UW-Eau Claire has one of the best study abroad programs, ranking 9th in the nation by a national study report; three students who are currently studying abroad report back to tell us a little bit about their adventures so far.

 Nyssa Langlois 

Studying abroad doesn’t
always come with big adjustments. Junior English literature major Nyssa Langlois is studying abroad at Harlaxton College near Grantham, England and has had a smooth transition into
life there.

“Adjusting here is a lot easier probably than a lot of study abroad students’ experiences because we’re in a school that’s completely filled with American students and American professors,” Langlois said.

Studying in an English-speaking country has made her classes and interactions with British professors quite comfortable, as well.

However, the rainy weather, food and strict schedule took some getting used to, she said. Langolis said it has been particularly difficult to become accustomed to focusing mostly on homework and studying for a six-credit
British studies class, where students applaud professors at the end  of lectures.

Langlois said she doesn’t have much free time in her schedule. If she’s not in class or doing homework, she’s traveling around Europe, to countries like Scotland, Ireland, Norway
and Austria.

“I want to get out and see everything I can,” Langlois said.

Classes end on Thursdays at Harlaxton to allow students to sightsee and travel on
the weekends.

Although she’s in a foreign country, Langlois said she’s met people from all over the U.S.

“Everybody here is really friendly … and it’s really easy to make friends.”

Alec Pankow

Alec Pankow is a senior elementary education major who arrived in Glasgow, Scotland in the beginning of September. He will be studying there for one semester and will get 15 credits
toward his degree.

Pankow said he’s adjusting well and even making time to talk to loved ones back home.

“Being away from the family has been easier than I thought,” he said.  “Skype is a godsend. To make new friends, I honestly just talk to everybody. You never know who could be your best friend by the time
you leave.”

Pankow has spent his free time exploring the city and traveling. He has plans to attend Oktoberfest and said he’s excited about it.

But one thing Pankow hasn’t enjoyed is driving.

“The hardest adjustment by far are the cars, everything is opposite when driving,” Pankow said. “I’ve definitely almost been smoked a couple times.”

Although it’s always a little scary for him to get inside a car in Glasgow, Pankow said the thing he’s dreading most is the reality of having to leave
eventually.

“Even in my first week and a half, it’s already the best time of my entire life,” he said.  “As much as UWEC wouldn’t want me to say it, it’s less about the study and entirely about the abroad.”

Living in an island country and meeting students from all over the world has allowed Kimball to have exciting cultural experiences. On the weekends, the night life is very lively and cooking Mexican food or going to the beach with friends are common pastimes for Kimball. Class field trips and visits to the art museum also give her opportunities to learn about the Puerto Rican way of life.

“The best thing so far is I’m learning so much about what life is like in other places and I’m gaining a real appreciation for how other people live and how life is back home,” Kimball said.

Making friends quickly has also been helpful for Kimball in her adjustment to Puerto Rico. The connections she has made with people have allowed her to see what it might be like for international students at UW-Eau Claire as well.

“We really need to try to reach out to the exchange students in our area more because if I didn’t have that connection and if I didn’t have those people that came and talked to me, I would have wanted to leave,” Kimball said.

Studying abroad has not always been easy for her. The first day of classes was especially difficult because the variations of Spanish that her professors spoke were difficult to understand and hard to follow. Kimball also said she misses home, the fall weather and her family.

“I love it and there’s so much culture and I’m learning a lot, but it’s not easy,” she said.

Amelia Kimball

Amelia Kimball, a junior journalism and Spanish major, has been studying abroad in Santurce, Puerto Rico for a month and said she has found it to be a fun and challenging learning experience.

Living in an island country and meeting students from all over the world has allowed Kimball to have exciting cultural experiences, she said. On the weekends, the night life is very lively and she spends her evenings cooking or going to the beach.

She said class field trips and visits to the art museum also give her opportunities to learn about the Puerto Rican
way of life.

“The best thing so far is I’m learning so much about what life is like in other places and I’m gaining a real appreciation for how other people live and how life is back home,” Kimball said.

Kimball said she made friends quickly in Puerto Rico. She said the connections she has made with people have allowed her to see what it might be like for international students at
UW-Eau Claire.

“We really need to try to reach out to the exchange students in our area more,” Kimball said. “If I didn’t have that connection and if I didn’t have those people that came and talked to me, I would have wanted to leave.”

Kimball was previously an employee of The Spectator