By Ekene Ikeme, The Spartan Daily, San Jose State University

For some college students, being on campus provides the home-away-from-home atmosphere that helps them with experiencing new beginnings, but some students need to cross the borders to fully experience what life has to offer.

The SJSU Study Abroad program offers students the chance to not only obtain an academic education, but "an amazing adventure," said Dave Rudel, the program's coordinator.

That is exactly what three SJSU students say they experienced during their stay overseas.

America Bailon

America Bailon, a senior justice studies major at SJSU, traveled to Bath, England. She said she wanted to study abroad because she thought it would be a great experience.

"The university was called Bath Spa University," said Bailon, who stayed for one semester. "I stayed with a host family of three - a husband, wife and a little girl."

Bailon was shocked at the scenery when she first arrived in England.

"When I first got out of the plane I didn't know what to expect," Bailon said. "Looking at all the buildings I realized there was so much history. It was so beautiful."

Bailon said the school experience was different than it is at SJSU and she met a lot of friends while there.

"The classroom was packed and some students would have to sit on the floor," Bailon said. "All the people in the school would hang out with each other and we would take trips to Scotland and Barcelona."

Bailon said traveling overseas changed her views on life.

"I learned that there is so much more than just California," Bailon said. "Seeing different people and cultures really made me realize that the world has a lot more to offer than just what I'm used to."

Veronica Malki

Veronica Malki, a senior Spanish and psychology major, said traveling abroad gave her an extra sense of maturity because she had to take care of herself.

"It was the first time I lived away from home or the dorms," Malki said.

While attending Universidad de Granada, Malki said she lived in an apartment with other international students, but she felt she was alone from the family support system she had grown accustomed to.

"I learned that I can live in a city by myself," said Malki, who went abroad for two semesters. "Even though I lived with other people, I still had to do things for myself."

Malki said it took her some time to adjust to her new surroundings.

"It was so strange to actually be there," Malki said. "It took a while to appreciate and take it all in. The surroundings were so different. The streets were made of cobblestone and the buildings were really nice."

Malki said it was also strange how the professors would hang out with the students away from class.

"Professors were easy going," Malki said. "They would hang out with us students at bars and we would all eat lunch together."

Malki said she made a lot of friends that she still speaks to and said she liked her abroad trip so much that she wants to study abroad again in France.

Amy Thickpenny

Amy Thickpenny, a senior anthropology major, went over to Bournemouth, England and studied at Bournemouth University.

Thickpenny studied abroad for two semesters.

"The schooling was amazing," Thickpenny said. "We had small classes so I learned more and we went on a lot of interesting field trips."

Thickpenny said each course took place only once a week, which gave her lots of free time to take in her new home.

"There were a lot of awesome people in my classes," Thickpenny said. "We would hang out all the time, going shopping and traveling to different cities."

Being in her new place for almost a year, Thickpenny said she became attached to her new home.

"The hardest thing was the homesickness," Thickpenny said. "But I learned no matter how much you like or dislike a place, it becomes a part of you."

Thickpenny said she would recommend studying abroad to other SJSU students.

"I would tell any student to do it," Thickpenny said. "Just prepare to make the sacrifices needed. I think you can learn a lot from being away from the things you're used to and being in a new country."

Special thanks to Ekene Ikeme and the San Jose Spartan for allowing us to republish this article!

Originally published 10/15/2007