Zoe Friese is a senior at Tulane with majors in Political Economy and Environmental Studies and a minor in Chinese. Before beginning college, she spent six months in Chengdu, China on a gap year through the U.S. Department of State's NSLI-Y Program--and subsequently fell in love with language and cultural exchange. Zoe has since participated in the 2022 Critical Language Scholarship Program at Taiwan's Chenggong University and studied in Cambodia through the School for Field Studies. On campus, you can find her co-leading the Tulane Undergraduate Assembly or giving tours as a Green Wave Ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and finding the best boba spots in town.

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

Studying abroad has allowed me to have a more holistic experience in my education. The experience of the culture of Madrid, the style of teaching and learning that exists there, and the language practice both in and outside of the classroom gave me a well-rounded understanding for my Spanish minor.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

I was able to create a schedule that optimized both my education and my ability to travel during my time not in the classroom. By having classes only three days a week, I was able to optimize my ability to experience new places, new cultures and travel a lot which was my biggest interest in studying abroad.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would not highly recommend my program as I think there may be other options but I would recommend my location.

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

The program, their goals, how it will affect their major and minors, the location.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

I have studied abroad in middle school, high school, and college and each time it has impacted me well.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

Coming from Tulane, a public university in Madrid is very different. There was a lot of interesting things that happened in school.

Julia is originally from the Bay Area in California, and she is a current, senior at Tulane, studying sociology and Spanish. She studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina fall of 2022, and lived with a host family (two really nice old ladies). While there, she traveled around different parts of northern Argentina, including Salta, Córdoba, and las Cataratas del Iguazú. Her interests include language learning, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Julia is motivated by her positive study abroad experience, and as a peer advisor, she is excited to help people explore opportunities to create a positive experience for themselves as well. She believes that studying abroad is some thing everyone can benefit from, and she get the chance to participate in.

Hi! My name is Jessie Ji. I am from Beijing, China, and am a senior studying dual degrees in psychology and business marketing. I spent my freshman year in Shanghai, China, and studied abroad at Trinity College Dublin, studying psychology, and the National University of Singapore, studying business marketing during my junior year. I love traveling, and I recently developed the hobby of hiking and camping! The portfolio picture was taken at the peak of Volcano Ijen in Indonesia, and my personal altitude record is 5276m, the second peak of Mt. Siguniang, in Sichuan, China!

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

Study abroad was an incredible opportunity to explore my interests and hone in on the field I hope to pursue in my professional career. I am particularly interested in the public health field surrounding sexual violence, child abuse, and other forms of trauma and was given the chance to do independent research in this field through my program. During the last month of the program, I lived apart from the other students on my program at an NGO where I studied the prevalence of domestic violence and the legal, social, and cultural factors that keep survivors of violence from escaping their abusive partners. Although I hope this was a cathartic experience for the women I interviewed and I hope this work adds to a body of knowledge, above all, this was a personally beneficial opportunity. I created a paper I am incredibly proud of, I gained experience in a field I hope to continue working in, and I have started a project I hope to return to through fellowships or research grants.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

Exploring your hobbies and interests while abroad is a great chance to learn about yourself and the activities you love, but also a lot about your environment, its culture, and people. One way I explored a hobby was through a small gym in Delhi that I went to after class a few days a week. Aside from meeting some very interesting people, this environment taught me a lot about India’s masculine workout culture, and in contrast, America’s. The loud music and nearly erotic music videos would never be seen in a gym here. I also found a rock climbing gym where I met new friends and did a few day hikes outside of Delhi.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

SIT India was an incredible program, I highly recommend it for everyone looking to study abroad but especially if you're studying public health. As a public health student, I wanted to study abroad somewhere with different circumstances, issues, and complications. To me, it doesn’t make sense to study public health in say, Copenhagen or Amsterdam because of the similarity in overall economy and development. Although enriching in other ways, studying in these cities, or elsewhere in Europe, wont push your understanding of the many different public health issues around the world. As for non-public health majors, this program could still be a good fit for you, I was the only student majoring in public health on my program.

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

I watched some youtube videos about different prominent religions and did my best to learn some basic Hindi before leaving for India. Although you should do some general research on the city and the culture, it’s okay to feel unprepared or nervous, it’s a natural part of going to a new place. You don't need to know everything about the place you're going to be qualified, welcomed, and prepared to be there. Make sure you go in with an open-mind and a good attitude because things will be different, often more uncomfortable. Don’t let those things stop you from experiencing your environment and taking advantage of everything around you.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

In a place like India, my white skin stood out everywhere I went and although extremely uncomfortable at times, it's one of the things I miss most. It’s fun being unique! During my research project, I found my identity as a foreign man to be somewhat off putting for the participants I interviewed, but I also think my identity was important in showing the wide array of people concerned about this issue. In a variety of settings people were interested in my Jewish identity but never in an inappropriate or uncomfortable manner. In general, yes, my identity impacted my experience abroad but that’s an inherent part of traveling and being an outsider.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

I think a story that illustrates my cultural immersion is a fairly mundane one. I lived in a neighbourhood called Lajpat Nagar, in Delhi, and my house was across the street from a large market. At first, the market was purely a spectacle with tons of people, shops, smells, noises, food, clothes, and much more. But as the semester went on, and I walked through the market on a daily basis, it became less novel, less intriguing, and more of a real place to do necessary shopping. I realized that as I walked through the market not a single person would stop to look at me in confusion or interest, something that I had become accustomed to, everyone simply did what they were there to do. The thing I realized about this experience was that the market was not made for me and no one there gave me a second thought. It's not created as a tourist destination or as a window into “Indian culture”, it’s simply where real people shop for food and clothing. Often while traveling, it’s difficult to see the places where local people do normal things so this market not only gave me a chance to see this, but be a part of it.

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

As an aspiring physician, studying abroad has had a tremendous impact on both my academic and professional career. It taught me so many lessons of getting out my comfort zone, appreciating new ways of thinking and living, experiencing new challenges and opportunities, and embracing discomfort. While studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan for the Fall 2022 semester, I had the opportunity to explore my other passions beyond science courses at Temple University of Japan. Two of my most memorable classes included an intro. photography class and a practical Japanese class for study abroad students. I never once considered myself as a photographer by no means. But after going through this class, it challenged me to think of new and creative ways on how I can capture the hidden beauty of reality and share it to others through my photography. During my practical Japanese class for study abroad students, I not only learned useful phrases in Japanese, but I also learned about the cultural ideas and values in their society. It was an eye-opening experience to compare and contrast our experiences as study abroad students with the unique interactions we faced while living in Japan. Most importantly we learned how to appreciate and respect the cultural norms of my host country. These two courses have been a completely different experience from my sciences classes at Tulane, but I’m extremely thankful to have explored other passions and interests of mine.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

Every day, I challenged myself to explore something new no matter how small the activity or event it was. In Tokyo, there was always something to do since its regarded as the world’s “largest metropolitan area.” There are separate regions that have its own unique element for everyone to explore their interests. Harajuku is a district in Shibuya and is renowned for its vintage clothing stores and fashion. Shinjuku is known for its night-life with countless clubs and bars surrounded by bright neon-lit lights. Akihabara has 9-story buildings filled with anime and manga. If you want a more traditional route of seeing beautiful parks and temples, Tokyo has many of those areas as well. My exploration of trying new foods, meeting new people, traveling to new places, experiencing each region for its own unique cultural element wasn’t only limited in Tokyo. Due to Japan’s complex and intricate public transportation system, I traveled throughout Japan using subways, buses, and shinkansen (bullet train). Some of these places included Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakone, Kamakura, Yokohama, and Hiroshima. Since Japan heavily invests into its public transport. system, it can be a quick, easy, and more importantly cheaper alternative for you to have weekend or even day trip.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would highly recommend studying in Japan because there are so many unique customs, values, and cultural heritage because of its history as one of the oldest societies in the world. You can experience a blend of traditional customs while also experiencing the modern-life of Tokyo. First off, Japan welcomes everyone from its clean streets, polite and friendly people, and safe environment. The public transportation is easy, fast, and super convenient to bring you to anywhere you want to go. Convenience stores like 711 are found everywhere (within walking distance), open 24/7, and has delicious, cheap foods/drinks. The scenery from the fall foliage (aki) to the cherry blossoms offers stunning and breathtaking views. One of the my proudest moments in Japan was climbing the notorious Mt. Fuji-san. It was a 7-hour (non-continuous) of rigorous hiking up towards the summit with my friends. You are constantly challenged, both mentally and physically like never before. Funny enough, you are even humbled when you see 70-year old's hiking past you. But the view was worth it. The clouds look like soft pillows rolling over the horizon while the stars shine brightly over your head. We hiked overnight to see the sunrise at the summit. As I waited for the sun to rise slowly, I realized what a huge accomplishment it was for me knowing I embarked a journey with hundreds of other people to finally make it to the top. And there you see the rising sun.

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

When students are applying and preparing for their time abroad, students should consider their financial situation, how they should balance coursework with social life, and how to make the most out of their experience. Before traveling abroad, it’s important to have a budget and have money on the side knowing you’ll spend most of it in your host country. You have to make the most out of your experience, since this will probably your only chance to study abroad while you have the time to do so. Also, since you are both a student and a traveler, its important to know what obligations and responsibilities you have in order to find that balance of also exploring your host country. Finally, you shouldn’t let uncomfortable situations like trying new foods, meeting new people, or exploring new places deter you from making most out of your experience. Don’t let these barriers limit your experience, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

My identity didn't impact my study abroad experience. As an Asian-American, many Japanese people would try to start conversations with me in Japanese only to have a rude awakening that I wasn’t able to speak Japanese. Otherwise, I never felt uncomfortable about my identity affecting my experience in Japan. I also had friends from a wide range of ethnic diversities, and they too never felt like they were being looked down upon. There were many instances where people would stare at us, but that didn’t necessarily mean a bad thing. It was important for us to keep in mind that this could’ve been their very first time encountering foreigners. As a result, they seem extremely curious, but never mean any harm or bad intentions.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

In my Practical Japanese class for Study Abroad Students, we went on two class-field trips throughout the semester. During our first class-field trip, we went to Fujiyoshida, which is a town near Mt. Fuji. There we learned the importance of regional revitalization and I had the opportunity to experience a Japanese onsen for the very first time. In the beginning of our field trip, we had a presentation on the efforts of regional realization and learned about the cultural importance of revitalizing depopulating areas throughout Japan. The presentation provided me with a new perspective into some of the challenges of depopulation among communities all throughout Japan. After hearing about the initiatives used to try to revitalize these areas, I had a greater appreciation for the collaborative effort that people were making to revive local communities. Additionally, my experience of getting into a Japanese onsen was probably one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever done. In a Japanese onsen, you typically are completely nude when getting into the hot spring. I’ve never felt so vulnerable and uncomfortable due to it being a completely different concept as here in the U.S. During the onsen, rather than thinking about if I was going regret this decision or not, I wanted to fully immerse myself in the hot springs to help clear my mind and alleviate fatigue from my body. Then, I started to notice my surroundings and there was a sense of commonality and shared experience of tranquility among everyone despite being in a state of 100% vulnerability. I’m truly glad I got to get out of my comfort zone and learn how to become more willing to try and experience new things. This onsen experience taught me about the significance and role onsens have in the larger context of Japanese culture with its historical and present-day implications. Ultimately, it taught me how to become more vulnerable to new experiences, and become more appreciative to traditions and customs of Japan.

Name: Madison Kennedy, Class of 2020

Email: Madisongkennedy16@gmail.com

Program: EDUCO Paris, France, Spring 2019

Fields of Study: Psychology, Spanish and French

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

Studying abroad in Paris through the EDUCO program allowed me to take a semester to focus solely on the French language as well as the culture as I took classes including the History of Classic French Cinema and History of French Photography, which I wouldn't usually have the chance to take as a Psychology major. Therefore, not only did I improve my French language skills, I also had the opportunity to expand the type of classes I take into other subjects when I studied abroad.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

Traveling has always been a huge passion for me as I love to learn about new cultures and experience the history and monuments that I may have only read about in the past. Being abroad allowed me to explore the tourist side in me as I explored Paris as well as other cities around Europe, but what was even more exciting was that I became less of a tourist in Paris as time went on. By the time my family visited in April, I knew my way around the metro, the many amazing museums, and the city itself, so it was an amazing feeling getting to share that with them.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would recommend both Paris and EDUCO because you will never run out of things to do in Paris, and EDUCO is a great resource throughout your time there. Throughout the semester, EDUCO plans so many events for the students such as macaron making classes, wine tastings, ballet and theater performances, and even weekend trips to name a few, so you get the chance to experience a lot of Paris and France that you wouldn't get to if you were just visiting. Additionally, going abroad can be scary, but the team at EDUCO is a lot like the amazing advisors that we have at Tulane and they will help you through every step of your time there. You truly will never have a boring day in Paris as you explore the city, learn the culture and language, and learn more about yourself!

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

For a program like EDUCO, students should be prepared for immersion in the French language and culture. If you do a homestay, which I highly recommend, you will have to speak French with your family all the time and additionally all of the classes you take are in French. If you don't feel like your French is strong enough, don't let that discourage you. I was so nervous at the beginning because my French wasn't that great, but it's a learning experience and everyone is there to help you improve, which you definitely will!

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

The biggest cultural immersion for me was living with a host family as I interacted with them in French everyday. We ate dinners together and I truly grew to love them so much. However, an unexpected moment of cultural immersion was when I visited Brussels during one of the first few weeks I was abroad. Our AirBnB host was busy, so she sent her mom to let us into the apartment and I went alone as my friends finished up lunch. The mom did not speak a word of English, so we did the whole tour in French and I asked her questions in French. Although at this point I had been with a host family and taking classes in French, I hadn't expected to use my French as much on this trip, so it was a surprise, but one that I really ended up loving! Studying abroad is full of surprises, but you will grow from each surprise along the way!