Student reflects on study-abroad experience
When Brandy Armstrong set out for Chile in February to begin her first semester as an international student, she had no idea what exactly she was getting herself into. With a desire to improve her Spanish and a hope to have fun while pursuing her education, she set out to a foreign land with a backpack and a smile.
“I had always wanted to go to South America,” said Armstrong, a senior studying nursing with a minor in Spanish. “I love the culture and the language, and the study abroad program helped my dream to come true. I had met students from Chile here on campus and I always thought how cool it would be to go to their country and experience college life and school in a whole new way.”
USU students can hear Armstrong spea on Oct. 9 in TSC 335 during Common Hour. She will be sharing her own experiences from Chile and educating students on how they can sign up for their own study abroad program at the Catholic University of Valparaiso in Chile.
Armstrong said her experience was something unlike anything else.
“While I was there, I was fortunate enough to live with the Villavicencia family, who welcomed me with warm arms,” Armstrong said. “They were so great, and I was able to learn so much from them.”
Armstrong was never bothered by the fact there was no carpet or air conditioning in the Villavicencia’s house. She said she was there to learn how to adapt and love the changes she was faced with.
Even though travel by public bus to the Chilean campus was “a little scary at times,” Armstrong said she never had a problem making it to class.
“The driving there was crazy, but they are good at what they do,” she said. “I never saw an accident while I was there.”
Spanish was the only language her professors used.
“I was lost at first,” Armstrong said. “I didn’t understand anything.”
Before going to Chile, Armstrong had taken college Spanish classes up to the 3000 level and knew commonly-used grammar, but being immersed in the language put her knowledge to the test.
“Being surrounded by people who speak Spanish was a huge help,” Armstrong said. “It kind of forced you to learn the language. I struggled at first, but by the end of the semester I was able to keep up with the class and take notes, as well as being able to write full papers.”
Even though the classes she was taking were challenging at first, Armstrong said she was able to pass all of them with good grades. She earned 12 credit hours, a nice addition to her “once in a lifetime experience.”
Armstrong said she enjoyed the Chilean activities she could participate in once her homework was finished.
“I loved going and playing in the ocean,” she said of her daily ritual she took part in with other foreign students.
Her free time didn’t stop at the ocean. Armstrong traveled to Argentina and Peru, and she visited the ruins of Machu Picchu.
“Not only was Machu Picchu a highlight of my semester abroad, it was a highlight of my life,” she said.
USU asked Armstrong to be a peer advisor for the study abroad program after her return from Chile – an offer she accepted and enjoys as she encourages students to get involved in the international studies program.
Kay Forsyth, director of study abroad program and office of global engagement, said international studies is something available to everyone.
“It is a global world that we are living in, and we need to be connected with everyone and learn about each other,” Forsyth said. “This is a great opportunity to live in anoth
er country for a few months – to live like a local, to be a local. Plus, it looks great on a resume and helps to set you apart from everyone else.”
Forsyth said studying abroad is the perfect way to build on prior linguistic skills or perfect a language. However, knowing a foreign language before studying abroad is not a requirement, she said, and there are plenty of programs students can participate in while speaking English.
Forsyth wants students who are interested to understand that these programs are very affordable.
“It is virtually the same price as normal USU tuition, and most scholarships and financial aid will carry over, allowing you to enjoy the wonders of another country for close to the same price as it would be to remain in Logan,” Forsyth said.
Since she has been home, Armstrong has been able to apply her experiences in a variety of ways, including translating for a woman who was struggling to communicate at a grocery store.
“It was really rewarding being able to help her and if it wasn’t for the study abroad, I probably wouldn’t have been able to,” Armstrong said.
For students who are interested but nervous about studying abroad, Armstrong gives some words of advice.
“If you want to do it, do it,” she said. “You will meet so many new friends from all around the world and you will never have another opportunity like this again.”