![色搜视频 students pose in front of landmarks in Morocco and Ecuador.](/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/studyabroad.jpg)
It鈥檚 so important for students to get out and see the world and experience a totally different way of living.
The world is once again a classroom for 色搜视频 students.
Graduate and undergraduate students recently completed travel courses and student-teaching in Europe, South America and Africa. Their journeys marked the return of both programs after the suspension of in-person international activities due to the pandemic.
They are among more than 200 programs offered by the Study Abroad Office.
Two returning students recently shared their experiences.
Cultural Lessons
When she becomes a social worker, Cassandra DeMotte, 鈥24, hopes to serve people from a variety of backgrounds. After spending two weeks experiencing life in Morocco, Cassandra has a better appreciation of those cultural differences.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so important for students to get out and see the world and experience a totally different way of living,鈥 said Cassandra, a Blackstone resident majoring in social work and minoring in psychology and Spanish.
Cassandra participated in a summer travel course to Morocco led by Drs. Jabbar Al-Obaidi and Madhu Rao. Eleven students spent two weeks in the African country touring the coastal city of Casablanca and venturing inland to Fes, which is regarded as the country鈥檚 cultural capital.
They met with Justice Rachida Hlimi, president of the Tribunal de Commerce Fes; observed preliminary court proceedings; and met the court deputy for the Moroccan king. Students also visited homes and a miles-long market, where they saw dishes, bags, clothing, and other wares being made by hand.
While traveling, Cassandra researched mental health. She was impressed by the availability of services and how seriously the problem is taken.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not a stigma around mental health in Morocco like there is here in the U.S.,鈥 she said. 鈥淚n Morocco, they鈥檙e very open.鈥
Cassandra hopes to pursue another travel course and a semester-long study abroad experience before graduating.
Travel courses, she said, build connections with professors and students from different majors.
鈥淲e left Logan Airport as strangers,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e became so close throughout the trip. I would say we are best friends.鈥
A Dream Fulfilled
Gretchen Sandstrum, 鈥22, long knew she wanted to student teach abroad. In fact, it鈥檚 a major reason she chose to attend Bridgewater State.
Gretchen achieved her dream by working at Colegio Menor, a private international school in Quito, Ecuador. She taught to second graders lessons on currency and long vowel sounds, and used her native English to demonstrate proper pronunciation.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 an amazing opportunity,鈥 said Gretchen, who is from Norwood and studied elementary education, special education and Spanish. 鈥淚t definitely sets you apart from other teacher candidates because it is so unique.鈥
Eight student teachers traveled abroad in the spring. They learned to think creatively and embrace change, two skills that will be essential in their future careers, special education Professor Robert MacMillan said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a life-changing experience for these students,鈥 said Dr. MacMillan, the faculty fellow for international initiatives.
Gretchen, who also student taught in first grade at Kingston Elementary School, forged connections between the Kingston and Quito classes. Students wrote to each other and met via video conference.
Kingston students created pocket-sized drawings of themselves that Gretchen took with her on Ecuadorean adventures. She sent photos of their journey back to Kingston.
During her eight weeks abroad, Gretchen jumped over the equator, hiked near Quilotoa Lagoon in the Andes Mountains, and met a llama on Pichincha Volcano.
鈥淭o be able to immerse yourself into a different culture is incredible,鈥 she said. 鈥淕etting to experience different school settings and the way different teachers teach makes you a better teacher.鈥