Spanish Club hosts study abroad panel

Spanish Club hosted a Study Abroad Panel last night in Roosevelt Hall for students interested in learning about the experiences of Emporia State students who have studied outside of the U.S. Six students spoke at the panel.

“Always be observant,” said Jessica Niehues, senior Spanish major and president of Spanish club. “Absorb all the info that you’re getting because you’ve been around (American) culture your whole life. You’re going to be hit with so much at one time. Just absorb what you’re experiencing.”

The panelists gave advice and told stories about their experiences abroad. Some tips included not converting money in airports, always paying attention to one’s surroundings for safety and utilizing local public transportation systems to save money.

The panel members have travelled to countries around the world including Peru, Mexico, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Spain and Austria.

Annie Ball, senior art education major, traveled to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in the summer of 2008 for five weeks. Ball did not take classes but instead went to different schools to teach English.

“We didn’t end up getting to teach much English,” Ball said. “The classes that I did teach were mostly conversational. The kids in almost all schools knew some English but their teachers were native Tai speakers. They wanted us to work on pronunciation a lot.”

Before Ball left the U.S., she had to receive $1100 worth of medication including shots for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid shots and a malaria pill that she had to take daily. Ball advised that interested students find out about all of the fees that are required for studying abroad before deciding to go on a trip.

Scott Goering, senior computer science and Spanish major, went to Monterrey, Mexico in the fall of 2005 for a semester. Monterrey has approximately the same population that Kansas does. Goering stayed with a host family about 3 miles away from the private university that he attended.

“It was about a 45 minute to an hour long walk,” said Goering. “There was an eight lane highway that I had to cross twice a day. (The bridges) are few and far between, so you have to take your chances.”

Goering took three of his classes in Spanish and only one in English.

“The host family didn’t speak very much English,” Goering said. “The mom and dad didn’t (speak English) at all.”

All of the speakers agreed that their trips abroad were something they would recommend to everyone.

Ashley Adkins, sophomore elementary education in Spanish major and vice president of Spanish club, wanted to organize the event for those who wanted to study abroad, including herself.

“I just got accepted to study abroad next semester in Madrid,” Adkins said. “It was very helpful for me (to hear) and I know for others, too.”

Spanish Club members came up with the idea to host the panel at their first meeting.

“Our very first meeting of the semester a member asked if we could do this and we all thought it was a really good idea,” Adkins said. “I tried to find people who weren’t just going to Spanish speaking countries so that it would be open for all students who wanted to come.”

Spanish Club’s next meeting will be next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at El Marmól, 713 W. South Ave.