Study abroad is one of the things that makes the Augustana experience really unique. It's embedded in our culture. It honestly changed my life. It was an incredible opportunity because not only did I learn so much about the culture of India, and just like the beautiful colors, and like the collectivism and just everybody that was like super caring in India, but I also learned so much about myself. I feel like I went there with a firm set of values and then I came back and I felt like the experience helped grow my character and help refine my values, Being able to go to other countries, you take different pieces. And like for my major, it's so nice to see because it's like, there's so many different ways I can help other people. Experiencing new cultures just, I feel like gives me like a new badge, being able to be like, "Oh my gosh, like, I can use that skill one day." And it's just something that I will never take it for granted. I think we're very fortunate that Augustana embraces our international programming in our study abroad options, and the variety of programs that are available. We have over 500 programs that are already approved for you to look at and to think about going. There are semester length programs, there are J term programs, faculty led during that time or spring break. And summer programs too. This engages different comfort levels with being a foreigner and traveling internationally. But it also allows the possibility that maybe you could study abroad more than once. I think it's very important that we really have that world or global perspective. In any profession that we're in, we can learn so much and I don't think we even realized how much we can learn and the potential that's there. You're out and you're meeting people of influence in the location that you're at. You're in the jungles, at a clinic, or you're doing other things where you're getting involved with that community. So they really bring the location to life and make the topic that you're learning about really relevant. One of the things I really enjoy about study abroad is I get to have an experience and a relationship with my students that goes beyond just sitting in a classroom. As intellectually nourishing as that can be, I really deeply value the idea that a whole city is our classroom.
