I’ve always been a big dreamer, and ever since freshman year, traveling abroad with the Abbey program has been one of those big dreams. But after freshman year as a theatre major, I came back to “reality” (as my mother called it) and changed my major from something that I love— theatre -- to something that I’d like and make a living at. Switching my major to interior design really threw off the four year plans that I’d made when I started college, and because I’d already be behind in the design program, I made the decision to write The Abbey out of my four-year itinerary. Sophomore year began and I gave Interior Design all my effort. I loved it, and I wasn’t half bad either. I was excited for the next few years in the program. Then I met Dr. Mackaman. It wasn’t a typical “Study Abroad Informational Session,” at least I didn’t think it was. He came to my Business and Professional Speaking class as a “guest speaker” that we were assigned to analyze. When he introduced himself and explained that he was going to speak to us about The Abbey Program, the dreams of studying abroad rushed to the front of my mind. But knowing that it wasn’t practical or “realistic,” I pushed the dreams aside and pulled out a piece of paper so I could jot down notes about his presentation.
“Passionate. Emphatic. Uses his hands a lot.” These were all things that I wrote during his presentation. While I was trying desperately to focus on the assignment at hand, I couldn’t help but to feel compelled to have the experience that Dr. Mackaman was describing to the class. Eventually, I stopped taking notes and started listening. Really listening. Not so much to Dr. Mackaman’s description of Paris Week or Normandy, but listening to what I really wanted and what having that would mean. “Jordan, you can’t leave for a semester. A. You don’t have eight thousand dollars. B. You have responsibilities here in the States. And C. You will have to be in school two extra semesters to make up for what you’d miss.” I kept trying to talk myself out of the ridiculous idea that studying abroad for a whole semester was financially and academically justifiable. Then there came the emotional aspect of things: “How are you going to be away from your family for 3 months?? Are things going to be the same with everyone when you get back?? What if Maw Maw dies? You’d never forgive yourself for not being here.” All of these things, as trivial as they may seem, were troubling me for several days after Professor Mackaman’s presentation. I thought and prayed about it and made the decision to just do it. I paid the deposit on the program without even hinting anything to my parents, and then started applying for scholarships and working with financial aid. Everything started falling together. Except for one little detail; I hadn’t exactly told my parents. About a month after I paid the deposit, I invited them up to Hattiesburg and took them out to dinner. As smoothly as I possibly could, I said, “Mom, Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.” The looks on my parents faces read, “I’m gonna kill whatever boy got her pregnant” and “Dear God, where’s the tattoo?” I told them that I’d be spending the Spring semester studying in France (knowing asking for permission would’ve led to a big, fat "NO"), and they didn’t take it well. At all. But I knew they’d eventually come around, or at least I hoped so.
The week leading up to February 12th is still a little fuzzy. I remember being alarmingly calm about the fact that I was about to move to a foreign country for three months. I packed (not well, might I add) and then at 3:30 AM on February 12th, left for the airport. That’s when it hit me. “I’m really doing this.” When I got past security, I lost it. I was really leaving everything that I knew and loved behind for some ridiculous escapade in France. What an idiot. At this point, Charlotte, full of compassion, called me “cry pants” and threw a travel-size pack of tissues at me. We spent six dreadful hours in the Houston Airport, where I gave considerable thought to jumping a plane back home. At this point, I was pushing my comfort zone. In the past, dreaming big things had been easy and comfortable. But reaching those dreams? Frightening.
When we were told we’d be meeting with Dr. Mackaman about our “Vision Quests,” I had absolutely no idea what mine would be (mostly because I didn’t understand the concept.) When we were talking, much of what I said was “I’d love to dot dot dot, but I’m not really comfortable doing that.” We both came to the conclusion that stepping outside of my comfort zone was clearly going to be a task for me over the next couple of months.
Where as many people may have completed their vision quests over spring break, mine was/ has been a much more gradual process. Once I became comfortable here, I fell in love with France and all of Europe really. I began to step out of my comfort zone little by little, and I loved feeling so empowered. Because I loved it so much, I just knew I’d come back. “I could make a living over here,” I told myself. I was convinced that my heart belonged in Europe. I even told my mother that I was moving to France and possibly going to grad school in Paris. She took that news just about as well as she took my coming on the Abbey. I love my family, but didn’t really miss home. I was made for Europe, I thought. I thought I was so grown up.
When we set off for Paris Week, I was really excited and anxious to see all kinds of different places and excited to prove that I could live on my own (without my Abbey family) for a period of time. When Spring Break started, I was ready. Annah, Nathan, and I headed to Barcelona. After several days in Barcelona, Annah and I met up with Jenny and Elizabeth in Rome. After Rome came Florence. Then Vicenza, Venice, and Verona. Then back to the Abbey.
My spring break was definitely one to remember. It was full of laughter, tears, and special moments shared between now inseparable friends.
But looking back on Spring Break, and my time at the abbey, more than the beautiful scenery, attractive men, incredible instructors, and fun nights with friends, I’ll remember how much I learned—about myself and about life. Without testing friendships, I never would’ve learned how strong they truly are. I’ve learned to always seize the moment. I’ve realized how much you can learn if you stop talking and start listening. I know now that I need to stop taking myself so seriously and start believing in myself more. I know that I’m capable of anything I put my mind to and the dreams that I’ve had for so long don’t have to remain dreams forever. They have the possibility to become reality—Just like The Abbey. I’ve also learned that no matter what the future holds, whether it be singing and dancing my way onto Broadway, having my own design show on HGTV, or living my life in a small town, I’ll be happy and able to flourish as long as I’m with the people I love.
I never would have thought before coming on this trip that I’d be able to accomplish the things that I have. Coming here has impacted my life so drastically, and I can sincerely say that I will never be the same. This ancient Abbey will always hold a special place in my heart, as will each and every one of you here. We’ve all experienced something very special and almost magical, something I can never ever forget.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Jennifer Lamb discusses Caribbean and Belize Studies
The International Studies Program at USM has a study-abroad program suited to the needs of each individual. I wanted to study-abroad in college, but I could not justify spending an entire semester at another university that might not offer the specific science courses I both needed and wanted to take. Fortunately, International Programs offered a 15-day course in marine biology in Jamaica. I enrolled and was in Jamaica during May of my freshman year.
While in Jamaica, I was enveloped not only by what I was studying, but also by the local cultures and their relationships with the marine environment. We spent almost every day exploring a different marine ecosystem, including sea-grass beds, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. When we got back to the hotel at night, we poured through our field guides to identify what we had seen earlier that day. We also spent time talking to locals about the coral reefs and their nation’s environmental practices. While on land, we visited local markets, the Bob Marley Museum, environmental agencies, and other fascinating areas. Because we were in Jamaica for only 15 days, our schedule was packed with activities; but we did have a few nights to ourselves. One night, a few of us went to the Luminous Lagoon, a small body of water full of microscopic, bioluminescent dinoflagellates. As we swam in the water, every movement we made was lit up by the light produced by the tiny organisms.
As previously mentioned, the study abroad office has the right opportunity to match anyone’s needs; and marine biology is not the only course offered in Jamaica. However, if you are looking for a different study-abroad opportunity that will still allow you to delve into the biology of another country, you should consider the tropical ecology course offered in Belize by Dr. Aimee Thomas. I am currently enrolled in this course, an 8-week upper-level biology course for which the lecture takes place during the second half of the spring semester. The lectures are our crash-course in the ecology of Belize, and the trip to Belize, we leave on May 15th and return on May 31st, will allow us to apply what we have learned. We will spend part of our trip exploring Maya ruins in Guatemala, in a Maya village in southern Belize, and on Glovers Island off of the coast of Belize. Tropical forests, mangrove forests, and coral reefs area few of the many ecosystems we will experience.
Preparing for the trip to Belize requires creativity and attention to detail. Everything we take with us we will be carrying throughout our journey, so efficient packing is absolutely necessary. Dr. Thomas has provided us with a “wish-list” of items that other students took on or needed during the trip, one of the noticeable items being Boudreaux Butt Paste, which, apparently, is the best way to treat heat-rash.
I expect the trip to Belize to surpass the trip to Jamaica, simply because it more closely matches my specific area of study. If you have heard about one program, but you don’t think that it is “the one” for you, keep looking! There is a study-abroad program that matches your interests, schedule, and bank account.
While in Jamaica, I was enveloped not only by what I was studying, but also by the local cultures and their relationships with the marine environment. We spent almost every day exploring a different marine ecosystem, including sea-grass beds, mangrove forests, and coral reefs. When we got back to the hotel at night, we poured through our field guides to identify what we had seen earlier that day. We also spent time talking to locals about the coral reefs and their nation’s environmental practices. While on land, we visited local markets, the Bob Marley Museum, environmental agencies, and other fascinating areas. Because we were in Jamaica for only 15 days, our schedule was packed with activities; but we did have a few nights to ourselves. One night, a few of us went to the Luminous Lagoon, a small body of water full of microscopic, bioluminescent dinoflagellates. As we swam in the water, every movement we made was lit up by the light produced by the tiny organisms.
As previously mentioned, the study abroad office has the right opportunity to match anyone’s needs; and marine biology is not the only course offered in Jamaica. However, if you are looking for a different study-abroad opportunity that will still allow you to delve into the biology of another country, you should consider the tropical ecology course offered in Belize by Dr. Aimee Thomas. I am currently enrolled in this course, an 8-week upper-level biology course for which the lecture takes place during the second half of the spring semester. The lectures are our crash-course in the ecology of Belize, and the trip to Belize, we leave on May 15th and return on May 31st, will allow us to apply what we have learned. We will spend part of our trip exploring Maya ruins in Guatemala, in a Maya village in southern Belize, and on Glovers Island off of the coast of Belize. Tropical forests, mangrove forests, and coral reefs area few of the many ecosystems we will experience.
Preparing for the trip to Belize requires creativity and attention to detail. Everything we take with us we will be carrying throughout our journey, so efficient packing is absolutely necessary. Dr. Thomas has provided us with a “wish-list” of items that other students took on or needed during the trip, one of the noticeable items being Boudreaux Butt Paste, which, apparently, is the best way to treat heat-rash.
I expect the trip to Belize to surpass the trip to Jamaica, simply because it more closely matches my specific area of study. If you have heard about one program, but you don’t think that it is “the one” for you, keep looking! There is a study-abroad program that matches your interests, schedule, and bank account.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Abbey 2010 Students Host "Ghost Walk" for town of Pontlevoy
The group of students currently living and studying at the Abbey of Pontlevoy hosted a "Ghost Walk" on Tuesday, April 20 for the town of Pontlevoy. They worked alongside local artist Pamela Moulton and other Pontelvoy enthusiasts to create costumes and choreograph the 8-location moving-homage to the legend of their town. Situated around the Abbey grounds, the "Ghost Walk" began at dusk and told the (bi-lingual) history of some of Pontlevoy's most haunting past. They presented the important characters of the Abbey's founding and sponsoring, Gueldoin and Richelieu. The Battle of Pontlevoy, the legend of Peter Minuit, Notre-Dame des Blanches and lesser-known stories of Pontlevoy tragedy were portrayed.
Everyone then walked through the town at night-fall, touting lanterns and their spooky, elaborate costumes and experienced the mystique of their surroundings. The audience thanked all those who helped to tell their town's stories. The event was wonderfully directed and executed and the proud town is eager to see what future generations of Abbey students will offer their gorgeous home.
To view pictures and read the town's story about the night, visit their website at: http://www.monpontlevoy.com/vos-initiatives.php.
Everyone then walked through the town at night-fall, touting lanterns and their spooky, elaborate costumes and experienced the mystique of their surroundings. The audience thanked all those who helped to tell their town's stories. The event was wonderfully directed and executed and the proud town is eager to see what future generations of Abbey students will offer their gorgeous home.
To view pictures and read the town's story about the night, visit their website at: http://www.monpontlevoy.com/vos-initiatives.php.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Coming soon!
I hope that you are enjoying the USM Peer Advisor Travel Tales blog! Expect some new travel posts very soon, some pictures of peer advisor adventures, as well as some travel blogs from students that are currently studying abroad! If you want to know more about how you can study abroad, visit our website at www.usm.edu/ip. Happy travels everyone!
Patrick Murray discusses what he loved most about his three months in Granada, Spain
My name is Patrick Murray and I participated on USM’s study abroad program to Granada, Spain. I spent three months living and learning in Spain and it was an amazing experience. I think the best way to show what study abroad can do for you, is by showing what it meant to me, a student just like you.
As a freshman I decided to participate in the three month-long Granada Semester Program for my fall semester, but as nervous and as excited as I was at that point, I never could have imagined the lasting effects such an adventure would have on me.
Having only one semester of Spanish pre-flight, I expected some difficulty communicating in the county, but the two initial Spanish courses quickly whipped my Spanish into fine working order. As soon as I arrived the food appeared strange and crazy at times, like ham flavored potato chips and cured ham sandwiches, but soon I learned what to order and how to order and since my return I have found myself craving Spanish cuisine. In fact, I enjoyed Spanish food so much that many of my favorite dishes are from my second home such as patatas a la pobre and the bocadillo de tortilla. Apart from the food, I was pleasantly surprised with the welcoming culture found in Granada and it being a college city, it was easy to have fun and meet people my own age.
Classes in Spain were some of my favorites. Having the opportunity to study art history in three of the biggest museums in Spain including the Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza museum, and the Reina Sofia in Madrid was one of the most enlightening weeks of my life so far. Also having the comparative religion class taught in Granada, a city know for its religious diversity and history, was far more interesting and memorable than some of my other core classes.
Apart from dozens of stories I tell far too often, memories I pray to never forget, and insight into a culture that is far from my own, I look back now at my adventure abroad with such admiration and pride in myself at having dared to leave my home and venture into a world unknown to me for three months and return a truly better person. No two adventures are the same, and now that you know some of what I received from my adventure abroad, just imagine what study abroad has to offer you!
Best Parts of Study Abroad
• every day is a new adventure, be it an excursion to the ruins of Cordoba, a weekend in Morocco, or a first encounter with a gypsy, everyday is an adventure with study abroad
• the people, being able to learn and experience a culture that is responsible for things like bullfights, the guitar, and poor potatoes is something few people can own up to (and something I would never give up)
• the language, actually communicating with someone that you could never have spoken to before your second language is an astounding thing
• the food, I would go back just for the food...the Spanish food...some of the Spanish food
• the growth, I entered the program a young student and returned three months later with a little more knowledge, a little more confidence, a little more independence, and a much better perspective of myself and the world.
As a freshman I decided to participate in the three month-long Granada Semester Program for my fall semester, but as nervous and as excited as I was at that point, I never could have imagined the lasting effects such an adventure would have on me.
Having only one semester of Spanish pre-flight, I expected some difficulty communicating in the county, but the two initial Spanish courses quickly whipped my Spanish into fine working order. As soon as I arrived the food appeared strange and crazy at times, like ham flavored potato chips and cured ham sandwiches, but soon I learned what to order and how to order and since my return I have found myself craving Spanish cuisine. In fact, I enjoyed Spanish food so much that many of my favorite dishes are from my second home such as patatas a la pobre and the bocadillo de tortilla. Apart from the food, I was pleasantly surprised with the welcoming culture found in Granada and it being a college city, it was easy to have fun and meet people my own age.
Classes in Spain were some of my favorites. Having the opportunity to study art history in three of the biggest museums in Spain including the Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza museum, and the Reina Sofia in Madrid was one of the most enlightening weeks of my life so far. Also having the comparative religion class taught in Granada, a city know for its religious diversity and history, was far more interesting and memorable than some of my other core classes.
Apart from dozens of stories I tell far too often, memories I pray to never forget, and insight into a culture that is far from my own, I look back now at my adventure abroad with such admiration and pride in myself at having dared to leave my home and venture into a world unknown to me for three months and return a truly better person. No two adventures are the same, and now that you know some of what I received from my adventure abroad, just imagine what study abroad has to offer you!
Best Parts of Study Abroad
• every day is a new adventure, be it an excursion to the ruins of Cordoba, a weekend in Morocco, or a first encounter with a gypsy, everyday is an adventure with study abroad
• the people, being able to learn and experience a culture that is responsible for things like bullfights, the guitar, and poor potatoes is something few people can own up to (and something I would never give up)
• the language, actually communicating with someone that you could never have spoken to before your second language is an astounding thing
• the food, I would go back just for the food...the Spanish food...some of the Spanish food
• the growth, I entered the program a young student and returned three months later with a little more knowledge, a little more confidence, a little more independence, and a much better perspective of myself and the world.
Kellis McSparrin Talks about the British Studies Program
Seeing the world, traveling to London, experiencing new, foreign things: these were all on my "life to-do list," and although they were dreams of mine, I really never thought they would actually happen. I was content with keeping them as long-lost dreams until one day during my junior year, when an International Studies representative came and talked to my class about studying abroad in London, England. The speaker spoke so passionately and sincerely about his experience abroad, and I could tell by the sound of his voice and the look on his face that his experience was life-changing. All I could think was, "I want to feel like that! I want to have that kind of experience!" I had always wanted to travel to the city where Shakespeare wrote his masterpieces, where Queen Elizabeth I ruled and changed a nation, where Peter Pan flew across Big Ben and the British skyline. London was in my reach, and maybe seeing the world didn't have to be a dream anymore...Maybe I could really make it happen and turn it into a reality.
After class, I immediately called my parents and told them that this was something I had to do. Something was telling me that this was an experience I could not let pass me by. Maybe it was London, maybe it was my dreams, or maybe it was the 8-year-old fearless explorer inside of me. Whatever it was, it was calling my name, telling me to travel to London and explore the amazing opportunities and self-discovery that awaited me there. I knew that I could survive the financial costs, the jet-lag, the homesickness and any other obstacle that came my way. I had made my decision and there was no turning back.
There is no way to describe my trip to London in a simple sentence, paragraph, or even novel! I could write for years trying to put the incredible experience into words, and I guess if I had to sum it up into one description, it would be life-changing, mind-blowing and absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most fantastic experiences of my life. That is not an exaggeration; it truly was a defining moment in my life. I can remember the day I got to London, and I was standing with my friends in total silence staring up at the magnificent clock face of Big Ben. That's when it hit me. I am really here. This is really happening.
The whirl-wind of a month that followed was one of the fastest, most amazing months of my life. I explored Elizabethan London with my English class. I visited the Globe Theater, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the British Parliament. I am a musical fanatic, and I got the opportunity to see five shows in London that were most definitely equivalent to the prestige of Broadway. I ate the most incredible food, met the most interesting people, walked across the River Thames almost daily, and I became a pro at navigating the Tube (London's subway system). Not only did I become totally immersed in London's culture, but I also had time to visit other places in Europe such as Paris, Scotland, Rome and Venice. By the end of the month abroad, I felt like I was a world traveler and most importantly like a British citizen- like London was my home.
Leaving London was a bittersweet experience, but I knew that I would be back someday. There is a legend that if you touch the lion statues in Trafalgar Square, then you will have to visit London again. Needless to say, I touched those lions almost daily! London opened my eyes to wonders of the world, and it helped me discover who I really am. It also helped me realize that I was more than capable of manning a big city all by myself. That is why I plan on moving to New York City after graduation; all because London helped me break free from my insecurities and showed me that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.
I wish there was a way that I could truly convey the amazing experiences that come from studying abroad, but I simply cannot put them into words. Therefore, whenever I am encouraging anyone to study abroad, I tell them to look at how my face lights up with overwhelming joy whenever the word "London" is mentioned. I tell them to listen to how my voice increases an octave with excitement and my eyes become wide with wonder whenever I'm trying to explain my experience in London. That is what truly reveals how much studying abroad meant to me and how much it changed my life.
After class, I immediately called my parents and told them that this was something I had to do. Something was telling me that this was an experience I could not let pass me by. Maybe it was London, maybe it was my dreams, or maybe it was the 8-year-old fearless explorer inside of me. Whatever it was, it was calling my name, telling me to travel to London and explore the amazing opportunities and self-discovery that awaited me there. I knew that I could survive the financial costs, the jet-lag, the homesickness and any other obstacle that came my way. I had made my decision and there was no turning back.
There is no way to describe my trip to London in a simple sentence, paragraph, or even novel! I could write for years trying to put the incredible experience into words, and I guess if I had to sum it up into one description, it would be life-changing, mind-blowing and absolutely, without a doubt, one of the most fantastic experiences of my life. That is not an exaggeration; it truly was a defining moment in my life. I can remember the day I got to London, and I was standing with my friends in total silence staring up at the magnificent clock face of Big Ben. That's when it hit me. I am really here. This is really happening.
The whirl-wind of a month that followed was one of the fastest, most amazing months of my life. I explored Elizabethan London with my English class. I visited the Globe Theater, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the British Parliament. I am a musical fanatic, and I got the opportunity to see five shows in London that were most definitely equivalent to the prestige of Broadway. I ate the most incredible food, met the most interesting people, walked across the River Thames almost daily, and I became a pro at navigating the Tube (London's subway system). Not only did I become totally immersed in London's culture, but I also had time to visit other places in Europe such as Paris, Scotland, Rome and Venice. By the end of the month abroad, I felt like I was a world traveler and most importantly like a British citizen- like London was my home.
Leaving London was a bittersweet experience, but I knew that I would be back someday. There is a legend that if you touch the lion statues in Trafalgar Square, then you will have to visit London again. Needless to say, I touched those lions almost daily! London opened my eyes to wonders of the world, and it helped me discover who I really am. It also helped me realize that I was more than capable of manning a big city all by myself. That is why I plan on moving to New York City after graduation; all because London helped me break free from my insecurities and showed me that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.
I wish there was a way that I could truly convey the amazing experiences that come from studying abroad, but I simply cannot put them into words. Therefore, whenever I am encouraging anyone to study abroad, I tell them to look at how my face lights up with overwhelming joy whenever the word "London" is mentioned. I tell them to listen to how my voice increases an octave with excitement and my eyes become wide with wonder whenever I'm trying to explain my experience in London. That is what truly reveals how much studying abroad meant to me and how much it changed my life.
Heather Murray shares her experiences from the University of Keele Exchange Program
The vast and exciting array of study abroad programs offered at USM was honestly one of the main reasons I chose this university in the first place. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to read books about far-off places. I couldn’t wait for the day when I would be able to go on a journey of my own. As soon as I had the financial opportunity to do so, I applied for an exchange program. I was ready for my adventure to begin.
It’s difficult to sum up five of the best months of my life into these short paragraphs. What words are there to describe stepping off the London Underground for the first time, finding yourself in this ancient city you’ve heard about your whole life? What kind of picture can I give you of the view from my dorm room at
Academically, I had a great experience. Keele has a beautiful campus, and the encouragement of independent learning in the
My new independence was more than just academic, however. Doing a semester exchange stretches you as a person. Studying abroad and being on my own in a foreign country allowed me to grow up. I gained so much confidence and got to know myself better as experiences abroad tested my capabilities. The experience was truly invaluable and made me into who I am today. I am so thankful I chose to study abroad, and I’m so proud of the person I became through it. My time at Keele was truly one of the best times of my life.
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