Posted 8:27 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025
IEE's Staff Stories Abroad
Here are some testimonials from our wonderful IEE team about their study abroad experiences and advice, we’re hoping that their experiences inspire you to take the next step!
Miranda Panzer: International Student and Scholar Advisor
Miranda studied at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany for the 2008-09 academic year.
“Studying abroad was truly a life changing experience for me. As a small-town, low-income first-generation WI native, this was the first time I left WI and traveled abroad. I learned so much about myself and what I am capable of. My first few weeks in Germany were challenging as it was the first time I had used public transportation and, in the beginning, I often found myself on the wrong train going in the wrong direction, but it always ended up as an adventure! Despite my initial troubles, I was able to travel around Germany and Europe quite easily and cheaply, I even backpacked around Italy for two weeks during break. I loved visiting historic sites throughout Germany and meeting so many wonderful people, and I truly miss the food too! Authentic schnitzel and potato pancakes with Grüne Soße, also international foods like doner kebabs! My best advice for students who are looking to study abroad is just take a leap of faith and do it! One of my favorite quotes that I resonate with is “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” You will not regret studying abroad. It is affordable and available to every student who is interested if they plan in advance. Explore, dream and discover!”
Kim Fuerstenberg: International Programs Manager
Kim studied at Soon Chun Hyang University in South Korea, Spring of 2010, and studied away at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the 2007-08 academic year.
“Studying abroad was an immersive, eye-opening adventure filled with learning, culture, and friendships. There was an adjustment period though! I once prepaid for train tickets and the time was for the 24-hour clock. I read the time wrong thinking 18:00 was 5:00pm and got on the wrong train. When they asked for our tickets, we obviously had the wrong time. They thought we were silly foreigners who couldn't read a clock. But despite my few funny mess-ups, I had a lot of fun! In Korea my host city was very small college town, but we did a lot of day trips, and it was 45 minutes to Seoul, so we went to there a lot. The hiking in Korea and around my host city was incredible. I didn't realize Koreans loved to hike! Waikiki Beach was similarly awesome. I really enjoyed the food too. I loved Korean toast, plus all the random side dishes you get for free at any restaurant in Korea. The side dishes are always different and a fun chance to try something you normally wouldn't have tried. In Hawaii my favorite was dole whip and I am now obsessed with pineapples on everything. Honestly, I was very unprepared on how my life would change after I studied abroad. I never knew I could teach English abroad for a living. I ended up teaching English in Taiwan, Chile, and Australia. That led me to travel abroad to over 75 different countries. If I hadn't found out that was a possibility my life would have turned out a lot differently. College is the last time you will be around people your own age. Take advantage of that. It is so much easier on your body to travel when you are young. You will have so many experiences that you can talk about for the rest of your life. Overall, my best advice to those thinking about studying abroad is to just do it. The longer you go the more you are going to get out of the community and culture. And continue to explore and travel after your program ends!”
Alexis Bergstrom: International Programs Manager
Alexis studied with a Faculty-Led program that traveled to universities in Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland in the Summer of 2014.
“Studying abroad is one of the reasons why I work at IEE and I love sharing my experience with students. When I arrived in Berlin, I was surprised how modern the city seemed. I had assumed that Europe would feel "older" than American. But then I learned that during World War II many central-European cities had been destroyed, including over 90% of Berlin, so the reason many cities looked newer was because they had been rebuilt within the last century. I had a lot of fun experiences, one time my friends and I randomly decided to do a dinner cruise on the Danube River in Budapest. It was a little pricey but was definitely worth the experience to dress up, eat dinner on a river boat, listen to live music, and see Budapest from a different point of view. I also took a music class while abroad and so I ended up seeing a lot of operas! My favorite one was the Magic Flute. I studied abroad when the World Cup was happening in Brazil. Germany had made it very far in the competition and so Berlin had the games playing on a huge screen in the city parks. My friends and I took a picnic blanket and some food and watched the World Cup with thousands of people outside! I still frequently think about my experience. Little things will remind me of the food I ate or the people I met. I am still friends with a lot of the people I got to know on social media and so it has been fun to watch all of us graduate college and start our careers and families! If you want to study abroad, think about it early. Even if you are a first- or second-year student, the sooner you plan the easier it will be financially and academically. Overall, studying abroad was a life-changing, exciting, thrilling, emotional, impactful experience.”
AJ Bierwirth: Administrative Assistant
AJ Studied abroad at the University of Oslo in Oslo, Norway in Spring of 2019.
“Studying abroad in Norway holds some of my happiest memories. I had a ton of fun experiences and learned a lot. Some of the biggest lessons I learned were how to maintain long distance relationships, to be the one to make plans, and to join in on all kinds of events. Some of my favorite experiences were taking a fjord cruise in Stavanger to preikestolen, and visiting the Freia chocolate factory where I made my own chocolate bars. And gosh, do I miss the Norwegian waffles! There was so much to explore. For example, I loved going to Hovedøya - a small island in Oslo with a beautiful trail system and the best beach in the city, Sognsvann - A lake right next to my accommodation I would walk around everyday, and Ekerbergparken - another park with many trails, it’s also where Edvard Munch painted the Scream. It was amazing even if there were some awkward moments… I once had a person come up to me in a store to ask me something in Norwegian and, knowing little, I went to ask her if we could speak in English but I said; “Kan vi snakke på norsk?” Which means “Can we speak Norwegian?” …. while speaking Norwegian. For those who will be studying abroad, remember when you study abroad you’re not just a tourist; that host city becomes your home. Make your accommodation yours with decorations, learn about the hidden gems in your host city, and take your time. And take pictures and videos! One of my favorite videos I have from my time abroad was a timelapse I took of my normal commute home. Overall, have fun and enjoy it!”
Karolyn Bald: Director of International Education and Engagement
Karolyn studied abroad with Wisconsin-In-Scotland while learning and living in Dalkieth Palace in Fall of 1996.
“Studying abroad changed the course of my whole life and especially my career direction. It really opened my eyes to life outside of my small WI hometown. Some of my best memories, and maybe a few embarrassing ones, come from my study abroad adventures. It was really cool that I got to live in a castle owned by Duke of Buccleuch for the duration of my stay. I also loved watching the Edinburgh street musicians perform. Moreover, Oktoberfest in Munich was a blast! I even coincidentally met my bestfriend’s, boyfriend’s roommate. Small world! Also some essential advice, Learn to say 'Where's the bathroom?' in the local language. Trust me, it's a lifesaver! AND remember, every awkward moment is just a funny story waiting to happen. Embrace the chaos! After all, studying abroad is the only time getting lost is part of the curriculum!”
If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad, click here!