During the summer of 2023, Shorewood High School’s participation in the CIEE program was underway once again. For many, stronger communication and collaboration skills were built, along with getting accustomed to different languages and cultures. Participants in the program commented on their own personal breakthroughs throughout the experience.
Casey Roth
Casey Roth, junior, spent three weeks primarily in Lisbon, Portugal, with additional visits to other popular cities. She shared a dorm room with three other people in the CIEE program.
“I [was] more social and independent because you have to be while [abroad]. If you didn’t make friends, it wasn’t going to be a fun trip. You had to put yourself out there,” Roth said.
Initially, Roth worried about being so far from home by herself for the first time. Homesickness was definitely a prominent issue for her. She was also warned that pick-pocketing was a common issue in Portugal, so she was sure to have a fanny pack with her.
While Roth was in Portugal, she learned about how to be more sustainable, especially in terms of waste, and how to preserve and protect water. Ultimately, learning about reducing consumption and knowing how to properly recycle was the goal of her trip.
“Portugal had a very good way to throw away trash, there were more than five bins to properly recycle and throw things away,” Roth said. “In my home we just have recycling and trash, so it was different than how it was in the dorms.”
Roth’s group helped the community by participating in a cigarette clean up.
“In Europe, a lot of people smoke and then they just toss [their cigarette] on the ground, so if it rained it would end up in the rivers, which is bad for the aquatic ecosystem,” Roth said.
Roth estimates that her group picked up thousands of cigarettes.
Because she was located by the ocean, rivers, and estuaries, Roth was also able to get in touch with aquatic life more personally.
“We went snorkeling, and I got to hold a sea urchin, and I think some girl held an octopus or cuttlefish,” Roth said.
Roth appreciated being able to indulge herself in Portuguese culture by learning a few staple words, eating some traditional foods, and also participating in a traditional Portuguese dance class. CIEE gave her the opportunity to become more independent and get out of her comfort zone.
“When you do stuff like CIEE, you’re leaving your home and experiencing a different way of life and people,” Roth said. “It’s important to meet different kinds of people so you aren’t just stuck in this bubble.”
Annabelle Heuer
Annabelle Heuer, junior, spent four weeks in Berlin, Germany through the CIEE program. On Annabelle’s journey, fun opportunities coexisted with challenges. Although she still had some worries before the trip, they were overcome after.
Initially, she was worried about the host family she would be staying with before the trip. Although homesickness was not an issue for her, she still worried about traveling alone away from her family.
“I was like, what if I’m paired with some crazy guy or something? Or someone who doesn’t fit with me?” said Heuer.
Fortunately, Annabelle liked her host family, which dispelled her worries.
Her prior experience with the language also helped her.
“I knew a little bit of German even before going,” Heuer said.
During this time, she took part in a German cultural language program, so she spent three hours a day at school learning the language. At the end of the project, Heuer’s German language proficiency and communication skills had significantly improved.
Some cultural norms surprised Heuer a little bit, like the ‘Berlin stare’.
“In Berlin, people just stare a lot, especially in public transportation. They also especially stare if you are speaking English, and you are supposed to stare back at them.” Heuer explained.
In Germany, it is also very strange to go up to people and ask questions.
“You would get rejected when you would ask those questions; they would be like, ‘No, get away from me.’ It sounded like I was trying to sell them something.”
Through this program, Heuer not only gained college credits, but also broke through herself in all aspects. She shared how she became more confident and independent, and has also improved her social skills, despite the stress of social anxiety.
After the trip, Heuer felt that educational exchange was very important and worth recommending to other students.
“It allows you to become a worldly person and learn more about different cultures at the same time,” Heuer said. “Experience different things, see the world from a richer perspective, and gradually transform into a more perfect self. I think that is the meaning of educational exchange.”
Sam Snyder
Sam Snyder, senior, spent three weeks in Toulouse, France. In Toulouse, he shared a dorm with three other boys, which led to future friendships. Initially, Snyder had some concerns about being homesick and not enjoying the company of his roommates.
Snyder also worried about the language barrier because he knew only bits of French before this exchange.
“I spoke a little French, but I definitely wasn’t fluent, and it took a while to get used to people speaking so fast in a language I didn’t understand,” said Snyder.
Snyder studied aerospace engineering, where he learned extensively due to the hours he spent in class daily and the learning environment.
“It was really helpful to learn from highly educated persons in the field and be taught in a new way compared to the US,” Snyder explained.
While in France, Snyder’s program participated in some fun events. They went to many museums, explored downtown, went kayaking on the Le Garonne River, and were able to see some major cultural events like the Bastille day celebrations.
What Snyder took most from this experience was observing how different of an experience it can be to spend time in foreign countries. He took a lot of time to appreciate the culture by meeting different people and exploring the world in a way he wouldn’t have without the program.
“It was really cool to still have some independent time somewhere I’ve never been before,” Snyder said.