From Argentina to Italy, a number of adventurous Eastern students studied abroad this summer, honing second languages and immersing themselves in new cultures.  

Psychology major Amanda Mitchell ’19 traveled to Provence, France, to study French at Aix-Marseille University. Speaking to her progress with the French language, she said, “I was able to communicate with and make friends from all over the world. I began to really learn a new language and use that language every day.” She added, “This trip put into perspective how many people there are whom I would never get the chance to meet otherwise.”

Business administration major Lucinda Davis ’20 traveled to Sorrento, Italy, to study global business at the Sant’Anna Institute where she attended a five-week course called “Competing in the Global Environment: Business in the European Union.” Highlights of her trip included traveling outside of her studies and visiting Mount Vesuvius, Capri, Pompeii, Pisa, Milan and Venice.

Spanish major Jaran Smith ’19 traveled to Argentina for an internship with Buenos Aires International Students, a non-governmental organization based in Buenos Aires that facilities study abroad trips. “The internship combined both of my main focuses at Eastern — Spanish and economics,” said Smith. His role dealt with collecting data and helping to organize travel packages to different areas across Latin America.

“Of everything I did during my time abroad, going to Calafate was the most exciting,” he said of the southern Argentina locale. “We traveled to the Patagonian glacial region and witnessed breathtaking views of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Andes Mountains. The memories I made during my stay in Argentina are ones I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life!”

Elementary education major Brooke Shannon ’19 studied abroad in Ireland, learning about Irish society and culture. Speaking of a course she took on Irish film and literature, she said, “I learned how Ireland is portrayed in movies and literature, and which portrayals were accurate and which were stereotypical.”

Noting the differences in culture between Ireland and the United States, she said, “I loved being in a culture that’s different from that of America. It’s a culture that doesn’t have such an emphasis on being successful and making money. They’re not worried about having the nicest cars or houses; they just want to have fun, no matter what age they are.”

Elementary education and Spanish double-major Ashley Smith ’20 traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to practice her Spanish and study art and culture. “This trip definitely helped me to feel more confident and comfortable speaking Spanish,” she said, “as well as gave me an inside look of life in a Spanish-speaking country. This experience made me more independent and broadened my perspective of the world and other cultures.”