In My Own Words

Smiley Rojas-Nunez
Spanish Language & Chilean Culture at ECELA, Santiago, Chile

Warm weather, blue skies and the bright shining sun. This is not the scenery I am used to seeing on December 30th, but this is the beautiful sight I was able to see when I touched down in Santiago, Chile for my study abroad trip this past wintersession. After getting to know the other students who were traveling abroad with me at the airport, we all loaded up into a taxi and then I was dropped off at my host family’s house. Coming from living in a dorm, it was strange to be in such a beautiful home, and it took a while to get used to the fact that that’s where I would be living for the next three weeks. I was first greeted by the father of the house, who took the time to explain to me what life was like in Chile. He could speak both English and Spanish, but as a native Spanish speaker, I was ready and willing to improve my Spanish. >>

Bethany Reichen
Culture and Customs of Senegal, Senegal, Africa

Every day since I came home, someone has asked me "How was your trip?" and all I can do is smile and tell them "it was amazing!" And then they look at me, expecting more, and for once in my life, I have nothing else to say.

So if you are one of those people, I am sorry. If you have been reading this as I went, then maybe you can understand why it was amazing, although that still does not excuse my lack of further explanation.>>

Shaun Johnson
AIP Language Institute, Valencia, Spain

Fireworks are exploding all around me. It's day three of "Las Fallas," the second largest festival on the planet, and my homework assignment is simple: to stay out until dawn.

For the past two months I have been studying in Valencia, Spain at the AIP Language Institute and Las Fallas has been one of the many wonderful events I've experienced. Typical days at AIP include classes of Spanish language, history, art, and cinema. Afternoons involve swimming in the Mediterranean Sea along with pick-up games of soccer and volleyball at the "playa maravillosa," a beach that is most appropriately named. The day ends with a well-prepared dinner made by my loving host family. These dinners have taught me how to properly use olive oil, and that no Spanish dinner is complete without a few slices of jamón serrano (or dry-cured Spanish ham), a staple found throughout the Iberian Peninsula.>>

Melissa Newkirk
Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

For me, one of the most exciting prospects of transferring to university from community college was the chance to do a study abroad. During the first weeks of my first semester a study abroad coordinator came to talk to my class about the benefits of doing an exchange and really put the seed into my head. I wandered into the study abroad office and looked over the many options of the different places in the world UAlbany could send me to. I felt the majority of students end up choosing Europe as their destination, and with that in mind I decided I wanted to go somewhere that was in complete contrast of US culture. I made my decision to apply for the Fall 2010 program to Seoul, South Korea. Although the paperwork seemed overwhelming, the step by step process helped to minimize the stress and besides the international studies office was always there to help with any questions or confusion I had.>>

Emily Finnegan
WE BUILD 2011, Bangalore, India

This past summer, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to live, study, and work with international students from all over the world in Bangalore, India. The program, WE BUILD 2011, was sponsored by the Indian non-profit Global Citizens for Sustainable Development (GCSD) and centered around this idea of what it means to be a global citizen. What made it a truly unique experience was that after studying Indian culture, development issues and global social justice movements, we were able to contribute to sustainable development in India by partaking in a 10 day building project in rural Bangalore. >>

Emily was also recognized as the 2012 Tulip Queen at the Albany Tulip Festival on Saturday, May 12, 2012!

Mike Bresnahan
National University of Ireland, Galway

I was incredibly excited when I started thinking about going to Ireland (and the rest of Europe) for a full semester, and despite the minor annoyance of paperwork, I finished it all and got ready for my semester abroad. Going back to school about 15 days early was discouraging at first, but once again, it was well worth it. >>

Christopher Onuorah
AIDE Program, South Africa

In May 2011, I went on a study abroad trip to Cape Town, South Africa, along with another UAlbany Student, Tiffanie Perea. We went there to volunteer in the the townships. While there, I volunteered with a non-profit organization, the South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP). >>

Kim Moonan
Valencia, Spain and Santiago, Chile

This year's recipients of the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence includes two-time study abroad participant Kimberly Moonan. The prestigious award recognizes students in the graduating class who have demonstrated the highest levels of academic excellence and made significant contributions to campus life at their respective universities.>>

Heather Senecal
Uganda LINKAGES Program Summer 2009

I am currently in my second year of the MPA program at Rockefeller College. Within the MPA program, I am concentrating in the areas of information management and policy analysis. This past summer I had the pleasure of living and working in Kampala, Uganda on a SUNY/CID (Center for International Development, Rockefeller College) project. For three months I was based in the Strengthening Democratic Linkages in Uganda (LINKAGES) office. >>

Diane Van Dusen
Ghana Medical Mission

The summer of 2009 I was able to experience a rare and exceptional learning experience by traveling to Ghana on a Medical Mission to help improve the lives of memory impaired elders and their caregivers. I will be forever grateful to faculty and students at SUNY School of Social Welfare and the International Studies Department for the encouragement and support that helped make this project a reality.

In 2007, Rev. Alice Kyei-Anti, a Presbyterian minister from Ghana, was visiting the Albany area as a guest of the Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC). >>

Meher Singh
Cape Town, South Africa Program

Quite honestly, I did not do much research before going into it. My father had advised that I should study abroad in an English speaking country and of all my choices, South Africa seemed the most full of life.  I decided I would go to Cape Town. Of course, I didn’t really know what that meant, at least, not until I got there! >>

Danielle DeLeo
Spain-Valencia Program

I always knew that I wanted to study abroad, but it was never a reality until I was in the plane on my way to Spain. It was the most unique feeling I've ever experienced. Half of me was thinking I was crazy for just leaving my life at home and going by myself to live in a new country in which I don't speak the language, to live with an unknown family, in an unknown city, with a group of other students I had never met before. But the other half of me was euphoric. I was following my heart and doing what I wanted to do. Little did I know that it was more than just a trip, but a life changing experience. I am forever a different person with a new outlook on life and the world all together. The moment I set foot on that plane I began a whole new chapter in my life, and I am forever grateful. When I try to describe my thoughts and feelings about my year abroad, I simply run out of adjectives. >>

Kenza Martin
Germany-Braunschweig Program

Before taking part in SENSE, I could have never imagined research to be fun .Actually, I did not like research at all. I am studying Human Biology as a major. Later on, I want to become a doctor. That is why I need to go to a Medical School. I had never worked in a laboratory and never ever thought of doing so. Then I chose to take part in SENSE because I needed to get laboratory experience for my studies. The program gave me the opportunity to travel while doing this. Additionally, I expected that SENSE would give me an opportunity to explore biology from a laboratory focus, as well as meeting others. >>

Gina Geffrard
Foundation for International Education Program

"Seeing as this is my last summer as an undergraduate, I wanted to do something big, something that would benefit me immensely for the future, change my life, and expose me to things I would not be able to see and do in Albany or even New York City. So I decided that I wanted to do an internship in London, England," said Geffrard. >>

Student Blogs:

Mary Schletzbaum (Summer 2012)
Tanzania - Global Service Corp.

Stephanie Espinal (Fall 2010)
&Tanzania - Global Service Corp.

Melinda Mahoney (Summer 2009)
Tanzania - Global Service Corp.

Austin Powers (Spring 2008)
Valencia, Spain