Smeal Study Abroad Alumni
Smeal students study abroad in many programs and countries. Their stories, advice, and cultural insight are a great resource for prospective study abroad students.
Are you a Smeal study abroad alumni? Share your stories and find out about upcoming events on the Smeal Abroad Alumni website.
Africa -- The Americas -- Asia -- Australia/New Zealand -- Europe -- International Internships
| Country/City |
Representatives |
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| Africa | ||
| Morocco (& France) |
Rayna Klingensmith Aix-en-Provence: Discover Paris, the south of France and Morocco, Summer 2018 We got a chance to visit Marrakech, Morocco with our program. We got to go to a local village and help prepare a meal, as well as ride camels!
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| Chile |
Mahala Meinen IES: Santiago Internship Program, Summer 2017
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| Asia | ||
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| China |
Constance (Yangguang) Yin International student from China In Moscow, Russia, we cooked traditional Russian meals together. They looked bad but tasted great! |
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| Japan |
YuShi Hou IES: Tokyo, Summer 2018 This summer I participated in IES Tokyo Summer study abroad program. During the program, I was able to spend three days with a local Japanese family. When I knew that the father of the host family is a Japanese monk, I was a little bit freak out. I knew nothing about Japanese religions, and thus I was worried about how I should behave in the family. What if I offend them unintentionally? But the truth is that the family members are really nice. They taught me about Japanese culture, religions, and why Japanese monks can get married. They also showed me how to cook Yakisoba, which is Japanese style fried noodles. On the second day, I taught them how to cook Chinese food, and we prepared dinner together. This is an amazing experience for me. I get to know traditional Japanese families' routine, their cultures, and food. I had chances to practice my Japanese speaking as well. I still keep in touch with them. I believe this friendship can last forever. |
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| Japan |
Chen-Ting Hsiao IES: Tokyo, Summer 2019 I was born in Taiwan but I grew up in Singapore. When I was studying abroad in Tokyo during the Summer, I was able to interact with many Japanese locals that were studying English to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics. They would teach me some Japanese and I would teach them some English. It is a wonderful experience as I got the chance to interact with people from other cultures and learn more about them. It is what I love doing. |
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| Australia & New Zealand | ||
| Europe | ||
| Various |
Lucrezia Pulcini CIEE: Global Institutes (Madrid/Paris/Paris) Spring 2019 While in Paris I learned about Fashion and Business and was able to do an internship with a small local company |
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| Denmark |
Alice Lehr DIS: Copenhagen, Study in Copenhagen, Spring 2019 I traveled to Poland for a week with my Positive Psychology Core Course in order to broaden our knowledge and perspective on various Positive Psychology Topics. |
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| France |
Bridget Horan Aix-en-Provence: Business at IAU College, Summer 2019 I visited a Virtual Reality Art Exhibit in Barcelona! |
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| Germany |
Alex Palmer IES: Freiburg, Language and Area Studies, Spring 2019 I actually got to teach English in a German Gymnasium (5th-12th grade) for three months of my program, with classes ranging from 7th-11th grade. Including one class where I was a partial Substitute teacher, where I was able to make my own curriculum and tailor an education about America to the students. |
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Italy |
Libby Kwon Florence: The World of Business and Italian Culture, Summer 2018 It was a food lover's dream. I took cooking classes, went on class field trips to wineries in Tuscany, ate gelato almost every night, tried the best pizza restaurants around the city, and – not surprisingly – ended up gaining 7 pounds in 6 weeks! |
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Italy |
Kieran Shiffler Florence: The World of Business and Italian Culture, Summer 2019 I went zip-lining across mountains and lakes in Croatia! |
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Italy |
Andrew Erb Florence: Old World Innovations and Modern Business Systems, Maymester 2019 I took a cooking class while in Florence, Italy and gained a greater appreciation for Italian cuisine. |
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Italy |
Tanushree Branibrata Lahiry IES: Siena, The Business & Economics of Food and Wine, Spring 2018 Three months in Siena, Italy, taught me that a soy cappuccino is best enjoyed in a ceramic cup on the bar while talking to the barista. Every morning as I entered the local café, Giovanni - the barista poured me a small glass of water, laid down freshly made chocolate pastry and started dancing in front of the espresso machine to make me a soy cappuccino. He knew exactly what I wanted. We did not speak the same language but during those coffee sessions, I learned more about coffee, wine, liquor, food, history, and Italy than I could have ever imagined. When I was leaving Siena, I gifted Giovanni a Chianti wine and he said, "I will wait for you to open this bottle, it was a pleasure serving you!" |
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| Netherlands |
Jack Dunphy CES: Maastricht University, Spring 2019 I had the amazing opportunity to study in the small city of Maastricht, Netherlands. The city, home to about 120,000 people, is truly one of the most spectacular places I have ever been to. Many people equate living in Maastricht to "living in a postcard" and I can say that it is even better. Not only is the city amazing, but the programs that are offered at Maastricht University force you to interact with people from all over the world and I guarantee you will leave with lifelong friends from all parts of the globe! |
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| Spain |
Kat Chornak Ronda, Spain: Spanish Language and Culture, Summer 2018 I lived with a host mom who didn't speak any English, and learned how to cook lots of authentic Spanish food! |
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| Spain |
Celeste Fernandes IES: Madrid, Language and Area Studies, Spring 2019 I was able to take a theater class all in Spanish! We practiced various exercises and analyzed important plays throughout Spain's history. I ended the semester by performing a play with my classmates in front of the school, all in Spanish! |
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| Spain |
Elliot Solomon UVA in Valencia, Spring 2018 Near the beginning of my semester abroad, I left my phone in my host home and walked around the city for a few hours with a friend. Beforehand we had some general ideas of things we wanted to see. More importantly, we wanted to get a feel for the city without the need for GPS. It was a lot of fun and it helped me learn my way around the city early on in the program which was really helpful the rest of the semester. |
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| Spain |
Erin Sheets CIEE: Alicante, Language and Culture, Spring 2018 I was able to go see Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain. |
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| Spain |
Alessandra Auster CIEE: Seville, International Business & Culture, Spring 2019 I absolutely fell in love with the little city of Sevilla, with its colorful tiles and tiny, confusing streets - (I recommend finding a friend who is good at directions)! There, I lived with the most amazing Spanish host-mom, and on our program's trip to Morocco, we stayed with another welcoming family that didn't speak English. We took a ferry from Sevilla to Morocco (after hours of thinking the trip would get cancelled due to rough waters), rode camels, participated in the topless hammam baths, had conversations with local students and a family in the mountains, and I got sung to "Happy Birthday" in Arabic since I turned 21 during our last night there. It was especially cool to be in Sevilla during the Spring to celebrate Semana Santa and La Feria. After visiting numerous countries and cities, Sevilla still has my heart. |
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| Spain |
Jake Walter IES: Madrid, Summer 2019 By the end of my study abroad, my roommates and I mastered making a typical Spanish dish - tortilla de patatas. |
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| Spain |
Emily Lundy CIEE: Seville, Summer 2019 I was lucky enough to live in the beautiful Seville, Spain for two months this past summer. One of the most memorable parts of my experience abroad was getting the opportunity to visit four different cities in Morocco, Africa. While on the way back, our bus driver drove to the top of the mountain giving us the most incredible view of the Gibraltar Strait. Being able to see Africa and Spain at the same time was something I will never forget and one of the most beautiful views I have ever been able to see. Traveling throughout Europe taught me a lot about perspective and culture and I look forward to going back. |
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| United Kingdom |
Nicklas Foster Arcadia: London, University of Westminster, Spring 2018 During my time at the University of Westminster in London, I was able to play on the University's Futsal Team. This afforded me the opportunity to truly make great local friends. The team was diverse in ethnicity and culture which allowed me to gain a wide variety of perspective. Moreover, I was able to spend time outside of school and Futsal with my teammates which helped grow lifelong friendships. I made fantastic memories and even better friends during my time in London! |
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| International Internships | ||
| Chile |
Mahala Meinen IES: Santiago Internship Program, Summer 2017 |
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| Ireland |
Elizabeth Gladu IES: Dublin, Internship Program, Summer 2019 One thing I learned is that tea is extremely popular in Ireland. I would drink about 3 cups a day while I was at work. I find myself still drinking it just as often at school now. |
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