| Going
Bravely Abroad
by
Robyn Tellefsen
When
Rachel Smith decided to spend the spring semester
of her freshman year in Burgos, Spain, she had
no idea that war would break out between the United
States and Iraq. She just wanted to take advantage
of the freshman semester abroad program at Purchase
College State University of New York (Purchase,
NY) to enhance her photography/visual arts major
through coursework offered in Spain.
"Nothing
was wrong before I left, but by mid-February,
my Culture and Society professor was talking about
President Bush deciding whether or not to declare
war," recalls Rachel. "Before we knew
it, the war was on."
While
there was some talk about students being sent
back to the United States, many had no desire
to leave.
| Keely
took a weekend excursion to Barcelona. |
 |
"We
lived in a smaller city, so it was pretty unlikely
that any kind of commotion would hit us personally,"
explains Keely Quinn, a Purchase sophomore who
spent last year in Spain. "I never felt threatened
as an American."
In
the Thick of Things
In fact, being overseas in wartime provided students
with a unique political perspective.
"It was strange to be looking in at the United
States while something so important was happening,"
reports Keely. "But I'm glad I was where
I was. I was getting my news from a very different
type of media, so I saw things I might not have
seen had I been watching CNN."
Rachel
has similar feelings. "It was an extra powerful
and moving experience," she shares. "Normally,
you don't get to see how other countries react."
Post-War
Veterans
While Rachel and Keely didn't know they'd be overseas
in such a volatile international climate, travel
fellowship winners from Moore College of Art &
Design (Philadelphia, PA) went abroad this summer
with their eyes wide open.
Pauline
Mariano, a senior two-dimensional fine arts major
and photography minor, traveled to the Czech Republic
and Slovakia to study the art and culture of her
Slavic heritage.
It
turns out she had nothing to fear. "I felt
very safe traveling there," she says. "Most
people I spoke with were warm and receptive, and
they didn't seem to dislike Americans. I didn't
feel any animosity or prejudice."
| Janell
is grateful for her fellowship to Germany. |
| |
Janell
Wysock, a senior textile design major, had a positive
experience as well. After staying with a Mennonite
family in rural Pennsylvania for three weeks,
she spent a month in Germany teaching papermaking
to fourth graders and observing contrasts between
the two societies.
"If
anything, people were just interested in me and
wanted to talk to me. They were very open-minded,"
assures Janell. "Europeans are naturally
more worldly because they're surrounded by other
countries, so they have to think beyond their
home, their community, their state."
A
New Wave of Travelers
With brave adventurers like these paving the way,
new Purchase students
Ian Boyle and LeAnna Ficano have no qualms about
spending their fall semester in Spain.
|
Being
overseas in wartime provided students with
a unique political perspective. |
"There's
not much to be afraid of," insists Ian. "I
was a mile away from the World Trade Center when
it collapsed." As a fellow New Yorker, LeAnna
agrees. "I feel safer [overseas] -- it's
nice to get away from all this."
They're
not alone in their fearlessness, either. According
to a survey conducted by AHA International, an
organization that provides college study abroad
opportunities, and StudyAbroad.com, students stating
that safety is very important for studying abroad
have declined from 54 percent in 2001 to 47 percent
in 2003. In addition, Open Doors 2002, the annual
report issued by the Institute of International
Education, revealed that studying abroad has increased
55 percent since 1997.
| Rachel
(second from left) is flanked by friends
in Spain.
|
| |
The
Bottom Line
If you're thinking about studying abroad, Rachel
urges you to learn more about the area you'll
be visiting than just its geography. "Before
you go, do some background research on its politics,"
she advises. "That prepared me a little better."
Overall,
students say they wouldn't let the political climate
stop them from experiencing the world outside
the United States.
"I
can't let it keep me from what I want and need
to do," emphasizes Pauline. "I want
to experience as much as I can."
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