Alumni Interview with Jacquie Truckey

What inspired you to travel abroad?

My German language courses in high school first lit a spark in me to travel internationally. While I had traveled to many states within the U.S, I hadn't left the continent yet. In my junior year of college, I jumped at the opportunity to embark on a short-term study abroad trip to Florence, Italy.

I had an amazing time learning and exploring the country while I was there. From that experience I guess you could say I "caught the travel bug," and I got inspired to continue seeking out international travel opportunities.

Why did you choose CIEE?

My German language courses in high school and college reaffirmed my interest in wanting to go to Germany and explore the culture firsthand. While working at my college's International Programs Office, I was constantly looking for ways to go abroad again and improve my professional skills.

When I discovered this program and the scholarship that came with it, I decided to apply. I ultimately decided to go because this program matched up with my desire to work abroad and gain more experience in my field.

What was your favorite part about Berlin?

My favorite part about Berlin was seeing the mix of their history and past interact with their modern values and ideals. All over Berlin, there are traces of their dark history scattered throughout the city. There are memorials, traces of the Berlin Wall, ruins left from wars, and so on.

Not only this, there is also an abundance of modern art, music, and general diversity to be seen and experienced everywhere. Berliners have taken back their city and are building it up with modern advances which celebrate everyone's differences.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The newfound perspectives I was able to obtain and understand while living in Berlin made my experience extraordinary. Living abroad was a huge step outside of my comfort zone. I still lived at home when I went to a college, so I did not live on campus and had not lived on my own for longer than a month before this trip.

However, because of my willingness to step out of the sheltered bubble I grew up in, I was able to learn more about myself and other people from different backgrounds.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff and faculty were amazing; I cannot say enough positive things about them! They were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the entire duration of the program. Each staff member was approachable, honest, and treated us like adults.

Furthermore, the staff gave us tips and inspired us to get outside and engage with the local culture. Also, they provided us with advice and plenty of information to help with our personal and professional lives while abroad.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

One of the great benefits of living abroad in Europe is living in close proximity to so many European countries. Generally speaking, it’s not very expensive to travel within Europe, therefore it’s easy to go from country to country.

I LOVED being able to travel to different countries on the weekends while I was abroad! That being said, I wish I would have spent more time exploring the country of Germany specifically.

Also, I wish I would have tried to speak more German while in Germany. It was the perfect place to practice, but most people speak English in Berlin so I didn't use my German as much as I could have.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

When I was attending classes, a typical day would consist of getting ready in my dorm then heading downstairs to attend classes. After class, I would do my homework or go somewhere in the city with my friends to have fun then. On weekends, we would often go to events and/or take a train or jetset off to a new city.

As for life as an intern, my days and weekends were pretty similar. Typically I would start my day commuting to the coworking space where my company would work each day. After work, I would do something fun with my friends and maybe go out somewhere to hang out and discover more of the city.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I enjoyed going to places locals enjoy like the parks, flea markets, record stores, thrift shops, food markets, and so on. Also, I loved walking around the city and looking at all the street art. Seeing the tourist spots and historical sites were really fun to see as well.

I loved being able to hop on the U-Bahn and be at the Brandenburg Gate or Checkpoint Charlie in a couple of minutes. The city of Berlin is huge and has so much to do, so I never ran out of ideas of what to do in my free time.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

The accommodations were set up similar to typical American college dorms. I shared a room and a bathroom with two other girls in my program. There was a bunk bed and a regular bed with desks and closets for each of us. There was one common room and one kitchen which everyone on one floor shared.

On the ground floor, there was a little cafe, a common area in front lobby, and rooms where our classes were held. I most loved the modern design of the place, as well as the institute's location in proximity to the public transportation.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Future participants should be ready to step outside their comfort zone. This program involves hands-on learning approaches which help you develop your professional and personal skills.

However, you will only grow if you learn to challenge yourself and try new things. Also, I recommend taking your time during the search for an internship. The staff at CIEE is there to help you pick a placement, but it's up to you to decide who you want to work for and what you want to learn.

Would you recommend your program to others? Why?

Absolutely! This program was unique because it gave us students the chance to settle in and take classes for the first couple of weeks. Then after the first quarter, we learned how to work in an international environment at our internships.

Also, throughout the entire program we went on class field trips every (or every other) week or so. The field trips allowed us to learn more about what we were studying and learn more about the city we were living in. Best program ever!

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?

There are SO many benefits to traveling abroad, but I'd say the biggest one is developing more understanding and appreciation for people who live and think differently than you do.

Talking to locals, watching their news, eating their food, engaging in their customs, and learning about their way of life changes the way you think of your own culture.

Also, another great benefit is that you change as a person by becoming more adventurous, curious, and confident and while traveling.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

Studying abroad has definitely changed my life for the better! Because of my time abroad, I am more confident, adventurous, and open-minded. In regards to my educational and professional career path, I was inspired to work in the international education field.

I worked at my college's International Programs Office as a Study Abroad Student Assistant. After graduating, I decided I wanted to teach people American customs and the English language, so I got my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate. Now I am working on my Master of Arts in Communication Studies to learn more about intercultural communication.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me means engaging in authentic experiences within another culture. Despite your different background, you are able to find common ground with people who live completely different lives than you.

Yes, learning the history and facts of a country and going to classic tourist spots are a fun part of traveling. However, meaningful travel entails interacting with local people and their different customs, languages, and culture. Meaningful travel requires challenging your ideals and immersing yourself in another culture with an open mind.