World Storyteller Project

The World Storyteller Project invites people to share short video stories about international exchange for a chance to win a trip to NYC and attend a summit at the UN.

<h3>What inspired you to work for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/middlebury-c-v-starr rel="" target="_self" class="link">Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad</a>?</h3>
<p>I truly believe in the core values of Middlebury CV Starr Schools Abroad: providing students with an academic and life experience that is authentically Spanish through full language and cultural immersion, as well as guided independence.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The best way to learn a foreign language and know its culture is by immersing oneself in the host country and live like a local. It's not only the most efficient way, but also the easiest and most rewarding!&nbsp;</p>
<p>By means of the Language Pledge® (a promise to speak only the target language for the duration of the program), students fully engage with the local culture and society. The program staff supports students and helps them develop the necessary intercultural skills to grow and thrive.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783578895/images2/interviews/Lo9NaQ4EAW6Qc96idsFR8pTp3hzsmIIGnp7MPuaS.jpg" alt="a group of individuals participating in an interactive blindfolded tasting session"><div class="caption"><p>Guessing, learning, and tasting!</p></div></div>
<h3>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h3>
<p>If you really want to gain a deep grasp of your own culture, who you are, and why you are the way you are, go live and study abroad!&nbsp;</p>
<p>One thing is to read a book or watch a video about a foreign country/culture; another is to travel abroad. Those are all great means to learn about other ways of being in the world. However, those experiences rarely transform us. A completely different thing is to live in a foreign country and immerse yourself in the local culture by doing what locals usually do: work, study, share, and engage with your neighbors, your classmates, your co-workers, your new gym buddies, your church fellows, the bank clerk down the corner, or your local librarian.</p>
<p>Experience life in a new light. You'll see shades of color and ways of experiencing life, death, love, loss, friendship, and family you've never seen before. And those new colors, lights, and experiences will change your mindset forever: you'll know yourself and the world better, and that will surely help you make better, more informed decisions.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783578895/images2/interviews/FeaxhnaTy695XlqO1xzMxArP6eGw3cEtbR0rNPH2.jpg" alt="he Castillo de Trujillo in Cáceres, Spain"><div class="caption"><p>Students visiting Trujillo's castle (built between 9th-13th C)... A few centuries later it was transformed into "Casterly Rock", the iconic stronghold of House Lannister in Game of Thrones!</p></div></div>
<h3>Why should someone choose Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad over competitors?</h3>
<p>Through the Language Pledge® (a promise to speak only the target language for the duration of the program), Middlebury offers an authentic Spanish experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From day one, students communicate entirely in Spanish: with faculty and staff, and among themselves. They live in Spanish-speaking environments and can directly enroll at local universities where they take regular courses with local students and faculty. They also have the opportunity to do credit-bearing internships at local companies and organizations (from art galleries to law firms and tech companies).&nbsp;</p>
<p>Over the course of the semester, the program staff accompanies students on their personal and academic journeys, providing support and guidance in such a way that they can gain independence and self-confidence. The program has a full-time cultural coordinator who helps students immerse themselves in the local culture by offering volunteering and co-curricular opportunities: work at NGOs, join local sports teams, play in the partner university orchestra, plan cultural activities and field trips across the country, partially financed by the program, participate in dance and cooking workshops, etc.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The director of the program helps students succeed academically (especially those who enroll at the local universities) by providing orientation sessions, individual and personalized academic advising, monthly meetings, etc. The rest of the staff supports students in other aspects of their academic and personal life: housing, health and safety, language tutorials, etc.</p>
<h3>What is Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?</h3>
<p>Students at the Schools Abroad are expected to demonstrate a high level of language proficiency and a commitment to language and cultural immersion. The Schools Abroad engage students in a challenging and dynamic learning environment and facilitate an integrated experience abroad, offering rigorous academic opportunities in many disciplines.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783578896/images2/interviews/F0lp4kKfxgiYrX7JQI8RLYKPAF2iEaTRRZwD4wpQ.jpg" alt="a bicycle tour group riding along a tree-lined path"><div class="caption"><p>Biking in Madrid</p></div></div>
<p>They also make use of the academic and extra-curricular offerings at our partner institutions abroad and take advantage of established resources in the host locales. Through guided independence, our students engage with their host society on a number of different levels, advance their academic and personal interests, and attain enhanced language proficiency, a solid grasp of the cultural, social, political, and historical conditions of their host country, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.</p>
<p>The program staff is constantly being trained about best practices and methods to support students academically and personally. Middlebury staff in Spain regularly attend conferences and workshops conducted by APUNE, EUASA, and the Forum on Education Abroad, among others.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Through specific funding opportunities provided by Middlebury, the School in Spain has been able to implement new programs, such as "Conflict Transformation conferences", "Stay Local Weekends", and "Go Global, Stay Local cultural activities and trips."&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h3>
<p>I hope our students return home transformed, with a better understanding of Spanish culture and society, of themselves, and of their own culture. I hope that they all become more respectful and sensitive about cultural differences and about human vulnerability, as most of them may have felt vulnerable when navigating the local culture.&nbsp;</p>
<p>One of our goals is for them to grow and become more independent, resilient, and self-confident. Hopefully, after spending at least one semester of full language and cultural immersion, they should be better prepared for an increasingly globalized world.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I believe that the rewarding academic, cultural, and social experience of living in Spain will encourage our students not only to return to Spain in the future (as they usually do!), but also to explore and experience new cultures in other countries and regions across the globe!</p>
<h3>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h3>
<p>When you live abroad, you are exposed to new and different ways of being in the world (beliefs, values, perceptions, and attitudes), and that usually leads to a better understanding and assessment of your own culture and existence. Often, this hands-on cultural experience may help you incorporate what you consider beneficial for your own life, and discard what you no longer need or want.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the other hand, given that conflict is inherent in human relationships, one of the best ways to gain knowledge about human potential for constructive change and to learn how to manage, transform, or navigate conflict is to be in touch with people from different cultures. By living and studying abroad, one can experience firsthand how other people conduct their lives and manage differences, conflicts, and challenges.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Living abroad usually offers unique opportunities to build bridges across cultural differences, and that should also help us to live together and respect each other.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783578897/images2/interviews/aE8gmfuXFRJyYaAaDgnmyn5Yo0I5SZgzcpoN5zir.jpg" alt="a large group visiting the Alcázar of Segovia in Spain"><div class="caption"><p>A trip to the Middle Ages in Segovia!</p></div></div>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>From my own experience (after living in four different countries other than my own), I believe that meaningful travel is when you live in a foreign country like a local: you work, volunteer, or study there, you participate in the local community, in local institutions or organizations, and you support local businesses and services.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meaningful travel is when you break the surface of a new foreign culture (observable behaviors and practices) and dive deep into it to confront different beliefs, perceptions, attitudes, and values. It's not just about seeing or identifying cultural differences, but about living and experiencing them firsthand.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meaningful travel is when the contact with the foreign culture alters or transforms some aspects of your own culture/life.&nbsp;</p>

Patricia Rodríguez

Get to know the people behind Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Patricia Rodríguez.

Patricia Rodríguez | Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview with Patricia Rodríguez

<h3>What inspired you to work for <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/middlebury-c-v-starr rel="" target="_self" class="link">Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad</a>?</h3>
<p>Middlebury's vision for creating an inclusive top-tier educational program in Puerto Rico where all qualified students from US Colleges and Universities could travel to and learn about Puerto Rican culture and history, in a new environment and context, while improving their Spanish language skills through experiential and placed-based learning opportunities, internships, and via direct-enrollment in regular courses at the top universities of the Puerto Rican archipelago: Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, and Universidad de Puerto Rico in Mayagüez.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I was also inspired by Middlebury's commitment to language immersion and learning, as well as its focus on environmental and intercultural education.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783576021/images2/interviews/A5al1ikanRG40WD2T0V2yUd3nu6k1w7KdZFsKtXV.jpg" alt="Woman smiles near driftwood under Puerto Rican flag."><div class="caption"><p>PR flag at beach</p></div></div>
<h3>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h3>
<p>As a college student myself, I studied abroad for a semester in Salamanca, Spain. If I could, I would tell my pre-travel self that traveling abroad would be one of the most enriching and empowering experiences of her life.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I would also tell her to make friends with local students and volunteer or do an internship at a local Spanish organization so as to learn more about the day-to-day life and concerns of students and working people at the host city and university.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This, in addition to coursework, will greatly enhance their experience so that they may take full advantage of their time abroad and delve more deeply into what it means to live (not only study) in a different country. Traveling within the country, if possible, is also a must.</p>
<h3>Describe a typical day at work.</h3>
<p>My typical day at work includes many hours in contact with diverse university administrators, both local and from Middlebury, either in person or virtually, to ensure our current and future students have the best and most enriching educational experience available to them in Puerto Rico.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Daily tasks may include having lunch or coffee with a student, planning our next group excursion, chatting with an internship supervisor, or making sure our incoming students are well prepared for their future semester away.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Why do you do what you do?</h3>
<p>I do what I do because I love teaching and find joy and purpose in seeing students grow, learn, and take on exciting new challenges. I also love teaching others about Puerto Rico and having them learn and connect with the island's rich and diverse culture and history.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I'm so fortunate to be able to do this while living in Puerto Rico, and to have the support of wonderful coworkers and collaborators both in the US and inside the archipelago.</p>
<h3>What is your favorite part of your job?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783576022/images2/interviews/jkteqHETOOskVBsvigRA46rLLFVlOuVIO359Hwvv.jpg" alt="a woman taking a selfie with a black and white furred dog"><div class="caption"><p>With Wiski <3.</p></div></div>
<p>Exposing students to new experiences and opportunities. Supporting them as they choose their courses at their host universities, seeing them connect with locals and improve their Spanish language skills, and enjoying all the archipelago has to offer.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h3>
<p>My background and education have been pivotal in helping me navigate all that my current role demands. Being a native of Puerto Rico and growing up in Mayagüez (one of our host cities) gives me invaluable insight into Puerto Rico's life, history, language, and culture.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the other hand, my experience as an undergraduate and graduate student in the US, at both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, helps me understand our incoming students' universities' cultures and demands, academically, professionally, and emotionally.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Being a professor of Spanish, Literature, Cultural, and Gender Studies, for over 15 years, and Coordinator of the Minor in Women and Gender Studies for 4 years, at University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (also one of our host universitites) provided me with the academic and administrative experience needed to be the first director of Middlebury's School in Puerto Rico and informs my academic and administrative work.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Finally, I believe my background in Psychology has also given me the necessary tools to engage with the different challenges a student nowadays faces, particularly when faced with a new context and with new challenges.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Why should someone choose Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad over competitors?</h3>
<p>Being a small program, all students get to receive one-to-one attention and support directly from me as director, from prior to arrival until their final day at the School, while internship opportunities are also specifically tailored to the student's needs and interests.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Students also get to learn from and enjoy the different excursions Middlebury designs for them during their time in Puerto Rico and benefit from Middlebury's Language Pledge, where all students are expected to speak in Spanish throughout the entire time away/abroad.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In addition to the four courses students must enroll at their host university (or three and a Middlebury-coordinated internship for credit), they are also enrolled in a .5 unit Middlebury course on Writing for Linguistic and Cultural Competency.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What is Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783576023/images2/interviews/5WGIFrgQ0ndqDnUMLTG2upBi6RVjc0eWYlkbDFoC.jpg" alt="A person is photographing a tree in an orchard"><div class="caption"><p>At my first Apple Orchard visit, Vermont 2025.</p></div></div>
<p>Middlebury's C.V. Starr Schools Abroad mission reads: "Through guided independence, our students engage with their host society on a number of different levels, advance their academic and personal interests, and attain enhanced language proficiency, a solid grasp of the cultural, social, political, and historical conditions of their host country, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world."&nbsp;</p>
<p>As part of our program, we incorporate all of these ideals and following intercultural goals, and provide students with the structural, academic and emotional support needed to achieve them. At MSiPR, we hope to continue this mission by providing significant learning opportunities and experiences.</p>
<h3>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h3>
<p>I hope participants leave the program feeling more empowered and with a more mature sense of self. I also hope they come to appreciate Puerto Rico's unique history of resistance, the richness of its culture, the beauty of its different landscapes, and the friendly disposition of its people.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I hope students will cherish their time in Puerto Rico as a unique learning and enriching educational and intercultural experience, which also helps them improve their Spanish language skills, while enhancing and informing their own academic and professional path and future.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I hope students leave with the desire to come back and share their new appreciation of Puerto Rico with family, friends, and loved ones.</p>
<h3>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h3>
<p>Learning about other cultures through experiential learning opportunities allows people to gain much more insight about the world that surrounds them and about their own.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Living abroad, if only for a few months, promotes self-understanding and reflection, while fostering appreciation towards others, their cultures, and their well-being. This, in turn, creates a more empathetic world, rooted in principles of solidarity, love, and respect for that which is different and for that which unites us.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Visiting other countries while exposing ourselves to new experiences helps us expand our world-view, appreciate the world's natural and cultural diversity, and acquire new ways and perspectives on life , both at home and away.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783576024/images2/interviews/7qnK4usOevcJMtnCY5zfOlkHCAdH6VJ0f3jrnyCq.jpg" alt="5 adults taking a group selfie outdoor"><div class="caption"><p>With Midd Co-workers and Friends!</p></div></div>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>To me, meaningful travel means you get to learn about the world and about yourself by engaging with people from other cultures or backgrounds. By active listening, in-language dialogue, respectful engagement, and an open mind and attitude, a traveler may not only support local communities and organizations, as well as their visions for the future, but may also become part of a larger community built on mutual respect, work, friendship, and solidarity.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meaningful travel includes, of course, doing things that are also meaningful to you, that add value to your life, and help you and your fellow travelers achieve their intentions for their trip. In other words, meaningful travel is potentially transformative.</p>

Teresa Peña-Jordán

Get to know the people behind Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Teresa Peña-Jordán.

Teresa Peña-Jordán | Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview with Teresa Peña-Jordán

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>I was inspired to gain experiences in new cultures and different perspectives. Despite this being a remote internship, it was an enlightening experience! I met with people from various backgrounds and learned a lot about working online.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The entire experience taught me a lot about myself, too, and honestly, I wouldn't have learned that any other way.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/roots-interns rel="" target="_self" class="link">Roots Interns</a>?</h3>
<p>I was searching for any kind of internship related to online writing, and that's when I stumbled upon the <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/roots-interns/programs/seo-writing-internship-with-roots-remote-or-in-person-185317 rel="" target="_self" class="link">Roots Intern SEO Content Writing Internship (Remote)</a>. I checked out their website and then decided to apply because the program looked good. I didn't think I'd get accepted, but I did, and I'm seriously grateful.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783567839/images2/interviews/0dq7MZmqvE4NGkOBRWZvdtsRGUlHCyEHm4BsXupc.jpg" alt="Roots Internships logo"><div class="caption"><p>Roots Internships</p></div></div>
<h3>What was your favorite part about your host country?</h3>
<p>Technically, my internship was fully remote, but nevertheless, I loved the hospitality of the entire team. From day one, I was welcomed, and everyone was really friendly and warm, which made me calm my nerves a lot! They were also really supportive, which was a given, really.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Overall, I loved the entire team setting throughout the remote internship the most!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>The team setting was definitely the first extraordinary experience.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In particular, since this was a remote internship, I had the freedom to prioritize my studies, exams, and internship tasks depending on how busy my week was. I enjoyed that liberty specifically, and the guidance I got from my supervisor was amazing too!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>With all honesty, the Roots team was really encouraging and supportive. Throughout the internship experience, they had been nothing but helpful.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Most of the time, I coordinated with my supervisor, who provided excellent guidance on how the internship tasks should be done, provided feedback, and answered my doubts clearly.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The other members of the team also helped when I had questions about logging in and the application process.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783567840/images2/interviews/hXRcQQYMqAE36b69a0rGiF3pordFtbwL4WMR2Bco.jpg" alt="a photo of a laptop with hands typing"><div class="caption"><p>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</p></div></div>
<p>Sometimes, I missed a lot of internal team meetings because I had other extracurriculars and college on the side. So that's something I regret, but nevertheless, I also think I could have completed my tasks a bit sooner and managed my time better.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It would have been different if I didn't have any other things beside the internship but I did so there's no point thinking about it now. Overall, I loved most of it!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>Since it's a remote internship, I only had to do the work when I actually chose to.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Usually, my tasks revolved around writing either an internship listing or a blog post. I would start with the general outline and go on to write the drafts before my supervisor edited them, and then I had to edit them.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Other than that, I worked on a university leaflet and two newsletters, which worked almost in the same way.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>Compared to all other tasks, I loved writing the testimonial blogs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Basically, I'll have some interview Q&amp;As from other interns in different internships, and I had to make a blog post conveying their journey as a story based on their answers. I loved that because it was really interesting to consider different ways to tell their story!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Particularly when I would have to first outline the entire post and then write it. So, testimonial blogs were definitely my favorite tasks! (Followed by normal SEO blog posts)&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>Well, I did a Remote SEO Content Writing Internship so I could work on the different tasks from the comfort of my own room.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The best thing about a remote internship is that you have the freedom to work on some days and skip others. If you feel like you're most active on weekends, then you have the liberty to work on weekends. (This sometimes would depend on the organization and the program that you choose)&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>Ask those questions you're hesitating about! At the beginning of my internship, I was literally so hesitant to ask questions. It delayed a lot of my work; only later did I realize that I was there to learn.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Even though I figured it out on my own later, it took me a lot of time. So, I'd definitely say "Ask more questions!"</p>
<h3>Would you recommend SEO Writing Internship to others? Why?</h3>
<p>I would definitely recommend this Remote SEO Content Writing Internship to anyone looking to gain professional experience in writing. This gives you a general idea, and you'll probably learn a lot about yourself as a person, too.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I would also recommend Roots Interns for the internships because they don't just casually give you the internship when you apply—they also take your learning goals in mind when they're setting the internship tasks, which I really loved!&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783567841/images2/interviews/DoR8pHSPbJhxmK490KNgH8iZCdj3sGwUmBkwCUt1.jpg" alt="a flat, minimalist green smiley face icon"><div class="caption"><p>Roots Internships</p></div></div>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>While I didn't particularly travel abroad because my internship was remote, I did love getting the experience. It comes with its own benefits: I met people from all around the world, gained diverse perspectives, and also gained professional experience without stepping out of my room.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That's a win, if you ask me, especially if you want to have experiences abroad without actually going there.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>I never really left my home, but I did learn a lot from my internship. Specifically, how to manage my time better when I have a lot of tasks and academic responsibilities.&nbsp;</p>
<p>During the start of my internship, I used to do small chunks every day to manage different things, but then I realized I did not know where I had left off the previous day. So I started working in big chunks and completing tasks on the same days. This is something that I follow even now.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>Meaningful travel means personal growth and a shift in perspective. Anything that makes you go "Wow, I never saw it that way" is going to shape you one way or another. And I think it's important to know how amazing these experiences really are.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Even though my experience was remote, it gave me a lot of lessons and memories that I'll definitely carry a long way.&nbsp;</p>

Juwairiah Ishaq

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Juwairiah Ishaq who participated in Roots Interns program.

Juwairiah Ishaq | Roots Interns Alumni Interview

SEO Writing Internship with Roots (Remote or In-person)

Roots Interns

Roots Interns Alumni Interview with Juwairiah Ishaq

<p></p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1/images2/interviews/tjclqvoqzzzfyebuxeyw.jpg" alt="Komodo Islands sunrise hike"><div class="caption"><p>Komodo Islands sunrise hike</p></div></div>
<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>I’ve always loved traveling, especially anywhere connected to the ocean. Throughout college, I worked during the school year so I could spend my breaks exploring new places.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to continue traveling while earning college credits and making progress toward my degree.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/seamester-study-abroad-at-sea rel="" target="_self" class="link">Seamester Study Abroad at Sea</a>?</h3>
<p>I was looking for a program that combined sailing, diving, marine science, and college credit. I had never sailed before, so I was excited by the challenge, and I wanted to continue developing my diving skills in some of the world’s best waters. Seamester offered all of those opportunities in one program, which made it stand out to me.</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about the experience?</h3>
<p>My favorite part of the experience was the variety of unforgettable moments aboard Vela. Swimming with whale sharks at sunrise, snorkeling alongside reef sharks, and exploring remote places were incredible experiences. What made them even better was coming back to the boat afterward and sharing those moments with everyone else.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1/images2/interviews/tsignk7hlxs2bkfhqii7.jpg" alt="Coffee during a 4am watch!"><div class="caption"><p>Coffee during a 4am watch!</p></div></div>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>Living aboard a sailboat made this experience unlike any traditional study abroad program. We could spend the afternoon learning oceanography or nautical science and then go on a night dive that same day. Living, learning, and working together in such a unique environment made the experience feel very different from studying abroad on land.</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>The staff supported us in different ways depending on their roles. We had a medic for any health-related concerns, and every staff member was available if we needed help or had questions. Because we lived and worked together every day, it didn’t take long to feel comfortable reaching out when we needed support.</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>This program wasn’t easy, and living on a sailboat meant the small things could sometimes feel overwhelming. Looking back, I wish I had stressed less about those moments. I’d remind myself that spilled coffee, seasickness, or falling out of my bunk were all small parts of an experience that was much bigger than those temporary frustrations.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1/images2/interviews/mu8kjnrszhck4avlfrsm.jpg" alt="Won’t ever get over these views!"><div class="caption"><p>Won’t ever get over these views!</p></div></div>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>Free time was limited, especially while we were sailing. Most of it was spent finishing homework, sleeping, or occasionally baking cookies or brownies for the crew. Sometimes we’d stay up to watch a movie together, even if it meant sacrificing some sleep.</p>
<p>When we were at anchor, we’d usually call friends and family if we had service, relax on the boat, or swim and freedive if the captain approved. When we were docked in places like Mauritius or Cape Town, we had opportunities to explore within the program’s time and safety guidelines. We enjoyed trying local restaurants, shopping, and exploring whenever possible.</p>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>We lived in shared cabins with three bunks and limited storage for our belongings. The space was small and there wasn’t much privacy, but everyone adjusted fairly quickly. One of my favorite parts was my cabin and my roommates. They became like sisters, and our small cabin became our safe space. Living so closely together created a strong sense of teamwork and made the boat feel like home over time.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1/images2/interviews/yyclyhu5wjejggloqyen.jpg" alt="Safari in South Africa!"><div class="caption"><p>Safari in South Africa!</p></div></div>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>If we were underway, our schedule revolved around our watch shifts. After waking up, we’d have lunch followed by classes like marine biology, oceanography, nautical science, or leadership. Evenings were usually spent eating dinner, finishing homework, and getting as much sleep as possible before our next watch.</p>
<p>When we were anchored or docked, every day looked different. We might wake up early for a sunrise hike in the Gili Islands, spend the day surfing in Bali, go on safari in South Africa, or dive, depending on where we were. Classes were scheduled around these activities, so no two weeks looked exactly the same.</p>
<p>Throughout the program, our days were very structured. We rotated daily responsibilities and other boat jobs, so there wasn’t much unplanned free time. Most of our downtime was spent resting or catching up on schoolwork.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>Be prepared for your lifestyle to change completely. This <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/seamester-study-abroad-at-sea/programs/seamester-indian-ocean-singapore-to-south-africa-90-days-134668 rel="" target="_self" class="link">program</a> will push you outside your comfort zone, and you’ll probably experience homesickness, seasickness, sunburn, and sleep deprivation at some point. It’s challenging, but if you’re willing to embrace those challenges, you’ll leave with experiences and friendships that are hard to find anywhere else.</p>
<div class="awesome-image left-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1/images2/interviews/ms8qjkh3ymnwcjo29jg7.jpg" alt="We all take turns on the helm!"><div class="caption"><p>We all take turns on the helm!</p></div></div>
<h3>Would you recommend your program to others? Why?</h3>
<p>Yes. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure and is willing to step outside their comfort zone. It isn’t the right fit for everyone, but if you’re curious, adaptable, and excited by new experiences, it’s a unique way to study abroad. The combination of sailing, diving, academics, and travel creates an experience that’s difficult to find anywhere else.</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is gaining perspective. Experiencing different cultures, meeting new people, and navigating unfamiliar situations help you grow in ways that are difficult to experience at home. It builds confidence and often teaches you just as much about yourself as it does about the places you visit.</p>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>Coming home was an adjustment after spending months living aboard a sailboat. The experience gave me a greater appreciation for everyday comforts while also teaching me practical skills in sailing and diving. More than anything, it gave me confidence to take on new challenges and continue seeking experiences outside my comfort zone.</p>
<div class="awesome-video centered" data-width="325" data-height="560" ><iframe src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPexBGqDW4H/embed/" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>To me, meaningful travel isn’t about checking famous places off a list; it’s about understanding how people live and experiencing places beyond the typical tourist perspective. Some of the most memorable moments come from simple conversations with locals or figuring things out on your own.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Traveling with the same group of students also made the experience more meaningful because we all noticed different things and learned from one another. I’ve found that the most rewarding experiences often come from the moments that challenge you the most.</p>

Destiny Benway

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Destiny Benway who participated in Seamester Study Abroad at Sea program.

Destiny Benway | Seamester Study Abroad at Sea Seamester Study Abroad at Sea Interview

Seamester: Bali to South Africa - 90 Days

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea Alumni Interview with Destiny Benway

<h3>What inspired you to go abroad?</h3>
<p>My daughter! She did their teen Spanish program last year, and she just loved it so much that it actually gave me the idea to go myself. She told me about all the teen stuff and also how many adult students were in the regular adult classes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I didn’t realize there were people my age who did these things; I figured it was all college kids, but there were people of all ages, even a couple of people in their 70s.</p>
<h3>Why did you choose <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/intercultura-costa-rica rel="" target="_self" class="link">Intercultura Costa Rica</a>?</h3>
<p>They’re really well-known, it seems like; they’re the only ones certified by the UN, which I liked, and they’ve been around for more than 30 years. Also, they were great with the communication; they always wrote back quickly and answered all my questions and more!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Nela and Claudia were great; they eased my nerves for sure and made me feel like they actually cared about making sure everything went well for me. And also the campuses, for sure. I love the option of both; my next trip will include both the beach and the city.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Oh yes, also I really liked that they have local students studying English at their <a href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/intercultura-costa-rica/programs/spanish-program-33262 rel="" target="_self" class="link">program</a>. I wanted to meet “ticos” and not just hang out with other foreigners, and I did!</p>
<h3>What was your favorite part about Costa Rica?</h3>
<p>My host family and the school itself are beautiful old colonial-style buildings with inner courtyards, a garden, and lots of study and social areas for students. I spent a lot of time there, and it was really easy to meet people that way.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Also, the activities: loved dancing classes with Kikey; he is so good at making you feel like you can do it (salsa), and the cooking class with Doña Jeannette—best plantains with beans and guacamole ever!&nbsp;</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783500132/images2/interviews/yYUitz9ZEiFtwZDYOjyIEarHLqYuQsTRgDvw8r8m.jpg" alt="This image depicts the misty landscape of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica"><div class="caption"><p>when we went to monteverde</p></div></div>
<h3>What made your experience abroad extraordinary?</h3>
<p>The personal attention from everyone at school—from the receptionist to my teachers—was that I could see I wasn’t just a number; everyone knew my name, talked to me when I’d arrive each morning, sometimes had lunch with me at school, or it was just such a special experience to be welcomed into the community.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Tico people are really so warm and generous, at least those connected to Intercultura are! A lot of them have been with the school for years and years, like Jovanna and Marcelo, you can tell they treat their staff well and it creates a great vibe.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>How did local staff support you throughout your program?</h3>
<p>As above, they were there for everything I needed or wanted to do. Their motto should be “for everything there is a solution” because, for real, they went above and beyond.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Like, I wanted to volunteer coaching basketball, and they made it happen in a marginalized neighborhood in town, one of the highlights of my stay and a real eye-opener.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?</h3>
<p>Stayed longer!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Seriously, I plan to come back and stay as long as possible. I think that in 2 months, I would feel really comfortable speaking Spanish with anyone, back home or in Costa Rica. Other than that, I don’t think I’d change much. Maybe eat less rice and exercise more. Other than that, I don’t know what I’d change.</p>
<h3>Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.</h3>
<p>Get up for breakfast at 7 am, shower at 7:30, and be at school by 8:30 when classes start. Classes till 12:30, with two breaks where foreigners and local students socialize over board games and coffee in the gardens.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Lunch with other students in town—tons of great places within a few blocks. And cheap. Then back to school for Latin dance class with Kikey, then maybe one other activity, like a cooking class, a conversation club, or a culture tour to a local colonial town, depending on the day.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Then do some homework and hang out with friends at school or around town, then back to my homestay for dinner (think rice, beans, chicken, vegetables, tropical fruit shakes…delicious), then talk with my host mom and maybe play cards or watch something with her on TV, then go to bed!&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?</h3>
<p>Meeting Tico students and hanging out with them on weekends, we went hiking in the mountains and played basketball a lot. Then we’d go out dancing once a week, which was a little intimidating, but I loved it!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Being the man, you have to lead, but I was lucky and had some women who took pity on me and showed me how to lead.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783500133/images2/interviews/J5LkT5G4ZSH1KFPR5jH2eCw4zd3f4pkXPJjwuxjQ.jpg" alt="the coastal landscape of Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica"><div class="caption"><p>this was at manuel antonio beach and is a national park too</p></div></div>
<h3>What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?</h3>
<p>Homestay—as mentioned, just an incredible experience, the food, the way they all took care of me, the mum taking time every day to talk with me and help me with my Spanish, the fact that they seemed to actually really enjoy having me there.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Did I mention the food?! The amount of tropical fruit is incredible, especially the mangoes. I'm addicted.</p>
<h3>What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?</h3>
<p>Costa Rican homes are louder than back home, so bring earplugs or download a white-noise app on your phone. Bring repellent and sunscreen; they’re more expensive here. And bring an open mind—be curious and remember things are just different and that’s OK—this is why it’s interesting to travel!&nbsp;</p>
<p>And know that personal space is more reduced, so don’t feel weird if you get a hug or a kiss on the cheek when you greet people you know, like at your host family.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Would you recommend Intercultura Costa Rica to others? Why?</h3>
<p>For sure 100%. There is no other school like Intercultura—I talked to other students who’d studied at other schools when I was there, and not one came close to the quality of the classes, the activities and the personal care towards every student.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I mean, I guess different people have different styles, but I feel like at Intercultura, there is something for everyone—they are also really open-minded, which surprised me. I guess I thought Latinos were maybe more conservative with things like LGBT and race issues, but not at all.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I never felt any kind of discrimination being black, and one of my classmates was a gay woman, and her partner was there, not studying but would come to activities, and no one treated them any differently, which I thought was cool.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?</h3>
<p>Opening your mind, learning new things, about everything, not just Spanish, meeting people from everywhere and every kind of background, getting a whole second family (the Homestay one) that continues after you leave too, mine are coming to visit me in California, and I can’t wait!&nbsp;</p>
<p>And all the things you can do in tiny Costa Rica—I went from the beach to a volcano in the space of a couple of hours; it’s crazy how close things are and how different the different areas are.</p>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1783500133/images2/interviews/38kyqnJFMx3v4MgtoKcJCkZQrCzvdk0KM0TDMiRv.jpg" alt="the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica"><div class="caption"><p>Arenal Volcano, which is live still</p></div></div>
<h3>Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?</h3>
<p>I can talk to people in my hometown in Spanish; we have a big Latino community, and now it’s like I’m part of that, not living on the outside. Just talking in my intermediate Spanish makes them appreciate that I’m making the effort, and it opens up a whole new world right there at home.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Also, I think I can be more open-minded myself and more self-reflective, I guess, like I learned not to judge based on my own experience and try instead to see each thing as its own unique process.</p>
<h3>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h3>
<p>The same thing, it means learning to broaden your viewpoints and understand other cultures, not just their languages, and feeling like you really integrate into a new community, which you really do best by living with a local family, it’s a whole other experience that way for sure.&nbsp;</p>
<p>And also, I guess trying to leave a positive footprint, show people the best of my own culture, and invite them to share it as best I can.</p>

Rory Brown

Check out this GoAbroad Interview with Rory Brown who participated in Intercultura Costa Rica program.

Alumni & Staff Interviews

Explore interviews with travelers, alumni, and staff from hundreds of programs.

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad Staff Interview

Roots Interns Alumni Interview

Seamester Study Abroad at Sea Alumni Interview

Intercultura Costa Rica Alumni Interview

Share Your Experience