Traveling is something that you’d have a hard time finding somebody who wants to do less of it. People have aspirations of seeing the wonders of the world though not many get the opportunity. The privilege to travel often requires a great deal of money and to most college students it’s merely a pipe dream, but not for SSU students. SSU’s study abroad program might sound like a complicated or confusing process; yet it is remarkably easy.

The Global Engagement Office is your one-stop-shop for all information about international travels. Hope Emry Ortiz is the head coordinator of the GEO. She along with the Global Engagement Ambassadors, made up of current international students and study abroad Alumni, provide students with the necessary guidance to succeed as a student studying abroad or an international student. There is a vast system of support for students interested in capitalizing on the once and a lifetime opportunity.

Want a club where you can interact with other study abroad or international students? The International Education Exchange Council has your back. Every Thursday in International Hall 106, the club gives an opportunity to socialize with fellow Seawolves who are currently studying as well as a chance to familiarize themselves with the study abroad program. 

Sonoma State’s very own Anna Rinaldi gave us the opportunity to hear a first hand account of the experience. Originally born and raised in Bologna, Italy, Rinaldi is a transfer student in her junior year who is pursuing a business management degree. 

In an interview with the STAR, third-year transfer student Anna Rinaldi spoke of her experience. Rinaldi traveled to the U.S. at a young age and with a year of attending highschool in Missouri under her belt, Rinaldi was no beginner to international schooling. This time, she traveled without the support of family, making it a much more challenging task. After studying two years at Southern Utah University, she eventually discovered Sonoma State University. As intimidating as it originally seemed, she appreciates the social opportunities the school affords her. In the absence of her family, she stated, “It’s nice to have other international students you can connect with,” referring to the IEEC and the ability it has to connect students to bond over their similar situations. 

Being no stranger to studying abroad in the US, it is not a surprise that she has found herself feeling very much at home by this point in her journey. Still, one might wonder what that journey felt like initially. Rinaldi described “One of the biggest differences is food and also social life. The food here is still good but nothing compared to Italian food… Also the stuff you buy at the store is just not as fresh, it took me some time to get used to eating here.”

She also touched on the different social scene here in the U.S., and the difficulty of getting places without a car. “It’s not like in Europe where everyone goes out to the city to have drinks or dinner,” said Rinaldi. 

She further explained why studying abroad is such a great idea, “Living in another country changes your perspective on life and everything surrounding you. You become independent, you grow up, and you learn about yourself and others. It’s an amazing experience that I encourage everyone to do. It will open your eyes.” 

 The Global Engagement Office offers assistance for the daunting process of studying abroad with the goal of making it smoother and stress free for the student. For more information you can stop by International Hall Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to get in touch with Hope Emry Ortiz or a Global Engagement Ambassador.