Students in the study abroad section of University 101 came back to America after fall break with new friendships and exciting stories.
Seventeen students traveled to Quebec City, Canada, to gain experience with a new culture.
“I’ve always wanted to travel and see as much of the world as I can,” first-year political science student Rachael Wolfram said.
Several of the students initially thought Quebec City would be very similar to American cities. However, they were amazed when they saw how different it was in actuality.
“Going around the city at night … everything was lit up, and it was beyond beautiful," Wolfram said. "It was just that right amount of chill ... I’m from the North so I love the cold.”
The 17 students traveled together after only knowing each other for two months. This presented a different challenge than what most people encounter when they study abroad. Before fall break, they had been more reclusive, but now all the students are very close.
“It was like night and day. Before we went away … you had about two people in the class you hung around with," Wolfram said. "Now, it’s like I know your whole life story.”
There were stark differences between the class right before fall break and immediately after. Now that students have this shared experience, the rest of the semester will be different.
"As soon as we set foot in Canada, even in the airport, people were already engaging with each other in a different way than they had in class,” Chrissie Faupel, study abroad office’s assistant director of undergraduate studies, said. “It was pretty much immediate that these students started bonding.”
Even though their stay in Quebec City was short, each student thoroughly enjoyed their experience.
“You get the study abroad experience without the commitment of being away for a whole semester,” Wolfram said.
Having a study abroad experience in the first semester of college is a unique experience that will not easily be forgotten.
“It was an amazing experience, and I think that everyone should be able to do it,” she said.