1. believing that I did), but that phrase is so inadequate. I can say that my semester made it easier for me “The question I keep asking myself
to swallow my pride and to admit that I don’t know everything; I have become more willing—and at is ‘was it worth it all despite
times even eager—to consider different perspectives and ask for others’ opinions. While it wasn’t at all the stress and fear I had to go
easy or comfortable to be immersed in another culture, among swarms of people with different opinions, through?’ Every time I ask that, a
backgrounds, and lifestyles, I benefited greatly from the experience. little voice in the back of my head
answers with a swift reply ‘yes!!’
Along with my new-found open-mindedness, my study abroad experience sparked an unquenchable interest No matter what anger, sadness,
in other cultures and backgrounds and led me to pursue an International MBA at the University of South or overall frustration I felt within
Carolina. Learning to appreciate and respect those with diverse backgrounds and paradigms served me these past months, it was all
well in business school from day one, as roughly one-third of my classmates were foreign nationals and we worth it because I was able to
often were required to work on group projects. My foreign study experience made a huge difference in my learn a whole lot about myself
interactions with these international classmates as I was able to more fully appreciate the value that they and my limitations. I learned
brought to the table and to empathize with some of their struggles. how to balance time/stress
despite having 10,000 things to
An integral part of my MBA curriculum was an eight-month study abroad experience, encompassing language do. I achieved some of my life
training and a business internship. Driven by my love for Latin America, I chose to study and work in southern long goals on this trip including
Brazil and capitalized on my Spanish language training by quickly becoming proficient in Portuguese, a bettering my Spanish, balancing a
proficiency which contributed to the success of my internship with the Brazilian Small Business Administration. huge amount of workload about a
very complicated subject, going to
When I began applying for jobs, I was hopeful my two study abroad experiences would give me an advantage see a desert, learning to live in a
over other MBA graduates. As I began interviewing for positions, I became increasingly confident that the Latin American country, learned
international education experiences incorporated in my résumé helped me to stand apart from the other a lot about medicine in general
applicants for my job. and the health care system, and
much more.”
My international experiences helped me land a job with Delta Air Lines, for which I have worked for the past — James Estes,
MY WORLD [REDEFINED] fourteen months as an analyst in the revenue management department. As a key driver of global economic Indiana University,
development with a truly international staff, Delta is a wonderful place to work (not to mention the stand-by Santiago Summer
Jeff Rollison
travel privileges!). 2009 Blogger
About 20% of my colleagues are from other countries
Wofford College, IES Abroad Santiago, Summer 2005 (India, China, Pakistan, Russia). I am very happy working
within this multi-national team, acclimating to new tasks
Within two days of beginning my IES Abroad Santiago program in the spring of 2005, I realized that I was quickly. My worldview, developed and expanded while
Jeff and Corey Rollison embarking on an experience that would change me in so many different ways: I was going to have to work studying internationally, helps me know what questions
harder than I had imagined. I was going to have to adjust to a completely foreign culture and face ever- to ask and to avoid having tunnel vision in terms of
present language barriers (the Chileans did not use the same Spanish textbooks to which I was accustomed!). how something should be done. The reimagining of my
“I loved the family that I lived worldview that began in 2005 has been enormously
Perhaps most startlingly, I quickly realized that I was also the only southerner in the whole group of 30+ helpful as I build my career and look to the future.
with. They were welcoming
students! Everyone seemed to be from New England, Michigan, California, or Minnesota (talk about a
and considerate while always
language barrier)! My internal dialogue during the first few weeks went something like this: “You mean there I can honestly say that my experience as a student in the
respecting my independence.
are really people out there who didn’t grow up in the Bible belt and whose parents aren’t straight-ticket IES Abroad Santiago program redefined me!
Some of the best experiences I
Republicans?!? And I actually have to learn to live and work with them in the real world?!?” My time there pushed me to move beyond any
had were when we all hung out
together.” preconceived paradigms I had of the world. I now welcome
To say that my experience in the Santiago program “broadened my horizons” would be a weak opportunities to work with people from around the world,
understatement – my experience was more like having my world turned upside down, reimagined as knowing that from diverse thought grows innovation.
— Jessica Rudder,
something completely different. How grateful I am for having experienced this transformation!
IES Abroad Santiago, Fall 2007
Since my time in Chile, I have often thought about how to express adequately the change in my worldview
How has studying abroad redefined your life? Tell us at alumni@IESabroad.org.
over that semester. I could use the ever-clichéd phrase: “I gained more of a global perspective” (truly
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