Blogs

Many students begin their study abroad journey expecting adventure and travel, but they quickly realize it’s much more than that. Every interaction, in and out of the classroom, has the opportunity to become a lesson, shaping students in ways they’ll carry for a lifetime.

The GIA Center invited current students to reflect on their education abroad experiences, sharing how their biggest takeaways weren’t just from textbooks or lectures, but also from real-world experiences, cultural connections, and moments of deep reflection. Through adaptation, simplicity, and experiencing hospitality from strangers, the students discovered new perspectives on life and learning.

For Adam Cartwright, a senior mechanical engineering major, his ETHOS trip to Ecuador was a crash course in both engineering and what it means to be adaptable. Tasked with working on a remote freshwater system, Cartwright quickly learned that problem-solving looked different in a rural community. “You can’t just order parts online; you have to work with what you have,” he said. The experience pushed him to think creatively in ways he never had before.

But beyond engineering, Cartwright’s biggest lesson was in human connection. Despite a language barrier, he and his peer group formed meaningful relationships with the locals through shared experiences. Students learned to rely on nonverbal forms of communication to exchange ideas and expressions. “By the end of the week, we had formed an incredibly strong bond [the local community],” he said.

That same spirit of connection resonated with Michaela Fogarty, a sophomore psychology major who traveled to El Salvador with the Center for Social Concern. What stood out most to her was the warmth and generosity of the Salvadoran people. “They are incredibly open and eager to welcome you into their homes,” she shared. Witnessing their hospitality, despite their own hardships, made Fogarty reflect on her own values. The emphasis on “simple living” in El Salvador contrasted sharply with the materialism she was used to in the U.S. “It made me rethink how much we value material things,” she said.

For many students, studying abroad is a carefully planned decision. For Matthew Himes, however, it was a leap of faith. Signing up on a whim, he traveled to Spain to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago, an experience that became one of the most meaningful of his life. Hiking 12 miles a day for nearly two weeks gave Himes plenty of time for reflection. The simplicity of carrying everything he needed on his back shifted his perspective. “I had a beautiful and joyful experience on the Camino, with so few material belongings,” he said. The journey also sparked something deeper—an interest in theology. The experience inspired him to pursue a master’s in the subject, a path he hadn’t considered before the trip.

Cartwright, Fogarty, and Himes are just a few examples of UD students who returned from their travels with more than just souvenirs. They brought back new ways of thinking, deeper cultural appreciation, and personal growth that will stay with them long after their time abroad. The greatest lessons can be learned anywhere, especially in the places—and with the people—you least expect.

*photo by Matthew Himes