Study Abroad Testimonials

Handong Global University

I wanted to study abroad to experience a new culture, to meet and make friends, and to have the opportunity to live/travel abroad.  I was nervous about the the practical details: visa, where I would buy things I needed, how to navigate public transportation, etc. But the school was incredibly welcoming and assisted me to the best of their abilities.

The biggest blessing that I received from Handong Global University were the amazing people and the wonderful friends I received. It was a great opportunity to travel and to live life differently in another country. My biggest challenge was the integration into the Korean dorms and communicating with faculty and students. It was a challenging transition with the language and culture barriers; however, the struggles made me become more confident in myself and my ability to handle challenges and change. I learned a lot about various cultures through all the international friends I made.  My advice to any future study abroad students is to make plans to stay in the country after the school year ends to travel, see sights, etc. You will miss the food! Plan on bringing/sending an extra suitcase back home because you’ll probably have acquired quite a lot of material/gifts/souvenirs. Bring your own medication because it can be challenging to get specific prescriptions. Take pictures of everything! Finally, understand that studying aboard takes emotional labor. So, be as open to trying new things as much as possible and be as enthusiastic as possible -even if it feels silly. Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. The experience is 100% more enjoyable if you put 100% of yourself into it. That being said, don’t underestimate the importance of having a space for yourself that feels like home. Take time to care for yourself or else you can get burnt out/homesick and become withdrawn or unable to fully enjoy the experience.

American University of Mongolia

I have always been fascinated by other parts of the world. Studying abroad was an opportunity to experience another part of the world that I had never seen before.  I was most nervous about the flight and living on my own. My first impressions were that it was all rather chaotic and maybe not quite organized. The driving was very wild and different than here in the US. I was on my own for the first two weeks before classes started, and I had to initiate a lot in order to get my classes signed up in time which made things a little stressful for me, since I like to be prepared for things ahead of time. However, I loved Mongolia from the start. The city was so colorful. The biggest challenge I faced was learning to ask for help and to be more assertive. Thankfully, there was a lot that was offered without me asking from people at my church. The biggest reward has been confidence; I have learned that I can live by myself. I can make new friends, even in a strange city. I can adapt quickly and efficiently. God has shown me how much he takes care of me and provides for me, and that he can give me the strength to be braver than I ever thought I could be. I was given the opportunity to participate and serve at my church in Mongolia after being there for just a couple of weeks, and so many of my new friends told me that I was a big encouragement to them. This taught me that I can have an impact on people, even when it does not feel like it. The community I was given was the biggest reward of my time there. I got to see so much more of how big and amazing the world is. My advice to other students is to withhold judgment. Come to learn, and come with love for the land, the city, and the people. Be willing to ask for help. Set aside the fear and the pride. At the same time, you may also need to learn to do without. Be adaptable. If everyone wears slippers inside, it won’t hurt you to do the same. 

Liverpool Hope University

I have wanted to travel abroad for as long as I can remember. It hadn’t really occurred to me that studying abroad would be an option until a member of staff I was talking to mentioned it, and once the idea got into my head, I knew I had to go abroad during my time in school.  

As this was my first time traveling abroad, I was pretty nervous about logistics and scheduling. The social aspect was a bit intimidating at first, but I quickly made some good friends, which helped alleviate my worries about feeling isolated. The culture I was a part of was very open and accepting. Some of the first things I noticed about Liverpool Hope was how friendly the staff I worked with were, and how they were open to talk about any issues I faced. As I got involved in a church and LHU’s Christian Union it was interesting to see how the church in England approaches the Great Commission.  

The biggest challenge was getting used to subtle changes in culture and talking about things that are “normal” here but not in other places. I also admittedly had a lot of trouble using public transportation and got lost on the bus on more than one occasion.  My biggest reward while traveling abroad were the relationships I got to develop in England, and how much I have grown in the time I was there. I got to learn a lot about why the city of Liverpool has such a distinct culture, and why it’s such a lively, tight-knit community despite being a fairly large city. It was so interesting to see what people’s preconceived notions were about Texas and the U.S., and how my assumptions about England were accurate in some ways and inaccurate in others. My advice is to take the opportunity. It’s such a unique, eye-opening experience, especially when you have the ability to get plugged into the student/campus community in another country. No matter how much you read and research about a place you haven’t visited, it will always surprise you, and it’s amazing to be able to come back and see the world from a different point of view.