Sophomore International Experience immerses students in cultures around the world.
While Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY) has many memories from his Sophomore International Experience trip to Germany and Greece, he will never forgot the interactions he had with the locals. It was especially fascinating to talk about World War II with a German student, and he will never forget how the conversation ended.
“As I was leaving to head back to my hotel, the student said that he hoped programs like Bryant’s SIE would help bring people together so that we will never have to see wars like that again,” recalls Waddell.
Waddell was part of a group of nearly 200 Bryant students who spent two weeks abroad during winter break, and he was not the only student who returned to Smithfield with a more worldly outlook on life.
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“Traveling to Europe showed me how important it is to learn about other countries and their cultures,” says Melissa Allen ’11 (Monroe, CT), who also visited Germany and Greece. “It makes you appreciate being an American, but, at the same time, you realize how much America can learn from other countries.”
In addition to Germany and Greece, groups of students visited China; London and Paris; and Panama and Ecuador.
The sights and sounds
Alicia Albini ’11 (Wolcott, CT), who traveled to China, says her favorite experience was visiting the Great Wall.
“It was incredibly surreal standing on the wall looking over the beautiful rolling hills on such a clear day and also viewing the wall itself, which stretched on for miles,” she says. “Being there was a feeling that is hard to explain, and it was a sight I will never forget.”
Jake Eddy ’10 (Rutland, VT) felt like his childhood hero Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter,” as he toured the Galapagos Islands and was treated to the sight of giant tortoises, iguanas, dolphins, and Galapagos penguins.
“Reading a book does not even begin to explain what it is like to experience a new place firsthand,” says Eddy, who previously spent time studying in Spain and will travel to Costa Rica next spring. “By actually visiting a new place, you remember the faces of the local people, how they acted in certain situations, and how they do things differently than we do. These are things that will remain fresh in my mind for a lifetime.”
Steven Alibrandi ’11 (Braintree, MA), a regular on the stage as a member of the Bryant Players, enjoyed watching a production of “Chicago” and visiting Parliament, Warwick Castle, Oxford University, and Buckingham Palace on his trip to London and Paris. “It was fascinating to see how different life is in Europe compared to America.”
Jeff Barrett ’11 (Marion, MA) and Kristen Sandstrom ’11 (Dudley, MA), say the tour of the Acropolis was unforgettable. “I have never witnessed anything so truly awesome and breathtaking,” says Barrett.
“It still amazes me that Athens is a modern city mixed with ruins that are over 5,000 years old,” adds Sandstrom.
Cultural immersion
Thomas Carroll ’11 (North Hampton, NH) says his favorite part of the trip to China was hiking, mountain biking, and cave exploring in Yangshuo. He also had the chance to take a traditional Chinese cooking class and make dishes like egg-wrapped dumplings, stir-fried pork with vegetables, and Yangshuo-style eggplant.
“We were given such a unique opportunity to travel abroad with our classmates and learn how others live in different part of the world,” says Carroll. “This is something that can’t be taught in the classroom.”
Ben Dionne ’11 (Hudson, NH), who spent two weeks in Germany and Greece, says one of the best aspects of studying abroad is the opportunity to experience something new. “I liked just going off and exploring the city on our own,” he says. “Tours are nice, but just taking a long walk around the area is the best way to see things we wouldn’t see otherwise.”
Kaitlinh Ho ’11 (Danbury, CT), who traveled to Panama and Ecuador, agrees. “Go to places out of the tourist areas that are the least Americanized as possible to get the most authentic experience,” she advises.
Waddell, who traveled to New Zealand, Scotland, and England before going to Germany and Greece, encourages future SIE participants to pick a destination that is outside of their comfort zone.
“Venture out into the cities with classmates you have never talked to before and find streets and restaurants that only the locals know about,” says Waddell. “It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
While Brian Waddell ’11 (Schenectady, NY) has many memories from his 
“Traveling to Europe showed me how important it is to learn about other countries and their cultures,” says Melissa Allen ’11 (Monroe, CT), who also visited Germany and Greece. “It makes you appreciate being an American, but, at the same time, you realize how much America can learn from other countries.”
“It was incredibly surreal standing on the wall looking over the beautiful rolling hills on such a clear day and also viewing the wall itself, which stretched on for miles,” she says. “Being there was a feeling that is hard to explain, and it was a sight I will never forget.”
Steven Alibrandi ’11 (Braintree, MA), a regular on the stage as a member of the Bryant Players, enjoyed watching a production of “Chicago” and visiting Parliament, Warwick Castle, Oxford University, and Buckingham Palace on his trip to London and Paris. “It was fascinating to see how different life is in Europe compared to America.”
Thomas Carroll ’11 (North Hampton, NH) says his favorite part of the trip to China was hiking, mountain biking, and cave exploring in Yangshuo. He also had the chance to take a traditional Chinese cooking class and make dishes like egg-wrapped dumplings, stir-fried pork with vegetables, and Yangshuo-style eggplant.
