Michelle Itkin
Poland

I had a life changing time studying abroad in Poland, a place I never thought I would have the chance to go. I found a new love for other cultures, people and traveling. I was fortunate to extend my abroad time to travel by myself within Europe. In this picture I am in Holland, clearly having a blast. Hands down this was the most amazing experience I could possibly have done in college and would highly recommend it to anyone! 

mi5692@ship.edu

Joshua Rudley
Israel

I studied abroad at the University of Haifa in Israel during the Spring 2012 semester. It was the best experience of my life! Not only did I get to experience the country and its people, but I got ahead on the credits and classes I need to graduate. The university took us on bus trips on the weekends to show us different areas of the country and invited us along with the local students to participate in all of there campus parties, free food, and activities. Studying abroad in Israel was the best decision I have ever made! 

jr5546@ship.edu

Abigail Whitaker
London

This is a picture of me on one of my last nights in London. It is in front of the Tower Bridge, which holds the Olympic rings on it. I experienced so much this summer by going abroad. When I decided to study abroad I didn't know what to expect. Once I arrived in London I made friends of a lifetime and experienced events people only dream about. I embraced their culture and enjoyed every second of it. I did an internship and learned how to work with people on an international level. When I came back to America I was missing the British way of life. If I could I would relive my study abroad experience in a heartbeat. 

aw2441@ship.edu

Christopher Piper
Japan

I had a great time in Japan. I completed a one-month summer program through CIEE that didn't interfere with my schedule at Ship. I attended classes at the prestigious Sophia University in the heart of Tokyo. During the first week, I got to go on all sorts of field trips to scenic and historical destinations. I got to go to a small town in the country, a historical government building, a drum museum, Matsumoto Castle, a wasabi farm, a traditional-style inn with a hot spring bath, and a secluded village in the mountains that looks like it did hundreds of years in the past. While attending classes, Sophia University provides all sorts of free city tours and events on campus. Things like going to see noh, kabuki, the Meiji Shrine, and I even got to go to Disney Sea. My classes changed the way I look at East Asian culture and business. I made great friends and would love to go back! 

cp8956@ship.edu

Me standing in front of historic Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture. This was just one of the great locations I visited during our weekend excursion west of Tokyo. 

Another beautiful sunset in Paris with the Eiffel tower stretching towards the twilight sky. 

Benjamin Woodard
Paris

Everyday I woke up with a smile on my face; I would leave my apartment and before descending into the metro I would gaze to my left and see the Eiffel tower. Everyday was a new experience and I learned so much about who I am as a person. There is nothing in the world that would cause me to take back my study abroad experience and I will forever treasure the memories I have made and the friends I've gained. I had to opportunity of living with a host family in the Sixteenth arrondisement of Paris; everyday, before descending into the metro station I would look left and see the Eiffel Tower piercing the blue skies. Not a day went buy where I did not either learn something or make a memory that will forever impact my life. It truly was the opportunity of a lifetime and I was sure to remind myself that each and everyday, never taking a day for granted. I also had the opportunity to travel across Europe, spending two weeks on the Greek isles! Not a day goes by where I don't think of the smell of a freshly baked croissant crossing my path, or the detail of the nineteenth century architecture at every corner. Paris will forever be a part of me and I can't imagine having gone through college without studying abroad. 

bw5376@ship.edu

Bekah Mathes
Netherlands

I studied abroad in Maastricht, The Netherlands, for six months. I absolutely fell in love with this small beautiful city. The charming European cobblestone streets filled with bicycle riders instantly captivated me. I arrived in January and although the cold and rain was a bit harsher than I have been used to in Pennsylvania, I did adjust and later got to experience the beautiful sunny summer days as well. The Maas River flowed through the city, separating the city centre from the other side where I lived. This river was my favorite part about Maastricht; it was so peaceful to take a bike ride or run along it, and to sit on a bench and read by it. Studying abroad was by far the best and most exciting six months of my life yet. It was filled with constantly meeting new people and seeing new places. I had opportunities I never could have imagined before. I made friendships with amazing people from all over the world and learned more about different cultures than I ever could have learned sitting in a classroom. This experience has motivated me to continue learning more about people and cultures from all around the world and I cannot wait until I get the chance to go to Europe again. I strongly urge anyone who hasn't taken advantage of this opportunity to do so, you will not regret it! 

rm8016@ship.edu

This photo was taken in the Vrijthof square, one of the 2 famous squares in Maastricht. This square contained a gorgeous church and quaint restaurants with outdoor seating for the beautiful days. The Vrijthof often held events like small festivals, concerts, and was also a big part of the celebrations for Carnival, an annual tradition in the city of Maastricht. Vrijthof square was one of my favorite places to walk and to show to visitors. 

Tara Owens
Costa Rica

In this picture I am in Monteverde, Costa Rica. I had just finished ziplining and I decided to go ATVing on the country side of Costa Rica where I saw cows, horses, and all the views tourists don't normally get to see. The figure in the background is Volcan Arenal. That day was a clear beautiful day and I made a lot of friends that day also. I would recommend everyone to go study abroad because it is a hands on experience that cannot be replicated in a fifty minute class. 

to0322@ship.edu

Renee Haehnlen
Spain

 Studying abroad has given me a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. I learned more outside of the classroom than my time spent in the classroom. A price cannot be put on the experiences I had, the friends I made, or how I have grown as a person. Studying in Salamanca, Spain and traveling throughout Europe has given me new perspectives on the world and how the U.S. and Americans are viewed by outsiders. I highly recommend studying abroad to everyone. Only a certain amount of studying and learning can be done through textbooks before first-hand experience is necessary.

rh5058@ship.edu

On a trip to Seville, Spain, I visited the Plaza de España where some scenes from Star Wars was filmed. 

We stand on a boulder, overlooking Lake Manyara at the top Moyo Hill in Tanzania. Joseph and Anna stayed home from school for the day, so that they could make my homestay with the Iraqw family memorable.

Chris Prestridge
East Africa

...six months later, I am going through SFS withdraw. I miss life in East Africa so much, I would do ANYTHING to go back and relive my experiences once more. Particular senses bring it all back in a rush from time to time, and it's an unbelievable sensation. Just imagine how it felt over there. There are 31 other students from all over the country with whom I've never felt more close. Thing is, every other student feels the same way. We all want to go back and be together, again. I believe that's something you cannot value enough, an experience that must be had. Studying abroad was the greatest decision I have ever made, and I hope you will make the most of such an opportunity, as well.

Sarah Brotzman
South Korea

I have to say my favorite party of being there was not the location or the experiences I had, but the people I had them with. I have never met so many people that wanted to hug me, tell me I'm beautiful, laugh with me, teach me new things, take me on adventures, and miss me so much! I have friend spanning the globe now and wish everyday that I was able to be with all of them living those moments all over again! 

sb3071@ship.edu 

During an extended vacation, I want to Busan, South Korea for the annual fireworks festival with my friend Becca. We walked about 5 miles and found this amazing view of the city & the backside of this beautiful bridge. Later that night the fireworks (made in: Chine, Japan, and Korea) were shot off from the other side while we watched them from them beach. They lasted an hour and were choreographed to music!

This is a photo of me skydiving, one of the many activities I participated in while in Australia. The aerial view is of my temporary home, Wollongong. We landed on the local beach, a short walk away from campus.

Katelyn Hood
Australia

It's hard to say what I enjoyed most about studying abroad because it was all so amazing. I learned a lot academically as well as learning to appreciate the simplest things in life. It was a thrill to be able to hike Mt. Keira and then cool off and relax at Fairy Meadow beach with the new lifelong friends I had made from all over the world. I would go back in a heartbeat. Looking back, I close my eyes and feel as if I am still there, living in a surreal world. Although I am no longer there, the memories will stay with me forever. I've realized anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it.

kh1118@ship.edu 

Chelsie Madison
Poland

I now look and think about the world in a different way. I was able to see places, do things, and meet people; which has all changed me and my life.

cm3256@ship.edu 

This is of my roommate (middle) and another friend having a girls night in the market center. 

This photo was taken on the day I arrived in London, England in front of Tower Bridge. 

Kate Morrone
England

I have never been one to travel. Oddly enough there isn’t even a time that I can recall being outside the tri-state area. This summer, however, I flew to a posh neighborhood in London called Kensington.  Stepping outside my comfort zone and traveling across the Atlantic turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned more abroad than I could have ever learned sitting in an American classroom. I traveled across Europe and became an expert at communicating with people in unfamiliar situations. My lessons that I learned abroad I will carry with me the rest of my life.

km7789@ship.edu