Alumni testimonials
Botswana: University Immersion in Southern Africa More testimonials »
ACM really surpassed any expectations I had prior to studying in Botswana. The Botswana program provided a perfect mix of guided support from the program director and independence to travel and research whatever you desire, which facilitated both professional and personal growth. Living and learning in Botswana is something I will never forget along with the friends, professors, combo rides, and elephants.
—Firas Suqi, Botswana, Spring 2012
Brazil: Semester Exchange Programs More testimonials »
My time in Juiz de Fora on the ACM Brazil Exchange program was a fun and rewarding combination of living in the center of town with a Brazilian medical school student who is now one of my close friends, learning Portuguese in and outside of the classroom, collaborating on a project in an economics lab, traveling, and making close friends from Colorado to Rio.
—Cameron Combs, Brazil, Fall 2010
Chicago Program: Arts, Entrepreneurship, & Urban Studies More testimonials »
A frustrating part of my college experience was not being able to concentrate more on my interests or majors, so I applied for the ACM Chicago Arts program to finish out my last semester. Talk about going out with a bang! This program threw me into a pool of possibilities and experiences, and I participated in and experienced things I never would have gotten to had I stayed on campus, including working at an all-night jazz club right in downtown Chicago. If you want real, hands-on, life-altering experiences, consider the Chicago Arts Program for a future semester. You won’t regret it.
—Sydney DeVries, Chicago Program (Arts), Fall 2008
Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities More testimonials »
During my four months in Costa Rica, I was exposed to and soaked in more culture, language, social nuance, and wildlife than I had thought possible. Every step of the way, the ACM staff and my host families were there to support me in my research, personal growth, and weekend endeavors. The combination of the quality of support and instruction from the ACM staff and the generosity of spirit that pervades Costa Rica made the experience rich and unforgettable.
—Ryan Casserly, Costa Rica, Spring 2008
Costa Rica: Language, Society, & the Environment More testimonials »
Looking back, I have realized that my time in Costa Rica was less about learning the language and more about building strong relationships. It is not that we did not learn lots of Spanish (oh boy, did we ever!), but the people I met in Costa Rica will leave an impression on me that will last forever. I met many great people, some of whom I now call good friends. ACM Costa Rica made me more confident in my abilities, and gave me valuable insight into my future. It also gave me a new family and a place that I have no problem with calling "home."
—Paul Appel, Costa Rica, Fall 2009
Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture More testimonials »
I chose to go on the Florence program because learning how to speak Italian has always been my dream. The art history aspect was not an interest of mine going into it, but by the end of my semester in Italy, I had completely fallen in love with the subject. Over the course of the four months that I was there, I learned so much, not only about Italy and art history, but more importantly about who I am as a person and who I want to be. In the time since I have returned from Florence, not a day goes by that I do not miss it - the people, the classes, the culture, the food, and most of all, my wonderful host mother, Anna, who made the entire experience completely unforgettable!
—Amelia Sternitzky, Florence, Fall 2007
India Summer Program: Service Learning & Cultural Immersion More testimonials »
My summer in India was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. Spending time in both the villages of Melghat and the busy city Pune enabled me to see such different aspects of Indian culture. I thoroughly enjoyed living so simply in the village of Chilati where we got to play with the most adorable kids ever in the evenings while devoting our efforts to our projects during the day. Back in Pune I stayed with the best host family I could of hoped for and learned so much from them. More than anything else I miss the people I left back in India. I will always remember the meaningful relationships we formed with our translators, the ACM staff, the children we worked with, and our host families which formed such a critical part of our time in India. I am so grateful for my ability to have participated in this ACM program, which has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life.
—Shawn Rajendram, India, Summer 2012
India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization More testimonials »
In choosing where to study abroad, I sought an environment which would challenge me intensely and turn the world-as-I-knew-it upside-down; my stint in India did both unequivocally. Even more than challenge me, India enchanted me with her dizzying complexities, both beautiful and problematic. I left India with a greater sense of self, of the world and with new-found love for a culture and her people, specifically for the seven individuals—my family—with whom I lived. Staying with a host family in Pune is one of the prime positives of the ACM India program, there is no better way to learn and live within Indian culture than to do so in the home of an Indian family. I am fortunate now to carry my experience with me wherever I go; sights, sounds and smells which will forever color the facets of my life.
—Sarah Schulte, India, Fall 2008
I chose the Japan Study program because I wanted to become fluent in Japanese and experience life at one of the most exciting cities in the world - Tokyo. The homestay experience in a Japanese family not only forced me to use Japanese everyday, it also allowed me to understand Japanese culture from an insider's point of view. On long weekends, you can travel to different places in Japan and enjoy some of the best scenery in the world. During the program, I got accepted by a Japanese electronic company and am now working in Osaka.
—Pierre Kiang, Japan Study, 2006-07
Jordan: Middle East & Arabic Language Studies More testimonials »
Forget everything you have heard about the Middle East. From Wadi Rum to Amman's vibrant city life and culture, the AMIDEAST Jordan program was a truly unforgettable experience for me. The intensive, small, and engaging courses immersed with numerous cross country excursions crafted a well-rounded experience. Yet, what I will take away the most away from Jordan is the life-long genuine friendships that I made and continue to maintain. I am proud to call Amman my second home.
—Que'Nique Newbill, Jordan
London & Florence: Arts in Context More testimonials »
Living abroad on the London & Florence program opened my eyes to life beyond school and drew me into educational projects outside (as well as within) my major. Studying off-campus introduced new aspects of the future and new perspectives of quality living. Discussing cultural differences with my host family at the dinner table brought me to realize what I appreciate about my country but it also made me consider different cultural viewpoints and adapt my mind. It made me stronger in some convictions and diverse in others while helping me plant roots in two major cities of the world.
—Caroline Castro, London & Florence, Spring 2009
Mexico Summer Program: Service Learning & Language Immersion More testimonials »
My experience in Mexico was deeper and richer than I ever could have expected. I had a fantastic host family that taught me so much about the language, the culture, the city, and even about myself. My language skills have improved, I met so many wonderful people, and I had a great experience during my internship, which was both challenging and fun. Mexico City is a beautiful place with endless opportunities and the people are welcoming and friendly. It was an experience I'll never forget and that I'll continue to draw upon both academically and personally.
—Christina Moore, Mexico, Summer 2010
Newberry Seminar: Research in the Humanities More testimonials »
The Newberry is an ideal environment to challenge one's intellectual limits. The first time we met as a group, our professors emphasized the strength and quirkiness of the Newberry's “community of scholars." During the course of the semester I was continually amazed by the amount of partnership and collaboration that took place not only within our seminar, but also within the library as a whole. As I got more and more involved in my research, I found myself bouncing ideas off of a variety of individuals: from classmates to professors to librarians. Moreover, scholars within the library are unbelievably accessible. It’s also impossible to overemphasize the amazing location of the program- I still glow when I talk about my semester in Chicago.
—Jennie Morrison, Newberry Seminar in the Humanities, Fall 2007
The Oak Ridge Science Semester was an extremely positive and motivating experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to experience the scientific community first-hand. Not only did I work with incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely helpful people, but I was able to see what a career in science can really be like. I was given the opportunity to develop my own research project, a daunting but exciting proposition for an undergraduate. I was even able to present my work at a national conference. No other research experience has prepared me so completely for graduate work.
—Arron Wolk, Oak Ridge Science Semester, Fall 2007
Tanzania: Ecology & Human Origins More testimonials »
Every morning for 4 months I woke up in Tanzania and couldn’t believe it. I am so glad that I spent a semester away from college in the U.S. and experienced something different. The ACM Tanzania program helped me learn about myself and how to experience the world; you go out and you do it. I feel capable, prepared for future travel and self-sufficient in a way that I did not before living in Tanzania. I will never forget the amazing landscapes, sunrises and friendships I experienced.
—Carla Eckland, Tanzania, Fall 2011
Urban Education: Student Teaching in Chicago More testimonials »
I am glad that I did the ACM Urban Education Program, because it helped to prepare me for teaching in an urban school. I know that after I did my student teaching in Chicago, I was ready to teach anywhere, but it would have been a very difficult transition for me to go from doing my student teaching in a small town to teaching in Chicago. I was placed in a progressive, bilingual school for my student teaching, where I am still teaching today. I was well-supported by the Urban Ed staff throughout my student teaching, with frequent observations and feedback, opportunities to problem solve with other student teachers and my supervisor, and seminars/workshops with experts in the field. I am still in contact with a number of Urban Ed alums (both personally and professionally), many of whom didn't student teach at the same time as me.
—Becky Provencher, Urban Education, Spring 2004, Kindergarten teacher at Telpochcalli Elementary School