Photo by Shelby Woodward
By Shelby Woodward
Between classes, assignments, work, and everything else that comes with being a college student, it can feel like there is barely enough time to catch a break. But what if that break came with a passport, a plane ticket, and the chance to explore somewhere completely new?
For William Peace University students, the Study Away program offers exactly that. This summer, students can trade their usual surroundings in Raleigh for the sights, food and culture of Portugal and Spain.
The upcoming trip is part of Peace’s Study Away program, which gives students the chance to experience life outside the classroom while exploring different parts of the world. From learning about another country’s history to trying foods they may have never heard of, the program gives students an opportunity to experience things that cannot always be taught through a textbook.
Ana Teresa Galizes, Assistant Professor of Communication and User Experience Design, helped explain how the idea for the upcoming trip came together. Galizes said she and a colleague originally discussed the trip because of their Portuguese and Spanish heritage. After Peer Mentors shared several possible destinations through a survey, Portugal and Spain drew the most interest.
For Galizes, studying abroad goes beyond visiting another country. She believes being exposed to different cultures helps students understand perspectives outside their own and become more well-rounded.
“Studying abroad is highly beneficial because we need to be presented with diverse perspectives in order to be well-rounded people,” said Galizes. “It’s also a great way to make friends and strengthen existing friendships.”
The summer trip is also bringing something new to Peace. Galizes explained that the university has never organized a trip to Portugal before, and it has been at least 15 years since students last had the opportunity to travel to Spain through the program. Previous destinations have included Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica and the British Isles.
While Portugal and Spain may be new destinations for Peace, students who have already participated in the program know just how much an experience like this can offer.
Steven Dickerson, a Simulation and Game Design major, traveled to Japan and South Korea on a previous Peace trip. For him, the decision to participate was pretty simple. He had never visited either country and was excited to finally explore somewhere completely different.
One of his favorite memories was seeing Mount Fuji in person. He also enjoyed trying different foods, especially wagyu steak, along with the amount of rice and noodles he got to eat throughout the trip.
But as Dickerson explained, some of the biggest takeaways came from the everyday cultural differences he noticed. He was surprised by how respectful people were in both countries, including hotel and fast-food employees.
He also noticed that public trash cans were not easy to find, so people often carried their trash until they reached a public building or returned to their hotel. Even something as simple as eating or drinking while walking could be considered rude in certain situations.
Those small differences helped him better understand everyday life outside the United States. Although the long flights and travel delays were not always easy, Dickerson said the experience changed the way he views the world and gave him a greater appreciation for Japanese and Korean culture.
He also came back realizing how much he enjoys traveling, meeting new people and trying things outside his comfort zone. When asked what he would tell another Peace student thinking about studying abroad, he did not hesitate: “If you can do it, do it! It is more than worth it.”
Dawn Dillon, Director of Student Transition and Coordinator of Study Away at Peace, also helps coordinate opportunities like these and connect students with the program.
For students who have never traveled internationally, signing up for a trip to another country might seem a little intimidating. There are new places to navigate, different customs to learn and plenty of things that may feel unfamiliar at first. But that is also what makes the experience so worthwhile.
With Portugal and Spain on the schedule for this summer, Peace students have the chance to experience two countries, make memories with their classmates, and learn something new along the way. Whether it is exploring historic streets, trying a new dish, or simply seeing a different part of the world for the first time, the trip offers more than just a vacation.
College is already a time to try new things, meet people and figure out what interests you. Studying away is another way to do that, except the classroom looks a little different. For students who have been waiting for an opportunity to travel, this summer’s trip could be the perfect excuse to finally get that passport ready.