Comments (33)

1. I went to sea for a year (during college as part of my education) on 2 containerships and an oil tanker, I circumnavigated the globe twice and went to so many places I have trouble making a list, including ones most people never get to go to, like Cuba. I have seen more whorehouses in Asia than I think there are men in the country, and people stealing stuff from my room in Africa and then trying to sell it back to me later on the pier, almost got sold to be a wife to a man in saudi arabia by one of the guys on my crew (cruel joke), had my entire body covered in ship paint (it doesn’t come off too easily), been inside a gas tank that holds 50,000 BARRELS of fuel on several occasions, as well as cleaning them, and so many other stories I cannot even fathom to remember.

   posted by gussie on 9-28-2007 at 9:12 am

2. I studied abroad for two semesters in Florence, Italy. I studied International Business, and I had the time of my life! I’d say my two favorite memories are seeing the Pope in Rome, and the Pyramids in Egypt!

   I wouldn’t go anywhere different if I got to do it over again. Of course I didn’t get to see all of Europe, but the places I got the opportunity to go to were truly incredible!

   posted by Theresa on 9-28-2007 at 9:14 am

3. I had the idea of studying abroad in Seoul, Korea and discovering my roots for a semester. Turned out my school had a single partnership, with the largest women’s college in the country (and world). I’m a male. I arrived to find a ratio of about 10 male students to the regular student body of 25,000 women. I ended up staying 2 full years. I probably shouldn’t divulge the details but I did have the most unrealistically awesome experience of a lifetime.

   posted by Drew on 9-28-2007 at 9:23 am

4. I spent a year in Athens studying classical art & archaeology. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I learned so much, not just about archaeology, but also about myself and “real life” type things. I am still close with some of my fellow students–even after nearly 15 years.

   My best memory is of my “Thanksgiving dinner” that year in Athens–eating a cheese sandwich on scaffolding at the height of the frieze on the Parthenon. Our professor might not have arranged for a turkey, but she created the best possible venue for the holiday.

   This spring I will be taking students to Rome, as I am now a professor. I just hope that I can transmit the enthusiasm I felt on my study abroad program to this new generation.

   posted by Pica on 9-28-2007 at 9:25 am

5. I studied Spanish literature and culutre for a semester in Alcala de Henares, Spain my senior year and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I lived in a residencia with 3 Dominican Republicans, 1 Spaniard, and 3 other Americans.

   It was amazing to not only read Quijote, but to actually see the route Quijote and Sancho took and the life they lived (albiet fictional). The year I went Alcala was celebrating its 2000th year as a town.. imagine that… it made me realize how young and NEW America was. I agree with Pica above, in that I learned so much about myself, the world, and different view-points. It is amazing what living outside the US does for you.

   posted by Christy on 9-28-2007 at 9:36 am

6. I chose my college specifically because they have an exceptional study abroad program. About 80% of the students go abroad their junior year.

   I myself had a wonderful time studying abroad in the small historic town of Cáceres, Spain. My favorite memories include taking flamenco guitar lessons and my madre teaching me to make tortilla española (my favorite Spanish dish).

   If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would definitely choose the same place.

   posted by Kelly on 9-28-2007 at 9:45 am

7. Funny, I actually did go to New Zealand to study abroad. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I took many pictures like the one above. If I could do it all over again I would have studied abroad for a full year in two different places.
   My best memory has got to be hiking the Milford track…I did it in a less than conventional way dodging park rangers and avoiding the mandatory huts (no camping permitted).

   posted by Mike on 9-28-2007 at 9:46 am

8. In 2005 I studied abroad in Rome. I stood on the base of a column at St. Peter’s and watched Ratzinger claim his position as Pope and name himself Benedict. I walked through the Roman Forum every day on my way to school, and had a view of the Colosseum from my window. I had lunch at a professor’s home who owned an original Duchamp and a Warhol (a portrait of her ex-husband, no less), among others. Although I wasn’t able to see much of Europe, for lack of funds, I did get to know Rome very well, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

   posted by Lindsey on 9-28-2007 at 10:02 am

9. I studied horticulture in Jamaica one summer. At least, I think I did. I can’t remember…

   posted by Jill on 9-28-2007 at 10:09 am

10. I spent a semester in Salamance, Spain and my liver still hasn’t forgiven me. My (male) buddies and I used to set up “intercambio” meetings with Spanish coeds to have them “practice their English.” The whole time was just fantastic. I even ran with bulls in a small town near Portugal.

    posted by Ron on 9-28-2007 at 10:28 am

11. I lived in Trnava, Slovakia for three months in 1999. I mostly studied Slovak History, Culture and Language (don’t ask me to speak any, can’t remember a word of it) and ironically, English and Drama.

    Best memory was getting lost. We were taking a train to nearby Austria and the border was closed down for some reason and ended up at a dead end train station. The nice conductors and train station operators helped us out of our predicament and even showed us their control tower. We spent several hours till the next train came trying to talk to each other in our respective languages. No one had any idea what the other was saying, but we had a lot of fun.

    posted by John (Grasping for the Wind) on 9-28-2007 at 10:37 am

12. I studied in London for a semester and enjoyed an unusually sunny five months in England’s capital. I had an internship and walked past David Blaine in his box, hanging over the Thames every morning on my way to work. My best memory was being voted “most likely to walk everywhere” by my fellow study abroad students for my love of exploring the city every weekend by foot.

    posted by Abbey on 9-28-2007 at 10:57 am

13. University of Kent in Canterbury England.
    I Studied English.
    Every single second of the trip was worth it. Even the bad parts. If you have the opportunity GO!

    posted by mungley on 9-28-2007 at 11:01 am

14. I studied for a year in Newcastle Australia. Before I left I was a hardcore rugby fan, and I’d mastered public transportation (though in the process I did end up spending the night with the cleaning crew of an underground train station after I got off the last train of the night at the wrong stop!)

    I did all the touristy stuff, but the best experiences took place on the beaches or at the pubs. Here’s for studying abroad and not living on campus!

    posted by Meghan on 9-28-2007 at 11:42 am

15. I did my masters in NZ for two years in Immunology at University of Otago. Best two years ever due to location, culture and price and quality of education.

    I actually mainly went back to NZ for my masters for the price. You can’t beat it.

    posted by Tiffany on 9-28-2007 at 12:43 pm

16. Although it doesn’t quite fit the “study abroad” category, I was an exchange student near Sydney for a year in high school. I suppose the main difference is one’s living situation: study aboad-ers typically stay with other study abroad-ers, whereas exchange students live with host families. I have been to over a dozen countries as a tourist, but the perspective from within the culture – living in an Aussie house with an Aussie family – is unique and invaluable.
    My year there was incredible! The best memories I have center around being with friends: picnicking under the Harbour Bridge, dancing drunk to Hunters + Collectors, skipping school to go to a museum – typical teenager stuff. Almost 20 years have passed, but I am still close to my “family” whom I have had the luck to visit and be visited by several times.

    posted by elizabutt on 9-28-2007 at 12:55 pm

17. I don’t know if this counts or not, but I spent a semester in Honolulu, Hawaii. My school also offered programs in England, Spain, and Austria, but none had the classes I needed. So I spent my semester sunning myself on the beach . . . well, just some of the time. It did give me a lot, though, as I used one of my Pacific Lit classes to write my thesis later on.

    posted by Meagan on 9-28-2007 at 1:04 pm

18. I studied mathematics in Budapest, Hungary for my study abroad. It was a great, eye-opening experience. The best moment came afterwards in Turkey when a local told me and my traveling companion “The Turkish penis is large. You don’t know this so I tell you.”

    I would definitely do it all over again.

    posted by thew on 9-28-2007 at 1:31 pm

19. I was fortunate enough to spend four weeks in Japan a few years ago to study Modern Japanese Culture. We spent two weeks in Tokyo in a Japanese-style hostel, then two weeks in Kyoto in a Western-style hostel, and we had weekends free to travel on our own. Easily the best four weeks of my life! I got to visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial, play volleyball on the beach in Osaka, tour a beautiful garden on Awaji Island, eat “pizza” in Ise, and visit countless temples, museums, etc. We even got to see Sumo wrestlers practice in Asakusa! It was absolutely amazing, and I can’t wait to go back.

    posted by Erin on 9-28-2007 at 1:50 pm

20. I spent my junior year in Venice, Italy. Imagine- taking a boat to school everyday! It was an incredible experience, though not always as picturesque as many assume Venice to be. While it is beautiful, there are days when it’s just hard to force yourself through the tourists and slog through calf-high, dirty water in the streets when high water comes. That’s the reality of Venice that not too many people see, but I am glad I did. Strangest experience was going on a few dates with an Egyptyian ex-pat in Venice who, a few dates in, informed me of his admiration for Hitler. Needless to say, that was the last date. I took my own (high school) students back to Venice a few years later, which was, once again, and amazing experience.

    posted by Phraz on 9-28-2007 at 1:52 pm

21. I’ve always been curious about New Zealand. It’s the only “New”place I can think of that doesn’t have an original.

    There’s a Jersey and there’s an Amsterdam. There’s an England and there’s a Brusnwick. There’s a Mexico, though Mexico was once called New Spain so I suppose that makes New Mexico Really New Spain.

    I don’t know where Zealand is, however. Someone once told me there was a place of similar name but with a different spelling in Belgium but I don’t know if that’s the inspiration.

    posted by Thomas on 9-28-2007 at 2:01 pm

22. I spent a semester in Seville, Spain in the fall of my junior year and it changed my life. I left for Spain in the pre-med program and came back and changed my major to Spanish Education. It increased my self-confidence so much that my friends barely recognized me. I cannot recommend it studying abroad strongly enough. I only wish more people had the opportunity.

    posted by Kaberi on 9-28-2007 at 2:14 pm

23. I spent a year in Oxford, and it was absolutely the best year of my life.

    I think I was there at the same time as Abbey, because I remember taking a trip to London and seeing David Blaine in his box.

    My favorite memories are small things, like reading while eating soup and drinking tea in my favorite cafe, The Nosebag.

    If I could study abroad again, I would definitely stick with Oxford. I’d take easier classes so I could travel around England more, though!

    posted by Amber on 9-28-2007 at 2:14 pm

24. Spent part of my senior year of high school in West Germany. We were supposed to be studying German, however, we ended up spending more time studying German beers instead. Would love to go back and see everything I missed the first time around, especially a unified Germany!

    posted by Cyndi on 9-28-2007 at 2:37 pm

25. I studied in the US (I’m from Argentina), lived in Chicago working for a lighting company for a year and touring the world, did one year on the Freedom Of The Seas as lighting tech and now I’m going back to Chicago to tour =)

    posted by Ignacio on 9-28-2007 at 6:20 pm

26. I spent a summer in London and a week in Cambridge studying Forensic Anthropology and Human Identification. My best memories stem from the opportunities we had through our classes – visiting several pathology museums, studying skeletal remains at the Duckworth Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, guest lectures by world renowned forensic anthropologists, etc.

    I didn’t like the city of London for a variety of reasons, but I loved Cambridge and spent an amazing long weekend in Paris.

    posted by Alexandra on 9-28-2007 at 9:56 pm

27. I’m actually studying abroad right now, in Shanghai. Only been here for a little over a month, but the city is growing on me (and my Mandarin is getting better every day). I have a bunch of memories already, but I think I need a little more time here to be sure of the best ones! :)

    So far I’m here until December, but if I get the chance to stay longer I probably will. Then again, I’m also planning to go to South Africa over the summer to study, so maybe I should just give my passport a little time to relax between jaunts.

    posted by Julia on 9-28-2007 at 10:58 pm

28. I actually am currently fully enrolled as a student at Melbourne Business School (getting my MBA) in Melbourne, Australia. I just started 6 weeks ago (I am from Washington DC), and I can truly say Australia is everything I hoped it would be. I would totally advocate for any kind of study abroad program, but going to school full time in another country is amazing as well!

    posted by Lindsey on 9-29-2007 at 3:58 am

29. I went to Vienna for 4 months. It was the best thing ever.

    My best statement ever is this: The one and only time I played the game of Magic, it was on a boat/hotel in Budapest.

    We also got to sit on the stage while the Vienna symphony orchestra played.

    posted by Becky Travis on 9-29-2007 at 12:02 pm

30. off topic a bit but in reply to thomas, there is an ‘old zealand’, new zealand was named after Zeeland – currently a province of the Netherlands. This was because NZ was discovered by a Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman. Check out Zeeland on Wiki for more info.

    posted by Ruth on 9-29-2007 at 8:38 pm

31. I studied at the University of Glamorgan in Wales. My favorite memories involve learning about Wales’ castles, and visiting my husband’s old neighbors in Belgium. I liked it so much I now work in the Study Abroad field! I’m kind of a lackey, but at least I get to share my experiences and hear others’ tales. Plus, I’m going to Italy for work this weekend so of course that’ll be exciting!

    posted by Phoebe on 10-1-2007 at 11:01 am

32. I’m currently studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan! I’m at Kanda University of International Studies, actually in Chiba, and loving it. I’m actually a Church Music major but I’ve studied Japanese for 5 years and love it, so I’m here just because. I came across this website just today (Tuesday local time) and saw this! Love it!! :)

    posted by Ashley on 10-2-2007 at 4:12 am

33. I know I’m a little late adding to this, but I went on the same trip Alexandra did (what year did you go?!?) and was shocked to see my trip already listed! (Go Dr. Fenton and Dr. Sauer!) I also studied teaching in Sydney the same summer. It was the most amazing (expensive…exhausting…) summer of my life and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

    posted by sara on 10-15-2007 at 8:06 pm

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