Everyone decides to study abroad for different reasons.
My name is Colleen Salazar and I spent the Spring 2018 semester studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. I had always known I wanted to spend a semester of college studying abroad, as I am political science major, and have always taken a strong interest in the study of world politics, history, and international relations. After hearing such wonderful things from friends and peers who studied in or visited the beautiful city of Prague, I decided it was the perfect place to begin my independent travels.
In all honesty, I walked into the UMW Center for International Education (CIE) with no clue as to what program I should apply for and I was a bit nervous that there wouldn’t be any that suited me. All my nerves and worries were put to rest the second I walked in because of how welcoming and helpful everyone was in the CIE office. After discussing my options with the CIE staff, I decided to go with the AIFS program (American Institute for Foreign Study). The staff conveyed their long-standing relationship with the AIFS program and the amazing feedback they had received from previous UMW students regarding their abroad experiences with this provider.
A fun fact about the beginning of my abroad experience; I turned 21 on my overnight flight to Prague! As much as the jet lag could have dampened my birthday mood, I will never forget my 21st birthday, which was spent 41,000 feet in the air while flying over the Atlantic Ocean.
The next four months I spent abroad left me with some of the most amazing experiences and unforgettable memories that I will forever cherish. Don’t get me wrong, being 4,000 miles away from home isn’t always easy. All of the sudden, you are far away from everyone and everything you’ve ever known. The realization that I was in a foreign world was a little stressful and nerve-racking at first, but I soon realized that all of the other study abroad students around me were experiencing the same feelings and shared a mutual desire to make Prague a new home away from home.
I met so many different people, both within and outside the program, who were both American and international students. Together, we learned about the Czech people, history, and culture, and most importantly, the overall way of life in Prague. The AIFS program encouraged us to open our minds and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by traveling to other countries, far and wide, in order to experience as much culture and ways of life as possible. Prior to going abroad, I had never been to Europe and in the time spent there, I visited Scotland, Poland, Germany, France, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Hungary, and Austria. Each trip was filled with so many memories and new experiences I will never forget, some of which include standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower and, with my own hands, touching a piece of the Berlin Wall.
As a political science major, all of my classes were focused around the political, social, cultural, and historical studies surrounding Prague and Czech Republic. Although the Czech language was far too complex for me to really get the hang of during my stay, I learned so much about the antiquity of the city of Prague and gained immense knowledge about the neighboring Eastern European countries, a topic of which I had never researched in depth before.
Aside from the academic knowledge acquired during my program, I discovered things about myself that I never would have learned if I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone and routine. I was able to adapt and survive in a foreign country and bridge the gap between American and Czech culture, what felt like two different worlds.
I have decided to continue my interest in both the UMW and global communities by getting involved at the Center for International Education as a Peer Advisor. I hope to convey my experience abroad to those who are looking to venture into the world themselves. Going to Prague changed my life and world outlook in so many ways and I hope to help inspire others who are interested in sharing that same revelation.
Colleen Salazar, UMW Class of 2019