Going global - an intense growth opportunity
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Study Abroad. Years ago it was the stuff dreams were made of and little more, but those days are over. Today Study Abroad is a part of LC's Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan PDF ; Strategic Priority C) and one of the College's hottest programs. Amanda D'Arcy, Derrick VanLeer, and Jon Jerrild can vouch for that heat and excitement - they're fresh off a fall semester abroad: Amanda to Costa Rica, Derrick to Spain, and Jon to Austria. "We're seeing a steady increase in student numbers," says Christian Wilwhol, LC's Off Campus Studies Coordinator for International Programs. "This semester we've got students all over the world, from Austrialia and Spain to Panama, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, and the list is growing." For Amanda, a junior International Relations major with a double minor in Spanish and environmental studies, Latin America has been her academic focus, making Costa Rica a natural choice. "I‘ve always had a desire to see new places and this trip combined all my interests in one setting." Amanda attended Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica, living with her host “mother” and two other international students. She spent time in Panama and Nicaragua, and got a close look at the politics of the coffee industry. “Between the pressures to produce the crop, the pesticides used and resulting health consequences, the big money generated, and the damage to the environment, it was a real eye opener.” Derrick, a senior, spent the fall with a host family in Madrid while attending Universidad Complutense. Spain fit well with his double major of Graphic Design and Spanish, plus he had already been there. "I had the opportunity to visit Spain on a short study abroad trip in my freshman year. It was my first time out of the country and I was hooked. When I came back I declared Spanish as a second major began dreaming of an entire semester abroad. Working with Christian (Wilwohl), we found a program that fit both my majors and was affordable." While taking five classes, Derrick made new friends from Brazil, Germany, and Italy, and also "found a great church near my home with many more new friends." He also made time for getaways to Italy and Belgium. "It was fascinating seeing how people in other countries relate to Americans." After a Christmas break trip to London as a freshman, Jon knew he wanted to travel more. A junior, majoring in Finance Economics, he decided on Austria because of its ties to business and finance. He attended the University of Applied Sciences at Fachhochschule Vorarlberg in Dornbirn, Austria, "a 20 minute walk from Germany, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein." Jon lived in a brand new dorm with 35 other international students and a South Korean roommate. "Not only did I have to step up and learn a new culture, I got a whole new perspective on America, especially regarding Obama's candidacy - most people loved him." Jon also got a lot of exercise while biking and hiking the area, plus found time to travel to Germany, France, and the Alps for some skiing. Amanda, Derrick, and Jon all came back to LC as changed people. "It's hard to describe," Jon said, "you get a broader view of life as your reference point; it changed me for the better in many small, subtle ways." Derrick adds "I gained my independence and had my eyes opened to many different life perspectives - it was a great growth opportunity." Amanda is already planning to return to Costa Rica after graduation. "It helped me put all of my interests together to propel me to what I want to do next. " To get a closer look at the study abroad world, check out the blogs all three kept while overseas: Amanda - http://www.lynchburg.edu/amanda Derrick - http://www.lynchburg.edu/derrick |
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