Bennett Schmitz: Panama

What is your name, class, major and minor?

Hi there, my name is Bennett Schmitz. I am a third-year undergrad student with Senior standing. I am double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology with an emphasis in Ecology and Conservation along with going for a certificate in sustainability!

Where did you study abroad? How long were you there for?

I took an “Introduction to Tropical Biology” two-week course in Panama. We spent roughly one week in Bocas del Toro and one in Gamboa.

What is something you learned about your host country while studying abroad?

This trip taught me a lot about the biodiversity of Panama. Comparing what I have learned in Ecology classes in Wisconsin to the Ecology of Panama expanded my knowledge of plant and animal relationships. Staying in the “Crossroads of the Americas” we talked a lot about the impacts of species migration and the impacts of the Panama canal between the two largest oceans.

What is something you learned about yourself while studying abroad?

This trip also taught me to enjoy and embrace new experiences more. We did many things that we can’t do in Wisconsin like snorkeling in coral reefs and scientific collection/research in rainforests. I learned that even if it is not an activity I enjoy, I love trying all of them.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is thinking about studying abroad?

Some advice I would give to people wanting to go on this trip is to embrace the experience. Being in a different country and a completely different environment can be uncomfortable. Learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable can help you enjoy experiences to the fullest. Being in a completely different culture and trying new activities was uncomfortable but getting past that allowed me to appreciate every part of the trip.

This was easily one of the best experiences of my life and I met a lot of people I hope will be lifelong friends. I recommend everyone do a trip that fits their goals!

Bennett with mountains/forest in the background in Panama
Photo credit: Bennett Schmitz
Group of students in a forest in Panama
Photo credit: Bennett Schmitz

Spring Study Abroad Events

We are a few short days from the start of spring 2023 semester, and the Office of International Education has events planned for students who are thinking about studying abroad!

Tuesday, January 31 – Study Abroad Fair

  • When? The in-person event will run from 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm and online event is from 2pm-4pm.
  • Where? Booths in front of the Phoenix Bookstore on the Green Bay campus and online on a platform called Hopin (link to register for virtual event).
  • What? Study Abroad Fair is your chance to ask questions and get more information on everything study abroad including programs, passports, financing study abroad and more! You can also meet some of the faculty trip leaders on campus during the event for a chance to talk to them about the programs they are leading this summer.

Wednesdays in February – Study Abroad 101 Info Sessions

  • When? Wednesdays on 2/8, 2/15 and 2/22 in February.
  • Where? Students can attend sessions at the Office of International Education (CL 108) or online (see link to join the sessions on website).
  • What? The OIE staff is organizing 30-minute information sessions on studying abroad. We will cover the benefits of studying abroad, program options at UW-Green Bay, talk about academics and financing study abroad. This event is also a chance for students to ask any questions they have about anything study abroad related.

 

 

Summer/Fall Study Abroad Program Applications Now Open!

UWGB students in Alicante

Winter break is a great time to start thinking about summer and fall study abroad! All summer and fall program applications are now open and the deadline to apply is March 1, unless program website lists a different date. To help you plan, here are next steps you can take:

    • Think about how long you want to study abroad (a few weeks, interim or full semester?) You can also think where (area, country, continent) you would like to study!
    • Browse programs and pick a few of interest to you
    • Meet with a study abroad advisor to help you decide which classes you could take abroad and what program best fits your needs overall
    • Apply for a passport if needed
    • Apply to the program of your choice NO LATER THAN MARCH 1!
    • Start looking at scholarships and grants to apply for! Deadline for UW-Green Bay spring scholarship and grant applications is April 1!

As always, the Office of International Education is here for you. Email oie@uwgb.edu or send us a DM on Instagram (@uwgb_oie) with any questions you have!

Kendra Lepper: Ecuador

Kendra Lepper ’22 (Communication) fulfilled her last humanities general education requirement before graduating in December by studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands! The program (Ecuador: Land of Contrasts) is a faculty-led program with Dr. Marcelo Cruz  to the “geographer’s paradise”, taking students to the capital of Ecuador and the volcanic archipelago located about 1,000km from continental Ecuador.

Kendra with llamas in Ecuador
Picture credit: Kendra Lepper

“I gained so much from this trip – immersing myself in Ecuador’s people, food, land, plants, and animals gave me the unique opportunity to appreciate another culture on a personal level. Additionally, being in a primarily Spanish-speaking country with very little Spanish experience was both daunting and exciting. It pushed me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone, which I couldn’t be more thankful for.”

You can get a closer look at Kendra’s experience on her portfolio! Interested in studying abroad in Ecuador? Learn more!

Congratulations to Scholarship and Travel Grant Recipients!

Fall 2022 scholarships and travel grant recipients have been selected by the committees and the Office of International Education would like to congratulate the students who received awards!

The scholarships and grants were awarded as follows:

$500 Arendt Family Travel Abroad Scholarship to Tristan Schnell (Ecuador)

$500 Wochinske Scholarship to Rayle Winegarden (Glasgow, Scotland)

$2,000 WITCO Travel Grants to Rayle Winegarden (Glasgow, Scotland) and Zeb Wienandt (Tokyo, Japan)

Again, congratulations to the individuals who received an award and good luck on your adventure underway! Scholarship and travel grant applications will open back up again in the spring of 2023.

A semester(-ish) in Leon, Spain- Hannah Suarez

Name: Hannah Suarez

Major: Chemistry and Spanish

Year: Sophomore

Program: Universidad de León

(Hannah is on the right!)

 

Why did you study abroad?

I decided to study abroad because one of my majors is Spanish so I wanted to immerse myself in the language and culture of a Spanish speaking country. I knew the best way to become fluent in a language was to speak it constantly.

Why did you choose this location?

I knew I wanted to go to Europe and Spain was the only option for Spanish. I specifically choose Leon Spain because the city seemed big enough where there would be stuff to do but small enough where it wouldn’t be full of tourists. If I would have went to a more touristic city people would have known more English but in Leon not many people knew English which forced me to use Spanish.

What was the best part of studying abroad/favorite experience?

The best part of studying abroad was the people I met including friends and professors. My roommates became like brothers and since they did not know much English I was forced to speak Spanish with them. My landlord was basically my mom there. She took me around the city and introduced me as her American daughter to so many people.

What did you struggle with/how did you overcome it?

I struggled the most with putting myself out there. I went alone from UWGB and was worried I would not make friends. It was surprising how fast I made friends and how close I became to them so quickly. Also going out and getting a bank account and phone plan all in Spanish was difficult because I felt like my Spanish was a mess, but the people were able to understand good enough and were happy to see someone trying their best.

Were you able to travel to other places?

I was able to travel to many other countries in Europe including France and Portugal. My university took us exchange students to other cities in Spain as well. Public transportation in Europe is huge so it was quick and easy to take a weekend vacation.

 

I had trips planned for almost every weekend either to a different country or different city but because of the coronavirus I was unable to finish my plans.

What advice do you have for those who want to study abroad?

Do it if you can! Don’t be afraid to get outside your comfort zone and try new things. You will not have another opportunity just like it again in your life.

What are the differences between home country and where you went?

  • SuarezgroupFree tapa (appetizer/small plate) with a drink at a bar
  • Walking everywhere instead of driving
  • More public transportation available and cheaper
  • Most places are closed in the middle of the day (2-5) for people to come home from work and eat or nap. Restaurants also close after lunch and reopen late for dinner since lunch is around 3pm and dinner is around 9pm.
  • Not many people smile when you walk by them. Everyone keeps to themselves

Overall studying abroad was an incredible experience that has changed my life forever. I was able to learn a new culture and language. I have made so many friends from all over and hope one day I will be able to see them all again.

 

A Semester(ish) at Hogwarts: Noah Henchen

Name: Noah Henchen

Major: Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis 

Year: Sophomore 

Program: University of Glasgow- Spring 2020

 

Why did you study abroad?

Growing up I was always looking forward to the day that I could study abroad. I love traveling and seeing things different to what I am accustomed to. Studying abroad allowed me to travel and see different cultures, while receiving credits for my major and minor. 

 

Why did you choose this location?

I chose Scotland because I love being outdoors and hiking and with ⅔ of Scotland being uninhabited and mountainous it was the ideal place to study. I was also fascinated with the history of Scotland and their fight for independence, as well as the abundance of castles in the country. I chose Glasgow in particular because it is the largest city in Scotland and there is plenty to do no matter what interests you may have. Glasgow was also a perfect springboard to travel to other countries with the abundance of airports in the area (two in Glasgow, one in neighboring Edinburgh). The University of Glasgow also has a reputation of being one of the world’s most prestigious universities. It is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and was founded in 1451. When I looked up pictures of the university before I left, I kept seeing pictures of the main building (pictured above). As soon as I saw that and with everything I read it seemed like the perfect place to study abroad (not to mention that I would be studying at Hogwarts). 

 

What was the best part of studying abroad? Favorite Experience?

Everything! However, if I had to pick the best part about studying abroad it would be the people that you meet. Studying abroad allows you to meet people all over the world and form friendships that will last a lifetime. Despite COVID-19 limiting my study abroad experience, my fondest memories are the memories that I made with the friends I did make. Before I left we all agreed that had we all known that we would be sent home early, we all would have still picked to study this semester because otherwise we would not have met each other. Many people say being able to travel all throughout Europe for so cheap is the best part of studying abroad (which is great), but it does not compare to the friendships you make while abroad. Making friends abroad gives you great connections and gives you a reason to keep traveling in the future.

Every experience during my time abroad was my favorite experience. If I had to narrow it down to one thing it would be experiencing living in a different country and having Glasgow to call my “home”. My fondest memories are experiencing the city of Glasgow with my friends and finding new cool places to go. The university is located in the vibrant west end of Glasgow and there is so much to do in that area. Glaswegians (name for people from Glasgow) are the friendliest people you will ever meet. You could sit down with a random stranger and have a two hour conversation with them. I miss the hospitality of the locals more and more each day. Glasgow is a really cool city with a great music and art scene and I highly recommend studying here.

 

What did you struggle with? How did you overcome it?

The way in which courses are run was a major difference compared to courses in the U.S. For most courses in the U.S. you are constantly assessed whether it is through essays, projects, or exams. However, for many classes at Glasgow you will have an essay and a final exam which make up your course mark. With that said there is a lot of pressure to do well on these assessments as they are the only way in which you are assessed. There is also a lot more stress on individual learning as you are not being constantly assessed on the material. A lot of classes have an assigned reading list for the specific section you are covering and you are responsible for reading these and making sure you obtain the information. I knew a lot of this information going in, but when you first get there it can be a little daunting. I overcame this by making sure that I was staying on track and finished all of the readings that were assigned. I also regularly tested myself to assure that I remembered the information that I learned. It can be difficult at first, but you will get adjusted quickly. 

 

Were you able to travel to other places?

Yes! I chose to go during the Spring semester at Glasgow because you get a three week break during the semester. I saw this as a perfect time to see a lot of Europe and Scotland. Unfortunately, given the circumstances of COVID-19 I was sent home before I had the opportunity to partake in the plans I made. However, I still was able to see a lot of both Scotland and Europe. Before arriving in Scotland I traveled to Iceland. While in Scotland I took weekend trips to Prague, Amsterdam, and Warsaw. In Scotland I traveled to Edinburgh, Isle of Arran, and Loch Lomond to name a few. Again, Glasgow is a great springboard to see the rest of Europe and is also the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. 

 

What advice do you have for those who want to study abroad?

Go for it! If you are on the fence about studying abroad, do it! You will not regret going, I promise you that. You often hear the saying “you will regret not going, but you will not regret going”, which is corny but accurate. Also, if you have the chance try to study abroad for a whole year. For some majors this may not be a possibility, but if you have the opportunity, take it. My biggest regret is not studying abroad for a whole year. It is truly a remarkable experience that you will not regret. 

 

Summer and Fall Study Abroad options!

Now is the time to think about study abroad plans for next year!

We have 22 summer options & 20 semester locations!

Most application deadlines for these programs will be in February and March 1st.

Keep an eye on our website for more details over winter break!  http://uwgb.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ListAll

Scholarships and Grants Available for Study Abroad

There are a lot of opportunities to help fund your study abroad experience!

Please visit the website: https://www.uwgb.edu/study-abroad/grants-scholarships/  to learn more about the options offered by both the OIE and other campus departments.  Some scholarships or grants include:

Travel Grant

Wochinske Scholarship

Karen Dalke Memorial Global Citizen Scholarship

Arendt Family Scholarship

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant

and MANY more!!

Look to see which ones you are eligible for and apply now!  Deadlines are coming up quickly!

 

 

 

Spring Study Abroad Fair!

The Spring Study Abroad Fair will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12th from 10:00am – 2:00pm AND 4:00-6:00pm, in Phoenix Ball Room B/C

Students will have the opportunity to attend the Spring Study Abroad Fair and learn about the 200+ domestic and international study programs available.  Study abroad advisors and program representatives will be on site to answer questions and assist students in learning about these amazing opportunities!  Whether you wish to study abroad for a few weeks, a semester, or a full year we have a program that will fit your needs – come check it out!

Summer Faculty-led Travel Courses:

  • Ecuador (PEA)
  • European Innovation Academy- EIA (Business)
  • Florida (Biology)
  • France (Psych/Nutrition Science)
  • UWGB in Europe (Human Biology)
  • Norway (History)
  • Oxford (English)
  • Slovakia- Jazz in Europe (Music)
  • Slovakia (Nursing)
  • Spain (Spanish)

Summer Interim Programs:

  • Glasgow, Scotland
  • Stirling, Scotland
  • Italy
  • International Summer University- Germany (7 locations in Germany)
  • Bilbao, Spain (Spanish & English options/Business)

Semester/Year-long

  • NEW!! Italy
  • NEW!! Chile
  • Denmark
  • France (2 locations)
  • Germany (3-5 locations)
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Mexico
  • Scotland (3 locations)
  • Spain (Leon)
  • Spain (Bilbao- Spanish & English options)
  • Student teaching (Cuernavaca, Mexico or through Educators Abroad to 60+ countries)
  • London (UK)- internship program
  • National Student Exchange (locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands)