Fall 2003
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Want to study abroad?
If you are still reading, and are
interested on how you can find out more,
contact the Office of International Pro-
grams in 304 Fairchild Hall on campus.
The email address is http://www.k-
state.edu/oip/. You can also take
classes that count towards your degree
so you do not get behind in school.
And, of course, taking language classes
in the actual country that the language
is taught is the best way to learn. If you
are an engineer, all you have to do is set
up an appointment with Dean Hightower
to go over which classes can be counted
towards your degree. You also have
the choice to decide whether to go
through the Study Abroad Program, In-
ternational Student Exchange Program
or other agencies to go abroad for a
summer, semester or year-long adven-
ture. And do not be worried about not
speaking another language! English is
taught in many countries, and if you do
not have the credentials to learn in an-
other language, K-State will choose a
school in an English-speaking country
or one that has classes in English. The
possibilities are endless. Where have
you always wanted to go?
Two clubs also exist to help
students (specifically engineers) go
abroad. Mentors for International En-
gineers (MIE) is a group of American
and International students who have
been abroad or want to go- and all are
more than happy to answer any ques-
tions you may have but are too afraid to
ask. The International Association for
the Exchange of Students for Technical
Experience, or IAESTE in short, is a na-
tional group specifically geared for
bringing International students to
America for internships and sending
Americans abroad for internships in
other countries of their choice.
great guy who showed me Prague
through his eyes. He was truly the best
of Czech tour guides all in one. He knew
so much in-depth history about his
country and important information
about so many things. He even made a
three-page list of sites and activities for
us to see and do in Prague and Czech.
The dorm I stayed in with six other
girls (three Americans, a Spaniard, a
French girl and a Czech) was wonderful
in every way, except for our shower that
tended to flood. But having a cheap
club, bar, restaurant and cafeteria just
downstairs was very convenient. Even
though clean laundry was hard to come
by, having fun was not.
The International Student Center’s
trips were my favorite because of awe-
some friends, lots of fun and never-end-
ing excitement. I also enjoyed the coun-
try presentations every Wednesday
night. These consisted of students
from a different country each week cre-
ating a Power Point show of how they
live and the beautiful sights in their
country, speaking about their country
and serving food that they commonly
eat and is special to them. These events
were followed by the best parties I have
ever attended. We would rent out the
club, someone would DJ and we would
dance and drink until they kicked us out
for the night. No language barriers ex-
ist when it comes to dancing. And the
beer was cheap.
I found the food in Europe quite
delicious. Although, dumplings are a
big part of the Czechs’ meals that I
could not get used to. But I loved the
white rolls, and could not eat enough of
them. Europe also has the best of past-
ries at bakeries and delicious ice cream
flavors. And let us not forget about pivo.
Beer in Europe is much better than beer
in the states, and also much easier to
obtain. If you knew me, you would be
surprised to know that sometimes I did
choose beer over cocktails (for the
taste—not the price). Nothing in Prague
is expensive—unless it is meant for tour-
ists. Passing up a good, cheap beer can
be hard!
By studying abroad, you will meet
the most fantastic people who could,
and most likely will, change your out-
look on life forever. You will exchange
your views on America and their home
country. You will
discuss the simi-
larities and differ-
ences. You will
discover how (and
hopefully why)
they think, behave
and live through
contact with their
cultures. And
they in turn will
learn more about
you and our way
of life.
I will always
be an American,
but hopefully not
always a tourist, or
foreigner, in Eu-
rope—especially
in the Czech Re-
public. Prague
was my favorite
city of all that I have visited, and I could
not have chosen a better place to study.
So is studying abroad really a once-in-
a-lifetime experience? I believe most stu-
dents would like to say it is only the
beginning of their life-long journey of
exciting explorations. I know I would.
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