Semester/Year Experiences
Democracy and Social Change in Northern Ireland
| “Be flexible. I experienced different ways of doing things and was able to make comparisons without judging them to be good or bad, just different.”
— Rachel Oberg Hauser
Rachel was majoring in justice and peace and women’s studies and has always been fascinated by studying conflict resolution. Her passion for social justice, her interest in her Irish heritage and her desire to obtain an outsider’s perspective of U.S. culture propelled Rachel to study abroad during the spring of her junior year. |  | 
Rachel writing on the Belfast Peace Wall. |
Rachel affirmed the significance of first-hand observation. “Being there was the best way to better understand the conflict,” she said.
Rachel spent the first three weeks of her experience in Coleraine, staying with a host family and taking intensive conflict resolution classes. Rachel then spent the next seven weeks in Derry/Londonderry doing an internship and living at a flat with other international students. “It was nice to get the best of both worlds,” she said about her different living situations. “I lived with a girl who was from the area. Once she warmed up to us, it was nice because she would show us around.”
Rachel’s internship was at The Junction, a community organization focused on peace building through storytelling workshops. Rachel’s main role was organizing a series of thematic luncheon events including one on anti-racism training and organizational sustainability.
“I experienced a different type of learning though my internship that went beyond classroom lectures and discussions,” she said. Rachel’s study abroad experience profoundly influenced her future plans; she is considering returning to Northern Ireland to volunteer after graduating this spring.
Catholic Studies in Rome, Italy
| “Be open to change! Let the experience of studying abroad shape you; don’t shape the experience of your study abroad.”
— Shantel Steen
Shantel, an occupational therapy and psychology major, felt a strong pull to travel and have an educational experience outside of St. Kate’s. Laughing, Shantel admitted to being the only Lutheran in her group but affirmed her decision to participate in her particular program despite being the minority. | | 
Shantel in Capri, Italy |
“I was drawn to the faith aspect of the trip. I was able to experience both intellectual and spiritual growth during my semester in Rome.” Shantel asserted that the experience had changed her in a multitude of ways. “It really taught me both flexibility and adaptability and to be open to new things,” she said. “It challenged me to be open to Catholicism, allowing myself to understand fully without prejudices, while discovering parallels with my Lutheran faith.”
When asked what she learned about herself as an American, Shantel commented on the living standards. “We are used to more than Italians or most Europeans in terms of houses and yards. There is a definite difference in the amount of space available. In Italy, entire families, including extended family members, will be living in one apartment.”
She talked about another eye opening experience: “We in America have many opportunities which we take for granted, for example, in the realm of technology.” Highlights of her trip included getting the chance to touch the Pope, attending mass at St. Peter’s and traveling to the Olympics in Turin.
Tokyo, Japan
| “Go with an open mind and really believe you are going to be a better person because of your experience. You are going to change. We can do a lot more than we say we can.”
— Terra Seeler
As a Japanese language and culture major, Terra Seeler knew that experiencing the language first-hand was something she wanted to accomplish: “I’ve known other Americans who have studied the Japanese language, and I’ve been able to see how much of an impact going to Japan has had on their language abilities. | | 
Terra learning Sado, the Japanese tea ceremony. |
I also saw it as a way to supplement the learning I’ve had here — which can only go so far without immersion.”
Terra experienced her most profound cultural experiences through her living situation. “Living in a host family was one of the best ways for me to practice language skills — eating Japanese food, hearing Japanese TV in the background,” she remembers. “They took me to cultural events. I really think it’s the key in making [study abroad] a fuller experience.” Taking advantage of her advanced language skills, Terra also enrolled in a Kendo class, the martial art of Japanese fencing.
Terra’s study abroad experience provoked reflection on her identity. Her light brown hair and fair complexion amidst the Japanese population contributed to a more acute sense of self-awareness. “I feel like I can better relate with minority groups even in this country — being in the majority is something we too easily take for granted,” she admitted. Terra returned to the United States with a deeper sense of self-confidence.
A Year in Vienna, Austria
| “Being afraid of going is fine! If there was any way I could have avoided getting on the plane the day I left, I would have. But it is all about forcing yourself to experience the unknown.”
— Amanda Gustafson
Amanda dreamed of studying abroad in Germany but changed her mind after hearing about Austria in the Office of Global Studies. “I hadn’t considered studying in Austria before, but it seemed like the perfect place to practice my German,” she said. Vienna became Amanda’s home for her junior year. | | 
Amanda in front of the Rathaus (town hall) in Vienna. |
“I wanted to spend as much time as I could [in Austria] to give myself an adequate amount of time to acclimate, so I could enjoy more than the last few weeks when I had finally gotten used to things.” she said. “It was kind of like my first year experience; I needed the first semester to adjust.”
Amanda’s classes were taught in both English and German and pertained to the culture of Vienna. “I loved that we went to museums or to see plays instead of just reading and talking about them,” she said. Amanda also worked at the university library. “It’s all about those moments of being able to communicate in another language and have people understand,” she relished. “It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as you can get your point across.”
Amanda learned about Americans through her experience in Vienna. “I learned that people from different regions [of the United States] interact differently.” Upon returning home, she felt she viewed language differently. “Before I was wary when I heard people speaking languages that I could not understand because I didn’t know what they were saying. Now it is heartwarming to hear someone speaking another language!”
During her year abroad, Amanda traveled to France, Italy, England, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Amanda advised, “Find the balance between extensive travel and fully immersing yourself in the culture in which you are living. Get to know the people, country and culture in which you are studying because you will likely never again have the opportunity to live in such a place for an extended period of time.”