Studying abroad is a life-changing experience for students. When our students study abroad, they leave the comfort and familiarity of their communities for the adventure of a lifetime in a different country, culture, and language. Wittenberg’s study abroad program offers students an opportunity to gain new perspectives, learn about different cultures, and work with others from different backgrounds. Whether they studied abroad in Africa, Asia, or Europe, our alumni recall what they learned and how it helped them pass their light on to others. Here are a few of their stories.
Dr. Adrienne Conliffe James ’75
I’m so grateful for my time at Wittenberg University. It was the perfect size for me where I could be known by name and not just a number. I felt a sense of belonging right away, and the energy and atmosphere were so welcoming.
I was the first in my family to attend the school. I was able to figure out my degree plan and career path on my own, but I knew I could ask for help if I needed it. I was active in clubs, and I was a cheerleader. I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, for a semester to complement my major. It was an amazing experience. I also met my husband there. We've been married for 45 years now.
I’m so thankful for the foundation I received at Wittenberg. It was there that I developed my independence, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. I also learned how to instruct students and gained a lot of confidence. I'm proud to have been part of the campus, and I’m so thankful for the activities and opportunities that were offered.
Dr. Scott Voorhees ’78
I was immensely grateful for my time at Wittenberg University. It was my first time away from home, and I was able to take advantage of the wealth of activities during the week and on the weekends.
I DJ'd at WUSO, the campus radio station, helped found Witt's original Ultimate Frisbee team, and was involved with the Christian Fellowship. I was part of the freshman group living in Witt's first coed dorm, Firestine Hall, part of the 'Living-Learning' Program where a professor came to the dorm to teach our classes. This was a wonderful way to make friends quickly.
Two of my professors, Dr. Eugene Swanger and Dr. Jim Huffman, had a particularly significant impact on me. Dr. Swanger encouraged his students to consider studying overseas in Asia, and Dr. Huffman helped me improve my Japanese language.
Through my time at Wittenberg, I was able to lower my social barriers and meet new kinds of people. Thanks to credits earned during a year abroad in Japan, I was able to get a double major in biology and East Asian Studies. Later, I went on to get a master's in environmental science with a focus on international affairs and a doctorate in medical science.
I was especially grateful for the friendships I made, and for the opportunities I had to share dinners with a small group while living off campus. We occasionally invited a professor to join us. I was thankful for the skill set I developed at Wittenberg that enabled me to carry on successfully in later life and to educate myself on any range of issues. I was also grateful for my introduction to Japan, which ultimately led to me meeting my wife.
Christopher Poehlmann ’86
Studying abroad was a life-changing experience for me! During my junior year, I realized that my artistic inclinations should be channeled into a potential vocation. The photography classes I took at Witt led me to look into a focused photography program for study abroad. I found that program at Salzburg College where I enrolled for the fall term of my senior year in 1985.
As a self-taught photographer, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my skill set and eye for composition was on par with the 14 other students in my program, all of whom were photography majors on a professional track. That alone gave me a huge boost in confidence as an artist at the outset of my career. I got an understanding that how I saw and interpreted the world mattered. Then, something extraordinary happened to me: I found my real calling design.
Contemporary design was everywhere, unlike what I had ever seen in the United States. Travels through Europe led to museums and a mind-numbing number of cathedrals, but for me, it was the side trips to furniture showrooms and galleries that were the highlights of my time there.
The realization that we live with objects that all are designed by someone and that these objects could also evoke meaning and emotion was mind-blowing. I began my first sketchbooks there, and they eventually manifested a few years later in a dire need to make things. I had my first solo show of studio furniture in 1990 and have never looked back.
That semester abroad set me on a path that I may never have encountered by staying at home, set me up with the self-confidence of self-discovery, and helped me build a solid career and international reputation as a designer and maker. I am forever grateful that my life's work dropped in my lap by chance or fate — it was unanticipated at the time, but very much welcomed.
Kat Eifert ’21
My time at Wittenberg University was an incredibly rewarding experience. When I first arrived on campus as a freshman, I felt surprisingly calm. Having my older brother there as a resource was a blessing.
I originally intended to be a music and sociology double major, but after taking classes with Dr. Livingstone and Dr. Rosenberg, I decided to pursue a major in history. My first-year seminar professor and advisor helped me make the switch and introduced me to Dr. Rosenberg, who became my advisor.
In summer 2019, I had the opportunity to go on a month-long trip to South Africa with Dr. Rosenberg and 28 other students. It was an eye-opening and educational experience that I will never forget. Living in another country for a month, surrounded by people instead of tourists, and performing meaningful work for the community made my heart swell.
During my time at Wittenberg, I was involved in Greek life and the Lesotho Nutrition Initiative, and I was a peer mentor and worked with the athletic training department. All of these activities helped shape me into the person I am today and helped me find my passions. My greatest lesson learned from my time at Wittenberg was to not only think about myself but to focus on helping others.