lombardi scholars



Student Experiences

Mexico

Palenque, Merida Ruins "I had never been away from home for more than three weeks, and I was nervous. To pack my bags up and throw myself headlong into a foreign country was obviously the craziest thing I could do at that stage! But it worked. You simply cannot be homesick amid the sunshine and sweet smiles of Merida. You cannot wish to be anywhere but among the ruins of Tulum, looking out on the bright bright blue of the sea. By the end of the trip, I was speaking Spanish fluently, and I couldn't believe I had been so worried about the whole experience! College seems like a big adventure to just about everyone... but the chance to study abroad before moving into my dorm and settling into rigorous schoolwork was one I'm glad I took." -Sarah Martin, Mexico, 2004

"Living in a foreign country and conversing with my host family altered my perspective on everything from American federal policy towards immigrants to what the breakfast meal should include. There is no comparable experience." - Alexia Ash, Mexico 2005


Drinking coconut milk on the bus "My host family was outstanding and very hospitable. They were amazing cooks, and they even taught me how to make Jamaica, a tea made with dried hibiscus flowers. They sent me home with three bags of it! They also taught me how to make molletes, a delicious snack. They spread beans on a slice of bread and melted cheese over it. We would eat tons of these while we watched "La Academia," the Mexican version of "American Idol." My host father was a history and anthropology professor and brought me to the town square on my second day in Merida. He showed me the Municipal Building that was filled with vivid murals depicting different landmarks in Yucatecan history." -Gloria Tavera, Mexico 2005

"We traveled to Pelenque, Chiapas, in the southwestern part of the county. Though it took nearly 10 hours by bus to get there, it was definitely my favorite excursion. We went swimming at Misol-ha, a waterfall near Mayan ruins. After hiking through a dense, humid forest and climbing steep pyramids in the blazing sun the chance to swim and feel the cool spray from the falls was wonderful." -Anna Prusa, Mexico 2005

"I overcame my fear of going on an adventure alone. As an aspiring freelance journalist, it's going to be a big part of my life, and my willingness to venture into the unknown without anyone's company will determine my livelihood." -Ashton Grosz, Mexico 2004



Drinking coconut milk on the bus "Probably my best experience in Mexico was getting to know Carlos Viera-Castro, the program director for Universidad Autónoma de Yucatan side of the UF-UADY program. While his primary role was to ensure the programs success and safety, he was much more important to my study abroad experience. I spent many hours with him outside of the classroom, where I was able to learn about and embrace the uniquely Yucatecan culture. A perfect example of this was a lunch that another student and I shared with him. By my American standards, we spent an extremely large amount of time at the lunch table. And, with a final exam looming the following day, the seconds that ticked away seemed, at the time, to be ticking off my grade. However, looking back on that day, I am so grateful to have had that experience. Sure, my test grade turned out fine, but that really was not the most important thing. I now have a friend with open arms and an open door in Merida. That lunch was culture-the essence of any study abroad experience. Embracing that is one of the most important things in life. While later that test would still be there waiting for me, I might have never had the chance to form the bond and friendship I know enjoy with Carlos." -Jake Gipson, Mexico 2005


Greece

Lining up on the Olympic starting line "Helios and Ouranos were our tour guides, our traveling jesters and our greatest friends while we were in Athens. Former UF students who returned to their homeland to work in the family business, the two young men were full of Gator spirit and their own Greek pride. Without a doubt, they taught us to live life to the fullest; I don't think I will ever laugh as hard or dance as happily as I did in their company. After one memorable night on the town, full of jazz clubs and impromptu Greek dancing, a group of us ended up on the beach watching the sun come up. We just sat and talked, and suddenly Ouranos' face lit up. "Look," he said, "the Sun God is racing his chariot across the sky." Sure enough, Helios (our friend's namesake) was rising in the east. I will never forget the beauty of that moment, as we were stilled in homage to the ancient glory of dawn over Athens." -Sarah Martin, Greece 2005.