Photos by Haley Laningham
With the spring semester already passing quickly, many students headed abroad are mentally preparing to be submerged in another culture next semester. Last week, groups of students from every program got together in the Caf to share dinner and talk casually about themselves and what they are excited to confront abroad.
An inevitable part of these conversations were expectations, both positive and negative, still in obscurity to each individual. Many are preparing to leave behind family, cultural familiarity, possessions and even daily ease for a school year, in countries as far away and unfamiliar as China or Argentina. Others are doing their best to empty their minds of biased expectations looking forward and are trying to focus all their energy on the now. One student headed to each program discussed what he or she expects from the experience. Their ideas are overwhelmingly positive and excited with an air of open-mindedness which will serve these students well. Study abroad students embarking on their journeys next semester are sure to have unforgettable experiences.
Jared Baly
London
“I expect fun times, great community and a lot of traveling to places I’ve never been before and to bond with new friends. I guess I’m also excited to see the combination of business and music in action; London is an epicenter of those both.”
Laura Lynn De Loache
Heidelberg
“I’m expecting to have a ton of fun getting to experience a whole new culture with my Pepperdine friends and to make great relationships.”
Jeremiah Anthony
Shanghai
“I’m expecting to be immersed in a whole new culture. It’s completely different than Western culture, so it should be fun and interesting to experience.”
Jacqueline Malcom-Peck
Washington D.C.
“I expect new experiences, to meet new people and to immerse myself in a challenging environment, causing me to grow and help others around me.”
Lindsey Fleming
Lausanne
“I’m expecting to speak French, explore Europe and make lifelong friends.”
Lauren Young
Florence
“I expect to make some new relationships and lifelong friends and to travel as much as possible and see new parts of the world.”
Lauren Hail
Buenos Aires
“I am expecting to enhance my Spanish and to travel everywhere possible.”
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Follow Haley Laningham on Twitter: @haleylanz
