Elise is an actuarial science and analytical finance double major. Studying abroad allowed her to learn a language that she would have never dreamed of learning, and gave her the opportunity to intern with an international finance company. She enjoyed seeing first-hand the inner workings of the company, and is grateful for the chance to have experienced a variety of different cultures.

Having been born in China, Malia, a digital communications and international business double major, found her experience in Shanghai not only to be professionally rewarding but personally as well. While she loved her classes and internship, she found herself most excited about learning and experiencing Chinese culture. Her experiences pushed her out of her comfort zone and challenged her to embrace what it means to be a Chinese American.

Kyle is a digital communications major and business minor who loved exploring new places and making friends while abroad. He sees his time in Berlin as the highlight of his college career, maybe even his life, and is grateful for the opportunity for both learning and exploring.

Ryan is a digital communications major with a concentration in design and a minor in business administration. The new places, people, and experiences were the highlight of his time abroad. Although challenging at times, he grew in his education and as a person.

Allison is an actuarial science and computer & data science major, with a minor in German. She enjoyed the challenges of being totally immersed in a foreign land, surrounded by strangers speaking a foreign language. Her experiences abroad tremendously enriched her understanding of the German culture and language, and her personal identity. She believes study abroad can remind us how much more there is t learn and love in the world in each of our busy lives.

Elizabeth is a psychology major who spent a semester abroad in England, and is grateful for the exposure to different cultures that came with her time abroad. She feels that meeting new people with differing perspectives and experiences will be valuable to her career, and it has already influenced the way she sees the world.

Anne is a physical therapy major who found that study abroad taught her to navigate the unexpected while learning so much about the world. She loved looking at life from a different perspective while traveling, making life-long friends, and learning and living in the Italian culture. Her semester in Perugia taught her valuable things about herself and her ability to successfully adapt to the unfamiliar.

Rachael, a speech-language pathology major, always wanted to study abroad and found her time in Italy did not disappoint. Studying abroad allowed her to get out of her comfort zone and open up to people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. The friends she made while abroad are unlike others because of the unique bond they formed as they maneuvered new sometimes difficult situations.

With a set future goal in mind, Haley, a business administration major, never expected to study abroad and called her experience “eye-opening”. She not only made new friends but also grew her professional network to include connections she made while in Europe. Her short experience allowed her to see her career from a new perspective. She sees study abroad as an experience that could no simple summer internship or regular school year could compare too.

Nicole, senior global studies and political science double major, found her experiences abroad gave her a greater appreciation for diversity and cultural differences. Traveling challenged her to try new things and become more confident in her problem-solving abilities. Since returning, she feels more well-rounded, culturally aware, independent, and confident, and says studying abroad defined her education and future. 

Sarena is a physical therapy student who studied abroad in New Zealand. During her semester abroad, she enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. At LVC, she is the president of the Yoga Club, as well as a member of Students Helping Seniors, ValleyFest, LVC Outdoors club, and many more.

Colton, a business administration major, most enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and complete independence of studying abroad in New Zealand. His two-week trip around the South Island bungee jumping, canyoning, swimming with dolphins, and experiencing Milford Sound made the trip worth the twenty hours of flying it took to get there.

Rachel is an exercise science major who studied abroad in Hamilton, New Zealand. She believes that the entire experience was the best endeavor she has ever undergone, and the people, scenery, and many excursions like zip-lining made it such. Studying abroad is important to Rachel because of the amazing opportunity to explore new cultures and yourself, all while receiving an education.

As a physical therapy major, Abby thought that studying abroad during her time at LVC would be nearly impossible, but she will be forever glad that she worked to make it happen. From climbing volcanoes to skydiving, to jumping off cliffs and trying new foods, learning new words, and even meeting lifelong friends, exploring new countries while studying abroad has been the greatest experience of her life. She is eagerly looking forward to her next trip abroad, whenever that may be, and, in the meantime, hopes to encourage as many people to travel as she can!

Pearl is a Physical Therapy student, and after spending a semester in New Zealand she can say that studying abroad has impacted her life immensely. The places she visited, people she met, meat pies she ate, and self-discovery that was made created the perfect abroad experience for her. Traveling is one of Pearl's passions, and thanks to a LVC this was easily incorporated into her DPT education.

As a physical therapy major, Rachel enjoyed the wide range of thrilling outdoor activities New Zealand had to offer while learning what it truly meant to be independent. Throughout her time in New Zealand, she pushed herself out of her comfort zone to visit new places and try new things. While traveling, meeting people and trying new food, she learned more about the world beyond her comfort zone.

Initially hesitant to study abroad, Jenna, a physical therapy student says studying abroad was the best decision she has ever made. While studying abroad was always on her radar she never expected to go to the farthest location offered by LVC. Her trip pushed her beyond her comfort zone where she found life-long friendships and a new perspective on culture and life outside of LVC.

Biology major, Christina says her study abroad experience not only taught the life skills she can use in the future but also taught her to see the world from other perspectives. While in New Zealand her eyes were opened to a world of diverse cultures, traditions, and struggles. During her time there, she learned how to improve her interpersonal skills, the value of intercultural communications and effective communication.

Kaylee, an exercise science and athletic training major, went to New Zealand looking for adventure and found another place to call “home”. She was amazed at everything she learned and the people she met. Because of the friends she met and the adventures she went on, New Zealand now holds a special place in her heart, and she says she will never forget her time spent there.

Jennifer is a double major in Spanish and speech-language pathology. Her experiences as a first-generation college student and as the only speaker of English as a first language in her family, she was eager to practice and learn more about the Spanish language. Her time abroad allowed her to improve her speaking and writing, and her favorite memories include time spent with her host mom and traveling across Spain and Europe. She is grateful for her time abroad and hopes that everyone has the chance to study abroad.

Sam, speech-language pathology and Spanish major loved her experience abroad, specifically the time she spent with her host mom. While living with her host mom, she found herself fully immersed in the Spanish language and culture. The experience taught her not only about Spanish language and culture but also more about herself.

No foreigner when it comes to language and culture studies, Ashlee found that studying abroad allowed her to truly immerse herself in her culture and language studies. As a French, Spanish and self-designed foreign affairs triple major, Ashlee saw each day of her abroad experiences as a new adventure where she learned more about herself in ways she ever expected. Through her time abroad she learned change is hard to accept and can be uncomfortable, but it serves as a reminder that she is still learning and growing.