Students are gaining new experiences in study abroad programs through Iowa State, whether it’s for a semester or just a few weeks.

“Students who have studied abroad, typically are a bit more independent, better able to deal with uncertainty and more appreciative of other cultures,” said Trevor Nelson, director of the Study Abroad Center.

Nicholas Morton, senior in environmental science, studied in the Fiji Islands from July to December 2011. He took classes in geology, ocean law, pacific history and the Fijian language.

“I’ve gained a lot of new perspectives on the world, and I’ve gained a whole new way to deal with others,” Morton said.

Morton said he hopes he can use the things he learned to help with the environmental problems the country will face someday.

“Studying abroad offers a lot of classes and opportunities that students can not get if they spend their four or five years in college on Iowa State’s campus,” said Luis Duckworth, senior in aerospace engineering.

Duckworth participated in a nine-day spring break program in Florence, Italy, in 2012. There he took introductory courses in Italian language, architecture and art restoration.

“People that walk around Ames, they know where they’re going or they know where they’re at,” Duckworth said. “Over there you sort of have to talk to people. Get out of your comfort zone.”

Communication and teamwork played a big role in getting around the city. Duckworth said the locals were always happy to help them reach their destination.

Studying abroad lets students immerse themselves in a different culture and allows them to interact with people who see the world differently, Nelson said.

“It’s probably the best way for students to understand the world and their place in it,” Nelson said, “The range of activities that a student might get engaged with when they go overseas to study might actually go well beyond merely studying.”

Morton joined a Bollywood dance club in Fiji because the club was looking for more international student participation.

“Within about two weeks of me being there, I danced in an Indian wedding,” Morton said.

Duckworth’s favorite experience was when his group was given free reign to explore Florence. They were able to see extra museums not included in the program, got to speak with locals and ended up on the top of a hill where they could see the majority of the city.

Duckworth got to experience the culture first hand.

“We sort of had to get together our knowledge of what we learned from our random Google searches before we took the trip,” Duckworth said.

The Study Abroad Center, located in the Memorial Union, can help students who wish to study abroad but have concerns about cost or how a program might affect their coursework.

“Students that study abroad

actually graduate in four years at higher rates than students who don’t,” Nelson said.

There are also exchange options that allow students to pay Iowa State tuition; Morton’s semester in Fiji was one of these exchange programs.