Nick Borst

When I started college I knew I wanted to go to China, it was just a matter of how I would get there. I had originally set my sights on Shanghai, but when U of A opened its own program in Nanjing I decided to go there instead. It turned out to be a very good decision. Being in a Chinese city that is much less used to foreigners is by far the best way to improve your Chinese. You have to rely on your language skills to get around and everywhere you go people are excited to talk to you just because you are from somewhere "exotic."

Nanjing grew on me and began to feel like home. The city has 5,000 years of history, but is transforming itself into something new at a blistering pace. Nanjing is a fascinating mix of rich and poor, bizarre and familiar, and cutting-edge modernity interspersed with communist-era relics. At the end of my first visit, I wanted to come back again as soon as possible. I returned the following summer to work as an intern for the same U of A program and experienced the challenges and rewards of working in China. Getting thirty Americans through Tiananmen Square (a very crowded place) on a scorching summer day without getting anyone lost or run over by cars is one of the toughest things I've ever done. The combination of both working and studying in China improved my language and understanding of the country in way that would have been impossible if I had just stayed in Tucson. When I graduate I plan on coming straight back to China to work and study.

Lila Burgos

Studying abroad here in Panama has been an absolutely life-changing experience. My story is a little different because I was born here in Panama but raised in the U.S. I chose Latin America and specifically Panama because I knew it would give me an opportunity to not only connect with my ethnic and family roots but hopefully get involved with some projects and do research for my senior thesis that can benefit the country where my family lived for decades.

Since getting here in June, I have gotten to tour different provinces in the country. I have seen the chicness of metropolitan Panama City , the uniqueness of the protected indigenous Kuna Yala tribe in San Blas and the desperation of the severely impoverished pueblos in the "interior". Experiencing the stark contrast between the privileged and the starving in a developing country is unlike what I could have ever imagined. The amazing thing is that, even in the poorest areas, the loud and fun-loving spirit of Panamanian culture thrives.

I was a fool to think I would not experience culture shock when I arrived but so far all my "culturally shocking" moments has been the most hilarious and memorable parts of my journey here. For one, on time means 40 minutes up to 3 hours late no matter what. Even most professors here run on the infamously late "Panamanian time". The spirit here is very laid back and the approach to solving problems is "well it'll work itself out eventually." I had to say goodbye to the ideas of customer service, rules and regulations but being here I learned that if you laugh at frustrating situations, people or problems here really do tend to work themselves out.

The Spanish here is different and full of slang. When I mess something up mostly everyone (even strangers) tends to laugh but if you laugh too, they'll gladly correct you. The huge unplanned economic boom has strained the already bad infrastructure, so the idea of street addresses or organized traffic is unheard of. There are nicknames for practically everything and if you don't know them - one must adopt a knack for negotiating with impatient taxi drivers.

I hope that more IDS/IS students decide to study in Panama . Among the chaos that corruption and disorganization bring is lesson in patience and humor for all. The people here are more than happy to feed you delicious Panamanian food and quick to invite you to their niece's quinceñera (even if you don't know them). The humid rainforest surrounded by two oceans and the canal that connects them are among the most aesthetically amazing must sees. The political, social and economic issues happening right now are also fascinating. The canal is expanding, the economy is undergoing a huge boom, and as issues such as Noriega's possible return loom - this fairly young democracy is deciding how it will face the future. Besides that, it's good to learn that hot water, consistent utilities such as electricty and air conditioning are luxuries anyway.

Elizabeth Cuellar

My name is Elizabeth Cuellar and I am a senior in International Studies. My focus in the major is science and technology with an emphasis on development. During the summer of 2007, another IDS student, Whitney Hollis, and I spent a total of five weeks in the city of Boghe , Mauritania . Boghe is a city of about 70,000 people located along the Senegal border about 4 hours driving distance from the capital of Nouakchott .

In Boghe, my work consisted of taking the coordinates of various locations using a portable GPS device (global positioning system). The GPS essentially tracks the latitude and longitude of a place using microwave signals sent to three GPS satellites. The points of interest included schools, health centers, Mosques, an Internet cafe, paved roads, banks, the center of the market, government offices as well as other important key points for the community. In Fall 2007,

I will work with several professors and GPS experts in order to use the points and create a map of Boghe and of the surrounding towns. The map will be digitalized and made public to provide insight into the issues of access and availability for the community of Boghe.

Mauritania , a Francophone country with an Arabic past, is an amazing example of a country undergoing political, cultural, and economic changes with a hopeful future. Living in Boghe has opened my eyes to a new world by introducing me to many unforgettable people and by showing me the faces of development. Studying abroad in Boghe has enabled me to actively participate in the process of development. I was able to use what I learned in school to plan and fulfill a project which will have direct results with a community. Being in a non-traditional classroom, I was able to work with government officials and other members of the community towards a common goal. It allowed me to better understand the challenges one faces when working in the real world as well as the joy one gets from getting to know that community from the inside. Studying abroad is a unique opportunity every student should experience because it combines classroom skills with new knowledge one can only gain from traveling into another country. My only regret is not being able to stay longer!