As a physical therapy major, I was thrilled to have the chance to study abroad and experience unique classes that are not originally built into the LVC program! Staying in Perugia, Italy was an incredible experience, and I felt deeply immersed into the Italian culture by being in a smaller town with a rich history. I encourage everyone to study abroad, as the experience of living in another country for a few months was the highlight of my college experience so far!

With a set future goal in mind, Haley, a business administration major, never expected to study abroad and called her experience “eye-opening”. She not only made new friends but also grew her professional network to include connections she made while in Europe. Her short experience allowed her to see her career from a new perspective. She sees study abroad as an experience that could no simple summer internship or regular school year could compare too.

Sarena is a physical therapy student who studied abroad in New Zealand. During her semester abroad, she enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. At LVC, she is the president of the Yoga Club, as well as a member of Students Helping Seniors, ValleyFest, LVC Outdoors club, and many more.

When I heard about the opportunity to study in New Zealand, I couldn’t resist the adventure. Through this trip, I learned to see the world in a new way and appreciate a different culture. Even though I was faced with many challenges, the experience allowed me to gain valuable skills in order to navigate future situations.

Being able to travel is such a privilege, but being able to live and function in a country for an extended period of time is something that not many people get to experience. Study abroad truly shapes a person and gives them new outlooks on life which they can hold with them and use throughout their time. I am now confident in my abilities to adapt to situations and interact with a multitude of people.

The opportunity for physical therapy students to study abroad with LVC was a huge factor in my decision to come here. During my time abroad, I enjoyed making new connections with students abroad as well as the students from LVC. I loved planning weekend trips with our group because they were always exciting and meaningful as they were independent experiences we all planned together.