Summer 2012 Participant
Even though the children knew I could not speak their language, they still welcomed me everyday with hugs and kisses. I felt honored to be a part of their classroom and watch how their culture goes about their daily preschool routines.
Summer 2015 Participant
My favorite part of this program was the fact that we lived with a host family. Any study abroad trip can stay in hostels or dorms with other students on the trip. This program was good in the fact that we got a personal cultural experience of the Italian lifestyle while living with host families and acting like a member of their family.
Summer 2017 Participant
I found the cultural experience in the classroom most rewarding. I did not know what to expect, but I learned so much by comparing and contrasting classes I have observed in the US and my second grade class in Italy. I now feel like I can empathize with English Language Learners in US classrooms, because I had the experience of being in a classroom where all instruction was in a language I didn't know well. I also gained valuable teaching experience through teaching English lessons to my second graders.