I learned to step into the fear and trust myself in a way that I’d never dared to before.

Kayaking was my favorite activity we did, as seeing Copenhagen from a different perspective reminded me of the importance of viewing the world from different lenses.

"I was looking to gain internship experience this summer, but I was unsure of what in-person opportunities would be available."

"Before the Duke in Provence program, I was planning on minoring in French. However, this experience made me a lot more curious about French culture, especially because I hadn’t explored the region of Provence until this program."

"Going into the program I wanted to be an investment banker but that was back when I knew little about the options in the field. During the program I was invited to tour the Goldman Sachs trading floor and that’s when I realized I want to become a trader."
 

"Creative writing, on the spot, in my second language, presented to strangers- home definitely felt 4,000 miles away."
 

"An experience that I will never forget was our three-day trip to an indigenous community called Boruca: a simple, yet beautiful place that is home to 2,000 people."
 

"To say the least, Duke's program did not disappoint and even exceeded my imagination in unfathomable ways."
 

"Experiencing a new place alone allows you to follow whatever fascinates you the most wherever it may go, and do what you desire."
 

"I plan to take my observations of being in these countries to contribute a different perspective in my ongoing studies of the Arab World and the Middle East at school."
 

"After studying business and globalization in Geneva and exploring Europe on program excursions, Kyle feels not only prepared for future coursework, but energized to learn more."
 

"I look forward to continuing talking with my Spanish speaking family and friends on campus. Traveling throughout Europe was a blast and has led me to consider traveling again next summer."
 

"Upon arrival, the entire group centered to the top of the castle, but after this, it became a practice that spurred reflection and friendship (and a little exercise after demasiado paella)."
 

"After a day of seeing the Terracotta Warriors, watching a Tang dynasty performance, and eating way too much food, I somehow found myself energized to visit the night market near our hotel in Xian."
 

"The highlight of my experience in Costa Rica was the quality of the time I spent learning with my classmates and professor. Going on a study abroad in a small group really allows you to learn in depth and in unison."
 

This was my first time outside of the United States, and my love for this study-abroad experience has sparked my interest in spending a semester abroad in Madrid."
 

"I also loved meeting local university students and spending time speaking Russian, visiting less touristy spots like the “anti-time café” with them, and immersing myself in local culture and food."
 

"I was reminded yet again how rich the cultural history of Germany is and how different it is from that of the United States."
 

"Of the cultural differences between these regions and Paris, the cuisine was the most interesting to experience, and what I was looking forward to the most."
 

"This experience has also furthered my desire to work with community-level organizations on issues of health access after graduation."
 

"The people of Alicante commission dozens of enormous art pieces on street corners throughout the city, and at midnight on Saint John’s Eve, the statues are set on fire."
 

"Naturally, as we ate, we spoke in French so my conversational ability rapidly improved, as did my knowledge of French culture. My host mom told incredible stories. Once she told me about how she fled Paris during World War II. I’ll always carry that with me.” 

“My particular career interests in entertainment have become clearer. I now know that I want to focus on diversity and inclusion as a president or vice president of a corporate entertainment organization."
 

"I gained more knowledge in six weeks than I ever could’ve imagined, and I had a blast the whole time. The small classroom environment and the interactive nature of the courses were extremely conducive to learning."
 

"I observed the daily telephone conversations between my host mom and her daughters; the locals walking and holding hands; the students at the University of Alicante offering to hang out despite their exams."
 

"I was excited by the prospect of immersing myself within the city in an academic setting. The focus on internships seemed to be a perfect match for my interests in the writing and media industries."
 

"The combination of workplace, classroom, and homestay Spanish variations honed my speaking abilities in a way that could never ever be replicated in a Spanish class in the U.S.”
 

“Through my classes and internship experience, my semester in DC taught me to always look beyond the headlines instead of taking them at face value. It really encouraged me to maintain a diverse media diet.”
 

“To really learn about what's going on in this world, both past and present. I now know that I have to step beyond books and talk to people to get a real understanding.”
 

"Being exposed to another culture has sparked my interest in learning more as well as makes me want to continue sharing my Native American culture with others."
 

"My favorite part of this experience was really all of it. I especially loved the daily excitement and the constant learning and exploring. I loved living in Alicante, a small, compact city on the Mediterranean. I loved living with my host mom, a feisty, energetic woman who cared for me deeply despite the language barrier."
 

"It was the picnics in Berlin’s massive Tiergarten, the casual Sunday swims in the Wannsee, and the €5 Döners (which never disappointed) that made my six-week stay in Berlin more than I could have ever hoped for."
 

“Prior to the Duke in Spain program, I didn't have a lot of experience reading or writing in academic Spanish. The program allowed me to improve these areas through literary, historical and artistic angles."
 

"As I look back on my experience in Alicante, I hope to continue learning Spanish at Duke so that I can apply my language learning skills both in volunteering and a career in medicine."
 

"Participating in a study abroad experience before I graduated was important to me. I really enjoy learning about different cultures and going to Australia provided me with the opportunity to do just that."
 

"I realized how much I liked Italian culture on this trip, so I actually signed up for more Italian classes to fulfill an Italian major while I was studying in Bologna. Bologna is a decently tourist-free city, so I felt that I was really immersed in Italian culture."
 

“I got interested in the program because of its academic focus on Public Policy and Arabic, which, at the time, were both of my prospective majors."
 

"You’ll learn a ton, see beautiful ancient sites, and meet kind, dedicated classmates.  This program will change your life, your understanding of your world, and your plans for the future."
 

When I applied, I’d actually just finished taking “Greek History”—I thought it would be perfect to connect my classroom experiences with the actual thing.”
 

"The program does an amazing job matching students with families for the homestay! My host mom worked in a field similar to the one I would like to go into, and I was able to learn not only the French language, but also about what was happening in France that related to my interests."
 

“Moving to Geneva for six weeks was certainly outside of my comfort zone. I went into the program without knowing anyone else who was doing it. As a result, the Duke in Geneva program helped me become more independent and self-confident."
 

“One thing that really surprised me about the spring program, even after completing the summer program, is how independent I became in Berlin. By the spring I felt much more like a resident of Berlin, instead of a Duke student on study abroad."
 

"By the 8th grade, I was practically a human encyclopedia of information about Ancient Rome. So, in short, this program allowed me to delve further into a civilization which had fascinated me for years. It was amazing to visit these places as a tourist—but the Duke program allowed me to view the area through a scholarly lens. I watched history come alive."
 

“Living in and exploring New York City – largely on foot – definitely made me more independent and confident in myself. Working an internship in marketing showed me that I could handle myself successfully in the 'real world' outside of Duke."
 

"When I learned about Duke en Aix, I was determined to be accepted into the program. I’m a quiet and shy person, but I promised myself that if I got into the program I would be open to new experiences. I wanted to immerse myself in the French culture and be more sociable with the people around me.”
 

“I am certainly more fluent in reading and hearing French than I was previously, even now that it has been three years since I had any French instruction. Taking the classes at French universities also helped to improve my writing, since the writing style is extremely regimented in philosophy classes there.”
 

“I was surprised by the rigor of my program, which really helped me rapidly improve my Spanish. I essentially took Spanish 204 – a semester-long course offered at Duke – in two months."
 

“This program confirmed my interest in working on the human rights side of migration. Advocating for and finding solutions to protect economic, social, and cultural rights is what I plan to pursue in my long-term career."
 

"The professional artists I met during Duke in Chicago became my mentors and have been extremely useful when I’ve been looking for jobs. The friends I made on the program continue to be wonderful collaborators and supporters. This program allowed me to add a second major in Theater Studies and it gave me a better sense of how I can continue to be an artist after college.”
 

"Through Duke in Australia, I got to experience the outdoors and environmental sciences in a way that isn’t possible in a traditional classroom. The skills I gained doing fieldwork have translated into all other sorts of experiments and research on campus."
 

"It sounds cliche, but being abroad is about opening yourself up to new experiences and living in the present moment. If the present moment has you sprinting through the Bologna Train Station to catch a last-minute train to Ferrara on a random Wednesday night, then you're doing something right."
 

"It was truly a learning experience through and through, I was constantly learning the language, the environment and culture, and also about myself and how to push myself out of my comfort zone. The highlight of my trip, among many amazing experiences, was building a relationship with my host family throughout the six weeks."
 

Coming to Duke, Briana Kleiner didn't know what the future would hold, but she knew Duke held the promise of memorable experiences that would last a lifetime. Now in her senior year, Briana reflects back on the tailored path she ended up creating, the ups and downs of trying to find her way, the global opportunities she dedicated her heart and mind to pursuing, and the resulting confident individual she is proud to be today. 

Global health students credit study away for bringing their co-majors together in interesting ways.
 

"I met Classics students that I was able to share my passion for the ancient world with, make nerdy jokes with across the streets of Italy, and make friendships that have already lasted beyond the timeframe of the program. The ancient world has never seemed more alive than when I was with my fellow students..."

"Without this study abroad experience, I would have still been indecisive about my path here at Duke. Now, I am on the right track with research and a senior thesis."

"Biggest takeaway: the world is mine. In Paris, I became so comfortable with the city by the end of my six weeks there that I could navigate the Paris alone with no trouble. Strangers were surprised when I told them I was American. It was quite the empowering experience and I realized I really loved big cities!" 

By Cassia Caruth

A linguistics major with a Spanish minor, Cassia Caruth '20 found parallels with her country, Trinidad and Tobago, and discovered new interests in the global health field while studying abroad on the Duke in Costa Rica summer program.

"As I return to Duke, the memories of my desert journey will serve as motivation for me to try new classes, meet new people, and join new organizations. To anyone considering studying abroad, go for it. Especially if it makes you a little nervous."
 

During her sophomore fall at Duke, Sujal Manohar took a Venetian Renaissance art history class to satisfy a requirement for the Visual Arts major. She said the class was fascinating and it inspired her to apply for the Duke in Venice summer program so she could experience the culture and art scene firsthand.
 

By Micaela Unda

New Zealand's remarkable natural beauty and the myriad opportunities for relevant, engaging field research inspired Micaela's decision to study abroad at the University of Otago. Her experience delivered all that she sought and more, including a reframed perspective on familiar ideals such as productivity and accomplishment.

The Duke in Alaska program offered Blaire a practical reason to do the program – it fulfilled the Organismal Diversity Biology Area Requirement for her major in biology (pre-med). However, she was pleasantly surprised to find the program also expanded her interests in environmental sustainability, ecology, and conservation, all of which inspired her plans for the following summer.

In the summer after her sophomore year at Duke, Tiffany de Guzman ('19) did two Duke-In summer programs: Duke in Bologna and Duke in Oxford. We asked her to share what motivated her to tackle four credits in one summer and what advice she has for others considering doing the same.

“To be honest, I did not miss the U.S. at all – perhaps in part because there was an election going on – kidding! But really, I did not miss it. I could message or Skype with my friends/family if I needed to, and I think I wrote over 100 postcards while away."
 

The summer between her sophomore and junior year, Setonji Agosa '18 studied abroad in Rio de Janeiro with Duke in Brazil. She explains how improving her conversational Portuguese skills allowed her to immerse herself fully in the dynamic geography, slang, food, and traditions of Brazil. 

"We were sprinting through the streets of London, past 221B Baker Street, past famous historical landmarks, just to catch this production with an actual British rock star playing Jesus. We normally saw shows for class each night, but this one was not on the list. Even though we had a free night, we still chose to go out and see another show. It was a magical performance.”
 

“Studying more of the humanities and stepping away from my usual psychology coursework for a semester really helped me refocus what I'm interested in. I loved the classes on public policy, theater and philosophy that I took in Venice..."
 

GEOReflects challenges students to examine their time studying away from Duke by bridging artistic expression and educational experience. Through photography and short written pieces, GEOReflects encourages students to use their study abroad/study away experience to develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and of themselves. 

By Niisoja Torto

In her TEDTalk, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks to the danger of a single story, asserting, “the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.” Reflecting now on my study abroad experience in South Africa, I cannot help but attest to the validity of Adichie’s remark.

By Anna Kropf

Before I began my Italian studies at Duke, I might have (admittedly) been on the side of the liberal arts education debate that was confused why so many general education requirements were necessary for graduation. If I knew what I wanted to do, why would I need to take so many classes in other disciplines? But Duke in Bologna pushed me into the realm of “hopeless romantic” for the liberal arts education.

By Lucy St. Charles

Before going to Costa Rica, I was a perfectionist. I never wanted to make a single mistake while I spoke. During the program, it didn’t feel like I was making much progress. For weeks, I’d stumble over what I was trying to say. I didn’t notice a change until my last night...the fear that had been constantly holding me back from making mistakes was gone.

By Andrew Padilla

I decided to participate in Duke in Costa Rica due to raving reviews from previous students on the program. They talked about how incredibly immersive the program was and how much fun they had. I was looking for a unique way to spend my summer and this program was the perfect opportunity.

By Maja Islam

I can honestly say that the year that I spent at Duke University was not even close to what I imagined it would be – it was actually beyond anything I expected. What I am sure I will always remember are the wonderful people that I had gotten to meet, and the friendships that I have made with people from all over the world. 

By Quinn Steven

"I think that this proximity to their food is what inspires Europeans to be more vocal about their food systems and preferences.”

By David Talpalar

I knew when I decided to come to Dublin that I would be in a bustling city with great character. But what I could never have imagined was the relationships that I would make with the locals, the welcoming environment that I would be a part of, and the life in Ireland beyond simply the Dublin city centre. 

Tara Nagar and Isabella Turchetta are computer science majors at Duke who both chose to spend this semester studying abroad at the Umbra Institute, an American study abroad provider in Perugia, Italy. Read how their classes here have directly influenced life abroad and how this experience has developed their multicultural perspectives. 

By Harry Liu

The Pura Vida lifestyle is best summed up as the combination of the many daily experiences that Tico has. The experiences I’ve had taught me that in order to fully immerse yourself in and understand a culture, you have to keep an open mind, be flexible, and completely embrace it. In other words, you have to challenge yourself to try new things.

"Not only did my host mom help me with French, she became a good friend, and I always looked forward to our dinners and daily conversations. Before arriving in Paris, I did not anticipate that living with a homestay would play such an integral role in my study abroad experience. I still keep in touch with my host mom, and I am excited to visit her when I return to Paris in the future."
 

By Brittany Wong

The verb “flâner” is absolutely essential in Parisian culture, but lacks a real equivalent in English: my best approximation would be “to stroll contemplatively.” Some of my best memories are of calm moments with “livres de poche” in the elegant Jardin du Palais Royal or observing precocious French children in Parc Sainte-Perrine near my homestay.

By Sarah Perrin

Our classes were held in an architecturally and historically rich building that was once part of a monastery, then a penitentiary, until it was finally adopted into the fold of the oldest university in Europe, the University of Bologna.
 

"How incredible is this statue made entirely of paper and wood? During our last week in Alicante, these gigantic hogueras (Spanish for “bonfires”) appeared in the streets almost overnight, blocking major roadways and decorating the city."

"Let me tell you about that time I spoke useful Chinese for two continuous hours to an audience of 30 … no, wait, I mean 5,000. Four weeks into my summer classes on Duke in China, a Beijing-based study abroad company asked me to speak at their information session for Chinese students intending on applying to American universities."

"After a semester in Paris, I felt really satisfied with the experience and wanted to practice my French even further; that was why I stayed for the whole year in the City of Light. Some of the courses I took in Parisian universities were so cool, especially a course on the history of French language, where I actually learned Old and Medieval French."

By Erin Butrico

Duke in Montréal was the perfect fit for my summer. For starters, I decided a bit late in the game that I wanted to major in French. I thought that I would have to overload to get all of my French courses in, but this program helped to fix that problem. Secondly, I loved the idea of an immersive course. I knew that this course was not just a sit-in-the-classroom-and-take-notes kind of thing, but an interactive, hands-on way of learning. 

"I wanted to expedite my Mandarin language study in order to achieve proficiency. My global advisor explained that Duke in China was the best way to do so. Within my major, I became interested in learning about China’s global standing in the world but felt I wanted to see the nation for myself."
 

"The University’s new Pratt in Costa Rica program—specially designed for students majoring in biomedical engineering or electrical and computer engineering—is a six-week summer homestay based in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students are required to take a Spanish language course and can choose to take either a bioengineering or a math course."

By Erin Butrico

I was always the nervous type. I relied on my twin for everything. I used to stand behind her when I was scared. I liked to eat the same food and stick to the same routine. Even though I’m 20 years old now, and I’ve lived without my family for two years at Duke, I was still very nervous when my mom left me for this program. It was the first time that I was living in a city. I had never met these girls before. My French was mediocre. I felt very alone. 

Duke in Berlin students in Chris Sims’ Documentary Photography course hosted a pop-up art exhibition of their work. The exhibition will travel back to Duke with the students and will be on view in October at the Center for Documentary Studies. 
 

"Twenty-six people and I lived on this boat for a week, traveling nearly every day to a new island...by the end of this week, we became a true family."

By Alicia Pak

Through Duke in Montreal, I spent part of July in Quebec City studying economic and cultural development of the region and meeting with such figures as the Minister of International Relations and the U.S. Consul General.

"I have been learning the Spanish language for 12 years yet I have never used it outside the classroom. Duke in Spain gave me the opportunity to not only become more comfortable with the language but achieve fluency."
 

"I now realize the importance of mixing and understanding different cultures, and will definitely attempt to integrate that into any future job that I find. To any future students studying abroad, all I can say is to let your mind remain open to any possibilities that may occur, no matter how strange."
 

"Aix-en-Provence is the ideal locale for six weeks of immersing yourself in French culture and living with a host family. French is my second foreign language (I’m an English and Spanish double major) and this intensive course has been exactly what I need—the highlight of my experience has been gaining confidence in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing French!"
 

"I spent my Christmas break working on a farm to pay for my stay in the south of France. The first thing we did on the farm each morning was to throw stale baguettes into the pastures. Alpacas, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks—they all went crazy for those baguettes."

"Every meal has been accompanied by some of the most intriguing political conversations I’ve ever had. Sure, the language barriers have kept the conversation from getting very conceptual or abstract, but this actually seems to be a positive thing. It is much more tangible."
 

Week 2 Woohooo! We had the privilege of starting class with Dr. J (Dr. Jeremy Petranka) this week. I say privilege because several of us have already started calling Dr. J the best professor we have ever had.

"I am a Chinese national, and I went to high school in Singapore. I knew coming into Duke that I wanted to study abroad somewhere and I wanted to learn a new language. Duke in Berlin allowed beginners and, compared to other programs, that was unique."