Charlotte Constantinidi is a returning study abroad student from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in the UK. She is a sophomore majoring in Elementary and Special Education.

IPC: Why did you choose to study in Wales?
CC: I chose to study abroad in Wales because I wanted to attend somewhere in the UK, but I didn’t want to choose a university that a lot of people normally went to. I chose Lampeter because I wanted to attend university in a smaller, close-knit community.

IPC: Why is having a study abroad experience in college so important to you?
CC: For me as a future teacher, getting to have a study abroad experience in college is so important. My experiences that I had there allowed me to grow not only as a student, but also as a person. I gained new knowledge through my time studying, and I learned how to be more flexible and understanding.

IPC: Why would you recommend that other students to have a study abroad experience?
CC: If you have the opportunity to study abroad, do it! Studying abroad has been by far one of the most impactful things I have done since being here at UNCG. Studying abroad will push out of your comfort zone in all the best ways. You will see things you’ve only ever dreamed of, you will make a lot of new friends, and you will grow as a person. Traveling abroad may not always look pretty, but it’s all about what you take away from the experience — I promise you will walk away a different person.

Samantha Fellman is a returning study abroad student who spent her fall 2018 semester at Ulster University in Belfast, Ireland. She is majoring in Interior Architecture.

IPC: Why is having a study abroad experience in college so important to you?
SF: I get to learn about other cultures and how they teach students. I can combine my current knowledge with the experience I had abroad to inform others.

IPC: Why would you recommend that other students to have a study abroad experience?
SF: You may never be able to do this again so why not do it now?

IPC: What is your favorite memory of studying abroad?
SF: Being able to travel to other parts of the world, I wish I could have this experience again.

Jessye Leiner is a returning study abroad student who spent her fall 2018 semester at the Université Catholique de Lyon in Lyon, France. She is a junior majoring in Integrated Professional Studies.

IPC: Why is having a study abroad experience in college so important to you?
JL: Prior to studying abroad I did not understand just how wonderful and important this experience would be. To be able to get out of the country and learn about other countries, from people from that country, is so important because the U.S. education system could never be that intensive. It helps provide different viewpoints on how to approach differing situations, as well as teaching you how to be independent and make your way and truly figure out what you think and value as an individual outside of your national identity.

IPC: What was the most impactful lesson you learned while studying abroad?
JL: Studying abroad humanized the people and countries that I once thought of as being so foreign. To make connections with these people from all over (Germany, Peru, Russia, Australia, Turkey, Georgia, Taiwan, etc.) allows you to relate yourself to those countries, and make you have more trust in these seemingly distant people and places.

IPC: What is your favorite memory of studying abroad?
JL: My favorite memory was the first weekend after classes. I had kind of made connections with the people I lived beside, and we kind of knew some other people and we decided to take a trip to Marseille because we were abroad, and why not? It was just so cool to go do something so big with these practical strangers and to be able to bond on this level because no one is holding back emotionally/mentally. The unwarranted trust in one another, the desire to experience all of the new sensations together, to bring our individual experiences and knowledge to be able to contribute when we could, was an experience like no other. The beach was grand and we found this super cute AirBnb that had a rooftop terrace that we could chill on at night. It was one of the coolest moments I have ever had in my life, just from an impromptu trip with some (not so much anymore) strangers.

Sydney Montgomery is a returning study abroad student who spent her fall 2018 semester at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane, Australia. She is a junior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology.

IPC: WHy did you choose to study in Australia?
SM: My name’s Sydney, so I’ve been in love with Australia ever since I was in elementary school and did projects on it. I wanted to be able to travel somewhere that I would probably never get the chance to again. Past study abroad students let me know that Australia was such a great country to visit due to all of the activities you’re able to do there.

IPC: What is the most impactful lesson you learned during your time abroad?
SM: I learned independence while I was in Australia. I’d never lived in an apartment and had to cook every meal for myself and things like that, so that was a big change. I can now depend on myself to do most things for myself.

IPC: Why would you recommend that other students to have a study abroad experience?
SM: You figure out who you are when abroad. You don’t have ANYONE to rely on, so you really get to know yourself at a more personal level. You can learn a lot about yourself you’d never be able to unless you were in this situation.

Mariah Scott is a returning study abroad student who spent her Spring 2018 semester studying abroad at the Université de Rennes 2 in Rennes, France. She is a junior with a double major in English and French with a minor in Global Affairs and International Development.

IPC: Why did you choose to study at that particular institution/city/country?
MS: I chose to study at Rennes 2 because of the CIREFE program that allowed me to take French classes organized for foreign students but taught by native French speakers. These classes were easily transferable for major credit at UNCG.

IPC: What was the most impactful lesson you learned while studying abroad?
MS: The most impactful lesson that I learned while studying abroad was the influence of globalization on societies and cultures.

IPC: Why would you recommend that other students to have a study abroad experience?
MS: I made many friends from different countries around the world that enriched the social aspect of my time abroad, but also I was a student in a classroom. I fell in love with my major again through my professor’s way of leading our class and the unique cultural component that came from living in a different country. I learned about the language and culture by day, and by night I explored the city, practicing what I learned in class.

Jessica Moore is a returning study abroad student who spent her Fall 2018 semester abroad at the University of Oulu in Oulu, Finland. She is a junior majoring in Business Administration.

IPC: Why did you choose to study in Finland?
JM: I chose Finland because it is not a place you hear much about, it is entirely different than here in North Carolina, and it is not a stereotypical place to study abroad.

IPC: Why is having a study abroad experience so important to you?
JM: Having a study abroad experience in college is important to me not only because I need it to graduate with honors but also because I think it is important to immerse yourself into another culture and realize there are different ways of life and thinking as well as familiarizing yourself with the different values and cultures that you may not be aware of.

IPC: What was the most impactful lesson you learned while studying abroad?
JM: I learned while studying abroad was that you can’t expect people to open up and trust you when they meet you. The Finnish people are very reserved and kept to themselves. There was only one or two Finnish people that actually opened up to me. We can’t assume that everybody wants to open up their lives to you like many people do here at home. Being aware of people’s norms when going to an unfamiliar place is very important so you do not offend or upset anybody.

Alex Romero is a returning study abroad student who spent her Spring 2018 semester studying abroad at the Université de Rennes 2 in Rennes, France. She is a senior majoring in both Art History and French with a minor in Classical Civilizations.

IPC: Why did you choose to study abroad in Rennes?
AR: The French program at Rennes 2 allows the international students to study only French for an entire semester in the traditional French style of education. For me, I wanted to work on my language skills and learn how to write essays and formal papers in the French style. I also learned that we would get a language level certification from the program that is internationally recognized.

IPC: What was the most impactful lesson you learned while studying abroad?
AR: I definitely learned to be humble during my international experience. I make excellent grades at UNCG and just assumed that it would be that way in France, but the university expectations were so different. I had to learn quickly that I have to be humble about what I know and acknowledge what I don’t know.

IPC: What is your favorite memory of studying abroad?
AR: In Rennes I had a true “aha!” moment with language. I had this point in time where my understanding and comprehension of the language just clicked essentially. From that moment on, my listening skills were so much better, and that prompted me to be a more engaged student and to meet new people.

Xioyuan Zhou is an international exchange student from China Fudan University in Shanghai, China. He is a junior majoring in Music.

IPC: What do you enjoy most about studying at UNCG?
XZ: The equipment is fairly good, for example, the Kaplan Center. There is a lot of fitness equipment to use and the space is very comforting. There are climbing walls. The facility in the music building is excellent, too. There are many practice rooms, some of which even contains grand piano.

IPC: What advice do you have for students who want to study here?
XZ: Explore more on campus while trying to be focused since there are really a lot of opportunities on campus. Try to get everything bought as soon as possible, because the travel to Walmart or Four Season Mall is not very easy.

IPC: What is the most impactful lesson you have learned from studying in a new country?
XZ: If you are troubled or have any questions, be brave to ask around! People here are inclined to help others very much. As long as you ask, you will get to your target by one more step.

Saiko Jabbi is an international exchange student from Yuan Ze University in Taiwan. He is a senior majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Finance.

IPC: Why did you choose to come to UNCG?
SJ: I am hoping to find a school to begin my 2020-PhD plan.

IPC: What do you enjoy most about studying at UNCG?
SJ: The openness of my professors and the high level of engagement in their courses.

IPC: What advice do you have for students who want to study here?
SJ: If you want a friendly multi-cultural environment to study then you should consider UNCG.

IPC: What is the most impactful lesson you have learned from studying in a new country?
SJ: Once you tell people that you’re a foreigner and you need help, they go the extra mile to help.

IPC: What is something that you are working on or engaged in at UNCG that you are proud of?
SJ: Business Law and Mn.Personal Finance: these are only taught in Chinese Language in my home university so they are NOT available for students whose entire program

Jan Gaydoul is an international student from the University of Mannheim in Germany. He is a junior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics.

IPC: Why did you choose to come to UNCG?
JG: I wanted to go to North Carolina, because it offers great opportunities for outdoor activities, including beaches as well as mountains. Also, it is a very good starting point to travel, be it up north the East Coast or south toward Florida. I then decided for UNCG because of its good academic reputation, the university spirit including the athlete teams and the positive reviews of former exchange students.

IPC: What do you enjoy most about studying at UNCG?
JG: I really enjoy the university spirit including living on campus and supporting the athletes. There is nothing similar in Germany, what makes studying here a completely different experience. I also really enjoy spending time on campus, e.g. in the Caf or Kaplan Center.

IPC: What advice do you have for students who want to study here?
JG: Use all the opportunities UNCG offers you and do as much extracurricular activities as possible! Go an a trip with Outdoor Activities. Work out at Kaplan. Support the athletes. Build new friendships. Eat ice cream at Yum Yum! And much more …