Dawn Slekis '08

Dawn Slekis '08 studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Click here to read a personal account of her adventures.

Julia Patt '09

One of the main reasons Julia Patt '09 chose Sweet Briar College was because of its emphasis on international study.

"The emphasis and opportunity to study abroad was one of the primary reasons I chose Sweet Briar," she said. "I think, even more now, that study abroad is key to a well-rounded liberal arts education, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity."

Julia spent the fall of 2007 studying in Italy. She says living in a foreign country tested her "patience, flexibility and sense of humor," and allowed her to grow in immeasurable ways.

"Just the experience of living somewhere and using a language that you've only studied academically before is incredibly humbling," she said. "I have met so many people who speak three or four languages fluently and I only have one and the beginnings of another!

"I've made plenty of mistakes and often not known how to express what I really want to say, which was frustrating. As a result, though, I feel like I have grown and learned a great deal."

Sarah Hall '09

Sarah Hall '09 participated in Sweet Briar's Junior Year in France program. When she was looking at colleges, the opportunity to study abroad was a priority and Sweet Briar's well-known Junior Year in France program caught her attention.

"Because Sweet Briar houses the Junior Year in France program, I knew that I could count on the international studies office to be helpful, easily accessible, and willing to prepare me to have the best abroad experience possible," she said.

Sarah says, unequivocally, that studying abroad has been the best experience of her college career, "all about learning that sometimes you discover your best education outside the classroom.

"It's truly amazing how much you can learn just by walking the streets of Paris, living with a host family, or mastering the art of weekend international travel. Study abroad is invaluable, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a passion for learning and discovery."

Maggie Nicholson '09

Maggie Nicholson '09 studied in London in the fall of 2007. "Study abroad gives you the chance to escape — escape from daily norms, escape from traditional American ideas, and from who you thought you were," she said.

"You grow and mature so much while you live abroad. You learn to depend on yourself and become confident in yourself. Study abroad isn't just a year away from your friends and family to learn about the world and its cultures; it's the opportunity to learn more about yourself as well. Who would want to pass up on an opportunity like that?"