What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

First generation, college-educated Latina.

Has studying and interning abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?

I want to change the world. I think that is possible through education, and studying abroad in Santiago with IES Abroad has given me the opportunity to work with marginalized communities, and through education, I have personally seen the impact it can have.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why interning abroad is a good idea, particularly for them. 

Do it. Honestly, being abroad opens your horizons, challenges you to get out of your comfort zone, and makes you conscious of the importance of multicultural experience even as a person of color. I know that money might be an issue, but look for scholarships, as there is a lot of money out there for students of color to go abroad. It may feel like a risk, but honestly do it, it’s worth it. I can say the experience can be life-changing.

Want to read more about Yesenia?  Check out her interview about what its like to be a First-Generation Student Abroad. 

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

Bangladeshi, American, Muslim, woman, artist, petite :)

What motivated you to choose to study abroad?

My host university had a strong international education office and offered a lot of guidance, as well as financial support. I also wanted to study abroad in an ecologically diverse location where I could also practice Arabic, and studying abroad in Morocco was a perfect fit.

When you studied abroad, did your identity/identities influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?

Certainly, who we are, I think, shapes how each of us interprets and makes sense of any experience. As a minority in the U.S., it was different to finally experience what it felt like to blend in. But, surprisingly enough, at the same time, I also found myself identifying more as an "American," and was able to reconcile with my complex intersectional identities.

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?

Moving halfway across the country was a terrifying decision for me. If I hadn't gone abroad and already experienced what it was like to leave home for four months, I don't think I would have taken such a bold leap and pursued storytelling professionally. And, beyond that, I had (and at times still do have) very little faith in myself—as a first-generation college student, from a low-income family—to think I can take these risks. But going abroad, participating in the IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival, and meeting incredible women like Kiah and Amy has given me more confidence to believe in myself.

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

I identify as a first-generation, African-American engineering student that attends an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). 

What motivated you to choose to study abroad?

I wanted to study abroad to challenge my ability to adapt to uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations while exploring the world.  When you're abroad, there are varying mindsets, 

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

I identify as a first-generation, African-American engineering student that attends an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). 

What motivated you to choose to study abroad?

I wanted to study abroad to challenge my ability to adapt to uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations while exploring the world.  When you're abroad, there are varying mindsets, languages, and daily routines that make it challenging, but I was ready for the challenge.

While you studied abroad, was there something about yourself or China that you were surprised to learn or experience? 

In Chinese academic settings, I was shocked to find that you're only judged based on your academic achievement.  Much of your social status is judged on you doing well academically, and that brings pride to your family.  While fashion, social status, and other factors play a larger role in American society. 

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path?  If so, how? 

Studying abroad has inspired me to be an international business owner and to continue to teach myself Chinese. I love that I studied in China, where they speak the most widely spoken language in the world. 

What experiences or skills gained from studying abroad continue to influence your life now?

I learned how to travel alone while in China, as well as how to study effectively.  I also learned project management skills that will be applicable to my summer internship at Microsoft.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them. 

Studying abroad is a good idea for first-generation students because it broadens your horizons and answers many questions about life you didn't know you had. 

Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad. 

My favorite experience was climbing Mount Huashan in Xi'an, China during golden week.  Golden week is a week-long celebration of the Chinese government, similar to July Fourth. Mount Huashan is the world's most dangerous hike, and I climbed to the top.  That week was peak travel week, and I got to see the tourist attractions and crowded transportation systems. 

Get to know Terrence a little better by reading his blogs. He was a Fall 2018 IDEA Correspondent.

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

I am a Japanese American/Asian American, bi-racial, cisgender woman, and the first in my family to study abroad. 

When you studied abroad, did your identity/identities influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how? 

It has always been interesting for me, simultaneously identifying as Asian American as well as bi-racial, because I do not necessarily "match" the outward appearance of what most might consider an Asian American to look like, but, it is still an identity I hold close.  With that said, there were some situations where I was able to "blend in" a bit more than some of my other classmates, due to my dark hair and olive complexion. Even my host mom in Rabat said she thought I was Arab rather than Japanese. However, in other situations, my race was occasionally used in catcalls on the street (a normal habit among younger Moroccan men, particularly towards American and Eurocentric women).  My mixed-race identity is something I am constantly aware of and notice, sometimes because of the feeling of not being "enough" for either race, but also because I am often treated differently in a given situation depending upon how people choose to view me: whether that be one race, the other, or a recognition of both.  This did not seem to change while I was living in Morocco, but it was played out in different ways, which was both expected yet a bit surprising. 

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how? 

Well first, my study abroad experience has led to the job I currently have with IES Abroad! Otherwise, my education while in Rabat really turned the trajectory of my college career, leading me to concentrate on the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and Islamic culture and politics.  I have always known I wanted some sort of international career, whether that be in international education, international affairs, foreign diplomacy, etc.; but after having studied in Morocco, I knew I wanted my main area of focus to be in the Middle East and North Africa. 

What experiences or skills gained from studying abroad continue to influence your life now? 

My time studying in Morocco opened my mind and widened my perspectives of cultural diversity more than I had ever expected.  One of the most crucial lessons I learned while abroad, was to let go of all of oneself to a completely new and foreign way of life, and that is something I could have never learned, had I not lived it for four months.  Even now, years later, I continue to think about this new perspective as I continue to utilize it in my everyday life, in a constant effort to be more empathic, understanding, flexible, and open-minded.

Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad.

One of the most surreal moments during my time abroad was the IES Abroad trip to the Sahara Desert. Being able to wake up at 4:00 a.m. with all of my friends to sit in the desert and watch the sun-rise over the dunes, as well as just seeing all the stars in the sky more clearly than I ever had before, is something I'll never forget

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities?

I am a Black, Bisexual, Gender fluid, plus-sized individual.  I am a first generation college student; I am of low social-economic status, and I am the oldest child of a single mother. 

What motivated you to choose to study abroad?

It has always been a dream of mine to visit Japan.  If you asked any of my family members or friends, they would all agree that Japan was one of those topics that once I was on, I would rarely stop talking about. I knew that at some point in my life, without a doubt, I would go to Japan.  My university afforded me the opportunity to go earlier than I expected, so why wouldn't I jump at the chance? There was no question about me applying, and once I was accepted, there was no other option other than to say "yes" and go.

When you studied abroad, did your identity/identities influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?

Yes! It's impacted me in various ways.  With my most obvious identity being that I am Black, I've often felt subconscious on the train or walking around different cities.  I didn't encounter anyone hostile, but I've gained many stares from adults and would be asked questions from small children about my skin and who/what I was.  

I'm also plus-sized, and shopping often was very difficult for me.  Add in the fact that I'm gender non-conforming and it was difficult to buy clothes or go into designated men/women's clothing stores and find something I wanted, much less even fit.  Even the language is gendered, so I tried to use masculine and neutral phrases while I could.  I've always checked out the LGBTQ+ population in Tokyo to find places to eat and go out. I've been to a café and some designated LGBTQ+ bars and clubs, which were very interesting.  I even attended Tokyo PRIDE, that year.  In those areas, my sexual identity was apparent and played a role in who interacted with me.  I've never tried to hide who I was in any setting, so that impacted my semester abroad. 

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them.

You never know everything about yourself until you're put into unfamiliar situations, or until you have to adapt or learn new methods on how to present yourself--the possibilities are endless!  The unknown isn't as scary as you would think.  Challenges are not always terrible; sometimes they're great.  You need to ask yourself "what am I willing to put up with?" and go from there.  Be the best you that you can be, and that includes learning more about yourself!

Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad. 

Out of everything I experienced, my favorite memory was when I first woke up in Japan.  I remember the plane ride, the air sickness, getting off the plane, going through customs, meeting my abroad program and the orientation.  But it didn't really hit me that I was in Japan until I woke up the first morning and looked out my hotel window.  It was about 7 a.m., I was jet-lagged and tired, but the morning was soft and bright.  I remember seeing the outskirts of the ocean and tall buildings and then BAM!  That's when it hit me.  "I did it! I'm here!" It was such a surreal realization that I sat there looking outside my window for about twenty minutes.  I accomplished a dream of mine.  All those essays, struggles for funding, all-nighters on homework to get my grades up, wishing and hoping to make it there safely, and I did it! Everything after that morning was a bonus.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I absolutely enjoyed my experience in Tokyo—I truly wished I could've stayed longer.  If I could help even one other individual enjoy their study abroad experience as much as I had, then I will do my best to help out!  There's a huge world out there, why not go out there and explore it? 

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities?

Motivated, compassionate, independent, empathetic, respectful, knowledgeable, assertive, direct, engaged, collaborative, hard-working.

What motivated you to choose to study abroad?

The chance to make the world my classroom and have a different perspective on the world is what mainly inspired me to take a leap on building a foundation on an international education.

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?

Studying abroad has made me more aware of what I want to do with my life. The experience and skills I acquired abroad have strengthened who I am and will help supply my future aspirations of becoming a physician with the valuable traits.

Through an educational standpoint, I would like to influence the Hispanic community in my region to take control of the educational path they choose to take, including adding an international educational experience during their time in college and obtaining the positive impact studying abroad can offer to students.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them.

Don't let financial barriers hold you back on making yourself stand out with your resume, make sure to define yourself, take advantage of embarking on an international journey/experience through study abroad.

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

I am a black American woman with West Indian roots, and I'm a global citizen.  Speaking Italian (thanks IES Abroad), Spanish, and a little French, I've made my home between NYC and Europe.

What motivated you to study abroad? 

Studying abroad in Milan, Italy, over a decade ago, was such a transformative time for me, and probably changed the trajectory of my life.  I went to a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts, and I absolutely loved it.  I had a great group of friends, and my classes were great, but something was missing.  I needed something different and seized the opportunity to study abroad.  Although I'd traveled before, I never LIVED abroad.  My favorite book growing up was an atlas. An avid reader, I devoured stories set around the world and knew I wanted to travel and see as much as I could.  My family, especially my grandmother, instilled in me the importance of seeing the world outside of Brooklyn, New York.  Luckily, my college, Amherst, whole-heartedly encouraged it, so a large percentage of the student body went abroad for their junior year for at least a semester.  It finally seemed truly feasible. 

When you studied abroad, did your identity/identities influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways?  If so, how? 

Yes! I studied abroad during a period (that we thought) was an intense political climate.  It was during the George W. Bush administrations with many European cities leaning left, much like the U.S. coastal cities. In Milan, at the time, it was no different, and opinions were very prevalent on the war in Iraq.  One of my closest friends from the program, who I traveled with a lot, was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jewish young woman from Chicago.  In social settings, when it came out that we were American, I was never asked "did you vote for Bush?" while my friend was—and more often than not, she was asked in a negative, or at least snide, way.  Being black American and furthermore, from New York, acted as a sort of political shield at times!

And vice versa, when you studied abroad, did your experience influence your identity(ies) in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how? 

Along those same lines but on another note (and this is something I've seen more in later years of being abroad): if you are a child of color or a child of immigrants, it might be tricky navigating your role in the U.S. right now. Having the experience of study abroad opens up the world to you.  People often say, during this divisive climate here, that "we're all American."  Maybe you're African American, West Indian American, Mexican American, etc., a lot of times abroad you're just American, and you're YOU.  Isn't that refreshing? 

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how? 

I knew that travel needed to be a part of my job. Initially, I used fashion as a caveat for this. I worked for companies with a significant international presence or had their headquarters overseas and eventually, I forged out on my own and began working with introducing international designers to the American market.  This travel turned into travel writing as well, and travel writing turned into my blog.  Studying abroad ignited a strong desire to not just learn about other cultures, but immerse myself in them.  The experience ultimately became the beginning of a pattern for me, where travel is my antidote to the complacency of everyday life.  Now, being abroad, whether studying or living, reminds me of and connects me to my best self—not just as a tourist but as a cultural exchange ambassador.  And the best part is, we all have this opportunity.

What experiences or skills gained from studying abroad continue to influence your life now?

Sure, I had gone off to summer camp before.  I went away to college, but never felt as independent or truly on my own as I did when studying abroad.  There was no PayPal or QuickPay; I had to handle my budget and deal with Italian bureaucracy, myself. It was at times trying, but mainly freeing.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them. 

Studying abroad will truly open up the world to you.  You will return to the U.S. with a world perspective, coping mechanism and a true sense of responsibility. 

Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad. 

I think seeing Venice for the first time was a great trip and a great memory.  I bonded with someone who would become a dear friend to me.  It was fall, so it was pouring rain in Venice. It was gloomy and romantic.  We walked around, popping into cafés, laughing about how romantic Venice was, even in the rain, and we were happy to be there together.  That way, the memory will never be ruined by a breakup.  The photo I shared below is from that day. I was absolutely giddy in gloomy, rainy Venice. 

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

I am a cis-gendered male, who identifies within the LGBTQ+ community. I am also a first-generation, Filipino-American who was the first of my family to attend an American university, as well as study abroad.

When you studied abroad, did your identity(ies) influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?

I think if anything, I was made more aware of my identity and was allowed to see myself in a different context. For once, in the classroom, I was surrounded by a room filled with individuals from diverse backgrounds - from all around the world. As someone who comes from a predominantly white institution and hometown, this meant so much to me: to see others, such as myself.

Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?

Most definitely. My experience seeing the world through a different perspective/lens has encouraged me to work in the field of International Education. The experience of studying abroad is such a transformative experience, and I enjoy helping students process and reflect on their own stories as they return home.

What experiences or skills gained from studying abroad continue to influence your life now?

For one, I am resilient. When things don't go the way I had planned, I seek new opportunities to solve issues or challenges as they arise. I am also someone who is very open to ambiguity and "getting lost" in a sense. We can't always predict our future - it's important to accept things as they come, and be present in the moment. Study abroad instilled this important lesson within me, and it is something I will carry for the rest of my life.

Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad.

One of my favorite memories abroad was spending the day with my friends at Fitzroy Island during our spring break. I did a hike by myself and got to see an amazing view of the entire island, and really reflected on how lucky I was to be abroad.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them.

It will cause you to challenge what you've been previously taught and will teach you ways to become the best person you can be. 

What words would you use to describe your identity/identities? 

As a Jamaican Taiwanese, the words I would use to describe my identities include unique, unusual and authentic.

What motivated you to choose to study and intern abroad?

My brother introduced me to studying abroad during my freshman year, and I told him 'no" as I am actually studying abroad as an international student from Jamaica. However, when I did my research, and saw the different countries and courses involved, it looked exciting and it was an opportunity that I did not want to regret not taking.

When you studied/interned abroad, did your identity(ies) influence your experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?

Jamaica is a former British Colony, therefore London surprisingly reminded me a lot of Jamaica. From the road names to the food, and even one of my IES Abroad professors was Jamaican! Therefore, my identity helped me to embrace London and helped with the culture shock.

And vice versa, when you studied and interned abroad, did your experience influence your identity(ies) in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how? 

Studying/Interning abroad definitely influenced my identity as it made me a better global citizen and helped me to understand people from different cultural backgrounds.

Has studying/interning abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?

Being exposed to different health systems in different countries, comparing them and seeing the strengths and weaknesses definitely sparked my interest in having a career in public/international health.

What experiences or skills gained from studying/interning abroad continue to influence your life now? 

I definitely learned not to be afraid of the unknown, whether it be a country you've never ever been before, or the direction your life might be going.

In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying/interning abroad is a good idea, particularly for them. 

Studying/Interning abroad is a good idea because you will learn that the world is just as diverse as you are.

Want to get to know Lydia a little better? Lydia served as one of our 2018 Ambassadors of the Year and wrote the following articles: Feeling at Home While Abroad and Lessons Learned: 3 Soft Skills a Service Learning Placement Can Teach You.