Alumni Spotlight: Olive Henries

I decided to study abroad after a rough semester back home. I wanted a new scenery and to explore a new place. my 1st year in college was awesome and I fell in love with that feeling of coming into a new world, meeting new people and learning new things.

What made this study abroad unique and special is that it was my first time in the Caribbean. I am originally from Liberia West Africa; I came to the US at a very young age and never went back. I've visited the UK once and fell in love with it. Traveling is essential in life, there is this big world to explore and unfortunately many people do not. Another reason this study abroad experience is special is because I grew up around a lot of Caribbean people and always had a strong interest in their culture.

It's been a month and a few days since I've been abroad and I've already decided I would like to move out of the US after graduation to begin living on my own; this is one way studying abroad has changed my outlook. Also, professionally, I believe my experience away will aide me in relating to people from different cultures in whatever career I am in in the near future. I often compare and contrast the difference in lifestyle and mentality of the people here and the people (including myself) back home; I am learning more and more what it takes to understand and work with others from different backgrounds. Overall this experience is adding on to my transformation of becoming a better individual.