Testimonials from Rowan University Students Who Have Studied Abroad

Program: Great Urban Spaces of Europe, Spring 2024

• Student Testimonials on the Impact of Study Abroad
• Student Recipes for What Makes a Great Urban Space

Department of Geography, Planning, & Sustainability

The students featured in the short video clips linked below describe their experiences in a study abroad program that studied some of the renowned urban places of Europe: London, Paris, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. This program introduced students to concepts of urban and regional planning, planning, and sustainability. The students describe the deep impact of this experiential learning activity.

While the students are responding to the experience of the Great Urban Space program, the impact of study abroad on the student educational experience is generalizable to other programs.

Student Testimonials on the Impact of Study Abroad

Brandon Bollwark
Undergraduate major in Radio, Television, and Film; College of Communication and Creative Arts; Minor in Planning; School of Earth and Environment

Listen to Brandon explain what it’s like to leave the “American bubble” as a student!

Jaylise Camacho Perez
Undergraduate major in Psychology; College of Science and Mathematics

AND Jude Vernamonti
Undergraduate major in Community and Environmental Planning; School of Earth and Environment; Minor in Spanish; College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Jude and Jaylise describe the impact that this study abroad program had upon their educations and their lives!

Victoria Ryales
Undergraduate major in Psychology; College of Science and Mathematics; Martinson Honors College

Victoria explains how studying abroad builds confidence, knowledge, and friendships and helps prepare students for the workforce.

More information about the Great Urban Spaces of Europe Study Abroad Program can be found on the Program’s web site, available here: departments/geography/academics/great-urban-spaces.

Dr. Keenan is currently offering a different program to Southest Asia, including the countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.  More information about this program can be found on that Program’s web site: departments/geography/academics/study-abroad-2025

You may also email Dr. Keenan directly at keenankp@rowan.edu.

Methodology for Creating the Testimonials

These students attended a Rowan University Study Abroad Program entitled “Great Urban Spaces of Europe: London, Paris, Florence, and Rome” offered in Spring 2024. Both undergraduate and graduate students participated, and they received academic credit. The students responded to the following prompts supplied by Dr. Kevin Keenan to create these testimonials.

1. Why did you choose this study abroad program among all the others? What drew you to this program?
2. What were you most nervous about before going? Now looking back on it, how do you feel? Was the nervousness justified?
3. What did you enjoy the most about this program?
4. What surprised you the most?
5. How was it to be with other students from Rowan while abroad? Did you make friends and did that enhance your experience?
6. How did this program change you as a student and as a person?
7. What would you tell another student considering study abroad in general and about this program “Great Urban Spaces of Europe” in particular?

Student Recipes for What Makes a Great Urban Space

Rowan Recipe #1: Transport + Food + Spirit = GREAT Urban Space

Mia Shute
Undergraduate major in Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics; Martinson Honors College