Virginia studied abroad at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand in 2016. Her study abroad experience shaped her academic goals by offering her courses that fit her interests:

“Studying abroad with ISEP Thailand really gave me an opportunity to study Islam in a different cultural context than the states that further enriched my religious studies experiences and well as my thesis work on Islam and Islamophobia.”

Virginia also participated in ISEP’s Intern Abroad program. She interned for an organization called Boat People SOS which is a humanitarian law firm working with refugees in Bangkok. The internship was especially meaningful in shaping her career goals:

“This experience solidified my desire to work in the humanitarian field and helped me focus my career goals on working with refugee communities.”

Virginia graduated from Maryville College in 2017 with a B.A. in Counseling Psychology. Her first position after graduation was working with the Americorps. Now, Virginia works as a Rural Education Development Teacher for the Peace Corps in Zambia. This is fulfilling a dream Virginia has had for many years. She is currently serving in this role and expresses the impact that ISEP has made on her life:

“I am certain to that my internship experience abroad, and my study abroad experience generally, helped me to achieve my current role as a peace corps volunteer in Zambia.”

Bernadette is on a mission to reach her dreams. These dreams have been deeply shaped by her ISEP experience. Bernadette first studied abroad with ISEP in 2013 at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga from Technische Universitat Graz, where she studied from 2010-2014. Her focus was on Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Classical Piano, Spanish, and Psychology. She participated in the Privateer Yacht Club, International Exchange Group, and tutored the German language. She earned her a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Audio Engineering, graduating with distinction. She obtained a master’s and worked at BMW as an acoustic engineer.

Today, though, Bernadette has left everything behind and is following her passions of traveling and composing. She is currently sailing around the world and playing her piano. The biggest reason for the way her life is unfolding reflects to her ISEP experience. She is always dreaming of new adventures and living her life to the most of her abilities.

“My ISEP experience was the best I have ever had and it led me to great opportunities and personal growth. I realized that I never want to stop learning, traveling and exploring this wonderful planet with all the different and great people out there. I am beyond thankful about what I've learned and it still shapes my mindset and actions today.”

“As an ISEP Study Abroad alumni I am still thinking about the great experience abroad and also after my studies I continue to travel, explore the world and enjoy every journey to the fullest. I am convinced that my ISEP experience made a great impact on how I see this world and how I connect to people. Even though there might be of difficulties on the way... Go out and explore!!!”

Visit https://sailingfoxes.com to follow Bernadette’s sailing adventure.

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