CIEE students take risks to expand global horizons

Studying abroad, a once in a lifetime opportunity, can change a student's life. In 2015, West partnered with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) program and has since sent more than 20 students to experience the world through the eyes of a global citizen. 

In 2019, junior Robert Valero traveled to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

On the glistening beaches of Palma de Mallorca, junior Robert Valero and his group take in the view. The CIEE exchange organization has sent students to more than 30 destinations including Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East.

“I first heard about CIEE through a presentation in Global Academy,” he said. “I chose to study abroad because I love traveling and I wanted to improve my Spanish.” 

The opportunity is open to all high school and college students. In order to apply, students must complete an application specifying the program and place they hope to study in. There is also a scholarship application built in with the regular application, including full tuition scholarships minus the price of airfare. 

“I did receive a full scholarship for the program,” Valero said. “It seemed like a really great opportunity to make new friends and experience living alone, as in, away from your friends and family, for a while.” 

Two groups are sent each summer, and students have traveled all over the world from Costa Rica to South Korea. At their destinations, they become immersed into the culture by attending classes, interacting with locals, and staying with a host family. 

“My favorite memory from traveling to Palma de Mallorca was celebrating the night of San Juan,” Valero said. “There were these firework sticks that spun around and we went underneath with the sparks raining on our heads, along with other random fireworks. Afterwards, we went to the beach at like 1:00 AM.” 

Experiencing the world alone, with minimal outside influence, is one of the appealing factors about a trip like this as many see it as an opportunity to find themselves. Junior Catarina Bennett traveled to Santiago and left with enough friends and memories to last a lifetime.

“My favorite memory during the month's stay were the bonds that I got to make with other students from all over the U.S.,” she said. “I especially enjoyed the weekend adventures, including the stops by the ocean and the giggles and hugs we shared with the orphans.” 

Global Academy English teacher William Brydon leads the charge by bringing light to these opportunities for his students. 

Junior Catarina Bennett plays dominoes with a Chilean from Santiago. Her favorite memories include conversing with the locals and exploring the nature around her.

“Travel promotes empathy, which is never a bad thing for society to have more of,” he said. “I think the ability to interact with different people, have new experiences, and widen your horizons leads to you enriching the environments that you’re a part of once you return from that travel.”

This opportunity is open to any student interested in applying and expanding their global awareness. Students who have gone in the past agree that studying abroad has allowed them to evolve as people and as citizens. 

“I would say that you will regret not doing it,” Valero said. “It's an incredible experience: better than I could have ever hoped for when applying. I am so glad I did it, and it has made me want to study abroad again sometime in the future.”

Bennett and Valero both found that this trip was an opportunity to not pass up, and they would both do it again if they had the chance. 

“This was a life-changing experience for me personally, and given the opportunity to do it again there would be no questions asked at all,” she said. “While it also might seem like leaving the country may be scary, trust me, the experiences and memories that you get to bring back home with you will be beyond worth it.”

By Maggie Phillips

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VI

March 25th, 2021