Study Abroad inspires student

By Sarah Duffy
Special to Daily Forty-Niner

The Travel Abroad Office is presenting a Study Abroad Fair, scheduled to begin 10 a.m. today and end 2 p.m. this afternoon, opposite the bookstore.

More than 50 independent representatives will offer additional programs, which include studying in France with an American acting company, sailing around the globe and working abroad in Japan, Australia and other countries, Cecilia Fidora, Study Abroad coordinator, said.

The Study Abroad Program at Cal State Long Beach sparked the curiosity of CSULB senior theatre arts major, Sonay Washington.  Describing herself as someone with a "just-do-it attitude," she decided to apply, but was disappointed when she realized she could not afford the cost of the London program, which is approximately $7,000.

Nearly giving up on her chances of going across seas, Washington's grandmother blessed her with finances for the entire trip.

"She wanted me to get out and do the things she's never done," Washington said.  "It was only because of her, because I would have never been able to go, never."

Soon she was traveling to England to study at the University of London.

"The whole experience was just a life lesson," Washington said. "I come from South Central and for me to go on this trip was something that I thought I'd never be able to do.  It was stepping into another world," she said.

London's West End nightlife was in stark contrast to Washington's experience growing up in Los Angeles.  She attended 15 shows in the London theatre district and an opera in Venice.

"In my neighborhood you can't be out at night," Washington said. "In London I can walk on the streets at 3 a.m. and not have to worry about getting robbed or someone doing something to me."

Students describe their experiences studying abroad as an important growing process.  Many have discovered their roots.

Recalling her interview with Travel Abroad representatives, CSULB Asian Studies graduate student Jean Lee, wanted to study in Korea.

"I am Korean and I don't know my culture that well," she said to them.

Using family photographs of his grandmother, Ryan Stack, junior communications major, said he was able to locate the village of Listowel in Ireland where his grandfather had been born.

Leanne Parrino, senior communications major, studied in Italy.

"It was so amazing to me just to have that different perspective of the world," she said.  "There are other people and other cultures out there you need to appreciate."

Joshua Simonds, senior percussion major, studied abroad at Kingston University in England.

"You go to be a part of the culture," he said.  "There are some things you just can't learn in the classroom."

Spending a year at Bristol University in England, Geography Major Agnes Arneaud found the English university system to be very different.

"You have one shot to get it all right at the end of the year," she said.

After she finishes her degree in theatre arts, Washington says she wants a shot in Hollywood.

"I need to get out there and do my acting, and I don't want to have any regrets," she said. "If I want to be an artist on the street painting then I'm going to do it. I think that's what life is all about."

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