Student Experiences

Renaissance Art in Italy

Maureen Vissat, assistant professor of art, has a tradition of leading a group of students to Italy to study Renaissance art.  To learn more about her most recent trip, and read journal entries made by the students during the trip, please view the flipbook version of the Fall/Winter 2011 Forward alumni magazine.

Semester at Sea

Watch the video that students James Amor, Farrah Felten and all of their shipmates created during their Semester at Sea experience.

Learning Spanish in Spain

“My experience in Seville, Spain has been amazing. At first I had wanted to hop on the next flight home and forget about it. But then before I knew it, the first month went by and I was having a great time. It was a little frustrating at first because I could understand and speak only a little Spanish. Soon that changed and I was able to talk and understand my host mother and we would talk about stuff that appeared on the news, which is all she ever watches. 

While in Europe it is more affordable to travel while abroad. I have been to Tavira (Portugal), London, and Paris. This doesn't even include the other places I have visited in Spain, which include Ronda, Cacéres, Merida, Trujillo, Barcelona, Cordoba, and Madrid. All these places are amazing. It was great to live with a family over here because I got to know more of the customs and practice Spanish much more than if I had lived in an apartment (I also got corrected a lot more as well). 

The best thing about this is that Seton Hill helped me get here. Many of the other student talk about how their schools don't help with the financial aid and they had to fight to even get some. Seton Hill didn't cause any problems and even helped with a study abroad scholarship. It is amazing how helpful everyone has been and the hardest part was actually getting the courage to get on the plane to come. I went on this study abroad with a company called CEA, who is affiliated with Seton Hill, and at each of the cities they have an office with people to help adjust and talk, not to mention plan activates.”

        - Samantha Boden

Studying – and then Visiting - the Palace of Versailles in Paris

"The opportunity to go to Paris has always been a dream of mine. So when I saw the flyer posted at Seton Hill University I knew this was my chance to fulfill that dream. Being a student in the ADP program the trip to Paris gave me an opportunity to spend time with traditional students and French Professor Dr. Chossat.

The first day after a long, tiring, flight we visited Cathedral at Notre Dame. Its beautiful stained-glass windows and unique stone structure was inspirational and verified that I had actually done it, I made it to Paris! 

The second stop was the Eiffel Tower when seeing it during the day its huge height could make anyone feel dizzy, but seeing it a night with all of its bright and sparkling lights will take your breath away. 

Next, after writing a paper on The Palace of Versailles in my Western Civilization class I just knew I had to make the short train ride to this historical location … Strolling thru the gardens, and actually seeing the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles was all that I imagined it to be and more. Not only was this the most memorable part of my trip it was the most influential experience of my college career. To read, write, and discuss the Palace of Versailles in a classroom and then to actually go there and live the full experience is what I feel getting a college degree is all about.

It was actually because of my experiences in the ADP program that I wanted to go to Paris so badly and fulfill this dream. Not only was visiting the Palace of Versailles exciting but seeing the Louvre and Montmartre added to my valuable experiences in Paris. There were many other historical monuments we visited along with the many stops at French Cafe's and shopping areas. My trip to Paris was fun, eventful, and a hands on learning experience.”

        - JoAnn Santavy 

Internship in Argentina

“I did my internship in Argentina with a non-governmental organization, the Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA). With my boss, I worked on legal investigations in the theme of "Human Rights to Water." Using weekends, I also traveled to Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile by bus. I enjoyed the nature of Latin America. I learned to speak with an Argentinean accent in Spanish. Through my internship in Argentina, I gained a clearer picture of how I want to live my life."

        - Satoko Ogawa

Coursework in Australia (With Time Out to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef)

"You know I was scared out of my wits before I went off on my semester abroad. Every horrid thing that you could think of happening I thought about ten times over. But when I touched down in Australia all those fears and doubts disappeared. I was like a kid in a new candy store with my eyes and ears absorbing everything around me. 

The environment and wildlife was one of the best features. New creatures were all around me and even the trees looked nothing like anything I had ever seen in America.

Education was no problem since most of the classes weren't as grueling as my classes back home so I was able to spend more time exploring the area… how many of you can say that you dived for your very first time in the Great Barrier Reef? Or for that matter how many of you can say that you have dived with sharks before? Well I have and all the work that brought me there and back was well worth it. .. without a doubt I would do it again."

        - Brandon Meany