Over the summer, many Ashland University students participated in the Study Abroad Program.
AU’s Study Abroad Program presents students with unique opportunities that focus on core classes so that students of all majors can participate.
To get involved in the program, students should meet with the Director of Study Abroad, Rebecca Parillo through the SOAR Network.
To qualify for the program, students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, be 18 years old at the time of departure, have no level 1 judicial offences and have 15 credits completed at AU, not including CCP classes.
Lydia Ward, Megan Malin and Sophie George posing for a selfie over the Siena skyline (Megan Malin)
“There is no better time financially, socially or professionally to go abroad than while in college,” said Parillo.
“You get to travel with your friends, kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland, eat a croissant in Paris, visit beautiful churches throughout Italy, learn about World War II in Germany.”
The Study Abroad Office and Student Accessibility Center collaborate with AU students that have disabilities to explore different options and provide information about accessibility for study abroad opportunities.
This year, students traveled to places such as Italy, South Korea, Ireland and Tuscany.
Senior, Madeline Christie, traveled to South Korea over the summer with AU’s Study Abroad Program.
She spent her days in class, working on homework, participating in daily cultural activities and exploring Busan with her friends.
“The most essential thing I learned during this trip was learning how to socialize with the friends that I made at PKNU across multiple language and cultural barriers,” said Christie.
Dr. McDonald and Dr. Slade making authentic Italian pizzas. (Megan Malin)
While studying abroad, students were given the unique opportunity to develop a daily routine and adjust to cultural differences.
“Just being engrained within an entirely different culture for a month really helps to see the similarities and differences between our culture and theirs. Just getting to see and experience that is worth so much to me,” said Christie.
“I genuinely feel like going to Korea was one of the best decisions that I’ve made.”
Another student, Itzelle Guzman, traveled to Florence, Italy over the summer.
“My study abroad experience was amazing, . Rebecca helped me so much to prepare for my trip, and I am so thankful for all ofall the opportunities that I had in Italy and all ofall the people I met,” said Guzman.
From trying different coffee shops and restaurants to attending classes for fashion buying concepts, this AU junior’s study abroad experience was one of a kind.
“The biggest thing that I learned through my trip is that there is so much more to experience than just Ohio,” explained Guzman.
“The world is so big and there are so many more opportunities out there, you just have to be willing to look for it.”
Students visited historical monuments such as Saint Peter’s Basilica. (Nick Olquin)
