\u201cWherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n -Anita Desai<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fernweh <\/span><\/i>is one of those incredibly specific German words that give a name to an almost indescribable feeling: wanderlust, an insistent longing to travel the globe and visit distant lands. If you\u2019ve started to feel the pull of far-off places and a desire to see the world, consider joining the 20% of NC State<\/a> students who choose to study abroad. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI always tell students that I don’t have many regrets, but if there was one thing I could go back to college and do, it would be to study abroad,\u201d said Bri Hart, study abroad coordinator and academic advisor for the <\/span>Wilson College of Textiles<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNC State is a diverse institution and students have many opportunities to engage in global experiences on campus. However, there is something to be said about traveling to a country across the globe to expand your worldview. When I speak with students after they’ve returned from abroad, most of them say that their experience gave them a heightened sense of confidence and independence. This obviously translates well into other areas of their lives, such as transitioning into the workforce.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the NC State <\/span>Study Abroad<\/span><\/a> office, when students who have studied abroad join the workforce, they earn a 25% higher starting salary than those who have not. But students find study abroad valuable in so many other ways: building confidence, forming lifelong friendships, sharpening language skills and broadening their perspective. We asked some of our recently returned students to share their experience, from the sights they saw and classes they took to the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a> Degree<\/b>: <\/span>Fashion and Textile Design<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Fashion Design<\/span><\/a> concentration)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hometown<\/b>: Cedar Grove, NC<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Destination<\/b>: Oxford, England<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Abroad<\/b>: Summer 2019<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why did you choose to study where you did<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always been a dream of mine to go to the University of Oxford, but it wasn\u2019t really practical for my entire undergraduate degree. A study abroad program there seemed like the perfect option. Besides, with the program I took, I could get GEP credit, as well as fulfill some requirements for the University Honors Program.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What was your impression of your destination? <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n The people were all really welcoming! I kind of thought that, because we were Americans, people wouldn\u2019t like us, but they were all very nice, at least to our faces. Other tourists were clueless though — I spent some time in London alone and had so many people come up to me because they were lost and wanted directions. I, of course, was also lost and couldn\u2019t help. It was kind of odd that they thought I knew what I was doing, since I usually didn\u2019t know how to get somewhere, or even where I was currently. But the locals were very nice, and the food was absolutely superb. Everything was much richer, tastier and cheaper than in the United States. You could get a whole meal for three pounds (about $4)! Things just tasted fresher overall. The sights and culture were pretty much what you would expect — absolutely stunning.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Describe your study abroad experience.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n I took a class on Shakespeare and one on European diseases. We took classes every day, and usually had an excursion, or else would explore independently. We went all over the place, from Eyam to London. We went punting on the Thames, visited tons of museums and the Harry Potter Studios, saw Shakespeare plays and churches and Blenheim Palace. We were inducted into the Bodleian Library and climbed to the top of St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral. My favorite place was actually a local swimming hole (part of the Thames river in the middle of a cow pasture). Because it was really hot for part of the time I was there (actually, one day was the hottest day on record over there), people were swimming in the river. This was pretty unusual, but I was game. The first day I discovered this, I jumped off the bridge (relax, a little wooden bridge that people were using like a diving board) fully clothed, because we were on a group excursion and I had not known there was a swimming opportunity. After that though, I went back with friends — and a swimsuit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In your opinion, what has study abroad added to your college (and life) experience<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s definitely broadened my worldview. There\u2019s a lot more out there that I haven\u2019t seen or experienced, which has honestly just made me more determined to take opportunities to go on adventures and explore more of the globe. It\u2019s also given me inspiration, which is very important for my major. Nearly everyone who studies abroad says this, but I\u2019ll just go ahead and be stereotypical: it\u2019s made me more independent. After going through the airport alone and spending time in London on my own, staying in hostels and having to figure out how to get where I needed to go without being mugged, I\u2019m definitely more confident in my abilities to handle daily tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you went back to your destination, what would you do differently (if anything)<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I would stay longer. A month was not enough. There\u2019s so much more I want to see! I would also like to talk to more locals. I think because I was with a fairly large group (there were about 30 of us), we didn\u2019t meet as many people who lived there as I would have liked. So, I think I would go back either on my own, or with a friend, so that I could meet more locals and do things that would be inconvenient with a large group.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you bring back any souvenirs?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n I did! I brought back some Oxford swag, some absolutely gorgeous fabric, and some \u201cmagic\u201d water from the Roman baths. Ok, not totally magic, but the Romans believed water from this certain spring would heal ailments, so I filled up a water bottle and shipped it home in my suitcase!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What did I not ask about your travels that you want to share<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n It was absolutely incredible. Although a month didn\u2019t feel nearly long enough (I wrote a paper comparing England to the U.S. after getting back here, and my conclusion was basically I should move to England), I did so much and had so many cool experiences that I can\u2019t remember them all as I sit here staring at my computer screen. This has only whet my appetite for study abroad though. I\u2019m currently on the prowl for another opportunity — a semester-long one this time — to experience the world!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, also, I saw the Queen! I saw her and Prince Charles as they were going about their royal duties. Obviously I didn\u2019t talk to them or anything like that, but I\u2019m still counting it as one of my Top 10 Life Experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a> Degree<\/b>: <\/span>Fashion and Textile Management<\/span><\/a> (Minor in International Studies)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hometown<\/b>: Chesapeake, VA<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Destination<\/b>: Prague <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Abroad<\/b>: Summer 2018<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why did you choose to study where you did<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I chose Prague because I was able to get the first class out of the way for my minor. Prague was a beautiful place to learn more about International Studies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What was your impression of your destination?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n The city of Prague is so historically rich. The architecture was breathtaking since I had never seen anything like it in the U.S. It was such a new perspective seeing buildings that were actually old compared to \u201cold\u201d buildings here. The food was also an amazing experience, not to mention we could find nice lunch and dinner spots where entrees were three or four dollars cheaper than they would be in the U.S. My favorite dessert was a traditional cinnamon-like bread cone with ice cream on top called <\/span>t<\/span><\/i>rdeln\u00edk<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell us more about your experience.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n I took IS200 to knock out the first class to the International Studies minor. We stayed in Belgicka Apartments where we lived — similar to suite-style dorms, but nicer. It was only two or three metro stops from the NC State <\/span>European Center in Prague<\/span><\/a> and the ride was always an adventure. I loved taking the metro and traveling in small groups to blend in with other local students. Campus was a thirty second walk from the Old Town Square where tons of vendors and performers gathered. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In your opinion, what has study abroad added to your college (and life) experience<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Studying abroad taught me about perspective. I learned perspectives from cultures we were interacting with not only in Prague, but also within our travel group. We all carried identities that impacted us differently abroad. While we smiled at Czech people in public, they often didn\u2019t smile back as the culture there is very wary of foreigners since communism in the area ended not too long ago. However, the other two black girls and I not only didn\u2019t get smiles, but odd stares as they judged things like our hair.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you went back to your destination, what would you do differently (if anything)<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I would go back with the courage to explore the surrounding countries. We were once about a twenty minute train ride from Austria at one point but never went. We were wrapped up in the sights of Prague and didn\u2019t feel like we had enough time to do it all. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you bring back any souvenirs and if so, what<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I bought a really cool pair of shoes for half the price of what they would be sold for in the States. I paired it with a plain black Czech Republic hat that I bought from a gift store with the nicest workers that loved meeting tourists. They let us take shelter in their shop when unexpected rain hit and even started cracking jokes with us as they casually drank margaritas from the fridge. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you want to share<\/b> about your travels?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n I learned how studying abroad as a person of color is a whole different experience. I never knew how well I\u2019d be received or if I should ever go somewhere alone while traveling. Although some of the other students I traveled with had this mindset, they never had to think about it every single day and receive the same kind of stares that my friends and I experienced. There were only three black girls coming to a country where we could count how many black people we saw a day on one hand. As a cultural enthusiast, it hurts to know that some of the places that I\u2019m most excited to visit may not be as excited to have me.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a> Degree<\/b>: <\/span>Textile Engineering<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hometown<\/b>: Cary, NC<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Destination<\/b>: Adelaide, Australia<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Semester Abroad<\/b>: Spring 2019<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Why did you choose to study where you did<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I chose to study at the University of Adelaide because the university has an established program with NC State and because I knew several older textile engineering students who had done the same program. The University of Adelaide had a lot of course options, so I was able to take most of the classes that I would have taken at NC State. Of course, it definitely helped that Australians speak English.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What was your impression of your destination?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because Australians speak English, the cultural and linguistic differences surprised me. Australians abbreviate words like \u201cuniversity\u201d and \u201cservice station\/gas station\u201d to \u201cuni\u201d and \u201cservo\u201d respectively. Adelaide specifically had a big focus on work-life balance; all stores closed after 5 o\u2019clock. The food was different because Adelaide had more East Asian cuisine restaurants. I spent the semester trying new cuisines and restaurants. Lastly, I loved the Adelaide Hills. I have never been to a wine growing region before, so seeing the Barossa Valley and surrounding area was a breathtaking experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell us more about your experience.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n The classes I took were statics, circuits, materials science and engineering, and art history. I lived in the Urbanest apartment across the street from the university. On most days, I would go to class and then find a coffee shop to spend my afternoon studying in. My favorite place was a coffee shop called \u201cJourney Beyond Cafe.\u201d It was right next to my apartment and I loved spending the afternoons there, especially on Mondays and Fridays when they had student discounts on the coffee and food.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n In your opinion, what has study abroad added to your college (and life) experience?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Studying abroad has made me a more culturally adept person and I have learned how to adjust to new places easily. I have also learned to function more independently away from home.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you went back to your destination, what would you do differently?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n If I went back to Adelaide, I would probably spend more time exploring different places in Australia. I did not have the chance to visit cities like Darwin, Alice Springs, and Perth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you bring back any souvenirs and if so, what?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n I brought back a few obligatory boomerangs, but my suitcase was too full to bring back anything else.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What did I not ask about your travels that you want to share<\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I made a blog during my time in Australia: <\/span>https:\/\/ngodthi.wixsite.com\/studyabroadadelaide<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Anne](\"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/09\/Anne-Graf-in-London-1-768x1024.jpg\")
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Name<\/b>: Anne Graf<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Talya](\"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/09\/Talya-Suber-outside-of-cathedral-Prague-768x1024.jpg\")
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Name<\/b>: Talya Suber<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Nidhi](\"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/09\/Nidhi-Gothi-on-Australian-mountaintop-1024x768.jpg\")
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Name<\/b>: Nidhi Godthi<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Livi](\"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/09\/Livi-Prestifilippo-on-the-Great-Wall-of-China-768x1024.jpg\")
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![\"Meilin](\"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2019\/09\/Meilin-Walker-with-koala-e1568041379922.jpg\")
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