It is safe to say that at some point, the vast majority of university students have dreamt of packing their bags and uprooting their educational experience for a semester while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Whether you dream of aqua-blue water drifting on salty coastlines, emerald green forests, or to get lost in a brick-and mortar town older than the United States, UI’s study abroad program has something for you.
Mildred Paredes, a junior studying business marketing with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and a minor in Spanish has already made the move to travel abroad while studying. Originally from Caldwell, ID, Paredes came to UI for the same reason as many other students; it was far enough away from home to gain a sense of independence, while also being close enough to be near her family. However, she was always interested in the opportunity to study abroad- even though coming from a low-income family originally made her unsure of how realistic it may be to pursue those opportunities.
“I was scared I was going to have to pay a lot out of my pocket. With the help from the study abroad program, and as well as (the Trio club), they were trying as hard as they could to get a good price and pay as little as possible,” Paredes said. “They introduced me to the Gilman Scholarship and some other ones I got from here in town, which is the Mary’s Catholic Church. I just thought that it was great that they were doing all they could to help, (…) they understand that for some people, it’s harder for them, and they want to give everybody the opportunity to go and explore the world.”
Beyond experiencing her own trip in Madrid, Spain in the summer of 2022, Paredes also aids the program through advertising and distributing information to students who may be interested in traveling.
“I want other students who are like me, coming from low-income families, to know that they can do it as well,” Paredes said.
“I want other students who are like me, coming from low-income families, to know that they can do it as well,” Paredes said. “There’s so much out there that not a lot of people know about, and I was one of those students; I didn’t think it was possible, but with the Trio club and the International Studies and everything, they truly helped me.”
As an ambassador for the program, Paredes visits different living groups and classrooms on campus to present information and answer questions that students may have about studying abroad. She also aids with info sessions, meetings, and recently, the virtual Study Abroad Fair held for curious students.
For her trip, Paredes chose Spain to complement her Spanish minor and learn more about a language she already has a fair amount of experience with growing up. Travel itinerary, costs, and precautions were handled by the program and herself to make sure the trip was as safe and guided as possible. With so much to see, making the most of the trip was certainly a priority.
“We actually got to see two different sides of Spain. We got to see the center of the city of Spain where it’s just the local people walking from day to night. We (also) went to Seville, which is more slow pace and more (of a) town community,” Paredes said. “We actually got to go biking around Seville during the day, so it wasn’t too hot. I’m a very outdoorsy person, so that was just one of my favorite parts, bike riding.”
As for organizing the trip, this particular program is in collaboration with a history course, with future plans to switch locations from Madrid to Barcelona every other year. A large portion of the trip focuses on exploring historical sites, museums, and more that directly relate to the class’s learning objectives. Students take on academic research projects during the trip to present at the end, working on them throughout their time abroad. For Paredes’ major, she focused her project on Spain’s economy as it relates to the tourism industry.
Grace Ertel, a senior double-majoring in psychology and filmmaking, had her travel experience at the national level as a junior at UI. Originally from Cambridge, ID, holding a population of all but 360 people, Ertel was eager to see the world from a young age. However, while discussing affordability and necessary credits for her degree with her adviser, she eventually decided to do domestic travel rather than an abroad experience, equally as exciting for someone looking to travel during their undergraduate education, but is not certain they can achieve an international trip.
In the spring of 2022, Ertel traveled to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, a territory of the U.S., and by definition, domestic travel.
Ertel’s trip lasted from Jan. 3 to May 7, allowing her to spend 175,200 minutes abroad, engaging in fire-dancing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and more.
“There are so many opportunities I wouldn’t even have known existed,” Ertel said.
In collaboration with universities in the area, Ertel stayed at St. Thomas’s campus during her time in St. Croix, rather than with a host family.
Once again, expenses, itinerary and transportation was organized in collaboration with the International Programs office’s National Student Exchange for domestic and national travel.
Ertel also holds an ambassador position with her travel program, aiding her interest in travel industry promotion.
“I started getting involved with (being an) ambassador while I was abroad (…) to send in photos and videos and stuff, and then really applied over the summer and got the position this fall semester,” Ertel said. Similar to Mildred, Ertel also presents in different classrooms and living groups on campus, informing students about the program and discussing her travel experience, promoting the trips and resources available.
“You will have so many new opportunities and grow in a plethora of ways that you didn’t even know about.”
As for advice for students looking to travel, Ertel passionately encourages students to give it a try, “You will have so many new opportunities and grow in a plethora of ways that you didn’t even know about. I really think anyone can make it work with their major or financial situation,” Ertel said. “There are over 500 institutions between study abroad and the National Student Exchange, so I think there’s one for everyone.”
In the first semester of her fifth year, Ertel hopes to travel internationally to Thailand, which is sure to be a world of difference from her experience in St. Croix.
Olivia Adams is a junior double-majoring in international studies and political science, minoring in Spanish.
Hailing from Coeur D’Alene, ID, Adams has been interested and involved with the Abroad program since her freshman year of college. During her second semester of her first year, she was hired for a work study at the International Program’s office, creating a deeper interest in her potential with the program. This is her third consecutive year working with the office at UI.
In the summer of 2022, Adams went on the European Politics Experience trip to Germany, organized by the office. According to Adams, for the first initial weeks, the group traveled to Berlin, Regensburg, and Munich in Germany.
“Although we did have a handful of lectures for the classes, the majority of the time was spent through field excursions. These excursions included a trip to the German Parliament — the Bundestag — visits to German think tanks, a tour of a cooperative housing facility, and tours of Germany’s public transportation systems,” Adams stated in an email. “We also had lectures at the University of Regensburg with German students studying North American studies. Thanks to careful planning by Dr. Florian Justwan and Dr. Markie McBrayer, we were able to fit in all of these incredible experiences during the summer trip. Weekends were free for independent exploring during which I was able to meet other traveling students from around the world.”
“Take advantage of all the options UI has to offer and go see the world,” Adams noted.
According to Adams, there were many opportunities for scholarships that helped pay for the trip’s expenses.
“UI offers international experience grants for students looking to travel abroad, and this grant can apply to summer study abroad sessions. Overall, I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this program because I was able to participate in experiences, such as visiting the German Parliament that I would not have been able to plan and organize independently,” Adams stated.
Due to having such a positive experience with UI’s study abroad programs, Adams has also decided to spend Spring Semester 2023 in Alicante, Spain, continuing her legacy of travel with the office.
“For anyone who has even the slightest interest in studying abroad, do it! Traveling abroad is such an eye-opening, unforgettable experience. Take advantage of all the options UI has to offer and go see the world,” Adams noted.
For more information, students can contact the International Programs office through the University of Idaho’s website.