All posts by Sara Bruya

SPC student gets an European view on U.S. politics in Ireland

Ireland, Ireland Political Science and Humanities, Study Abroad

Historic landmarks, making new friends, and comparing ideas and opinions during study abroad in Ireland.

– Antoinette Barnes, SPC Student, Ireland Program, May 2019

Traveling to Ireland was incredible. I got to see new things, try new dishes and meet lots of great new people. My favorite part of the trip was making friends from all over Europe, as well as listening to all of their ideas and opinions, not only on the political topics of their country but also those of America.

I really enjoyed Dublin. The reason I liked this city so much is because I was able to meet lots of police officers and talk to them. I even got a personal tour of a station and was given a medal with the insignia of the station.

After that experience, I met many other police officers in other cities from both northern and southern Ireland. It was a truly amazing experience seeing not only how the police officers worked with the public but also how they interacted with the homeless and the people who work in communities such as the city of Londonderry/Derry.

Dublin Castle.
Photo by William Murphy. Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 2.0]

I also got the chance to see old castles as well as an amazing fort/wall in Londonderry/Derry. Another incredible experience was visiting the Titanic Museum where I got to see the artifacts from the ship that sank on April 15th 1912, (exactly 86 years before I was born).

The study abroad program was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to have been able to visit Ireland.

– Antoinette Barnes, SPC Student, Ireland Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Antoinette!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Cover image: National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin (cropped). By Ardfern, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0].

Explore the humanities with study abroad in Japan – June 2020!

Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Japan
Apply by December 9, 2019

Study Abroad with SPC in Japan! Join lead faculty Michael T. Jahosky to learn about Japanese history and the unique Japanese worldview, customs, practices, religion, philosophy, sacred spaces (visual arts/architecture), literature, and the performing arts.

Students will compare these cultural beliefs and practices with the Western (inherited Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian) worldview and culture. Great emphasis will be placed on an immersive, compare/contrast experience while on site in Japan.

Course offered: HUM 2270: East/West Synthesis in Japan

To view more details, the trip itinerary, costs for students, and to apply, click here.

Cover photo: A geisha from Tokyo on matsuri, by Wilhelm Joys Andersen [CC BY-SA 2.0]

SPC student records triple digit temps at Mt. Negev in Israel

Israel, Israel 2023, Study Abroad

Sunrise and a mountain in the Negev Desert, and nurturing endangered animals during study abroad in Israel.

– Ben Culbreth, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

The early bird catches the worm. Waking up at 5:30 am was a struggle but surely also a reward. Watching the sun creep up over the cliff’s edge was truly a sight to see. As the creatures of the night head back to their homes and a new day begins, the desert sun illuminates the Ramon Crater–a vast and beautiful landmark of the Negev Desert.

Sunrise at the Ramon Crater. Photo by Ben Culbreth.

After experiencing the breathtaking moment and taking countless photos, we head back for breakfast to fuel up for the days mission. A couple miles from the Mitzpe Ramon hostel, we stopped at Mt. Negev. In groups of three, we observed the surface temperature of the mountain for every 10 meters, from the base to the peak. A difference of 97F to 102F. The eastern side of the mountain has been in direct sunlight for about 2 hours, and has already reached triple-digit numbers.

After recording data , we departed for the city of Eilat, making a couple pit stops along the way, of course. We stopped at the Yotvata market for a snack break, located 40 kilometers north of Eilat. Some students bought souvenirs, and others tasted delicious homemade original ice cream. After having a little sugar rush, we made a spontaneous decision to stop by the Hai Bar nature preserve.

An ostrich at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve. Photo by Ben Culbreth.

The purpose of the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is to breed and nurture endangered and locally extinct animals and then reintroduce them to the Negev Desert. There is a focus on animals mentioned in the Bible but the animals are not exclusively from Israel or the Middle East. The reserve also cares for, and breeds animals from other habitats around the world. Some of the animals who make Yotvata their home are the oryx, ostrich, sand cat, gazelle, Arabian wolf and birds of prey like the Griffon vulture.

Only 30 minutes from the nature preserve is Eilat. When we first arrived, we had lunch and shopped at the Ice mall. After lunch, we arrived at our hostel and stayed in for the night…

– Ben Culbreth, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Ben!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student investigates geological marvels, animal and plant life in Israel

Israel, Study Abroad

Visiting craters, volcanoes, and a reserve for endangered animals during study abroad in Israel.

– Jordan Shirley, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

This morning we woke up and went out to watch the sunrise at the top of the Ramon Crater. It was absolutely beautiful. After the sun had risen, a couple friends and I hiked up the hill a little bit to see some statues and monuments. Everything here has a meaning that is worth learning about.

On top of the Ramon Crater at dawn! Photo by Jordan Shirley.

After breakfast we went into the bottom of the Ramon Crater. There, I experienced the hottest temperatures I think I have ever been in. We took temperature samples from the soil on a cinder cone volcano. While half the class took samples, the other half learned about the geology and plant life surrounding the volcano. We then switched groups.

Taking samples took a lot of energy so we stopped for lunch after a bit of a drive. I was too excited for the Hai Bar Nature Reserve to eat much. When we got to the Hai Bar Nature Reserve, we went through the area in our bus observing from the windows. We learned about the species extinct in the wild that were being cared for at the Reserve. All of the animals were absolutely mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but take hundreds of pictures of everything we were seeing.

At the Hai Bar Nature Reserve. Photo by Jordan Shirley.

When we got to our hostel, I was desperately hungry to eat, so I ate like a king at dinner. We then had a sea turtle lecture in the lobby. I’m not usually the best student in science classes because they have always confused me, but the lecture was so intriguing and interesting that I absolutely loved it.

I can honestly say that today was my favorite day we have had in Israel so far. Everyday keeps getting better and I am so grateful for this trip.

– Jordan Shirley, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Jordan!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student encounters Tokyo, Mt. Fuji on first trip abroad in Japan

Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Japan
Advance research on Japanese culture, etiquette, and custom helps add dimension to the study abroad experience in Japan.

– Patrick Cochran, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

Before going to Japan for my study abroad program with SPC, I did a lot of research about Japanese culture and the country overall. Since this was going to be my first time out of the United States, I wanted to be as well prepared as possible. After applying for the study abroad program and being accepted, I thought about the trip every day leading up to our departure. The closer the trip got, the more my excitement and anticipation grew.

Mt. Fuji. Photo by Patrick Cochran.

Within a week of departure, I especially could not stop thinking about the trip. The night before our flight, I stayed up all night so I would be able to sleep more on the plane and get acclimated to Japan’s time zone before even getting there.

After our long journey to Japan, we met our tour guide and boarded the bus to go to our hotel in a district of Tokyo called Shinjuku. At this point, I started to develop a rapport with my classmates. I was glad I got the chance to get to know people because I did not know anyone prior to the trip, and it made me more comfortable.

The trip itinerary was packed, but it was well worth it. For me, some of the highlights of the trip were exploring the different districts of Tokyo, eating the delicious range of foods, and venturing outside of Tokyo’s busyness to see Mount Fuji. Even after our daily planned activities were over, everyone still wanted to occupy their time with more things to do. The days started very early and ended late. Having time to venture around Tokyo in our own groups and do what we wanted was fun and added to the learning experience.

Photo by Patrick Cochran.

Overall, this study abroad trip to Japan was incredible, and it was a great experience to be involved in another culture that is so different from the USA. Every day was filled with enjoyment that came with new lessons, too. I was glad I did an abundant amount of research before the trip because it helped me know plenty about Japan’s culture, etiquette, and customs.

I would encourage everyone to participate in a study abroad program because you get to learn about the world, the people around you, and yourself. It was an experience that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life, and I grew as an individual in a way that I did not think I would.

– Patrick Cochran, SPC Student, Japan Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Patrick!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student explores Israel’s biodiversity along the Red Sea shoreline

Israel, Study Abroad

Rainbow parrot fish and many other natural and cultural marvels on this study abroad trip to Israel.

– Alexanderia Brandenburg, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

The study abroad trip to Israel was a once in a lifetime experience. I have never traveled outside of the country before, and what better way to do that than with study abroad.

There were so many firsts for me with this trip. I’m a Biology major and was excited about the biodiversity of Israel for such a small country. Just like many other students I had my concerns–the long flight, the cost, the language barrier, the time change, and how the news portrays the country. When I got to the airport to leave for Israel, all those worries flew out the window. I was just so excited the day had finally come.


Fringing coral reef near Eilat, Israel. Photo by Mark A. Wilson, Public Domain.

The trip was long but nothing I haven’t done before in a car. The time change was 7 hours and I was surprised that it was a smooth transition. The food in Israel was much different than at home because most places are kosher. We switched hostels every two days or so, as we moved across the country and back.

My favorite part of the trip was snorkeling in the Red Sea. In Israel, they have a special kind of reef called a fringing reef, which is right off the shoreline. We literally walk right out to the reef, I was less than a foot away from beautiful coral species of fish like the clown fish. I even got to see a beautiful pastel rainbow parrot fish!

Floating in the Dead Sea.
Another trip highlight was floating in the Dead Sea.
Photo by Alexanderia Brandenburg.

Our experiences on this trip were very diverse as we got to see historical, biological, and even biblical spots in the two weeks we were there. I had mixed emotions on the last day as I was excited to get back home but was sad to leave such an amazing place.

If you are on the fence about going on a study abroad program, I would recommend that you take the plunge. The programs at SPC were super affordable for a two-week trip out of the country. It was an experience I will take with me the rest of my life. It has even opened the possibility of future travels.

– Alexanderia Brandenburg, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Alexanderia!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC Biology study abroad program dips into Israel’s Dead Sea

Israel, Study Abroad

Testing salinity in the Dead Sea, hiking to waterfalls, and hunting for scorpions while studying abroad in Israel.

– Liel Zoran, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Today we woke up pretty early in the morning, around 6:30 AM, because we had to get on the road–we had a long drive north to the Dead Sea.

Everyone is tired from a fun night in Eliat, but we are excited to see what the “Yam Hamelach” (The Dead Sea) has to offer. We have all heard tales of the benefits the Dead Sea can have on your skin and body, and I was pretty curious what the hype was all about.

Photo by Liel Zoran.

The Dead Sea

When we arrived, we entered a cute shop that sells products made from minerals found in the Sea, and they gave us a place to change into our bathing suits. After slathering copious amounts of sunscreen on my body, I was ready to step into the water and take samples. We tested the salinity of the Dead Sea water in the refractometer and it was off the charts! I guess it really is as salty as they say it is.

Before submerging ourselves in the water, a few of us decided to purchase some Dead Sea mud and coat our bodies with it, as it had alleged skin benefits. I don’t really know if the mud did anything, but it was kind of fun. It dried pretty quickly and I was ready to go into the water to wash it off.

The Dead Sea. Photo by David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0].

Almost everyone was already in the water, floating so peacefully. The water in the sea felt so different from any water I’ve ever felt before. By leaning backwards the slightest bit, my legs effortlessly floated up to the top of the water; it seemed magical. We played around by trying to walk and bicycle through the water. After a few minutes every little scrape and blemish on my body began to burn from the extreme saltiness and I was one of the first people out. I decide to lay out in the sun and try to absorb some tan while I waited for everyone else to finish swimming.

After everyone rinsed off, many people bought some Dead Sea products from the store such as lotions, face masks, and mud for their loved ones back home. I wasn’t too interested in spending more shekels, so I headed straight to the cafeteria where I ordered some schnitzel. After everyone finished with lunch, it was time for us to drive to our next hostel in Ein Gedi. We found our rooms and set down our luggage, and it was time for us to go hiking.

Students at a waterfall. Photo by Liel Zoran.

Hiking to waterfalls

We make our way to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve where there were beautiful paths that led to many waterfalls. I’m definitely not the best person to be writing this blog about the hiking excursion because, if I’m being honest, I stopped hiking after the first waterfall! My legs were sore from diving the day before. After the hike we had a couple of hours to relax in our bedrooms before dinner. I ate more bad carbs that did nothing to fuel my body but were very tasty.

After dinner, at around 8:30 PM, the professors planned another night expedition for us. We went to a patch of desert right outside the hostel, took out our black lights, and searched for some scary scorpions. The location we were searching in was fairly close to civilization, so we didn’t find too many scorpions, as they enjoy complete darkness. Luckily, we did not find any snakes that we were warned about. After inspecting the few scorpions that we did find, everyone headed back to their rooms, and called it a night.

– Liel Zoran, SPC Student, Israel Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Liel!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student encounters wildlife up close in Australia

Australia (Vet Tech), Study Abroad

Curious sea turtles, cuddly koalas, and other “life-changing” experiences during study abroad in Australia.

– Kylie Edmundson, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech, December 2018 

To say that our Study Abroad trip to Australia was life-changing would be an understatement. This trip was the greatest experience of my academic career, and one of the most memorable of my life thus far.

It was amazing to work hands-on with sea turtles, and also to swim with wild turtles on the Great Barrier Reef. We spent our weekdays at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island, as long as the weather permitted! The rehab center was not anything like what I had expected, but I did learn a lot and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.


Welcome Bay, Fitzroy Island, Queensland, Australia.
Photo by Riftreef, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.5].

Snorkeling in Australia, off of Fitzroy Island as part of our turtle research, was one of the most memorable experiences for me. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef was so amazing, and although it is an “extra” activity (not required), I would strongly encourage any future students going on the trip to do this. To interact with a sea turtle in the wild was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It allowed me to see that turtles are social and curious animals.

We spent time swimming with fish, stingrays, and giant clams. We also took a day trip to Kuranda, an aboriginal town in the rainforest. There we went to the Koala Sanctuary and were able to feed the animals and even hold a koala–another one of my favorite moments!

Cairns is a beautiful city, and I’m thankful we were table to explore it on our days off. I was thrilled to make so many great friends on this trip. I can honestly say that we all enjoyed one another’s company, and haven’t stopped talking in a group message since returning home! It was so refreshing to meet people my own age in the same career with many similar interests.

I am so happy that I was chosen to be part of this program, and am thankful to everyone who made the trip possible for us.

– Kylie Edmundson, SPC Student, Australia Vet Tech, December 2018 

Thank you for sharing Kylie!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student challenged and delighted in India

India
India, Study Abroad

Architectural and cultural splendors contrast with the bustling realities of the street during study abroad in India.

– Lanz Lendof, SPC Student, India Program, May 2019

India is a life-changing experience! Truly a spiritual country with amazing architecture. I was lucky enough to visit this humble, beautiful country this summer and spend every waking day visiting monuments and exploring it alongside, Vinnie (the tour guide), Professor Sinclair, and the group that took this fantastic journey with us via SPC’s study abroad program.

The Pink City. Photo by Lanz Lendof.

One of the best things about India is the multiple means of transportation, specifically Rickshaws and Jeeps. These forms of transportation seemed to be everywhere due to India’s dense and populated roads. Riding around in the Rickshaw was by far my favorite! Making it so easy to get into the outdoors and embrace the landscapes – from Jaipur, the Pink City, to the surrounding areas. My favorite experience of the trip was visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra. Wow! That is one majestic piece of architecture.

Nothing prepares you for India. I had traveled through the island of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean a couple of years back, and had encountered extreme poverty in small towns and rural parts of the country, but nothing I’ve seen compares to the intense chaos and the smell in India. From the crazy traffic, the constant honking, the begging ladies and children, to the hundreds of homeless people sleeping on sidewalks, this was a lot to take in. However, this side of it did not make me dislike India – on the contrary, I was very happy to have traveled there.

While many scenes you’ll experience on a daily basis, like the countless stray animals and the beggars, are hard to digest (especially in such a huge concentration) there are equally as many things that will amaze you, like the diverse scenery for one, which ranges from deserts to mountains in the north. The unique, grand, and mystifying temples, the delicious food filled with mouth-watering flavors, and most important–the wonderfully welcoming people–were all things that made me fall in love with this amazing country.

– Lanz Lendof, SPC Student, India Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Lanz!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

SPC student explores Irish culture and worldview in Ireland

Global Perspectives on Health and Social Care, Ireland, Ireland 2024, Ireland Political Science and Humanities, Northern Ireland Virtual Study Abroad, Northern Ireland Virtual Study Abroad Program, Study Abroad

An encounter with a survivor of “The Troubles” makes a big impact on students during study abroad in Ireland.

– Alex Stewart, SPC Student, Ireland Program, May 2019

I’ve always loved learning about people and observing how a culture can shape someone’s worldview. With the help of a Study Abroad scholarship, I was able to go to Ireland with Dr. Liebert’s class to study the “Sociology of Social Problems.”

We spent the first few days in Dublin, one of Ireland’s largest cities. In a lot of ways, I was reminded of Tampa and St. Pete. The buildings were sky-high and jaw-dropping after dark, when all the assorted lights and neon signs could really shine. We toured Trinity College, swapped stories with our tour guide, and noticed differences between U.S. and Irish colleges in terms of the degrees offered and the transition to college. In Dublin, we also learned about Ireland’s strong sense of community and family. In a lot of ways, the Troubles (as the Northern Ireland Conflict is called) unified people as much as it segregated them. It was really intriguing to see which parts of history made the greatest impact in shaping modern Dublin.

Derry, Northern Ireland
Photo by yeowatzup, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0].

Our next stop was in Derry, or Londonderry, depending on which side you were on. Derry had some of the biggest markers of The Troubles. We had the pleasure of speaking with a live witness of the day known as “Bloody Sunday,” on which soldiers fired on protesters. He drew us in with his impactful personal account of his experience fleeing from the gunshots and how the event had fractured his life. In the present day, Eammon Baker devotes his time to helping those on both sides of the conflict learn to love and accept one another in the hope of completely reuniting Ireland. Of everywhere we went, Derry made the deepest impact.

Our final days were spent in Belfast, which was comparable to Dublin, but had a very different atmosphere.

Overall, this trip was enlightening and memorable. I’m so grateful to have gotten this scholarship to make it all happen.

– Alex Stewart, SPC Student, Ireland Program, May 2019

Thank you for sharing Alex!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you!

http://blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4735 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu

Cover image: Grafton Street, Dublin (cropped). By Donaldytong, Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0].