UCLA students return home, discuss time abroad

By Dorothy Augustyniak
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
[email protected]

Reflecting upon their foreign study this past year, UCLA
students who returned home displayed mixed emotions about their
international experiences, ranging from fulfillment to
disappointment.

Certain students in the UCLA Education Abroad Program admit that
they enjoyed learning and living in another country, but said they
did not feel incorporated into the university like native
students.

Fourth-year business economics student Scott Ellison, who
studied at Sorbonnes University in France, said his expectations
were not met.

“Instead of being in a regular class with French students
taking history or math, I was learning about French culture with
other international and American students,” he said.

During his stay in France, Ellison said there were no French
students in these classes because they were aimed specifically at
helping international students feel incorporated into French
life.

“Overall, the experience in France was great, but it could
have been better if I took a class with French students and see
what education (in France) is really like,” he said.

Not all EAP students feel that studying with native students is
necessary to a successful foreign experience.

“You do not have to be in a classroom with other Italians
to really experience how education is in Italy. Just being in an
Italian university is enough,” said third-year political
science student Mariam Moini, who studied in Italy through EAP.

Some students were able to take classes with native students of
a foreign country along with other international students, like
fourth-year history and European studies student Matt Heil.

“I was taking classes with students who were natives of
Spain, and that felt wonderful because I got to experience the life
of a native college student from that country,” he said.

Because he was treated like a student from Spain, he said he
felt like one at some point, and the positive treatment he received
strengthened his Spanish skills.

Meanwhile at UCLA, international students are not put into
classrooms specifically with other international students.

Vladimir Kimonev, a student from Moscow, feels his time at UCLA
is worthwhile because he can interact with students of different
ethnic backgrounds.

“I wanted to experience what the education system was
like, especially in Los Angeles. So far, I am enjoying it very much
because I get to interact with other American students,” he
said.