Kalayla | Argentina

Kalayla Hough is a UW Master’s student who studied abroad during the summer of 2012. Kayayla planned her trip to Argentina with the help of a program provider named International Studies Abroad.

Kalayla spent her summer at the University of Belgrano, which she says she would recommend to other UW students because “the teachers were very invested in the students' education and the facilities were very nice.”  The University also opened their intramural sports teams to international students, which Kayala enjoyed very much. She said, “I would advise students to get involved in an intramural sport to interact with locals.”

During her time abroad, Kalayla stayed with an Argentinean family in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. She described the city as, “the most beautiful place I have ever been." Kalayla’s favorite memory of her study abroad experience was a day she spent introducing two of her friends to Buenos Aires.  She reflected on this day saying, “we started the day by browsing handcrafted items in the local weekend market, where we also purchased local food.  Then we took the food to a nearby park and watched the Argentines play fútbol (American soccer).  It was the perfect day.”

Kalayla says that the most challenging situation she came across during her time in Argentina was trying to stay safe during outings at night. Reflecting on this, she said, “We made a concerted effort to be smart and safe about our outings.  We always made sure to carry limited valuables and keep the items we did take with us close to our body. We also made sure that we knew what public transportation options were the closest to us and we made sure that we knew how to get home.”

Kalayla made the most of her study abroad experience and she hopes you will to. To maximize your study abroad, Kalayla says, “Enlist one or two people from your program and explore the city you live in every chance you get. Go to a new local market every day, see a new park, or eat something local that you've never tried. Try to learn as much as you can by doing and not just listening. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ALWAYS look at your experiences as different then home experiences and NEVER as better or worse."

If you’re planning to visit Argentina, or work with a program provider, please feel free to contact Kalayla at khough19@gmail.com

Mariah | Honduras

Mariah Price is a junior UW student who travelled to Honduras during the summer of 2012 as part of a Medical Brigade Faculty-Led Program. During the trip, a group of University of Wyoming students earned academic credit while working at a medical clinic in the rural community of Agua Salada.

Reflecting on the trip Mariah said, “It was a great way to give back. I loved helping teach the children at the schools about healthy living and English.” The trip also provided an excellent opportunity for Mariah to improve her Spanish because she acted as the Spanish/English translator for the group!

Considering Spanish, Mariah said, “I would recommend this trip for those wanting to work on their Spanish skills, or just utilize them in general. I really progressed in the short time. There were also some medical terms that I did not understand at first; yet, I quickly learned the medical terms through immersion.”

Mariah will enjoy wonderful memories of her trip in Honduras for years to come; especially poignant are her memories of the local people. She said, “One of my favorite memories is our last night in Agua Salada. The community threw us a party, we attended a service at the church, enjoyed a delicious cake, and even had a dance with all of the local people.”

Mariah says she would recommend the trip to anyone! She says, “It was very beautiful and the people were great. I will never forget the short time I spend in Honduras.”

If you are interested in traveling to Honduras or participating in a Faculty-Led Program, please feel free to contact Mariah at mprice8@uwyo.edu.    

Jessi | Israel

Jessi Donaghe is a UW senior who traveled to Israel during the summer of 2012 as part of a Faculty-Led Program. During her Faculty-LedProgram, a group of students, led by a UW faculty member, earned academic credit while traveling throughout Israel studying “Religions of the Middle East.” Jessi learned about Judaism, Islam, and Christianity while visiting historic sacred sites and meeting with leaders in cities like Galilee and Jerusalem.

The group stayed in hostels during most of the three-week course; Jessi really enjoyed the experience. One of her favorite parts of the trip was visiting Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a tunnel under the City of David, which is mentioned in the Bible (2 Kings 20:20). Another highlight of Jessi’s trip was travelling to Egypt and climbing Mount Sinai. She reflected on the experience saying, “Now I can say I had breakfast where Moses was said to have gotten the Ten Commandments. That is an amazing thing to be able to say.”      
        

Jessi’s greatest challenge during the trip was finding her way around Israel. She admitted that she got lost in a busy city market. However, she was able to find her way after asking for directions. Jessi recommends that UW student’s pre-designate meeting places when wondering in a new city!

If you are interested in traveling to Israel, studying religion, or participating in a Faculty-Led program, feel free to contact Jessi at jdonaghe@uwyo.edu. 

Shelby | Holidays in China

Shelby Oelklaus is a UW student who received a Chinese Ambassador Wyoming Scholarship to study in Chengdu, China at Chengdu University. Shelby has spent this semester in China and will be staying through the spring.

Shelby says spending the Holidays in China is “interesting” and a little “bizarre.” Shelby spent Thanksgiving with a group of Americans who “have lived in Chengdu for many years.” Although the group was able to find most of their Thanksgiving dinner ingredients pretty easily, they had particular difficulty finding cranberry sauce. They also encountered some serious cooking challenges!

According to Shelby, “the average Chinese oven is about 1/3 the size of an American oven, so our turkey was slightly less regal and boarding on the verge of tiny, but delicious all the same.” Despite the small turkey, Shelby said the holiday was the “most unique and most memorable Thanksgiving” she has ever experienced.

As December approached in Chengdu, so did Christmas. According to Shelby, “Christmas decorations began to spring up all over the city at the start of the month.” The decorations, however, weren’t her traditional favorites. She says, regarding the Chinese decorations, “it's like the whole of China was invited to an ugly sweater party.”  Shelby says she was surprised by the Western influence in Asia.

As Shelby’s first semester comes to an end, she’s taken time to explore the Chengdu area. She recently visited Mt. Emei, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China adorned (with roughly 70 Buddhist temples). She says Mt. Emei, is “absolutely breathtaking.”

Shelby wishes all UW students a wonderful winter break and a Merry Christmas. You can send Shelby a Holiday greeting at soelklau@uwyo.edu.

Kelley | United Kingdom

Kelley Anderson is a UW PhD Student in the School of Law who studied abroad during the Summer of 2012. Kelly completed her study abroad at the Southwestern School of Law at the University of London in the United Kingdom.  
During her time at the University of London, Kelley stayed in the dorms at College Hall.  She recommends these living accommodations to other UW students. She says, “Stay at dorms. They are very conveniently located and nice, with a private bath and bedroom.”

Kelley highly recommends the University of London, which she says, “provided a great experience” during her trip. Kelley says, “The classes were very exciting and the campus was very close to many of the main attractions in London.”

Some of Kelley’s favorite memories included visiting these attractions. She says, “Traveling around Scotland, Ireland and England; getting to see all the castle ruins; and kissing the Blarney Stone were my best memories.”  She also enjoyed visiting the Tower Bridge. She says, “The Tower Bridge was amazing. It is worth paying to go into the Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, or both. Also, if Buckingham Palace is open it is definitely worth going to!”   

           

If you’re interested in studying in the UK, feel free to contact Kelley at manderso@uwyo.edu                   

Paul | France

Paul Aubrecht is a UW PhD student who completed an Exchange program in France during the Summer of 2012. As a law student emphasizing in Human Rights, Paul studied at Regent University’s Strasbourg Campus. He says he would suggest this program to, “any law student because the teachers were excellent, the facilities first class, and the off campus opportunities unique and helpful.” However, he also added that, “Regent is a Christian University so I would not recommend this program for anyone who is unwilling to accept that Christian Values and Prayer.”

During his time in France, Paul lived, “in a studio apartment with a private bathroom at the Foyer Notre Dame near the Cathedral in the Center of Strasbourg.” He enjoyed these living arrangements and recommends them to other UW students.

Along with studio apartments, Paul suggests doing as much reading and coursework as possible in advance. According to Paul, “This allows for more time to enjoy the Country.” For students traveling to France, Paul says: “I would make sure to take the time to go see Paris. The main points of interest for me (in Paris) were the Eiffel Tower, the Arch De Triumph, and the Louvre Museum.”

Paul says that his greatest challenge was packing! He reflects, “There were a lot of things I packed that I did not use. It makes the trip much easier if you only take the things you absolutely need. I also found myself caught in the rain several times. I'm glad I packed a rain suit, so it was not a problem for me.” He also recommends learning at least some of the language to, “help you get around.”

If you’re planning to travel to France, or participate in an Exchange, please feel free to contact Paul at paubrech@uwyo.edu. 

Emmalee | Kenya

Emmalee Allen is a UW senior who traveled to Kitale, Kenya in the Summer of 2012.  During her time in Kenya, Emmalee studied at the  Manor House Agricultural Centre, where she received a three month certificate in bio-intensive agriculture. To receive the certification, she successfully completed courses in: community development, bio-intensive agriculture, family nutrition, appropriate technology, livestock management, and crop production.

Emmalee says that she would recommend the Manor HouseAgricultural Centre to others. She says, “The professors and staff are amazing, flexible, and knowledgeable. They really cater to what you are interested in learning and are great about getting you out in the field working hands on.”

During the first part of her trip to Kenya (May and June), Emmalee completed labs, lectures, and practical’s at the Manor House facilities. During the second half of her trip (beginning in July), she visited several agriculture operations for a week at a time. Emmalee traveled to many operations including, “a tea and sugar factory, a rose farm, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, a local orphanage” among others.

Emmalee’s dream job is to work with agriculture in Africa, and she said “This summer gave me an opportunity to experience part of my dream.” Emmalee’s favorite memory from her trip is working at a primary school, which rehabilitated street children. She taught the students about bio-intensive agriculture, a type of small-scale organic farming. Not only was the school able to apply the methods to their school farm, but many of the schools staff members, including their headmaster, applied the new farming method to improve their yields at home.

To other UW students thinking or traveling abroad, Emmalee says: “Go open and willing to learn; be flexible. Be willing to jump into every opportunity and embrace the culture open arms.”

If you’re interested in traveling to Kenya, or earning an agricultural certification abroad, feel free to contact Emmalee at eallen8@uwyo.edu.