Study Abroad Students tell their stories for Multicultural Week

From Right to Left: Preston Black, Mara Keyes, Mary Klinghagen, Kylie McElrath, Zach Palma 

Five students shared their study abroad experiences as a part of Multicultural Week. Their presentations included photos and stories of their travels, host cultures, and coursework. They also brought insight into how study abroad challenged them to try new things and explore themselves and new cultures.

Preston Black studied abroad with Spanish Studies Abroad in Alicante, Spain in the fall of 2013. During his time in Alicante, he took intensive Spanish course work for his Spanish major, lived with a host family, and took advantage of his proximity to the beach!

Mara Keyes spent the fall semester of 2013 on HECUA's New Zealand Culture and the Environment program. The program took Mara on a multi-week tour of New Zealand from Auckland to Wellington before settling into a seven week internship in Wellington. During her time in Wellington, Mara interned with the New Zealand Green Party.

Mary Klinghagen studied abroad in the spring of 2013 with Spanish Studies Abroad in Seville, Spain. Mary spent the semester taking advanced-level Spanish coursework including an integrated course, which involved enrolling in a course at a local university in Seville along side native Spaniards. Mary also took advantage of the opportunity to have a host family and travel throughout Spain and Europe. Check out her blog to learn more.

Kylie McElrath, a theater major, studied abroad with the SMU London Program in fall 2013. Kylie and her fellow theater majors are required to attend the London program and produce a play every fall in London. While abroad, Kylie explored the arts of London during their Arts in London and Theatre in London courses, took group day trips through England, and traveled extensively during and after her program.

Zach Palma spent a semester studying in Quito, Ecuador on HECUA's Community Internships in Latin America program. During the term, Zach participated in an internship with an organization focused on sustainable living and agriculture. The program also offered him the opportunity to gain a great fluency in Spanish, live with a host family, and do a research project on the illegal trafficking of animals from the rain forests of Ecuador. A recent article was also produced about Zach on the SMU Website.