I studied abroad twice in Italy through GEO Abroad, in Lecce and Siena. I had the time of my life in both cities, completely opposite of each other. In Siena, I lived in the Torre Contrada and adored my beautiful walk to school everyday with my friends. We went wine tasting and olive oil tasting in the Tuscan countryside. In Lecce, in the South of Italy, I enjoyed boat tours as well as cooking classes on local cuisine. Almost everyday after class we took the quick bus to the beach. The immersive language course built my confidence communicating with locals.