Alumni testimonials
Botswana: University Immersion in Southern Africa More testimonials »
The ACM Botswana program introduced me to challenges I could never have imagined facing while living in the United States. However, it was the challenges of living each day in Botswana that allowed me to become more confident and self-aware. I walked away from my experience with a greater appreciation for my own culture, as well as an appreciation for the culture of the Motswana I interacted with each day. Going to Botswana was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. The friends I made and the memories I created will carry with me for the rest of my life.
—Katie Nicholson, Botswana, Spring 2011
Brazil: Semester Exchange Programs More testimonials »
My experience in Brazil was unforgettable. My host family was great and everyone I met was extremely receptive. Living in Brazil made me a better person and gave me a new outlook on the world. I would do it again given the opportunity.
—Warren Takashima, Brazil Exchange, Spring 2007
Chicago Program: Arts, Entrepreneurship, & Urban Studies More testimonials »
The Chicago Arts program gave me the opportunity to truly explore artistry through the Chicago lenses without restriction. I got the opportunity to write a novel, a goal I had been hoping to achieve for a long time, and to make it part of my coursework. I'm glad that the program gave us freedom to deeply explore.
—Michael Bonner, Chicago Arts, Fall 2009
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 »
I really enjoyed my time on the ACM Costa Rica program. I definitely learned the most from living with my host family. My Spanish speaking skills increased tremendously from communicating with them. They also taught me so much about Costa Rican culture and how families operate. And they did such a great job of taking care of me while I was away from home!
—Cassidy Heller, Costa Rica, Fall 2006
Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture More testimonials »
I chose to go on the ACM 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 »
The ACM Summer Program in India was undoubtedly the best summer I have ever had. The experiences I had with the Korku people in Melghat were insightful, fun, and challenging all at the same time. Despite their impoverished living conditions, the Korkus are some of the nicest, most fun people I have ever met. Not only was I able to work with the adults, I also played frisbee and soccer with the children every evening. I am still in touch with many of the people in Melghat, and plan to return several times in the future.
—Dan Read, India, Summer 2010
India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization More testimonials »
My experience with the ACM India program was nothing short of amazing. I loved learning about India and living with my Indian family, to get the real feel of what it meant to be Indian. During my 5 months, I learned so much about the culture, religion, and the poverty in that country, that I have shaped my future aspirations around mobilizing and engaging people to make positive change for the causes they care about. When I returned to the US I was so culture shocked with grief for leaving my Indian family, love for the simple things in life, and a realization that what we complain about in the US is trivial compared to what the rest of the world faces. However, I also realized that we can do better on a number of issues, including training great activists who can promote and enact plans on how to reduce global poverty.
—Samantha Gibb, India, Fall 2006
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
London & Florence: Arts in Context More testimonials »
I can truly say that my semester abroad on the ACM London & Florence program was the most eye-opening, mind-expanding experience of my life to this point. At no point in my college career have I acquired knowledge more applicable and pertinent to my life. The wisdom gained goes so far beyond the coursework, as well. Whether you are hanging out at Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park in London or people watching in a busy piazza in Florence, you are sure to gain a whole new perspective on the world. All I can say is, go abroad, soak it up while you can, and take as much home with you as possible when you leave!
—Lee Homan, London & Florence, Spring 2008
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 ACM Newberry program was an excellent preparation for making the transition from undergraduate to graduate scholar. Not only were the seminar discussions excellent, the intimate training from archivists and work opportunities in Newberry departments introduced us to the broader academic network of professional scholars and gave us an advantage in applying to graduate schools. Even now, as a PhD Candidate in History at the University of Arizona, I am using skills learned at the Newberry Library to facilitate research at national repositories. Any ACM student considering graduate study should definitely seek the opportunity to participate in the Newberry Seminar in the Humanities.
—Katrina Jagodinsky, Newberry Seminar in the Humanities, Fall 2001
The Oak Ridge Science Semester was an amazing and extremely rewarding experience for me. I had the opportunity to participate in world-class research with some of the top researchers in the country. The researchers took the time to explain the goal of the project but even more, they explained what graduate school life is like. From this experience, I was further prepared for research in graduate school and I also got a publication from our work. Oak Ridge provided me with more than just a great intellectual adventure, but I also made strong ties with other students in my program. If I could do it again, I would participate in the Oak Ridge Science Semester.
—Lee Pedzisa, Oak Ridge Science Semester, Fall 2008
Tanzania: Ecology & Human Origins More testimonials »
I choose to study abroad through the ACM Tanzania program because it was such a diverse program, where we lived in dorms, tents on a field site, and homestays. We also had the opportunity to conduct our own independent research project. While camping on the African savanna, I learned valuable lessons about my own interests and independent research in general. You can study anything from ecology to health studies. Tanzania is an amazing country, and if you want to visit east Africa and are at all interested in anthropology, language, or ecology, this program is amazing.
—Jessie Pechmann, Tanzania, Fall 2007
Urban Education: Student Teaching in Chicago More testimonials »
My time with the ACM Urban Ed program changed my life. I was your typical suburban girl that only thought I wanted to teach in a upper-class white community suburban district. After being with my students for 15 minutes on the first day of school, I knew my life had changed forever. Having the experiences that Urban Ed offered me opened my eyes to the "bigger picture" of education, and what I had to offer. Not only did my cooperating teacher coach me to be the best that I could be, she also ended up being one of my best friends, and I teach with her now. I also have made lifelong friends with the other students that were in the Urban Ed program with me, and keep in close contact with our advisors. Thank you Urban Education for changing my life!
—Katie Hopkins, Chicago Urban Education, Fall 2005, Preschool teacher at Peirce School of International Studies