What do UCSB students say about EAP?
Paola Bassignana- Padova, Italy - Fall 2008
Many people have asked me why I chose to study Italian over other “more practical” languages. I went to Italy to live and understand a part of my cultural background I had yet to discover. What I had also not discovered was how much Italian I would forget in the months between school getting out and the program starting.
Upon arrival my roommate and I realized we had forgotten how to ask for a taxi cab and my fear set in. As soon as the intensive language program began, however, I was amazed to see how quickly our language skills improved and how helpful it was to be immersed in the language all the time. Every Italian I met was warm and took the time to decipher my Italian with a smile. In that environment I was able to practice my Italian comfortably. Soon enough we were all hanging out with the Italian college students, being invited to events, and truly felt like a part of Padova.
I had the privilege of staying with, who I consider to be, the best host family ever. My Signora and brothers took us mushroom hunting in the Alps, cooked the best meals I had in Italy, and taught us a lot about Italian life.
At the end of my trip, my Italian had improved so much that I felt confident enough in to visit some Italian family members I had never met. I was very nervous during the entire five hour train ride but all the butterflies went away after their warm welcome. My cousin pulled out maps, history books, and old photo albums and took the time to explain our entire family history to me that day.
The weekend adventures to visit other EAP friends in Greece, Ireland, and the UK were fantastic and memorable, but how Italy impacted me, what I learned about myself there, and how it changed me are even more important.
I absolutely loved my time abroad! So much actually, that if there were one era in my life I could play on repeat, I would choose my EAP experience.
Alisa Banks –Barcelona, Spain – Year 2008-2009
Barcelona, Heaven. I definitely left a part of my heart in Spain when I left after the year. It was the absolute best decision I have ever made- studying abroad for the year. I learned so much about the world, life and most importantly, myself. Doing the Immersion program, all my classes were in Spanish, and even some in Catalan. It was challenging of course, but so rewarding as every day, I felt my Spanish improve more and more. Being in Spain provided the opportunity to travel all around Europe. Over the course of the year, I was able to travel to over 10 countries and was able to really get a feel for the wide variety of cultures that Europe has to offer. The Autonomous University of Barcelona was the perfect choice for both my majors. I was able to get credit for both Communication and Global Studies so that I could stay on track for graduation in 4 years. My best advice for anyone here at UCSB would be to go, go, go abroad!! I promise you won?t want to leave when the time comes! It will change your life, guaranteed!
Meghan Cridland - Lund, Sweden - Year 2008-2009
I think I learned more during the year I spent abroad in Sweden than I have in my entire academic career. I boarded my flight in LA wondering how I was going to survive four months in another country and ended up extending my program to a year after the second week.
Being abroad was great personally because I learned to live and succeed outside of my comfort zone. Being abroad taught me that my best resource was myself and with that came a certain degree of trust and self confidence in my abilities. I was more comfortable taking risks and knowing what my limits were, but also with asking for assistance-- I learned to be independent and self sufficient, but also came to terms with the vulnerability that comes with being abroad.
I learned to calm down, to trust myself, and to enjoy where I was and what I was doing, and learned that there other ways to BE than what I was used to.
And I had FUN doing it--I liked stumbling around a new language and the satisfaction that came with small successes, I liked putting myself out there and the process of making new friends out of strangers. The friends I made abroad are some of my closest.
My experience was much more than an academic education and one of the pivotal parts of my self growth--I used to be hesitant about life after college and now I have a plan (to do my Masters in Sweden) and cannot wait to get there.
Cole Harry - Chile- Year 2008-2009
Spending a year in Santiago, Chile was unlike anything I had ever done before. I had lived my whole life in a town of 25,000 and suddenly found myself in a capitol city of over six million. My first day was absolute sensory overload: an incessant cacophony of construction and car horns, the twenty-four hour aroma of street food, buses and metros that were filled nearly to the breaking point with people and this bizarre, slang-ridden language that was supposedly Spanish. Little by little, I started to peel apart the layers of Chilean culture and found myself more and more immersed in daily Santiago life, despite being one of the few red-heads in the entire country. My language skills rapidly improved, I made friends with Chileans and other international students, I became a skilled navigator of public transportation and, most importantly, I found a home in this far-away city.
Beyond daily life in Santiago, I was able to backpack all around South America. I saw the driest desert in the world, climbed a volcano, danced the tango in the sultry streets of Buenos Aires, discovered the amazing beaches of Uruguay, experienced Carnaval in Brazil, and hiked Machu Picchu. It was definitely a year to remember. I return to UCSB enriched by my experiences and with a completely new perspective on the world.
Serena Hwong - Beijing, China- Summer 2008; Taiwan Year 2008-2009
Have you ever seen a city transform from dirt to concrete in one night? Have you ever hiked on the ruins of the Great Wall? Have you ever riden on a camel? Have you ever jumped off a boat? Have you ever lived life liked you never lived it before? I can honestly say yes to all my questions and this is all because I studied abroad. While in Beijing, I knew I was embarking on a journey through time while witnessing the over-night transformation of a developing country and visiting the essence and history of China. Following my adventures in China, I traveled to Taiwan to learn more Chinese and little did I know, I learned more about life and myself. I learn to eat, live and become a local and my Chinese has never been better. The best part was I had the chance to see the similarities that both countries shared, as well as the differences.
I am definitely not the same person a year ago because EAP has completely changed my perspective in life. My approach to life changed dramatically because I developed the courage to step out of my comfort zone and explored what the world had to the offer. Not only was I able to learn a new language and meet great people, I was able to discover more about myself every day that I was studying abroad. Being in a different country pushed me to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to face the real world.
Jessica Lorman – Madrid, Spain – Year 2007-2008
Studying in Spain is the best thing I could have done with my college experience. I am from the Bay Area originally, but instead of having left my heart in San Francisco, I left mine in Spain.
One unique aspect of my experience is that I got to live in two different cities in Spain: Cordoba and Madrid. Having done two back-to-back programs, I was able to experience a smaller, traditional Spanish town and living with a vibrant Spanish woman, as well as the fast-paced European hub of Madrid. Tapas bars were a great experience, and while some people weren’t as fond of Spanish food, I grew to love it. Also, one of the best trips I took while in Europe was a road trip with a few friends to northern Spain. It was beautiful! I had no idea how diverse the geography was in Spain until I drove through it. Starting in a big city, driving through a national park, and ending up on the northern coast took me through parts of Spain I didn’t even know existed. Southern Spain, Andalusia, is also a wonder. I saw an amazing flamenco show, went to local flamenco bars (tabernas) in Sevilla, and soaked up the Moorish influences in Granada. Exploring Spain and all it has to offer was a priceless experience. I can’t wait to go back.
Jinna Wang- Shangai, China- Spring 2009
Going abroad was one of the best decisions I made during my college career. I studied in Shanghai, China spring quarter 2009. What the most rewarding aspect of going abroad was the daily activities I experienced and the people I met. I thoroughly enjoyed taking the subway to a spontaneous stop and getting lost/exploring the city that way. Through this I was able to discover hidden antique markets and eateries that are local favorites. The local students that I met abroad also made my experience in Shanghai unforgettable. I frequently went to my friend's home where her mother would make me a home cooked meal consisting of about eight different native Shanghai dishes. When I finished stuffing myself into a food coma she would always, without a fail, come out with dessert (which was usually delicious mochi!). I also experienced my first karaoke outing with my local friends which was so much fun because, although we sang songs in different languages, we would all come together to sing Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne songs (whom they love). Shanghai is also a city that never sleeps. Whether I wanted to get a late night snack of street food, or wanted to go to a club, there was always a wide range of places I could go to at one in the morning.
Traveling was something that I enjoyed as well. I found a great group of friends that I traveled throughout the mainland with. We even traveled around Southeast Asia together after our program ended and are currently planning a reunion next summer! Studying in China not only allowed me to gain a global perspective of events happening around the world, but also made me appreciate many aspects of my life in the US that I took for granted. I had a phenomenal experience abroad and would encourage everyone to go study in a different country!
Alumni Comments:
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