STUDENT IN FOCUS: Elsy Bauer in Spain Spring 2007
Elsy Bauer was 1,600 miles from her home country. And that was before she left Tulsa to study abroad!! Last fall, Elsy traveled another 5,000 miles from Tulsa to Barcelona, learning that study abroad is something that benefits even non-traditional students.
At the age of 22, Elsy moved from the department of Olancho in eastern Honduras to Florida, where she spent several years using her Spanish language skills to work in call centers and administrative jobs. During this time, she held various positions, including overseeing the Latin American accounts for Alamo Rent-a-Car. This work, along with her own Honduran heritage, was what developed her interest in international business.
Recognizing the value of work in foreign markets, Elsy decided to pursue a degree that would give her an edge in this line of work. When she and her family moved to Tulsa, she began earning a double major in international business and Spanish, with a minor in economics. After completing an internship with an international marketing department in the summer of 2006, Elsy made an important decision: to be away from her husband and two children for five months to study in Barcelona, Spain.
From August to December, Elsy studied business at the Universitat de Barcelona and Spanish culture at the Universidad de Nebrija. Studying abroad through Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA) was an excellent experience, she remarked. The program, besides allowing her to study at some of Barcelona’s best schools, also included excursions to San Sebastián in Spain’s Basque country and to the Pyrenees Mountains. She also visited the Museo Dalí in the nearby city of Figueres and the various museums in Barcelona itself.
According to Elsy, Barcelona is a very international city; she enjoyed taking classes and meeting students from not just Spain, but also Germany, Italy, and France. All of this, along with constant exposure to the regional Catalan culture (a source of great pride to everyone from Catalonia), provided Elsy with a deeper appreciation and understanding of different backgrounds and traditions. The international dynamic of her life there, combined with the progressive, business focus of Barcelona, was the perfect complement to her international business major.
Elsy has taken her experiences and is now trying to instill this cultural appreciation in her children. Her family visited her in Barcelona, and she emphasizes that she wants her children to have as much international experience and exposure as possible. This hondureña, now American, believes that you can accomplish anything through hard work. She insists that for students to learn independence and a global perspective, “It is essential for students to go abroad!” Coming from a young woman who is, in a way, already studying abroad, the value she places on college study abroad programs should not be taken lightly!
STUDENT: Jason Grlicky in South Korea Spring 2007
Study Abroad? South Korea? Why not?! Having known very little about South Korea, Jason Grlicky decided to pack up and move from Tulsa to Seoul through USAC, The University Studies Abroad Consortium, for a semester he would never forget. Currently a senior studying Computer Science, Psychology and Math at The University of Tulsa, Jason had known that he wanted to travel and spend a good deal of time in a foreign country, but the question was where? Planning a career in the video game industry, Jason thought Seoul, South Korea would be an interesting experience as Korea’s video game culture and industry is world renowned and unique. In the Spring of 2006 Jason found himself on the other side of the globe in a world whose culture and language he knew nothing about but was eager to discover.
While in Seoul Jason lived in a dorm for Yonsei University international students which he enjoyed as he was able to get to know several people from around the world. The location of the university is an ideal college town with the expansive Seoul Metro system that enabled Jason to explore the area off of campus on his own time—experiences that enriched his time abroad. The courses offered ranged anywhere from Business to Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Korean Language. Choosing from a variety of courses that interested him, Jason chose to attend the Korean Language Courses so that he could get a better handle of the culture and make the most of his time abroad. The courses were extremely well-run and by the end of the semester Jason was easily able to barter with street merchants, navigate the subway system, and even find a tasty Korean meal all without having to speak a single word of English.
STUDENT IN FOCUS: Alex Burch in China Fall 2007
你第一You First
-or-
很多的第一The First of Many
Having heard of the amazing experience his older brother had had while studying abroad and wanting to experience for himself the excitement of learning and living a new culture, Alex Burch packed his bags and set out for a semester in Chengdu, China! At the time no TU student had ever studied abroad in China before, but with an open mind and the five Chinese words that he knew, Alex took on the challenge and had an experience of a lifetime!
Alex Burch, currently a Junior studying economics and finance, studied abroad through USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) in Chengdu, China, during the Spring semester of 2007. USAC provided him an apartment a mile from campus which he shared with two other US students and a learning environment unlike any he could have imagined. Fully immersing himself in the Chinese culture and language, Alex studied Beginning Chinese I and II, Intermediate Chinese I, as well as Chinese Culture. Though not studying with Chinese students, Alex says that he was “pleasantly surprised by the quality of the classes in Chengdu. My Chinese classes had only 7 students and the teacher was willing to meet nearly any hour of the day for extra help on homework.” In one semester Alex had gone from knowing five words in Chinese to being able to hold a conversation without a problem. “I learned the same amount of Chinese in five months in China than most people learn in 1-3 years in the U.S.”
While Alex was able to fully immerse himself in the Chinese language, he was also living the Chinese culture. Having never been a big fan of Chinese food he was worried he would come across quite a few difficulties while studying in China. But by the end of the semester he was enjoying a variety of spicy foods like chicken feet and kung-pao chicken, as well as “ganbian siji dou” and “niurou mian” (or deep-fried snake beans and beef noodles). When he wasn’t indulging in Chengdu’s spicy cuisine he was enjoying evenings in Tianfu Square (the town square) where a musical water and light show was presented every night. “The water show, which danced to classical Chinese music, had surpassed or rivaled any other water show in the world! It was definitely a highlight!”
The water show was a peaceful end to a chaotic yet fun day in Chengdu. “If I ever got lethargic while studying all I had to do was step outside my apartment and cross a street.” In Chengdu the only “real” traffic law is to stop at a red light which makes for an interesting outdoor experience. The energy from the streets is a great alternative to a cup of coffee and eventually you get used to crossing the busy streets. It is truly an experience to be had!
While studying abroad Alex was able to travel around China for two months, venture off to Mongolia, and spend ten days in Thailand for the Thai New Year, Songkran. “Songkran is celebrated in many ways, but the most fun was the giant water fight.” Songkran is truly a cultural experience as everyone in the town gathers their hoses, buckets, and water guns and soaks any and all passerbys. It is a countrywide event and the world’s largest water fight.
After spending a semester he’ll never forget in a city unlike any other, Alex reflects on his time abroad as one that greatly facilitated his personal growth. Because of his extensive travels, his exposure to the unique cuisine, and his struggles and accomplishments with learning and practicing a new language and way of life, Alex feels more confident now in nearly every situation. “I am more willing to approach people I do not know as a result of having to ask for help and directions so many times in Chengdu. I am willing to try any type of food that comes across my plate. I am comfortable with not knowing what may happen today or tomorrow and am open to change.” A challenge and an experience of a lifetime, indeed!
STUDENT IN FOCUS: Cortez Johnson in London Summer 2007
Can anyone think of a better way to earn twelve hours of TU credit than spending the summer in London, England organizing a three week musical festival, playing with a Calypso music group from Trinidad and casually greeting British celebrities who come into the office? Neither could Cortez Johnson which is why he jumped on the opportunity to work as an intern with Diorama Arts Centre in London during the summer of 2007. Cortez is studying Arts Management at TU so that he can combine business with his passion for music and work with arts foundations in the community. His father had been stationed in London during World War II making it a place Cortez had always wanted to visit. Therefore when he found out it was an option for Arts Management students he didn’t hesitate for a second and jumped on board.
The University of Tulsa has sent students consistently to London to work with the Diorama Arts Centre throughout the years. The organization is committed to bringing out the highest potential in artists by renting out their facilities to casting directors for films as well as studio spaces for those working in the visual arts. In addition Diorama organizes arts events in the community throughout the year such as the three week music festival Cortez helped put together. A large part of his internship consisted of contacting local musicians and artists to perform for the festival which gave him excellent experience working in a field he is very passionate about. In addition to helping organize the event, he had the chance to play in the festival himself with a Calypso music group. Calypso is a soulful musical genre which paved the way for Reggae. Cortez played with the group on a weekly basis at a local church which helped him to make some great friendships and connections with the music scene in London. At the end of his stay in Europe Cortez was rewarded for his hard work with a ten-day visit from his wife. They travelled to Windsor and toured castles along the English countryside in addition to exploring London together. Cortez’s wife even had the opportunity to sing on stage in between acts during the music festival.
Cortez found London to be a fascinating city. “Whatever you’re into as far as arts, you’ll find it here,” he said. Before going to London he had very little experience with public transportation and life in the big city but after one day of riding The Tube he was an expert and spent the summer exploring London and all it has to offer. Cortez would recommend this program to anyone interested in the arts. He feels it helped give him a business outlook on the arts as well as the chance to focus on his craft. When asked what part of his summer he benefitted the most from he said he learned a lot about himself and how to handle an unfamiliar environment and if given the chance to go back, he’d be there in a heartbeat.
