Kyle Theige

 

Where did you study? Why did you choose this program?

Sunshine Coast (Australia)---I had always wanted to study abroad throughout college and wanted to go to a warm climate (to get out of the NoDak winters!)

Would you recommend this program to another student?

I would absolutely recommend studying abroad on the Sunshine Coast. The people there are extremely friendly, the campus is really clean and enjoyable, and (the best part) the weather is fantastic. All of the professors I had were really knowledgeable and provided me with help whenever I needed it. I made countless friends while I was there and got to visit some places that I never thought I would see (such as the Sydney Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef).

What was your favorite/best experience abroad?

My favorite experience while studying abroad was my two weeks of traveling during the Easter Break. My parents flew to Australia and met up with me while I traveled to Sydney, the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, and Fiji. I took hundreds of pictures and experienced some things I thought I would never get the chance to (like snorkeling in the GBR, parasailing in Fiji, or hiking Ayers Rock in the Outback).

What are some benefits to study abroad you experienced? (Personal/Academic)

There are numerous benefits to studying abroad. Aside from bolstering my resume, it was really interesting living with people from different parts of the country (I had a roommate from France, Canada, and Australia), attending a different campus and experiencing a different grading system/way of teaching. The BIGGEST benefit to me personally was just learning more about myself and determining my limits (living on my own halfway across the globe-away from my parents).

Would you recommend students to join Student Leaders International (SLI) after going abroad? Why?

I would absolutely recommend joining SLI to students who study abroad. The group is really laid back and is really fun to be a part of. The meetings are really informal, being a member looks good on a resume (being involved never hurts!), and you meet other people who shared similar experiences as you which makes for good discussions as well as the opportunity to make new friends!

To learn more about Student Leaders International go to our website: http://www.und.nodak.edu/org/sli/index.html