As the next group heads overseas, CCNY Students share their insights
It’s summer and the next crop of CCNY students is getting ready to travel to Morocco, Spain, Italy, Costa Rica, South Africa, South Korea and other countries around the world. By studying abroad, students have the opportunity to experience a foreign nation and take in the allure and culture of a new land while learning a subject and building their careers. CCNY students Esraa Elzin and Troy Blackwell recently studied in Africa capitalizing on what the CUNY Study Abroad Program has to offer. Here they share their insights.
Blackwell a junior MCA major, last year studied abroad in France and Spain, and spent four weeks in Senegal conducting service work over the winter semester this year. He worked under the leadership of Gaia Education a sustainable development educational program under UNESCO. “I love traveling and discovering new adventures,” says Blackwell who is minoring in Spanish and public policy.
While in Senegal, Blackwell traveled to four different villages and stayed with host families. With the help of a translator, he worked on sustainable implementation including building a high school for villagers, water filtration and teaching English to French and Pulaar speaking children.
After the program, Blackwell spent some time sightseeing in Morocco. “I have traveled many places but this trip in particular was life changing for me,” he says smiling. Many doors have opened-up for Blackwell as a result of what he’s learned overseas. He has been given The Art Stevens-PRSA Award and a Colin Powell Fellowship Scholarship, “I recently applied for the White House Internship Program which provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills,” he adds.
Elzin another MCA student, spent the winter semester abroad studying at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She studied anthropology with specialization in humans and animals. Elzin, a tall, beautiful and slender African Arab American senior, discussed the importance of building your resume using CUNY Study Abroad Program. “You can start on your career and not focus as much on your debt because financial aid covers the program’s tuition,” she says. National and local scholarships are also provided for those who qualify.
Elzin prides herself on all she learned about human and animal anthropology, with photos of South Africa to prove it. She advises other students, “learn how to market the unique college experience you did receive.”
When you finish your study abroad program and return home, you will return with a new perspective on culture, language skills, a great education, and a willingness to learn. Needless to say, all of these are very attractive to future employers.
CUNY Study Abroad has 166 programs in 51 countries, to learn more go to: http://www1.cuny.edu/sites/studyabroad/programs/
City College Study Abroad https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/studyabroad
Gaia Education, go to: http://gaiaeducation.org
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