This semester, a few Bonaventure students have traded bus rides to Allegany for plane rides to Europe as international students. After a few weeks of settling in, these students have spoken highly of their transitions.
Arshia Mehra, a sophomore English major who is studying at Kingston University in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom, credits her easy transition to her experience with prior international travel to India and the help of her friends. “Me and my friend Grace [Kendall] decided we wanted to go together and eventually Stefanie [Podosek] decided to study abroad, too,” said Mehra. “It makes it easier to have friends with you and helps you to meet other people.”
In a stark comparison to Bonaventure, Kingston offers students an urban experience with its close proximity to London.
“I’m in love with Central London. It reminds me of New York City, and I can’t get enough of the city life,” said Mehra. “The lifestyle here is so different, because there’s so much more to do.”
Mehra also adds that although she loves the London life, she prefers the learning style at Bonaventure. “Classes are so different from ones in the U.S. and a lot harder, because there are less opportunities to get your grades up,” she said.
Despite the learning curve, students say that Bonaventure’s study abroad office prepared them well.
“I think Bonas prepared us as much as they possibly could,” said Stefanie Podosek, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major. “I’m lucky to have Grace and Arshia here with me because it gives me peace of mind.”
In contrast to Mehra, who is living in a co-ed apartment, Podosek is living with a host family, which she believes has contributed to her feelings of security. “I’ve felt perfectly safe while traveling and while here, even coming home at three in the morning,” she said.
Although both Mehra and Podosek mentioned that they adjusted quickly, other students had a harder time. Khaleah Moore, a sophomore sociology major, who is studying in Barcelona, Spain, has had to break through the language barrier to become more acclimated.
“I live in a residence hall with 80 other students and most of them speak Spanish or Castilian,” she said. “All my classes are in Spanish, so they’re definitely harder. I never thought I’d say this, but it makes me miss Clare classes a little.”
In addition to her classes, Moore will also be participating in an internship, which she hopes will help her learn Spanish even faster.
Much like Mehra and Podosek, Moore also credits her peace of mind to her friend, sophomore journalism and mass communication major Lucas Sperduti, who is also studying abroad.
“There is always a small concern in the back of my mind about my safety, but knowing that Lucas was studying in London makes it easier. It’s nice to have a friend going through the same situation so you know you aren’t completely alone,” she said.
Moore and Sperduti plan to make the most of their time in Europe by traveling across the continent, they said.
“I’ve been all over London so far and Khaleah is coming to visit here and I’m going to visit her in Barcelona soon,” said Sperduti. The pair plan to visit Amsterdam next week and Switzerland next month. “I think Amsterdam is going to be a favorite of mine,” Moore said.
rootcm14@bonaventure.edu
