Intersection of Education and Adventure

Studying abroad in Tenerife with Horizon Bridge was a totally immersive experience. In comparison to some other study abroad programs that I’ve done, I felt much more like a local instead of a tourist. My days were filled with meeting government professionals whose goal was to teach me as much as possible about the intricacies of the island’s government. They were willing to answer my questions and challenged me to change the way I perceive island government relations. Before studying abroad in Tenerife, my understanding of island politics was very limited. The knowledge and understanding that I gained on my trip in Tenerife extends far beyond Tenerife in particular, as it will inform the way I think about all islands in the future.

My favorite part of each day was exploring the island with other Government Fellows. My colleagues and I would take advantage of each day after our fellowship and explore popular tourist destinations as well as “off the beaten path” hiking trails.” We even tied our extracurricular adventures into our fellowship. I was able to experience tourist destinations like the beaches, parks, and zoos firsthand. Then, during my fellowship, I spoke with government officials about the importance of those tourist destinations to the island’s economy.