THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE
OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER
THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE When asked for her perspective on Grinnell’s study abroad programming and how that affects the women’s soccer program, Head Coach Heather Benning responded, “One of the most common questions asked of me during the recruiting process is: ‘If I attend Grinnell College, can I study off-‐campus and still play soccer?’ And my response is: ‘Absolutely!’” “I feel very strongly that to enroll in Grinnell College is to choose a liberal arts experience. That liberal arts experience, for many students, extends beyond a ‘liberal arts education’ to a four-‐year experience, which includes intensive course study, engagement in co-‐curricular activities, studying abroad and having meaningful social interactions. While approximately 55-‐60% of Grinnell College students successfully apply to study abroad, the percentage of Grinnell Women’s Soccer players who study off-‐campus is closer to 85-‐ 90%. This spring, six of our seven juniors will spend the semester in locations across the world!” Patty Murphy-‐Geiss (Centennial, CO): I am going to Prague with the Central European Studies program. I’m interested in this program mainly for the focus on 20th-‐century history and film, but I will also get a unique exposure to art that will augment my studio art major. Studying history from an Eastern European perspective will offer me a more nuanced view of the events of that time period. I have also always had a deep interest in film, and not only does this program offer a course focused on Central European film, but the Czech Republic is famous for their films. I will get the opportunity to study international film in a context that is unavailable at Grinnell, or anywhere else, for that matter. Our program will also travel to Poland, Austria, and Slovakia, allowing me to broaden the scope of my learning outside of Prague.
Amanda Hodo (Chicago, IL): I will be studying abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies Tropical Biology program. I chose this program for its location, challenging study, and the fascinating topic of study. I have been to Costa Rica twice before: I loved the country and the culture and fell in love with the rainforest. I am so excited to return for an extended amount of time and to really get the opportunity to immerse myself in the language and culture. To say that I am excited for studying tropical biology there would be a MASSIVE understatement! Hannah Safter (Brooklyn, NY): Next semester, I will be going to Paris through the Sweet Briar College Junior Year in France Program. I am an Art History and French major, which is why I am interested in spending a semester in Paris. I will take classes at the Sorbonne and the Ecole de Louvre with French students and a class with American students. I am also looking to intern at a gallery or auction house while I am abroad. During my 3 week spring break, I plan on traveling around Europe and meeting up with my GWS friends in Copenhagen, Prague, and Spain!
Pauline Zheng (Juneau, AK): I’ll be attending the Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen, studying biomedicine with a focus on drug discovery and development. I chose this program (by default) because my plans to study abroad in China fell through. Regardless, I am very excited to spend time in Denmark because I’ve built my own curriculum based around my interests and will have plenty of opportunities to travel to surrounding countries. I am especially looking forward to trying the local food there, meeting international students, and backpacking around Europe when I’m done!
Jordan Young (Maplewood, MN): I’ll be studying in South Africa with Duke University’s Organization for Tropical Studies. My program focuses on African Ecology and Conservation. I will be living in Kruger National Park for most of the 3 months I am there, in addition to a rural home stay and a semester break in Cape Town. I chose the program for its field-‐intensive coursework and because the emphasis on ecology and natural resource conservation is very applicable to what I want to do. Living in South Africa is a once-‐in-‐a-‐lifetime opportunity, and I know it will be an incredible journey!
Mackenzie Shanahan (Hull, MA): I’m going to Copenhagen, Denmark this spring to study at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. I picked Copenhagen primarily because I wanted to experience going to college in a very modern European city. I have friends studying all over Europe next semester, so I hope to spend some time traveling as well as playing for a Danish club soccer team and really getting to explore Copenhagen. I think it will be very interesting to compare my experiences so far in rural Iowa to what academics and life are like overseas in a large city, and I’m really excited!
THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE When asked for her perspective on Grinnell’s study abroad programming and how that affects the women’s soccer program, Head Coach Heather Benning responded, “One of the most common questions asked of me during the recruiting process is: ‘If I attend Grinnell College, can I study off-‐campus and still play soccer?’ And my response is: ‘Absolutely!’” “I feel very strongly that to enroll in Grinnell College is to choose a liberal arts experience. That liberal arts experience, for many students, extends beyond a ‘liberal arts education’ to a four-‐year experience, which includes intensive course study, engagement in co-‐curricular activities, studying abroad and having meaningful social interactions. While approximately 55-‐60% of Grinnell College students successfully apply to study abroad, the percentage of Grinnell Women’s Soccer players who study off-‐campus is closer to 85-‐ 90%. This spring, six of our seven juniors will spend the semester in locations across the world!” Patty Murphy-‐Geiss (Centennial, CO): I am going to Prague with the Central European Studies program. I’m interested in this program mainly for the focus on 20th-‐century history and film, but I will also get a unique exposure to art that will augment my studio art major. Studying history from an Eastern European perspective will offer me a more nuanced view of the events of that time period. I have also always had a deep interest in film, and not only does this program offer a course focused on Central European film, but the Czech Republic is famous for their films. I will get the opportunity to study international film in a context that is unavailable at Grinnell, or anywhere else, for that matter. Our program will also travel to Poland, Austria, and Slovakia, allowing me to broaden the scope of my learning outside of Prague.
Amanda Hodo (Chicago, IL): I will be studying abroad in Costa Rica with the Organization for Tropical Studies Tropical Biology program. I chose this program for its location, challenging study, and the fascinating topic of study. I have been to Costa Rica twice before: I loved the country and the culture and fell in love with the rainforest. I am so excited to return for an extended amount of time and to really get the opportunity to immerse myself in the language and culture. To say that I am excited for studying tropical biology there would be a MASSIVE understatement! Hannah Safter (Brooklyn, NY): Next semester, I will be going to Paris through the Sweet Briar College Junior Year in France Program. I am an Art History and French major, which is why I am interested in spending a semester in Paris. I will take classes at the Sorbonne and the Ecole de Louvre with French students and a class with American students. I am also looking to intern at a gallery or auction house while I am abroad. During my 3 week spring break, I plan on traveling around Europe and meeting up with my GWS friends in Copenhagen, Prague, and Spain!
Pauline Zheng (Juneau, AK): I’ll be attending the Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen, studying biomedicine with a focus on drug discovery and development. I chose this program (by default) because my plans to study abroad in China fell through. Regardless, I am very excited to spend time in Denmark because I’ve built my own curriculum based around my interests and will have plenty of opportunities to travel to surrounding countries. I am especially looking forward to trying the local food there, meeting international students, and backpacking around Europe when I’m done!
Jordan Young (Maplewood, MN): I’ll be studying in South Africa with Duke University’s Organization for Tropical Studies. My program focuses on African Ecology and Conservation. I will be living in Kruger National Park for most of the 3 months I am there, in addition to a rural home stay and a semester break in Cape Town. I chose the program for its field-‐intensive coursework and because the emphasis on ecology and natural resource conservation is very applicable to what I want to do. Living in South Africa is a once-‐in-‐a-‐lifetime opportunity, and I know it will be an incredible journey!
Mackenzie Shanahan (Hull, MA): I’m going to Copenhagen, Denmark this spring to study at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. I picked Copenhagen primarily because I wanted to experience going to college in a very modern European city. I have friends studying all over Europe next semester, so I hope to spend some time traveling as well as playing for a Danish club soccer team and really getting to explore Copenhagen. I think it will be very interesting to compare my experiences so far in rural Iowa to what academics and life are like overseas in a large city, and I’m really excited!
