Bulldogs Abroad Blog

Written by: Abby Kurek | Fall 2024
Butler Semester in Spain

Dear Past Abby, 

Studying abroad was the best decision you could have ever made. I remember how scared you were to sign the papers, committing to another country with limited travel experience and fears about speaking Spanish. I remember the anxiety as you drove on the highway three days before leaving, only to receive an email saying your host family had switched. You had already built a picture in your mind of what life with them would be like in Spain. (By the way, let’s work on not checking your phone, even at red lights) Those emotions were valid and understandable, but as you’ll soon discover, you had nothing to worry about. 

You survived the airports, navigated new places, and spoke Spanish with the people of Spain. You even used your Spanish in Italy when you found yourself stranded in Naples for an hour. Your host mom turned out to be an incredible woman. She redid your entire room before your arrival and retired from her cooking job during your first week there, meaning you always had amazing meals and the chance to bond over your shared transitions. You’ll treasure her quirks, like the way she’d say “Siiiiii” in a drawn-out tone when something was obvious. You’ll also meet your originally assigned host mom, and she’ll be lovely. After your graduation, you’ll talk with her for four and a half hours, catching up on your lives as if you’d lived in her house the entire time. 

You experienced so many firsts. You flew overseas, explored European countries, joined a pub crawl and a booze cruise, and stayed in a hostel during your second weekend abroad. You navigated public transportation like a pro—well, except for the time you got stuck in a train door and earned the nickname ATD, or when you missed the last metro of the night. You saw your first professional musical (Mamma Mia!), rode a rollercoaster for the first time, and did countless things that would surprise even you. 

But the most important parts of this journey weren’t the adventures—it was the growth, the family you built, and the memories that will stay with you forever. 

Your Spanish skills improved, even though there were moments when you doubted it. You’ll panic over your first bad midterm grade, only to ace the final. Your confidence will grow in ways you won’t always notice at first. You’ll become more comfortable with yourself, letting the world see the real you, thanks in part to the bond you form with nine strangers who also took the leap to study in Spain. Together, you’ll make crazy memories—some you might regret, but they’ll make great stories in the end. You’ll lean on each other in tough times and lift each other up when needed. 

Your camera roll will overflow with photos, each one sparking a smile when you look back. You won’t be able to imagine life without this experience. You won’t be able to picture a world where you didn’t meet Miss Miss, Jessy Wessy, Sack, Treb, Kanga, Gnat, Paylo, Gabs, or Chicle.Thankfully, you’ll never have to. The memories and the people will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

I’m proud of us. Know everything happens for a reason and embrace what is thrown at you.

-Future Abby 

Written by: Paige Kosowan  |  Fall 2024
IES Abroad Amsterdam – Law and Criminology

Sometimes being abroad is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced and sometimes I feel like it’s the peak of my existence. One minute I am crying, scared of the unknown, of the unfamiliarity, of being uncomfortable and the next I’m smiling ear to ear and hoping it’ll never end. The constant switching of emotions frequently gives me whiplash. Some days I sit in my room and feel guilty for ‘bed rotting’ when I should be out exploring Amsterdam and all it has to offer. Other times my schedule is so packed full of activities that I’m a dead man walking at the end of the day. Each new environment has something different to offer me and I tend to be terrified of missing out. Being abroad has helped me truly understand that multiple emotions can coexist at a singular time. You don’t have to just be sad or homesick or happy, you can feel all of these things at once and that is OKAY. Ultimately, my goal is to be content with the time I spend here in the Netherlands, and that looks different for everybody.

Can You Do Everything?

The short answer is no, you won’t be able to do everything you want to do abroad. Truth is, I came to Amsterdam thinking I was going to travel to a new place every weekend. Did I? Of course not. First of all, who really has the funds to travel to a new destination every single weekend. If you do, I truly am happy for you, but with a recession fast approaching, money was and still is an issue I face today. My advice? Pick experiences over all else. I would much rather have some cheese and a 0.50 cent roll for dinner under the Eiffel Tower or on the coast of Italy than a new pair of jeans from Zara. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but sacrificing things here and there can lead to the best memories in the future. And although skipping out on a nutritious dinner or new clothes helps out a bit, the reality is that you’re not going to be able to do everything you want to do. This is okay! Prioritize what is most interesting to you. It is important to remember you are young and have the rest of your life ahead of you. You’re already doing something that most people don’t have the guts to do so take it easy on yourself (and your credit card) and remember that you are probably already in a dream vacation spot for many people. Explore where you’re living for the next few months, it’ll be over before you know it.

How Do You Get Through? 

I believe I can do anything I set my mind to but traveling alone to a foreign country and living there for four months when I have never left the United States really pushed me to my limits. So I want to say thank you. Thank you to Sofia (right) and Jannat (left) for constantly being there for me when the day is hard, without you this experience would not be what it is for me. There is a high possibility I would be sitting back in Indiana without you guys. Thank you to my mom, my biggest supporter, and for reminding me that I’ll forever remember the memories I make here but not how much it cost. Thank you to my grandpa, who taught me bravery and perseverance through the toughest of times. Who is not here today but somehow still made it possible for me to have this opportunity. Thank you to my baby sister, who gets to say she has the coolest oldest sister ever. I do it all for you Tay. 

It’s your support system that gets you through it. The people who wait for you back home and the ones you make along the way. But if all that fails, do it for yourself. My favorite quote that I have sworn by while abroad is this: A comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.

Written by: Aaric Hager | Fall 2024
BU Exchange Semester in Uppsala, Sweden

If there is one phrase that sums up my time abroad, it’s the cliche term “go with the flow.” When my friend in the middle of our class asked me to come to Sweden with her, at that moment I thought, “why not,” and now I’m somehow here, living life to the fullest as of the last handful of months. And I truly think that this mindset is one everyone should try to incorporate into their own attitudes if they choose to go abroad as well! At home, I play volleyball, and one of my biggest concerns was how I was going to continue my hobby and fitness. Lucky for me, there is an amazing gym, better than any I’ve found in the US, that has more than served my needs. Through this student gym, I was able to play volleyball up to 4 times a week playing in a competitive tournament league as well as a recreational open court, meet some of my greatest friends here, and find a ton more activities to try. This includes rock climbing, futsal, badminton, racketball, etc! I’m so lucky to have randomly chosen to dive into an expensive, yet worthwhile random membership that would honestly change my time while abroad. Furthermore, outside of the gym, I said yes to a bunch of random things! Whether it was to go clubbing with a bunch of classmates I hardly knew, biking what felt like long agonizing miles to a huge lake, or simply walking about and experiencing nature and the beautiful night time city, I was lucky enough to find myself in these amazing experiences just by chance. Along with randomly joining volleyball, these random experiences have also led me to meet new people, make new connections, and create bonds with people that have become fantastic friends to me. But the biggest thing everyone should be free and open to is their perspectives. While abroad, people have challenged not only my way of life, but my thinking as well. I am constantly pushed out of my comfort zone, urged to create new friendships, try new things, and talk with people hearing and understanding all their different stories. Because of all the international students around me, I’ve had truly remarkable conversations about life that, if you’re willing to open up to, can both be some of the most impactful and fun experiences of your time abroad. I urge you to always open up to new opportunities, and know that experiences will pass by if not seized, and that by sometimes not “going with the flow,” may lead you to miss out on things that will stick with you well past you leave your studies abroad…

Written by: Anna Grace Muckerheide | Fall 2024
BU Exchange Semester in Uppsala, Sweden

Studying abroad had never even crossed my mind as an opportunity available for me during my time in college. When I got the email from the College of Education (COE) about wanting to send students to Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden, I ignored it like all the other study abroad emails because I didn’t believe it was something I could do. The thought of moving across the ocean from my family and friends was too daunting to even consider. I think I am a pretty introverted person, so having to start all over, create new friendships, explore a new country, live alone, and be so far away from everything I’ve ever known made the possibility of me studying abroad improbable.

But something convinced me to reopen that email about Uppsala University. I told myself I would never go, but it would be fun to hear what studying in Sweden is like. As I was scrolling the email, I saw some of the classes offered, and one was “Swedish Special Needs from a Comparative Perspective.” The class was described as learning about special needs education, which is what I am studying at Butler, from an international perspective. My interest immediately peaked because how cool is that!! I vividly remember texting my mom “not that I would go but look how cool this class is in Sweden.” While I was pretty dead set on not studying abroad, I think a little part of me was trying to open my eyes and peek through to what life could be like abroad. I was letting fear hold me back, but as I continued pushing through, so many dreams and so much excitement came to light, and then I realized, going to Sweden was exactly the direction my life needed.

So here I am, in an incredible country, studying education, and getting to learn from hundreds of other international students about their home countries and what life is like for them. I am not only learning in my classes, but in my everyday life. Some of the tiniest moments, like building a snowman with a stranger, walking to the city center and seeing the lights set up for the winter (because the sun sets before 3pm), and feeling at peace as I buy a hot cup of coffee and sit down to study, have brought me a great sense of joy.

As I was preparing to leave for Sweden, all I could think about was how I wished my family and loved ones could experience this trip alongside me. I knew that this was something I had to do alone, but I wanted to share everything with them, so I started a personal blog. Once a week, I write about anything and everything that I want to remember forever. Sometimes all I talk about is my favorite pastry, while other times I share something more meaningful. All these memories could fade over time, and I didn’t want that to happen, so writing about them gives them a place to rest until I find them again.

Writing once a week became so therapeutic for me. It was a way for me to slow down and reflect on my life and to think about all the good things that had come to me that week. After posting a blog, I would get texts from my family and friends about what they liked, how they are feeling, how they wish they could share a Swedish pastry with me, etc. Sharing my writings with them made it feel like they were with me, which is a very calming feeling when you are physically 4000 miles away.

I created my blog on the free GoDaddy website which allowed me to post as many writings and photos as I wanted. Even while I am still in Sweden, I love looking back and reading about the first couple weeks to see how much my life has changed in just a few short months. In my week 3 post, I talked about this salad bar that I tried that I really liked and said I would definitely be back. Now, I find that really funny because the last place I would choose to eat is that salad bar because I have found so many better places after 3 months of living here. Funny things like that to look back on are tiny moments that I would’ve otherwise forgotten about if I hadn’t written them down. There are also deeper posts, such as week 4 when I discussed how my corridor/apartment was beginning to feel like a family. While I was nervous about this living situation, it turned out better than I imagined, with everyone being friendly and caring, and now they are some of my favorite people.

All this to say, considering a study abroad has overwhelmed me from the first mention of it, but now that I’ve taken that step, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I know leaving your loved ones is so scary, but there are ways to still connect with them. Writing was not only a way for me to connect and share my experiences with my people back home, but a way for me to connect with myself and stay grounded.

So, think of all the possibilities and take the chance to study abroad. And maybe write a blog about it so you have your memories, of the smallest things and the largest moments, forever.

Written by: Belle Echeverria  |  Spring 2024
ISEP Exchange in Jyväskylä, Finland 

1. Making Friends 

In all honesty, I find it very hard to make friends and I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to make friends while I was abroad, and I was going to be all alone. Luckily for me, the University of Jyväskylä hosted many events (even events at bars & clubs!) where the international students could make friends! I found this to be the easiest place to make friends because everyone was there to have a good time and make friends. Plus, making friends through other friends was an easy option too! Overall, though, I just got lucky with the people I met. They pretty much all just fell into my lap! 

2. New Style of Education

I remember when I first got to Butler as a freshman, I struggled a lot with adjusting to different professors’ style of teaching, homework, exams, etc. Plus, as a first-generation college student, I had no one to lean on for advice. Similarly, I thought the struggle was going to be the same when adjusting to the Finnish style of education. Luckily for me, Finland highly values their students as humans and their wellbeing, so they were incredibly accommodating and rarely assigned homework (they viewed it as a waste of time) and focused more on in class work and discussion. I learned I actually preferred the way of education in Finland over the US. 

3. The Food 

As a certified picky eater, I was convinced that I was going to starve once I got to Finland. For the first month being abroad, this unfortunately was the case. I didn’t eat much because all of the food was different and figuring out what foods were while in the grocery store was tough. But after time, I was able to find certain foods that I enjoyed. It just took time.  

4. Communication 

To everybody’s surprise, I don’t speak Finnish. I didn’t know how communication was going to work while I was in Finland or even while I was traveling to different countries. But google translate ended up being my girl. Most people did speak English everywhere I went, but it was still nice to have google translate as an option for communication!  

5. Using Public Transportation 

As an American, we barely (if at all) use any form of public transportation. This might have been the thing I was most nervous for. When I was taking the train from Helsinki to Jyväskylä on my first day in Finland, I missed my connecting train from Tikkurila to Jyväskylä. Of course, this immediate incited panic and I ended up calling my mom. She then reminded me that she could not help me and to breathe, read the signs, and figure it out. After calming down I bought a new ticket and got on the correct train. Overall, it took making mistakes in order to figure out how to use the public transportation. Once I got a hang of it in Finland, it was super easy to apply to other countries. Shout out to Vienna, Austria because their public transportation system was incredible and so easy to use! 

6. Managing Money 

When I first came to Finland, I had a lot of money from savings, scholarships, and the ISEP stipend that I had to manage (I was very VERY lucky). But this was the first time in my life having that much money to manage on my own for rent, groceries, travel, etc. I was worried that I wouldn’t budget properly and spend too much in the beginning without having enough for the last couple of months. So, I sat down with my mom, and we made a budget for every month. I was able to pay all five months of rent upfront (once again I was insanely lucky to be able to do this). Then we put aside a certain amount for groceries every month, and then my mom left the rest to me to figure out. I learned a lot from this experience and was able to budget well enough to be able to visit nine other countries while I was abroad! 

7. The New Weather 

For those who don’t know, Finland is very far north and is near the arctic circle. So basically, it’s way too cold there in the wintertime. I hate super cold weather and was terrified to endure a Finnish winter. When I first got there it was NEGATIVE 26 DEGREES. In all honesty this sucked. So bad. But I learned to suck it up and I learned how to dress properly for the Finnish weather.  

8. Being Away From Home

For those that know me, know how close my mom and I are. Even when I’m at school at Butler I try to go home and visit her at least once a week. She is my best friend, and I can’t stand being away from her for too long let alone five months. Admittedly, it was super hard, and I cried often because of how much I missed her. But we did the best we could to talk every single day and she was even able to come visit me at the beginning of March! But, as time went on, I was able to be away from her without crying, but I still missed her every single day.  

9. Missing My Pets 

Similar to number 8, I didn’t want to be away from my animals for five straight months. My cat is getting older, and I was scared something would happen to her or my dog while I was gone. Thankfully, my mom and my sister would send pictures and videos to me often and I was able to facetime and see them too! It was still hard not seeing them for so long though.  

10. Regret  

Ultimately, I was scared that I was going to regret my decision to study abroad at all. This turned out to not be the case at all! I regret that I even thought I was going to regret this incredible experience. I’m a better person since traveling abroad and have made lifelong friends and memories. If anything I regret not studying abroad sooner! 

Written by: Jessie Gross | Fall 2024
IFSA Tech Career Accelerator – Prague, Czech Republic

Throughout a study abroad experience, it’s common to experience the following emotions:

-            Excitement through exploring a new culture and making friends 

-            Homesickness for the familiar routines, people, and foods 

-            Independence built through self-sufficiency 

-            Overwhelm by navigating a different culture and language  

-            Accomplishment by meeting challenges that arise  

-            Sadness and nostalgia for the lifestyle built abroad when returning to home Some “lower” feelings can have side effects, like loneliness and a lack of motivation. When I traveled alone or had a set routine, a strong sense of independence made it hard to connect with my family and friends at home.  

When dealing with these emotions, I’d simply take a walk. Aside from the health benefits walking actually provides (physical activity releases endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain that improve mood and reduce stress), walking gets you out. When I was excited about my home city, I would walk to new areas before doing any research. This exploring is so much more organic and fun.  

On days when I felt unmotivated in schoolwork and exploration, I would jump on the bus, ride a few stops until I was in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and walk around. Sometimes I would make a game out of it – walk until I found a bar with my favorite beer or a café serving a pain au chocolat. 

Taking a walk always cured my loneliness. When experiencing homesickness, I would walk around my neighborhood, find something that reminded me of someone at home, snap a picture, and send it to them. This would instantly make me feel less alone in a new culture and allow me to connect my home life with my abroad life, two things that sometimes felt impossible to intersect.  

Studying abroad brings a whirlwind of emotions, and taking a walk helps mitigate these emotions and builds a deeper connection with your surroundings, allowing you to create memories and gain perspective. Every emotion is part of the journey, and with self-care, the experience becomes even richer. 

Written by: Meghan Vibbert | Summer 2024
Bulldogs to Berlin and Beyond

The Hardest Part: Taking the First Step

When I began my journey as a first-year student at Butler University, if someone had told me I’d spend the summer before my senior year studying abroad in Berlin, Germany, with side trips to Switzerland, Italy, and England, I would have laughed. By the start of my sophomore year, my senior year plans were already locked in: I was going to move into my senior house with six of my sorority sisters, work in the Indianapolis area over the summer, and kick off my final year at Butler that fall.  

But sometimes life has other plans. I soon realized that the path I had meticulously planned might not be the only one. After joining the Honors Department a bit late, I needed an extra class or two to catch up – and that’s when studying abroad became a serious option. Previously, as a student on a fully-funded Lilly Endowment Scholarship, I had come up with countless reasons why studying abroad during my time in college wasn’t for me. “I can’t afford it,” I told myself. “I don’t have the time. I’ll lose out on important moments with my friends. I’ll miss Butler homecoming or sorority recruitment.” The list of excuses was endless.  

Yet, all of those reasons were just that – excuses. In truth, studying abroad IS for everyone, no matter your circumstances. I had always assumed it wasn’t an option for me, but in reality, I’d never taken the time to explore it. And not only was it feasible, but it was incredibly rewarding. The hardest part, I realized, is simply taking the first step and deciding to go for it.  

How to Choose the Right Program

Like many students, when I first started looking into studying abroad, I was overwhelmed by the choices and had plenty of fears: concerns about financing, missing time on campus, and stepping away from the familiar. But here’s the key: do your research, ask questions, and explore all the options available to you. Start by attending study abroad fairs, visiting the Center for Global Education (CGE), and scheduling a meeting with study abroad advisors – Bond St. John and Calie Dickey – who can guide you through the decision-making process. Then, talk to professors and peers who’ve studied abroad. They have firsthand experiences that can provide invaluable insights! 

Additionally, Butler offers a variety of programs, and not all of them require you to be away for a whole semester. Maybe a semester program isn’t your style – there are summer and spring break programs that provide a great balance. At Butler, I found options through short-term or semester faculty-led programs, where a Butler faculty member accompanies you on the program, exchange programs where you “exchange” places with a student at a university abroad, or third-party providers like IFSA, which offer high-quality program opportunities with ongoing support throughout the experience.  

I participated in the Bulldogs in Berlin Honors Program – a short-term, faculty-led program run by Dr. Lantzer and Dr. Etzler. This summer program not only fulfilled an honors course credit but offered me the chance to apply my history major in a real-world setting as I explored Berlin’s rich history and culture. I promise there truly is a program for everyone, and the CGE is incredibly helpful in finding the right fit for your academic and personal needs.  

Taking the time to research programs that fit your academic goals and personal interests is essential! And if you’re worried about missing out on campus life, there’s good news: these programs are designed to complement your studies, not disrupt them. Who knows, you might find a second home on a campus or place halfway across the globe, and you’ll definitely form lasting connections with people from all walks of life. Whether you go for a semester, summer, or even just a week, the experience will enrich your college experience and broaden your perspective, not detract from it.  

Financing Your Study Abroad Journey

Once you’ve identified the right program, it’s time to tackle the big question: How do I pay for it? Funding a study abroad trip can feel both daunting and overwhelming, but trust me, it’s possible – even if you’re on a tight budget like I was. The secret lies in scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and effective planning.  

As a student attending Butler on a fully-funded Lilly Endowment Scholarship at Butler, I quickly realized that my job as a server wouldn’t cover the costs of my chosen summer program. Despite saving some of my earnings, it quickly became clear that I needed a financial plan and to secure additional funding to turn my study abroad dreams into reality. I began by meeting with the CGE, where I learned about funding options from students who had previously studied abroad, and by applying for every scholarship I could find.  

Luckily, the CGE offers a variety of scholarships through a single, simple application, and I was fortunate to receive two: the Lucy and Bruce Gerstein Holocaust Travel Grant and the Lucy Family Fund. Additionally, I was awarded the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, which provided a significant portion of my trip’s funding. These scholarships opened doors that I never thought possible and made the financial burden much lighter. They not only covered my program fees but also contributed to my flight expenses and allowed me to travel beyond my program to other countries!  

Moreover, the CGE has programs specifically designed to help with the costs of studying abroad. For instance, semester faculty-led programs and exchange programs allow you to retain your Butler financial aid package, meaning you won’t pay more than you typically do for a semester here at Butler. In addition to scholarships and financial aid, effective planning can help ease financial stress. I started by creating a detailed budget that outlined all the potential costs associated with my trip, including tuition, housing, travel, meals, and additional activities. This budgeting process not only helped me visualize the total cost but also allowed me to set specific saving goals based on my timeline.  

What I learned through this process is that financial barriers can be overcome with persistence and a willingness to find and apply for everything available! The experience you gain will be worth every bit of effort you invest in making it happen. Yes, it required careful financial planning, saving, and applying for scholarships, but in retrospect, the value of the experience far outweighed the costs. Money may come and go, but the personal growth and memories you gain from traveling abroad are truly priceless.  

Why You Should Study Abroad

So, you’re starting to take the first steps toward studying abroad. But why should you take the leap to study abroad in the first place? 

Studying abroad is much more than just visiting new places; it’s about stepping outside of your comfort zone and learning in ways you never could in a traditional classroom. My program in Berlin, for example, allowed me to visit historical sites I had only read about in textbooks. I walked through the Brandenburg Gate, stood where the Berlin Wall once divided the city, and visited museums that brought history to life in a way no lecture ever could. Even after the program ended, I easily traveled to Switzerland, Italy, and England through Europe’s efficient transportation system.  

But it wasn’t just about seeing famous landmarks; each day was a lesson in independence and adaptability. Navigating public transportation in a foreign city, trying foods I’d previously never heard of, and making friends with locals and fellow travelers – these experiences taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined. One of the most memorable moments was taking a 12-hour overnight train from Berlin to Zurich and sharing a cabin with three strangers. It was an experience that was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Similarly, I took a solo day trip to Sorrento and found myself sitting on the Amalfi Coast sipping limoncello with travelers I had met along the way. These kinds of unexpected adventures and challenges that push you outside of your comfort zone teach you resilience and help foster a deep confidence in yourself. 

Studying abroad stretches you in ways that staying at home in a familiar environment simply cannot. It forces you to adapt, think on your feet, and grow as a person. By the time you return home, you’ll find that you’ve developed a new sense of independence, a broader worldview, and a deeper understanding of yourself. You’ll have made lasting friendships, discovered beauty in places across the globe, and developed a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. There is something so profoundly humanizing about stepping into the unknown, and those moments of uncertainty and spontaneity help you learn to trust yourself in any situation.  

Studying Abroad IS for Everyone

All that said, if you are on the fence about studying abroad – whether because of financial concerns, fear of leaving home, or any other reason – I encourage you to take the leap. The hardest part is deciding to go, but once you take that first step, you won’t regret it. Trust yourself, trust the process, and take the leap. The challenges you may face along the way, whether that be deciding which program to go on or how to finance it, will be worth it.  

You’ll come back not only with a passport full of stamps but with a renewed sense of purpose, confidence, and a broader perspective of the world. I promise it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, and you will never look back wishing you had not gone. Trust that things will work out, and take the step. 

Written by: Belle Echeverria | Spring 2024
ISEP Exchange in Jyväskylä, Finland 

“You will never be completely at home again because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place” — Miriam Adeney.  

When I first made the decision to study abroad, it was because I desperately needed to escape. I needed to escape everything that I knew and go somewhere where no one knew me. Little did I know, I would find myself in a small city in the middle of Finland in -26° weather, with nearly 24/7 darkness, and completely surrounded by snow. All while being the happiest I had ever been in my entire life.   

Admittedly, I initially wasn’t excited to find out I was placed in Finland. I really had my heart set on either Italy or Austria, so I found myself regretting my decision to study abroad very quickly. But thankfully, my mom reminded me that this is where the world put me. This is where I was supposed to be, and I was lucky enough be able to go and find out why.  

As I sit here writing this, only three days away from moving back home, I find myself enthralled with gratitude. Luckily, it only took me a week (if even) to realize why the heck the world decided to place me in Finland of all places. It was for the incredible people that I’d meet.  

Not to sound cliché, but everyone says they meet the most incredible people on their study abroad programs, but to be completely honest, I think I won by a landslide. Now, because I’m feeling extra generous while writing this, let me introduce you to the people that have changed my life and loved me when I felt unlovable. Those that celebrated me on my birthday, while only knowing me for a few weeks and those that have put up with me and my weirdness for the past five months.  

My Roommates: Maider and Marie

When I first arrived in Finland, Maider was the very first person I met. Maider met me on the night I arrived in Finland after two days straight of travel and multiple anxiety attacks. I was in my room unpacking and sobbing because my towels smelled like home, and I knew that I wasn’t going to smell that smell again for five months. Then, I heard our front door open, and I immediately jumped up to see who it was. My sweet Maider and her tutor Ellie were standing in our entryway, and I must have looked like a maniac as I was mid-sob with my hair in a towel. Maider is from Spain and loves eggs, working out, and her family. She was the first person I had to brave the cold with on our first day of orientation because we were both too scared to try and figure out the public transportation, so we decided that walking 30 minutes in -26-degree weather would be better. Spoiler: it wasn’t.  

When I first met Marie, I knew we had an instant connection. To be completely transparent, it is really hard for me to make friends and with Marie and Maider it was effortless. On the first night of knowing Marie and Maider, we all sat at the entry ways of our doors just talking to each other for hours about the differences between the United States, Spain, and France. Spoiler alert: Marie is from France!  

Marie is the kind of person you call when you need anything because you know that no matter what, she will be there. She loves hosting events and cooking for large groups of people. She loves running and recently completed her first half-marathon in Helsinki. She loves a good beer, a good time, and she is an only child, but you could never tell. More importantly, she will listen to you rant about the same stinky boy over and over again, but never get sick of hearing you talk, as long as she knows that you feel heard.  

My Favorite Latin Americans: Gonza, Benja, and Lucas 

I met Gonza on my second day in Finland. Even in the midst of freezing weather and darkness at all hours, he was a ray of sunshine. Gonza is from Uruguay and was the first person I had ever met from South America. Gonza is one of those kinds of people that is really difficult to sufficiently put into words, English or Spanish. He’s the kind of person that ensures you get home safe after you decided to go a little too hard on your 21st birthday. He’s the kind of person that makes sure everyone at the function is having a good time and feels included. He’s the kind of person that is always down for a fun night, even if that means it’ll end with McDonald’s at 4 a.m. I believe with every single fiber of my being that everyone deserves a Gonza in their life.  

Benja and I met in a bar during the first month of the exchange. A lot of the exchange students were there making new friends, and this is where I met Benja and Lucas for the first time. Benja immediately gave me a kiss on the cheek and a huge hug and has never failed to do so ever single time he saw me after our first meeting. Benja has eleven siblings and a pet duck! He is completely out of the ordinary, which is one of the main reasons why I love him. He has big dreams to become an influential businessman and I don’t have s single doubt in my mind that he won’t accomplish that. He’s incredibly charismatic and has no shame asking anybody in the vicinity to bachata with him. I am incredibly lucky to have met him this semester.  

As previously mentioned, I met Lucas in the same bar that I met Benja in. It was just a group of the exchange students getting together, drinking, and trying to make new friends. I sat across from Lucas and was immediately intimidated by him. The combination of his outfit with his eyebrow slit and nose piercing immediately scared me. I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but admittedly I did with him. Little did I know he is one of the sweetest and kindest people you will ever meet. Don’t let his appearance fool you! Throughout this semester, Lucas and I went on many side quests together such as hockey games, exploring different bars, traveling to the arctic circle together, and so much more.  

My American Girls: Karissa, Mari, and Jenny

I first met Mari through my on-campus tutor. At the University of Jyvaskyla, each international student is assigned a Finnish student to help them get acclimated to the University, the city, and Finnish life. Mari is from Montana, and we instantly bonded at the local bus card office. It was -26 degrees Fahrenheit during our first week in Finland. Unfortunately, during this first week was also orientation week so we were all forced to battle the cold. After the second day of orientation, Mari and I decided to walk to the city center (it is about a 10-minute walk from the University main campus) because we needed to get bus cards to be able to use the public transportation easier. We ended up waiting for over an hour at the office, but over this hour I learned so much about her. Her boyfriend is in the military in South America, she also loves Noah Kahan, and (thankfully) we both had a very similar kind of humor. From there, everything else is history.  

Karissa and I met at a tutor house party. Her tutor, my tutor, and another tutor were throwing a Finnish style house party with Finnish foods for all of us to try. Here, I very quickly learned that Karissa is my kind of gal. She is always down for a good laugh, a drink, and spontaneous decisions. We bonded a lot this night and we were both able to get to know each other more and more. As I write this, Karissa is currently on her train back to Helsinki to fly home to Colorado. After five months, Karissa and I have made so many memories that will last us a lifetime and I cannot wait to go and visit her one day in Colorado.  

Last, but certainly not least, Jenny. Oh, my sweet, sweet Jenny. On the first day of orientation, Jenny and I (and a few others) shared our first Finnish lunch together. During this lunch, I learned that Jenny was from Alaska, and I was super intrigued by that. I had never met someone from Alaska before. Her quirky smile, taste in music, and zest for life instantly made me fall in love with her.  

In April, Mari, Jenny, Karissa, and I planned a girls trip to France and Italy for three weeks. During our time in France and Italy, I was at my absolute happiest. I feel so lucky and so beyond blessed to have been able to experience so many firsts with my girls. While that time in our lives might be over, the stories of us exploring France and Italy together will live forever in my heart.  

The French: Quentin and Romain

As I sit here writing this, I’m realizing I don’t really remember how Romain and I met. With a lot of the people that I met while abroad, it seems like there was barely an official meeting. We met and it felt like we had known each other our whole lives. This especially applies to my friendship with Romain. Romain is from the south of France and has an exquisite taste in wine, clothing, and food. We bonded over our hatred for walking long distances and people that lack common sense. I know I am going to miss him so much when I move back to the states, and it hurts my heart to even think about.  

Finally, I decided to save the best first meet story for last, Quentin. I met Quentin on March 6th, 2024, at Jyvaskyla’s most popular bar, Revolution. Every single Wednesday, Revolution had super cheap drinks for all students. That is one thing I know I will miss most about Finland; They love their students and give student discounts pretty much everywhere. Anyways, as usual, my girlfriends and I went to Revolution, and I was out with a vengeance. Little did I know that night I would be meeting my future boyfriend and the kindest person I had ever met. My roommate Marie and I were talking about how easy it is to flirt with guys (lol) and made a challenge to pick out guys for each other and whoever got their phone numbers and got the guy to buy them a drink, wins. Marie picked out who I now know to be, Quentin.  

I quickly accepted the mission and moved in. I bought two shots and proceeded to hunt down Quentin to give him the second shot. We took the shots and began to talk. What I remember most about this night is how loud it was and how both of us were unable to understand each other so we had to communicate through the notes app on the middle of the dance floor. After an unknown amount of time, we moved to a different section of the bar that was quieter in order to be able to actually talk to each other. Unfortunately for us, this side of the bar was closing, so we left and decided to leave the bar. We talked outside the bar for a little while and as I was getting ready to say goodbye and catch a taxi home, Quentin insisted that he walk me home so I could save money. I hesitated, but agreed because I thought this was a sweet gesture. On this 45-minute walk home, we talked and talked and talked about everything and nothing at all.  

Once we got back to my apartment, it was around 3 a.m. and Marie was already home. Her and Quentin of course began talking to each other in French for about 10 minutes as I stood there clueless with a smile on my face. Once they were finished talking, Quentin and I sat at the kitchen table and talked a little more, he taught me some French, and we basically laughed for an hour straight until it was time for him to leave. Funny enough, he asked if he could stay over since it was around 4 in the morning at this point, but I immediately said no and offered to pay for a taxi back to his apartment, but he declined. At this point I had no idea where he lived or how far it was, but figured it wasn’t that big of a deal. I now know that his apartment is an hour and a half walk from mine and that same night he walked home he ended up tripping and ripping his pants. Twice.

All in all, I now know the reason why I was placed in Finland. It was to meet these people and create these memories. It was to see the world and experience different cultures. It was to open my eyes to the different ways of life. It was show me that humans aren’t all that bad. It was to show me that I’m not so hard to love after all. Thank you Jyvaskyla.  

How lucky am I to have something so special that makes saying goodbye so hard. I guess that’s just what happens when the stars align.  

Written by: Valeria Sokolova | Spring 2024
ISEP Study in Tokyo – Japanese Language & International Studies

At the time of writing, I have only one day left of the semester. Or, rather, it is the last day of the semester; like with the majority of my essays and reports, inspiration reveals itself in the early hours of the morning.

I originally had several different ideas, but after perhaps one of the most difficult episodes of my life (a stressful breakup, an intense health scare, some credit transfer drama, and the burden that is the state of American politics), I felt this post would be better used as a reflection piece. Although I confess much of my reflections are discoveries about myself and less so about my host country or the semester abroad overall.

Ultimately, my objective was to challenge myself. Profoundly. Would I survive by myself in a foreign country? Specifically, a country which is so culturally and socially diverged from my own? Additionally, would the sheer distance drive me mad?

Did I have the capacity to adapt?

Short answer is yes. This post is proof of it. Naturally I had other academic and personal goals for the semester (the majority of which I comfortably feel I accomplished), but I noticed in the middle of the semester that I had this all-consuming dread or disappointment festering in the pits of my entity. I couldn’t diagnose its causes at first (or even its very nature), but I came to understand that this feeling was unfulfillment and its causes stemmed from my failure to reconcile my expectations with reality.

Reader, I confess that I came to Japan with no expectations. It was restricted to society and culture, however, and I realized later that I expected university to operate much in the same way Butler did. Though I’m not entirely sure why. I went from Socratic seminars and research projects and personal essays to Powerpoint Presentations (read word-for-word off the screen) and a single, uniform, inflexible final exam to measure what I took away from my various courses.

I forfeited my creative liberty and the intellectual challenge I enjoyed and evidently took for granted at Butler.

(Tokyo also brought me back to high school, because it operates on a block schedule with passing periods and class-start and -end bells. And the cafeterias unearthed an ancient panic from that era.)

“Taken for granted” is the theme of this post, because as soon as I came to understand I felt unfulfilled I started to notice a multitude of other things I forfeited when coming to Japan, things I accepted as constants when I was in the United States. The biggest is community.

As an ex-quiet kid, my social groups are years in the making and a major source of how I perceive myself. My friends, my family, my coworkers, my church, my compatriots, so on and so forth — these groups reinforce my purpose in existence. That is, they remind me that I have a role and I have a place.

Obviously the digital age and its innovations allow me to maintain some sort of connection even when I cannot physically be with my groups, but in my case the reality leaves much to be desired. I always called my friends back home, but I also had the advantage of being able to drive to them and see them, physically. I always texted my coworkers back home, but I also had the privilege of being able to work alongside them, physically. I always texted my brothers back home, but I also had the luxury of living next door to them. These mundane things hold so much fondness now, when before they were just another fact-of-life.

But even then, they weren’t.

Most notably was my visits to the Orthodox cathedral in Chiyoda. I went once for divine liturgy (which I left early, due to fatigue) and another time to buy icons of Saint Nicholas of Japan. Visiting Nikolai-do was incredibly bittersweet, as it is one of the few places in Japan where I don’t feel like an outsider. The bitterness flavors this experience because of the incongruence of what I experience at home (and therein what I recognize as “the divine liturgy”) versus what I experienced at the cathedral.

So, even when I felt like I was in familiar territory, I was still an alien. It never occurred to me that serving and singing in Church Slavonic as opposed to Classical Japanese was something I should value, but again. Something I took as a fact-of-life when it was anything but.

This semester was a five-month lesson in empathy and gratitude. As the saying goes, “you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone” — it’s painfully true. This isn’t to say that I hated being in Japan, because the opposite is true. This has been a childhood dream come true, and I have this opportunity thanks to the assistance and sacrifices of my family and community.

More than anything, this experience motivates me to live differently. To never take things for granted. To never accept things as facts-of-life. To acknowledge the ephemeral nature of human existence, and in doing so live with greater courage.

Have courage, friends.

Written by: Caroline Gross| Summer 2024
The Pursuit of Life, Love and Happiness in the Developing World in Kenya

Deciding to study abroad in Africa was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I have always had a desire to travel and learn more about the world. This was my first opportunity to leave the United States and I am so happy that I had the opportunity and ability to go to Africa. Through studying abroad I was able to be fully immersed in a new culture which allowed me to learn so much. While my trip was short, it was life-changing. I have new perspectives from the experiences I got while away.

Since being back in the United States a question I continue to get is “What was your favorite part?” and while I enjoyed every second of the trip I have a specific answer. My favorite part of the trip was meeting the locals, hearing their stories, and learning from them. Without them, this trip would not have led to as much growth for me. Everyone was so welcoming and willing to share their time and experiences with me which I am forever grateful for. Thelocals had the biggest impact on my experiences and overall growth from this opportunity. My experiences in Kenya have furthered my education and professional growth. As an education major, it was very valuable to learn about the education system in Kenya by directly seeing it and hearing about it from the people who have been a part of it. I also got to explore the beautiful environment through different excursions. I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and be fully immersed in this learning experience. I hope to continue to grow as an individual through further exploration of the world.