Spring break is a time when many students pack their bags, hop on planes and… continue their studies in faraway destinations. Such opportunities to study abroad are just returning to pre-pandemic levels, and—with visits to countries including Greece, Poland, Spain and beyond—Case Western Reserve University students made sure to take part.
The varying programs offered at Case Western Reserve make study abroad an integral part of many students’ experiences. During the 2018–19 academic year, 31% of undergraduate students at the university studied abroad, compared to the national average of 16%, and these trends have continued as pandemic-related precautions ease.
The Daily caught up with a few students who traveled abroad over spring break to learn about their experiences. Their answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Want to start planning your own trip abroad? Learn more about the Office of Education Abroad.
Emma Baumann
Emma Baumann, a third-year student majoring in classics and biology, spent spring break in Greece as part of the “Athens: Idea and Identity from Socrates to Byron” program.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
My favorite memory from the trip was traveling to the island of Aegina through the same waters where the legendary Battle of Salamis was fought 2,500 years ago. We took a bus to the Temple of Aphaia, a well-preserved sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Aphaia, and witnessed firsthand the incredible Doric order Greek architecture, which was popular at the end of the Archaic Period. Afterward, we visited an abandoned Byzantine town called Paliachora, which was located on the side of one of Aegina’s many mountains. Though this town used to be the capital of Aegina, all that remains to this day are a number of Byzantine churches in various stages of preservation. As someone who studies both classics and religious studies, I found these churches to be a remarkable intersection between two of my academic interests.
2. What was the best part of your program?
I really appreciated its chronological structure, as well as its comprehensive scope. During the first few days of the program, our studies focused on earlier eras of Greece, such as the Mycenian civilization and the classical period.
As the program progressed, we learned that the importance of Greek history goes far beyond just the classical era. Greek culture represents an amalgamation of various cultures, as the country was occupied by the Byzantines and Ottoman Turks for many centuries. I like how this program made sure to emphasize Greece’s complicated cultural history and explain the gradual development of a Greek sense of national identity.
Toward the end of the program, we discussed the Greek War of Independence, when the Greeks defeated the Ottoman Empire and won its status as an independent state. By speaking with local Greeks and immersing ourselves in Athenian culture, we began to understand how modern Greeks view their rich history in the context of the present day.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
There is no greater learning experience than cultural immersion. By traveling to Athens and witnessing firsthand many of the monuments and artifacts that I learned about in class, I garnered a greater understanding and appreciation for Greek history and culture.
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
For students like me who enroll in a program that aligns with their area of study, studying abroad allows you to operate within the cultural context of your course material. Even if your study abroad program is unrelated to your major or academic interests, studying abroad still provides many opportunities for cultural immersion and personal growth.
Logan Bergert
Logan Bergert, a third-year student majoring in nursing, spent spring break in Lleida, Spain, as part of the “Global Healthcare, Culture and Climate Change” program.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
It was going to a city that dated back to medieval times, called La Seu d’Urgell. It has gorgeous colors and architecture, and was surrounded by a beautiful landscape, including mountains and a river that ran through its center.
2. What was the best part of your program?
Getting to try all of the new and different foods that Lleida had to offer! Every single place we ate at was amazing, and all of the food was shared, which made the experience all the more enjoyable.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
This program was absolutely revolutionary to my perspective on what nursing is and could be. The healthcare system in Lleida was so different from ours here in the U.S., and gave me new insights on the ways our system could improve to see the same positive outcomes disproportionally present in Lleida. Italso reinvigorated my passion for my studies in nursing; seeing what nursing is like across the world opened my eyes to the different opportunities that exist past graduation, and gave me extra motivation in pursuing nursing further, possibly even outside of the U.S.!
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
Not only does studying abroad expose you to a totally new culture, location, and way of living than you are used to—it also provides you with many new insights both about the world and yourself along the way.
Emese Toth
Emese Toth, a second-year student majoring in art history and international studies, visited Poland as part of the “Invisible Groups in a New Poland” program.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
Getting to experience the city organically was absolutely my favorite! Although we visited a plethora of institutions that dealt with social welfare/policy along with local politicians, simply walking around and people-watching was rather gratifying.
2. What was the best part of your program?
Aside from learning more about Polish culture and history by going on guided tours, I really enjoyed going to the National Museum in Poznan. Discussions and testimonies about Ukrainian identity amidst current geopolitics were strengthened further through the lens of art, be it contemporary photography or acknowledgement of how art can act as bounty in militaristic conflicts.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
The program I went on facilitated the contextualization of my studies. Pursuing both art history and international studies, I got to see the interplay between cultural identity and art in all mediums (architecture, fashion, paintings, etc.) firsthand. Interacting with locals and policymakers provided a fresh examination and I’m now more incentivized to take action in areas I’m interested in.
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
It’s not just humbling, but also an opening experience. In other words, going abroad exposes you to experiences you may not have otherwise. The memories you make will stick with you for a lifetime, and maybe even change your personal trajectory; I know it did for me.
Rochanne Vincent
Rochanne Vincent, a PhD student in social welfare, participated in the “Invisible Groups in a New Poland” program in Poland.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
Perhaps the most memorable part of the experience was meeting several individuals from Ukraine and speaking with them about their experience of living in Poznan.
2. What was the best part of your program?
We were given the ability to understand social problems through a different lens and interact with social service organizations, policy makers and university departments. We were able to have perspective on social problems from new angles.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
This provided new insights into the delivery of social services and policy in other places beyond the U.S. Moreover, the experience allowed for interactions that broadened a framework for conceptualizing social problems in a context beyond the United States.
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
Not only is the experience eye-opening to be in another space surrounded by other languages and cultures but there is much to learn from the organizations we come into contact with abroad. Especially for those looking to apply their education internationally.
Caroline Kuntzman
Caroline Kuntzman, a fourth-year student majoring in history and political science, spent spring break in the United Kingdom as part of the “The History of London” program.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
It was sitting in a replica bomb shelter at the Docklands Museum talking to Professor [John] Broich and some of the other students on the trip about World War II.
2. What was the best part of your program?
It allowed me to learn in a way that I couldn’t in a traditional classroom setting. Being able to look at artifacts/replicas of objects we talked about during our sessions in the U.S. helped me better connect with the material. Being in London allowed me to understand London’s history in a way I couldn’t have without visiting.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
Some of the places I went to in London helped me better understand the material from classes I previously took. For example, visiting the Holocaust gallery at the Imperial War Museum built on what I learned in HSTY 254 (The Holocaust). Going to the Churchill War Rooms built on what I learned about World War II in POSC 390 (Intro to War).
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
Studying abroad is a very unique learning opportunity. On-site visits allow for a type of learning that simply can’t happen on campus. CWRU offers a wide variety of study abroad programs that help make it possible for students with different academic needs to study abroad.
Michaele Reynolds
Michaele Reynolds, a student in the Master of Science in Social Administration program, participated in the “Invisible Groups in a New Poland” program.
1. What is the best memory from your week abroad?
[I liked] getting to tour the city of Poznan, Poland, and learning about all of the work is being done in terms of social justice and policy
2. What was the best part of your program?
[The best part was] being able to meet with all kinds of people. Government officials, children living in a children’s home, individuals in a substance abuse treatment center. Being able to compare our policy and programs in the U.S. with what is being done in Poland. I think the most impactful experience was getting to see how the war in the Ukraine has brought so many refugees to Poland and all the work that is being done to support the refugees.
3. How do you think this program helped with your overall studies at CWRU?
This experience most definitely impacted my overall studies at CWRU. I was able to learn about social welfare in another country. The most important thing I learned is that we are more alike than different.
4. Why would you encourage other students to participate in study abroad at CWRU?
I was able to learn and experience so much. I would love to participate in another study abroad program. When I was in my undergrad I always wanted to participate in a study abroad program but was not able to do so. Being able to live out this dream was absolutely wonderful!