Can you picture yourself exploring the streets of Berlin or Mexico City or Tokyo? Or maybe you see yourself in the ancient city of Rome or Thessaloniki. Hundreds of University of Nebraska students have studied abroad and you can too! Jayde Will studied in Estonia, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Melissa Ball studied in Toledo, Spain. William Fricke spent the year at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Cecil Howell took courses at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. Bryan Scherbarth left for Bogota, Colombia. Amy Reger studied at Peking University in Beijing, China for a year. Angela Schwarck returned from a 6-week program in Querétaro, Mexico.

Here is what some former study abroad participants have had to say about their experiences abroad:

"Two years ago I decided I wanted to take a drastic step in improving my Spanish, while at the same time have an adventure and see some of the world. I chose to study a year at the Universidad de Costa Rica, in a small Costa Rican town. This ended up being one of the best experiences of my life, giving me the opportunity to learn about a new culture, have some great adventures, see some amazing things and most importantly improve my Spanish language skills much more effectively than I could have by staying in Nebraska. There are many things one will learn from a study abroad experience, in addition to the language and classroom skills taught while in the host country, and I strongly advise every student to take advantage of this opportunity.”
--Gerid Buckshire: Costa Rica, Spring 2003

"I knew that studying abroad would change me, but I had no idea how much! I know I can't see the changes as easily as my parents or friends, but they are there. Now I go out of my way to try new foods, attend community activities and meet new people. I also don't mind doing these things by myself. I have always been very independent, but studying abroad taught me to pursue my interests, even if it meant doing it alone. It was better to go with an open-mind, meeting new friends along the way and not passing up a possible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
--Crystal Corman: Monash University, Caulfield Campus, Victoria, Australia, Spring 2001

"One year ago, I only had awareness of a few Midwestern realities. Despite all those National Geographic specials, I really had no concept of the modern reality of living in a "third-world" country until my semester at the University of Ghana in West Africa. My eyes were opened to the complexities of privilege, politics, and world economics as well as to Ghana's rich traditional cultures, very different from our own European-rooted culture, and their recent and often paradoxical mixing with Western ways. Studying abroad was an intellectually stimulating, culturally enriching, and personally satisfying experience.”
--Jamie Dorn: Ghana, West Africa, Fall 2001

"Going to Brazil was an experience that will be a part of me for the rest of my life. It has helped me to realize that there are other ways of doing things out there that are new and interesting! I think anyone who likes to have fun and have new experiences should study abroad. For sure it will open new doors for anyone!”
--Gerad Dambrosia: Piaui, Teresina, Brazil

“Costa Rica has been great! I have met some of the nicest people and have been welcomed more than I ever thought possible. And Costa Rica has everything. I have been to the beach where it was hotter than a Nebraska summer and I have been in the rainforest, where it was cold and rainy. If I get a chance I am going to visit again.”
--Jennifer Erion

“The decision to study in Wales has been the best decision of my life! The scenery is truly amazing, and the people are even better. I find it amazing that I am studying International Politics at the first University in the world to offer the subject. It has remained a world class university ever since! The people truly make the experience once-in-a-lifetime!”
--Justin Snyder, Aberystwyth, Wales, Spring 2002

“I have had the best time of my life. I could not imagine ever being happy for five straight months! I have made friends from all over the world. Berlin is fantastic. I don't even know where to begin. From the old ruins of World War II to the dance clubs. I also had the opportunity to travel to Italy, Greece, and Turkey to visit my friends that I have met. I'm in heaven. I would tell everyone to make time in their schedules, take out a loan, do whatever they can to study abroad. It is worth so much more than the money they will spend.”
--Charles Law: Goethe Institute, Berlin - Spring 2002

“I spent the past semester studying at the University of Wales - Swansea. It was beneficial to take psychology courses and intern at a rehabilitation center for mental health patients in a different culture, but my main reason for studying abroad was the opportunity to travel. I have visited London, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, Munich, Paris, and Amsterdam, and throughout the semester, I used my weekends to travel throughout Wales and the United Kingdom.”
--Emily Goering

“Let's see, I've skied and snow-boarded in the Sierra Nevadas of Spain, the Pyrenees of Andorra, and the Swiss Alps in Switzerland. I've ridden camels into the Sahara desert along the border of Morocco and Algeria, swam and surfed the coast of Portugal, and now I'm touring some of the most world-renowned islands of Greece in the Aegean Sea.”
--Kyle Hartung: Sevilla, Spain: Spring 2002

“It has been an interesting year of learning about myself and where I come from. It doesn’t matter where you live as long as you are happy about yourself. However, there are differences between different countries, and some of them are important. I came here and I learned to speak another language and to live as a foreigner in another culture. It has been humbling, frustrating, and enlightening to a certain extent.”

"Having the opportunity to travel to Europe for a semester was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Instead of reading about things in history/architecture books, we had the chance to view them firsthand in their actual contexts. Seeing part of the Berlin Wall was a highlight of my trip! I'm glad I've had the opportunity to absorb completely different cultures and recommend study-abroad to everyone- it's a life-changing experience!"
--John Manning, Grad student, College of Architecture

“They say that half the world doesn't know how the other half lives . . . and I found that to be completely true in every country I visited. My study abroad experience was the best thing that I have ever done, and even though I am home now I am still learning things about myself and the world every day. I wish I could do it all over again.”
--Melissa Pittenger: Semester at Sea, Spring 2002

“I had the awesome opportunity to study abroad in London, England with the College of Architecture. Not only were we educated and inspired by architecture and culture in England, but we had the chance to travel through western Europe for several weeks! Traveling and studying abroad was both a growing and learning experience, one
that will forever be beneficial and memorable to me.”
--Dena Wangberg, College of Architecture, London, Spring 2002