Vietnam and Ecuador…next is Zambia!

Bethany Scott (@Bethany2012) is a senior, public relations major. She is one of the peer advisers for the Office of Education Abroad, and it’s her second year in this position. Peer advisers provide information to students about education abroad opportunities during the OEA walk-in advising hours 1-4 p.m. on Monday-Friday. They also present general education abroad information to classes, residence halls, student organizations, and during orientation sessions, fairs and information sessions as needed. Stop by the Walter International Education Center, 15 Park Place to meet Bethany!

Studying abroad changed my life, and I cannot stress enough how much I love my job because it allows me to guide students toward their study abroad goals.

Since beginning college, I have traveled abroad to two countries: Ecuador and Vietnam. This upcoming winter, I will be studying abroad in Zambia and completing a journalism program. From jumping off of waterfalls, volunteering at a children’s orphanage to having an anaconda wrapped around my neck in the Amazon, I have done things abroad that have surpassed my wildest dreams. Through my study abroad experiences, I have not only grown as a person and become more independent, but I have also become more appreciative of my life in the United States. Before studying abroad, I did not realize how fortunate I was.

Every study abroad experience that I have had has been amazing; however, there are definitely some that stand out more than others. Some of my favorite memories include: hiking in the Andes mountains, spending 12 days in the Amazon rainforest, a seven-hour snorkeling tour in Vietnam that only cost $20 a person and having dinner with one of my Vietnamese teammates’ family.

Aside from working at the Office of Education Abroad, I am also active in PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America), ImPRessions, a nationally affiliated student-run PR firm at OHIO, and recently volunteering at the Athens County Dog Shelter! I have had two PR internships at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and O’Bleness Memorial, and am hoping to work in a PR department in either a non-profit or hospital when I graduate.

From studying abroad, I have realized that what I am capable of accomplishing and how important it is to be open-minded and accepting of all cultures. One never know where life may take them. All through high school, I had envisioned myself working in a law office, and now I am considering so many different options because I have realized though studying abroad that it’s not about money that makes a person happy! Stop in and see me in the study abroad office!

Bethany is leaving for Zambia after Thanksgiving! Visit her next quarter to hear about her adventures and learn where your travels can take you too.

Ashley Beatty, OEA Peer Adviser & Europe traveler

Ashley Beatty is one of the peer advisers for the Office of Education Abroad. Peer advisers provide information to students about education abroad opportunities during the OEA walk-in advising hours 1-4 p.m. on Monday-Friday. They also present general education abroad information to classes, residence halls, student organizations, and during orientation sessions, fairs and information sessions as needed. Stop by the Walter International Education Center, 15 Park Place to meet Ashley!

My name is Ashley Beatty, and I am a junior studying Organizational Communication and Interdisciplinary Art. During spring quarter of my freshman year, I studied on an Ohio University Fine Arts program to London, England.

After my return to the United States, I quickly decided to apply for a second program to the city I had fallen in love with. So during my sophomore year, I returned to London for spring quarter. While I was abroad, I had the opportunity to do a great deal of independent travel throughout England, as well as to other countries including Italy, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany and Holland.

During my time abroad, I was able to learn about the culture and lifestyle of these countries, as well as reflect on my own life at home. After returning to the U.S., I had realized how many life lessons I had walked away with. I returned with a huge sense of enlightenment, self-discovery and independence. I had learned to adapt in unfamiliar environments and how to conquer the unknown. I believe it is through these types of experiences that we are able to understand ourselves and define who we are.

The world suddenly feels more open, with so many more doors open to my future. I am also more eager to interact with international students, as well as continuing to learn about the world around me. Through study abroad, I have seen things I never imagined seeing, met people I never thought I’d meet, and made friendships I could never replace. My life has been forever changed, and it is my hope that other students are able to have this life-changing experience that I was fortunate enough to have.

Gina Mussio, OEA Peer Adviser, traveled to Italy!

Gina Mussio is one of the peer advisers for the Office of Education Abroad. Peer advisers provide information to students about education abroad opportunities during the OEA walk-in advising hours 1-4 p.m. on Monday-Friday. They also present general education abroad information to classes, residence halls, student organizations, and during orientation sessions, fairs and information sessions as needed. Stop by the Walter International Education Center, 15 Park Place to meet Gina!

Hi, my name is Gina Mussio, I am a junior journalism major here at Ohio University and a new peer adviser for the Office of Education Abroad! I studied abroad fall 2010 in Florence, Italy. I had been planning on studying abroad for years so it wasn’t so much a question about when but more just about beginning the process. I took a super-intensive Italian language course abroad and returned proficient in Italian. My language skills were intermediate to advanced and that really helped, but knowing the language isn’t necessary to study abroad.

I think the biggest misconception people have is simply that they think they can’t study abroad — that it’s too hard, not for them or too much money. The thing is, not one person I know has returned from an experience and not felt like it was worth it. Studying abroad is something that can and will change your life in some way or another. I believe in our world today it is vital to have a knowledge and understanding of other cultures, and what better way than to immerse yourself in one?

I went to study the language but ended up learning so much more. Studying abroad changed how I feel about college. I’ve always been the “school” type but I was able to learn more in four months from simply LIVING that going to classes just to receive the credits seems a boring. Not to mention the food, nightlife, friends and traveling!

While I was in Italy, I traveled with friends all across Italy as well as the French Riviera, San Moritz, Prague, Berlin and London. I had a blast on every single trip, where I experienced things like a pub-crawl in London, a tour in a perfume factory in France and an opera in the Arena of Verona in Italy. I would study abroad again in a heartbeat! I haven’t decided where yet but I am definitely keeping my options open and searching for the next best program for me!