Majors:

Supply Chain Management & Marketing

Location📍:

Madrid, Spain

“One of my favorite customs in Spain is the culture of enjoying long meals. Lunches and dinners frequently last 1.5-2 hours, which I have grown to enjoy as it allows great conversation and focusing on loved ones and leisure, common values in Spain”.

“I believe my study abroad experience has made me a more well-rounded individual with a better perspective on the lives of people outside of the US. I think my study abroad trip has fueled my passions for travel and learning languages, which I hope to integrate into hobbies.”

“In soccer, instead of cheering after a great play is made, they cheer for the team to make a great play. (They chant the entire match)”

“”It’s really made me more proud of who I am and where I come from, and shown me that living passionately will naturally make you happy. “

“Don’t be scared to go for it. Everyone else in these programs is in the same situation as you - in a foreign country without any friends yet. Everyone has their own story of why they’re there, want they want out of their experience, and so do you. Be proud of who you are, where you come from, and what you want for yourself. It’s normal to feel scared for the first couple of weeks, it’s all part of building your character. Spend time to connect with your new city and friends, in whatever way possible. Good times will come. Bad times will come, too. Life is short so own your experience.”

Major:

Information Systems & Marketing

Location📍:

Barcelona, Spain

“Barcelona, Spain became my home away from home as a place that I gained a deep appreciation and understanding of. My favorite part of studying abroad was experiencing the culture and feeling as this city was apart of who I have become now.”

“An experience that has made me feel most a part of the city that I am studying in is taking the time to relax and take in the moment at stunning sights around Barcelona, such as the Bunkers Del Carmel where you can see the entire city of Barcelona that is especially beautiful at sunset. The view never gets old and I am thankful for the fact that I have learned how to take the time to take things in, which is something I hope to continue in my post abroad life. “

“The most memorable things in relation to traditions that I have learned about in my abroad location is the Holy Week known as Semana Santa! I got to experience this holiday in Sevilla and Granada because these locations are known to be a wonderful place to understand how this week of tradition has been celebrated for years. The religion is closely tied to the government in Spain, but this was by far the tradition that stood out to me the most when traveling around my host country of Spain! “

Major:

Marketing & International Business

Location📍:

Barcelona, Spain

“Tapas!! But especially patatas bravas and pan con tomate”

“Art + Culture in Spain and Catalonia. It doesn’t even feel like a class because it’s so interesting and helpful to learn about different Spanish traditions and artists every week!”

“I was able to travel to Greece for spring break which is something I have dreamed of doing forever!! It felt so unreal and was so beautiful “

Major:

Supply Chain Management & Marketing

Location📍:

Madrid, Spain

“Organizational behavior with Professor Zapata! He is incredible, and I love learning more about the way businesses function and how I can become a better leader.”

“I would absolutely recommend doing lots of research on your host country. Although it may be time-consuming, you can never be too prepared to study abroad, and there are so many little tips and tricks that you should know prior to your adventure. Also, make sure to brush up on the language that is spoken in your host country if you learned it in the past or in high school! If you have never spoken the language before, it can also be helpful to simply practice a few common words and phrases.”

“Studying abroad has truly allowed me to grow as an individual in ways I would never have expected. Through this experience, I feel so much more confident in my ability to figure out tough problems and be resourceful when times are tough. When traveling, things are bound to go wrong. However, your ability to react in an intelligent way is a powerful skill that you will develop abroad.”

Major:

Marketing & Information Systems

Location📍:

Barcelona, Spain

“My best piece of advice is to soak it all in. You might encounter culture shocks and differences from home, but make an effort to appreciate and learn from them. Embrace as much as you can—yes, explore the touristy stuff, but also venture into local places like restaurants and activities that locals do.”

“Studying abroad was a rewarding challenge that exposed me to new ways of thinking and living. It made me more open-minded and adaptable, pushing me to try new things like living in a different country and making new friends. It took me out of my comfort zone as I navigated a new education system and countries, and people from diverse backgrounds.”

“Living with a host family allowed me to absorb the culture firsthand and adapt to Barcelona. Many students are apprehensive about this experience abroad, but I had a wonderful time and would choose it again. I'm grateful for their support and companionship.”

Major:

Supply Chain Management & Information Systems

Location📍:

Oslo, Norway

“Don't fear going alone, consider unconventional destinations, and initially give things time to settle, and stick to your destination :) Popular destinations may be attractive, but unconventional destinations can be life-changing!”

“It has taught me to be okay to not be okay! Pushed me way outside my comfort zone, and has showed me both aspects of life. I feel changed as a person both personally and professionally. Have gotten to know myself better and most importantly had ample time to spend with myself.”

“Being in Norway, seeing the Northern lights was a lifetime dream come true kind of experience. It's unreal. I did not only see it once, twice, but thrice!! I had a friend from the IIVP program who came down to Oslo to visit me, and we went to Tromsø, Norway together to see the lights!”

Major:

Accountancy & Information Systems

Location📍:

Barcelona, Spain

“My favorite class that I took while abroad was "Digital Communications". This was a class where we went in depth about how different companies used social media and the internet to become successful. I got to learn about Glossier, Nike, Iceland, and more. It was more marketing focused, so it was different from my typical accounting and information systems courses. I learned a lot while also being able to apply the course knowledge to everyday companies.”

“I recommend for students to go out of their comfort zone. In the school that I was in, there were lots of American Exchange students, but also people from a variety of other countries. It is so easy to only stick to what you know and to lean towards befriending Americans, but it is also important to try to make friends from different places. It is so interesting and fun to see how alike and different their perspectives and lives are from yours. It also helps you gain more knowledge on the world and even gives you international friends to keep in touch with in the future.”

“I really do believe that the memories and friends that I made will stay with me long-term. It is hard to imagine not being close to certain people as we shared so many experiences and they are such an important part of my life now. With that being said, I also think that being abroad changed me as a person. Before I left, I feel that I was in a bubble and was only ever exposed to people who lived similar lives to me. Now, I have a better understanding of different parts of the world and have gained a level of independence that would have been difficult to find had I not gone abroad.”

Major:

Marketing & Information Systems

Location📍:

Milan, Italy

“My advice for people considering going abroad is to take the leap of faith and go somewhere new! There are so many different countries to explore and you will learn so much about yourself and the world around you through this experience. It is hard leaving such a familiar environment but it is such a rewarding experience- you’ll make new friends, try delicious food, see beautiful sights, and create tons of memories through unique adventures. There is no better time to travel the world!”

“Although I've eaten a lot of delicious pizza and pasta as I am studying in Italy, my favorite food has been Austrian Kaiserschmarrn. Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional dessert that consists of a shredded pancake with plum sauce. I highly recommend trying it!“

“My favorite sight so far has been seeing St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City -it is very grand and elegant. I also attended Palm Sunday Mass led by Pope Francis and loved this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”