Megan Nicole Stahl, Summer 2013 Participant
As an education major we are constantly being reminded that we must think of our non-native English speakers and make accommodations for them. This study abroad experience had me trade places with the student as I was in an environment where I spoke very little of the native language. I will never be able to overlook those students in my classroom.
Maris Shannon Ayers, Summer 2013 Participant
My favorite part of the program was that it was three-fold. We got to live with a host family, teach in Italian schools, and travel to different parts of Italy. I feel like I got to do everything.
Lauren Margaret Hotchkiss, Summer 2017 Participant
Through this experience, something I found most rewarding was being on the other side noticing what it is like being the 2nd language learner. For students that would come into my class back in the states as English language learners, I had sympathy for them and wanted to help them succeed but never really knew how since I have never experienced that myself personally. But through this program, I was able to actually have first hand experience. I had to learn ways to function in the classroom other than language. My teachers spoke little to no English and my students spoke only the most basic vocabulary they picked up in their English class. Most of the time I would sit in class very confused because their lectures, textbooks, and conversations were all in a language I could not speak or understand. Even though this was happening and it was very difficult, I was able to pick up some strategies that helped me along the way. Because of this, I feel more prepared and sympathetic to ELL's that will be coming into my classroom. No matter what I will always have ELL's in my class in the future, and this program has only prepared me more to help them along their journey.
