The Etownian >> Campus Life
DiEleuterio, DiGrazia discover diverse destinations
Thursday May 06 2010
Both DiGrazia and DiEleuterio are planning to travel abroad this summer.
Junior Jenna DiEleuterio is heading to Italy in mid-June through the International Studies Abroad program. She will be there for about a month to attend a class called Italian Culture and Heritage at Florence University of the Arts.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy,” DiEleuterio said. “I’m most excited about stepping outside of my comfort zone, learning more about Italy and interacting with the people.” Since she will only take one class there, DiEleuterio is looking into various activities to fill the rest of her time, such as visiting museums and sightseeing. She will also embark on excursions to San Marino, Rome and Tuscany. DiEleuterio, who has never been outside of the United States, chose Italy because she loves virtually all aspects of the nation’s culture.
Meanwhile, junior Steve DiGrazia is traveling to Argentina from early June to mid-August for what he described as the “holy grail of internships.” He will be working for an international dentistry supply company called Dentsply in Buenos Aires (the nation’s capitol and largest city).
“It’s called the Paris of South America,” DiGrazia said. He is excited to increase his fluency in Spanish and learn about Argentinian culture. “I’m considering moving abroad permanently at some point in my life,” DiGrazia said. “I hope my experience there will help me determine whether it’s a viable place to go.” Since he is an international business major, DiGrazia would also like to establish valuable connections with Dentsply, which operates worldwide. He will work closely with the company’s finance and accounting departments.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s a fantastic company to work for. They have a great global reputation,” he said.
According to Dr. Amy Simes, director of international programs at Elizabethtown College, there are hundreds of opportunities to study abroad this summer; 12 students, including DiGrazia and DiEleuterio, are taking advantage of them.
During a typical semester when school is in session, 50 to 60 students study abroad. The most popular destinations among Etown students these days are Spain, Greece, Japan, Ireland and Australia. Simes actually noted a trend in recent semesters that more students are opting to travel to Asia than ever before. “They are becoming genuinely interested in learning about cultures radically different from their own,” she said.
There are several misconceptions that many may have about studying abroad. Students think they cannot fit it into their busy schedules, they will have to know a foreign language, or they cannot afford it, Simes explained.
However, there are a number of places one can travel where English is spoken exclusively or principally. Simes is willing to work with any student to overcome the obstacles that scheduling and financial constraints present. She believes that taking a voyage far from home is one of the most satisfying experiences out there.
“The number one reason students should study abroad is that they learn about themselves,” she said. “It’s a great method of self-reflection. They come back tremendously confident and globally aware and look at [Etown] with fresh eyes because they’ve seen something so different.”
Simes also emphasized that when students return to the U.S. after international trips, they tend to be vastly more mature than they were before leaving.
Visit Simes in Nicarry 120 in the Center for Global Citizenship or e-mail her at SIMESA@etown.edu for more information. For an extensive list of affiliates and programs available, check out the Office of International Programs website at www.etown.edu/oip.
The Etownian >> Campus Life