Did you participate in a program abroad? If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Jess: I did a semester in Madrid during my junior year at UC Davis, where I studied Spanish Literature and History at Carlos III University. I always knew I was going to spend time abroad in college, in many ways that is why I chose my track within the International Relations department, because it required students to spend at minimum a summer abroad. The program at Carlos III offered me the opportunity to live in a homestay with a Senora (Loty!) and delve into life on a Spanish campus. About a month into the program I was strolling through my local neighborhood park and was asked for directions in Spanish! That was when I knew I had made the right decision.
What aspect of working at ThinkImpact inspires you the most?
Jess: At ThinkImpact we think big. We ask big questions and don’t settle for the status quo. Because of this energy, I am inspired to see the opportunities before the challenges. I love getting up to work everyday with a team that is pushing the envelope on what experiential education can feel and look like for students and young professionals.
What separates ThinkImpact from other study abroad/internship providers?
Jess: Our daring approach to experiential education is truly inspiring to me everyday. We don’t just consider our participants to be passive learners, but active creators in the world. I don’t know of any other program out there that is as hands on and delves as deep into the realm of possibilities in Africa and Latin America. Our students don’t learn about what is wrong with the world, they explore new opportunities and push the dial on what leadership and innovation will look like in our time.
If you had to choose one, what destination would you recommend to prospective students?
Jess: If I had to choose one destination for a program, I would choose Ghana. What a historically rich and beautiful country! In many ways Ghana has challenged the world to look beyond just South Africa, and to see the investment and market opportunities in Africa. The region where we work in Ghana is called the Ashanti Region and is home to a vibrant matriarch culture that is as rich in hospitality as it is in natural resources. Imagine immersing in such a colorful culture all amid a growing economic and political backdrop? Amazing.
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering going abroad?
Jess: I would advise them to think beyond the photos they are going to share on Facebook and the cities they can check off on their list. I would urge them to think about the people they will meet, the perspectives they will gain and the moments that will define their future. Study abroad can be a life changing experience for everyone, but it is about going beyond, “I had so much fun,” and really gaining the most, professionally, academically and personally from the experience. So put down the camera every now and then and be present with the people, culture and space you are exploring.