Student Reflections
North America
AMERICAN
UNIVERSITY - WASHINGTON, D.C. SEMESTER
- The city of Washington is very beautiful and polite. (Jason Hanflik '05)
- Our class did not have one person in it that I would not call my friend.
Good Folks! Half way through I decided to major in political science, because
there really are tons of people in D.C., but they get trampled by the horrible
people with money. It is really good to see what you might be getting into
before you graduate. ( Will Driscoll '05)
- "There was a small adjustment to living in a big city. I would recommend
future students have a good map and learn the Metro system quickly . . . The
academic value of this program is of the highest level . . . My studies at
Wooster have a new focus. As for the social and cultural value, D.C. is a
great place to live, learn, and explore!" (Eric Fillinger '03)
- "The Washington Semester is a great way to make career
connections, learn about a career, and decide if a career is
enjoyable." (Eric Duncan '03)
CASTLE
ROCK INSTITUTE - BREVARD, NORTH CAROLINA
- "There were discussion based classes with added knowledge
from the professors. Hands on learning in pottery. We had class
at the top or a mountain, by a waterfall, on a hike, at a centuries-old
cabin, or sipping hot chocolate in front of the fire on a brisk
day. My off-campus experience couldn't have been better! . .
. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who has even
a little interest and appreciation for the outdoors. I was able
to first-hand experience it and be a part of it in an intimate
way as I rock-climbed, mountain-biked, kayaked,canoed, hiked
and camped." (Rebecca Branovacki '04)
DREW
UNIVERSITY - UN SEMESTER - MADISON, NJ & NEW YORK, NY
- "I had problems adjusting to the socio-economic status
of the community, but mainly the adjustment problems were few.
I would tell others to be prepared - Drew students are generally
not as down to earth as COW students . . . Instead of leaving
me tired of the United Nations and disillusioned about its viability,
the program has left me more positive and optimistic for the
United Nation's future." (Laura Stahr '03)
GLCA
NEW YORK ARTS SEMESTER - NEW YORK, NY
- "The amount of patience and tolerance I had went
through the roof because of both the cramped living arrangements
and the new experiences that come with living in a big city.
You can't hurry a bus or catch a subway train that has left the
station . . . With the immense possibilities offered by the city
itself and all the possible internships, I don't know anybody
who couldn't find something there that they would enjoy doing."
(Anna Nagelbush '03)
- "I would suggest requesting a quad for slightly more
space to live in than some of the cramped doubles provide . .
. By interning at Pace/Macgill, I gained practical knowledge
concerning what it takes to run a respected photo gallery in
a very demanding art market." (Brooke Davis '03)
- "Culturally this program is wonderful. I couldn't
think of another program that would be as beneficial as working
and living in New York City. I did miss taking academic courses,
but actually seeing what there is to do in the art world today
was as beneficial, if not more helpful, when looking outside
of academia and towards a career . . . I worked for a sculptor
which was a wonderful experience." (Elizabeth Kauffman '03)
- " I would highly recommend this program to those
looking to see what others in your field are doing in the "real
world" and to live fairly inexpensively in NYC." (Claire
Adelman '03)
- "Prepare for a change of pace and a change in space.
Cities are fast-paced and unaccommodating to students used to
a friendly Wooster environment." (Lauren Barney '03)
- "The NYC program forces one to be an independent
worker and thinker and . . . introduces students to the cut-throat
art industry in New York City . . . The program is only a base
for you - you have to do the work and get involved with your
internship. Explore the city in your free time, and take advantage
of everything it has to offer." (Elizabeth Alberts '04)
GLCA
PHILADELPHIA CENTER - PHILADELPHIA, PA
- The program really gives room for students to grow in various different
ways. It has a city living component to the curriculum that I found to be
quite unique. Also, the program allowed each student to design their own curriculum
for the semester. This makes sence because each student came into the program
looking for something totally different from the other. (Ryan Kilpatrick '05)
- "Philadelphia is a very culturally diverse city, which made living
there a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was able to go to museums, art galleries,
plays, restaurants and surrounding cities. In addition, Philadelphia has many
cultural rich areas that were interesting to explore for academic and pleasure,
such as China Town, the Italian Market, and Old City." (Holly Welsh '04)
- "I took a class called Urban World which enabled
me to see the city from a social standpoint. We visited schools,
hospitals, and inner city locations that many people would never
go. I learned so much about living in an urban area. Especially,
the problems and solutions for making a city safer and more efficient."
(Jacquelyn Gulick '04)
- "I highly recommend this program. Being an Urban
Studies major, it was a great program for me. My internship was
a very valuable experience, I was offered a summer job and have
based my senior Independent Study on my internship at a community
development corporation called The Reinvestment Fund." (Ben
White Mitchell '03)
- "I learned that it was "Landscape Design"
NOT "Landscape Architecture" that I'm interested in.
Now I'm ready to graduate with confidence that I am going in
the right direction. Thanks Philadelphia Program. I participated
and learned more than I expected from myself. I grew up while
in Philly. The program gave me a reality check to my future."
(Alyssa Adriance '04)
- "You will have fun learning because learning becomes
fun and meaningful. If it were possible, I would have spent my
whole college career in such a program." (Erin Craw '04)
UNIVERSITY OF LAVAL - QUEBEC CITY, CANADA
- "Even if your French is shaky, the Quebecois will
be more welcoming to you if they see that you are trying to speak
their language. They will also help you quite willingly with
your French. Americans are stereotyped as being too self-centered
to take foreign languages seriously - break that stereotype!
. . . If you live with a host family (or a single host mother
as I did), make a connection with the people of the family."
(Arete Moodey "03)