Posted November 2, 2020 by Wheaton College
Tags:
Immersive Learner
Caroline Catanzarite - Australia and Indonesia
By: Caroline Catanzarite '21
As an incoming Freshmen, I dreamed of studying abroad during college. I always felt that travel was crucial for personal and relational development, and Wheaton provides some amazing locations and programs for their students wanting an international experience! This past spring, I made this dream a reality and embarked on my journey to Australia and Indonesia through BestSemester. Whether it was spontaneously flying to New Zealand for hiking views, touring Muslim mosques in Jakarta or surfing in Bali, I knew that these moments would impact me forever. I viewed this experience as an investment in my future, so I wanted the semester to help me reach tangible goals I set. For example, one of my goals was to step into discomfort. In Australia, taking public transit by myself, exploring the city, talking with strangers and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef were all intimidating, new experiences but so valuable and I saw tangible growth come from these experiences. In Indonesia, I travelled to Bali alone, navigated the country where we barely knew the language, tried new foods and surfed for the first time. These experiences were all out of my comfort zone, but ended up being highlights on my trip. Looking back, I needed these challenges!
Because Wheaton provided me with the opportunity to travel and learn at the same time, I grew in my relationships, perspective, intellect and I believe this growth will prepare me well for my future.
Interested in studying abroad? Here's more info for you!
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