We think it’s so great that so many of our staff choose to study abroad during their time in college. We contacted a few of our former staff because we thought the Clearwater community might want to hear about all the cool places they have studied abroad. Put on the soft, soft, shh, shh pedal to Megan, Margaux, and Emily for sharing their stories with us!
Who/Where/When:
- Megan Hollingsworth (MH) – Milan, Spring 2017
- Margaux Boles (MB)- Prague, Czech Republic Fall 2016
- Emily Jolly (EJ)- Glasgow, Scotland, Spring 2017
What motivated you to travel abroad?
MH– I wanted to travel the world and explore new cultures and places… And eat lots of yummy food!
MB– I wanted to gain an international experience.
EJ– I wanted to travel to see the world and experience other cultures. I had also always dreamed of visiting Scotland.
What did you learn about yourself while abroad?
MH– I learned that I was much more independent that I realized before. I often enjoyed taking trips by myself and exploring new places alone. I was comfortable living on my own and being away from home, and I think this is mainly because of the many summers I spent at Clearwater – I had the confidence to try new things and step outside my comfort zone.
MB– I learned that I am a very independent person. I was able to travel and explore all over Europe while feeling confident and safe.
EJ– I learned more independence in my ability to just hop on a plane to another country and then have to navigate a new transportation system in another language. There were definitely some tricky situations, such as when I got off a train a stop too early in Germany and had to rush to make a connection or else be stranded, but it helped me learn how to stay cool in stressful situations. In some ways it was similar to tripping with Clearwater, in breaking out into the unknown and having to adapt and stay calm even when things don’t always go to plan.
What do you want to do with what you’ve learned in the future?
MH- I hope to take my appreciation for other cultures and share that with my friends and family and continue to learn about new people and places.
MB– After studying abroad, I now know I want to be able to live and work abroad at some point in my career!
EJ– I really hope to travel more and use these skills of adaptability and independence to help me explore the world. But on a smaller scale, I also know that these skills will help me in my future career, for the ability to face unexpected challenges and calmly find a solution is invaluable.
Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?
MH- I believe everyone should study abroad if they have the opportunity!! It was an incredible memorable chapter in my life and I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it!
MB– Everyone should visit Prague! I highly highly recommend!
EJ- There are so many sheep in Scotland. Out in the Highlands, I lost track of how many times we had to stop the car because some sheep were taking a nap in the middle or the road or a lamb had strayed too far from its mother.
Did you get to do something fun while you were studying abroad or traveling internationally? Let us know! We always like to hear from campers, staff, and alumnae. Send us an email at info@clearwatercamp.org.
By Sheila Ferguson, CFRE