Alumni testimonials
Botswana: University Immersion in Southern Africa More testimonials »
The ACM Botswana program presented me with an array of experiences which, from the phenomenal to the mundane, challenged my understanding of development, Africa, people, and myself. I appreciated equally opportunities to meet current and former presidents and listen to federal budget presentations and the opportunities to ride khombis and to work side by side with Batswana women discussing and laughing about clients and husbands in mixed English and Setswana. I alternately cherished and struggled with the slow pace of life, the subtle, roundabout conversations, and the overwhelming heat, but through these transformations confronted serious questions about research, international development, my involvement in different communities, the political and social systems of my own country, and the intricacies of friendship. It was an extraordinary journey.
—Laura Eberly, Botswana, Spring 2008
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 Programs: Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society More testimonials »
The ACM Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society seminar enabled me to get hands-on business experience in one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the United States. In just one semester, I created and pitched a new business concept to a panel of venture capitalists, networked with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in Chicago, and was exposed to a plethora of urban issues that are areas of future innovation. In short, the class was empowering. The program has given me an insider’s look at what the world of creative business can achieve and what it takes to succeed within in it.
—Michelle Seabury, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2008
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 Arts, Fall 2008
I am known as an outgoing person, but I will admit I was nervous to move to a city as big as Chicago. It seemed intimidating, and almost like starting freshman year of college again, with new settings, new roommates, and unfamiliarity. My first week was a smooth transition, and by the second week, I had landed an internship with an organization downtown. Over the course of the semester on the Chicago Urban Studies program, my eyes were opened to new ideas and issues in my precept, seminar, and core classes. My Independent Study Project wrapped up the off-campus semester of experiential learning. I loved the city so much that I found a summer job, so I could stay.
—Timothy Garibay, Chicago Urban Studies, Spring 2009
Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities More testimonials »
My ACM Field Research experience in Costa Rica was amazing and unforgettable! I will always appreciate and love the personal relationships I developed with people in the program and the host families. Additionally, this program gave me the invaluable opportunity for professional growth in both a foreign language and independent research. Costa Rica is not only amazingly beautiful and ecologically diverse, but it also has an amazing history and culture. I wish I could go back and study there all over again!
—Lacey Ramirez, Costa Rica, Spring 2004
Costa Rica: Language, Society, & the Environment More testimonials »
My semester in Costa Rica was the best semester of my college career so far. I learned more and grew as a person more than I thought possible. My independence grew as a result of navigating in an unfamiliar place, and seeing that I was capable of succeeding at this increased my confidence. Both my San José and rural stay families welcomed me into their homes and provided me with their own unique perspectives on Costa Rican life and culture. I especially enjoyed having the freedom to travel and explore the country, and I developed incredibly close friendships with my fellow ACM students. I am so grateful for the opportunities this program offered me, and it is an experience I will never forget.
—Natalie Talbert, Costa Rica, Fall 2008
Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture More testimonials »
As someone who is passionate about both architecture and Italian food, Florence was an amazing place in which to study abroad. Every day I discovered something new about the city, the history of its streets and buildings, and its food culture, thanks to both my instructors and host family, who proved to be great resources. Equipped with this local knowledge and the Italian I quickly picked up from living with my family, I was well-prepared to take advantage of all that the city has to offer. Most importantly, I got to know Florence both in class and outside of it, as there was ample free time to explore. Thanks to the ACM Florence program, I deepened my knowledge of Italy's culture and history, renewed my my passion for art and architecture, and fell in love with Italian cuisine all over again!
—Emma Boast, Florence Program, Fall 2007
India: Culture, Traditions, & Globalization More testimonials »
Although spending five months in Pune, India was one of the most challenging things I have ever done, it was also one of the most fulfilling. India is a place where intense beauty and sadness are both intertwined and inseparable to an extreme that I have yet to see anywhere else. I felt such a sense of empowerment and success when I became able to navigate the streets of Pune by myself, or when I could hold a conversation in Marathi with my host mother or a rickshaw driver. Those little things caused me to gain a much broader understanding of the world.
—Katie Blanchard, 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
London & Florence: Arts in Context More testimonials »
I chose the ACM London & Florence program because I wanted to visit Italy as an Italian, for the rich culture, to study the language and history, and the vivacious cities. And London, what a thrill! Living in the incredible city was terrific. Learning its history and walking throughout London was surreal. I also enjoy theatre, so the opportunity to view over twenty productions was an amazing experience. As a result of choosing to study in Europe, I was able to travel to seven countries (Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Germany, France, and Switzerland) in seven months. It was an incredible opportunity, richly engaging, and not to be forgotten.
—Arielle Denis, London & Florence, Spring 2008
Newberry Seminar: Research in the Humanities More testimonials »
After all the time I've spent studying hard in school and getting good grades, I never really valued the process of learning. But through the Newberry Seminar in the Humanities, I found that the pure desire to learn and to unearth something which has never before been examined is a reward beyond any outside praise or recognition, and comes from the great pride of discovery.
—Kelsey Cole, Newberry Seminar in the Humanities, Fall 2007
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 »
Going on the study abroad program to Tanzania was one of the most important decisions I have ever made. Not a day goes by that I don't look back at my time in Tanzania and wish I could go back there again. I really discovered myself as a person and learned to observe everything in a new perspective. This will continue to be one of the most influential and wonderful experiences of my life. Ninapenda Tanzania!
—Cyndi Pinkus, Tanzania, Fall 2006