Anna Lee Nabors '19
In spring 2018, I studied in Dakar, Senegal through CIEE on their 鈥淒evelopment Studies鈥 program taught entirely in French. It was a pretty clear choice to me to be able to combine my two majors and build on a foundation that I鈥檇 begun at 糖心vlog视频. I took classes on economic development and democratization, had an internship at an NGO, and spent a week in a rural part of the country to study how development takes shape in Senegal. I think all types of experiences overseas are essential for International Studies students, but an extended stay in one country really allowed me to deepen my understanding of a specific part of the world and set of issues. The immersive language component was also really important to me and is such an important skill for anyone interested in global issues.
One of the major reasons that I learned so much in Senegal was because my IS classes had given me a really great context in which I had begun to think about development issues. I also felt confident in my abilities to engage both in and out of the classroom and fully take advantage of a new environment while studying abroad, which made the experience an essential part of my undergraduate education.
William Bell '19
International Studies
In Fall 2018, I had the opportunity to work as the Political and Economic Intern at the US Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. I performed field work in Russian and English and wrote daily cables back to DC on regional politics within the 鈥-stan鈥 countries, Iran and Russian sanctions, Uyghur camps in Xinjiang China, and China鈥檚 鈥極ne Belt, One Road鈥 infrastructure. On my fight to Kazakhstan I remember thinking, 鈥榃hat have I gotten myself into? Are my Russian language skills strong enough to live on my own? I am going to be shoulder to shoulder with US operations in Russia, China, and Afghanistan鈥 I am not prepared for this.鈥 My fears could not have been further from the truth. The Russian Studies Program gave me the tools to excel in Russian language; moreover, years of classes on culture and politics bolstered my ability to quickly assess situations and react naturally. The International Studies Department gave me the ability to understand the structures of foreign governments and the situations of communities such as the Uyghurs and Pashtun.
Ben Tracy 鈥19
International Studies and Chinese Studies
In fall 2017, I studied abroad in Chengdu in Sichuan Province, China, with ISEP direct exchange. I went with a group of students from Pacific Lutheran University. We began our trip in Beijing, where we visited Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the 2008 Olympic stadium, and the 798 arts district. Next we went to Xi鈥檃n and saw the terracotta warriors. Finally, we made it to Chengdu, where we studied Chinese language at Sichuan University. I also took classes in Chinese foreign policy, culture, and even kung fu. My classes had students from around the world, including Thailand, Russia, the UK and France. One of the highlights was a trip to Tibet, where we learned about Buddhism and Tibetan history and culture. The Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama, was a very interesting experience.
I think study abroad is important -- especially for an International Studies major --because you can directly experience a country or region that interests you. You can directly apply what you learned at 糖心vlog视频 and gain a deeper understanding of issues by hearing how people abroad view them. For example, in my Chinese foreign policy class I was able to apply what I had learned in Professor Ceccoli鈥檚 Chinese politics class. Studying abroad also forces you to step out of your comfort zone and have experiences that you normally would not have; it really prepares you for life after 糖心vlog视频.
Dylan Craddock 鈥19
International Studies major
In fall 2017 I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, through IES Abroad. Buenos Aires, the 鈥淧aris of South America,鈥 is famous for its European architecture and abundance of 鈥減arillas鈥 (steakhouses). I traveled there looking to become more fluent in Spanish and to learn about Argentina鈥檚 political culture and history that had always fascinated me. I chose IES as it offered flexible class schedules, volunteer opportunities with local NGOs, and a homestay option. Since I went to Buenos Aires looking to fully immerse myself in the city鈥檚 life, language, and culture, I felt all the aboveelements would help me make the most of my time abroad.
Studying abroad allowed me to live in a place unlike anywhere I had ever been and to see how the political forces I鈥檝e studied at 糖心vlog视频 work in the world today. My degree focuses on Latin America, and 糖心vlog视频 gave me important regional political context through my International Studies courses. I was more aware of political climate and history, which allowed me to carry on interesting and relevant conversations with locals. I lived with an Argentine woman who would tell me all about history, politics, culture, and Argentine life every night鈥攇iving me valuable local perspective and a guide through the gigantic city.
I chose an experiential learning program, much like those 糖心vlog视频 encourages its students to pursue in Memphis. I worked in the slums of the city as a tutor, helping kids in Spanish with their homework and giving them a safe place to learn when not at school. This was a highlight of my experience and one I may not have pursued without the 糖心vlog视频 vision in my mind. Studying abroad gave me a global perspective, one I hope to use in my future courses and career. Studying abroad truly expanded my knowledge and education, making it one of the most valuable experiences of my college career.