International Intentionality
Anisha Selvan ’25, Mechanical Engineering
Copenhagen, Denmark; January-June 2024
I could share so many compelling stories from my study abroad experience—immersion in the Danish language and culture, weekend trips to Spain and Morocco, clarity in my career goals and café-hopping in pursuit of Danish “hygge” were just a few highlights. But one aspect of impact came after the trip, when I realized I’d have to work hard to maintain my new international friendships that formed so effortlessly across the world.
Now, I sometimes wake up at 7 a.m. on a Saturday just to call my friends before they go to sleep on the other side of the globe. I may not be in Denmark, but the relationships I built there will still be in my heart as long as I’m intentional about keeping them.
Remodeling for the Medicis
Christina Albers ’23 ’26, Architecture
Florence, Italy; January-May 2023
Italy, the birthplace of architecture, is a dream destination for any architecture student. I had always imagined seeing the ancient buildings I’d studied in class right before my eyes and sketching famous paintings with other architects-turned-artists in museums. However, the most striking part was experiencing the Italian approach to architecture. In America, we demolish a building to construct something new in its place; in Italy, they renovate their old buildings to create something fresh.
Our final project was to redesign one of the Medici family’s villas as a museum, and it was incredible to imagine integrating such a rich history into a modern building. This international experience led me to pursue a certificate in historical preservation, and I hope to bring an appreciation for the ancient into everyday architecture across the world!
Feeling Like a Freshman Again
Matthew Isbell ’25, Supply Chain Management
Prague, Czech Republic; February-May 2024
I consider myself a pretty personable guy, but for some reason, I couldn’t convince any of my friends to come on a study abroad trip with me! I even made sure to pick a program that wasn’t during football season, but to no avail. I had to swallow my nerves and head out to the Czech Republic to study at Prague University alone. It made me feel like a freshman all over again, out of my comfort zone and eager to make new friends.
Just like my freshman year, though, I quickly realized there was no need to be nervous. Right from the beginning, I lucked out with my roommate. He was from England, but he coincidentally shared a room with my friend from high school the semester prior when that friend was on a similar study abroad trip. From there, I made friends with a group of international students, including local students from the Czech Republic, other Americans, and kids from other countries in Europe and even New Zealand. At the program’s end, I had a global group of friends I never would have met otherwise. Although I was nervous to start out, the experience taught me it was okay to be a “freshman” in a new situation again, and no matter where I find myself in the future, I’ll be just fine.
Communication Across Language Barriers and Bakeries
Kylie Hyde ’26, Communication and Spanish
Seville, Spain; January-May 2024
On my study abroad trip, I learned how to be adaptable, and I became very comfortable being uncomfortable! For example, one day I wandered into a bakery after class, not knowing it was a Portuguese bakery. I was studying abroad in Spain to learn Spanish (not Portuguese), and I didn’t have my phone with me to help translate. However, the two languages have a lot of similarities, and the shared cultures and mannerisms acted as a bridge where vocabulary failed. We had a 10-minute conversation with the server talking in Portuguese and me responding in Spanish—and it all worked out for my order!
