Gateway Greenhouse Operations graduate Cora Spicer took the opportunity to travel across the world with college classmates. Despite it feeling a little daunting at first, Cora looks back fondly on the experience.

"I went to Vietnam for 12 days. We had a tour group that was the first Study Abroad experience in Vietnam. But I think I can speak for everyone when I say that the Study Abroad experience was great," says Cora.

"We had a tour guide who showed up so much and taught us a lot about the culture – more than I'd ever thought we'd learn. It was so immersive."

Cora loves that the trip balanced learning opportunities with leisure activities, all spanning across urban and rural environments.

"With so much time in Vietnam, we had enough time to explore a few things we wanted to do along the trip. We had a great experience going to a farming town, and we got to feed some cows too, which was really fun," says Cora.

"While we were in the countryside, we took a bike ride too. And outside of the city, it was more relaxing and it felt so nice with life feeling a little slower there."

Overall, Cora learned a lot about Vietnam, working with others, and that leaves her encouraging others to take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities too.

"Being around so many people in the group as we traveled, the most special part was bonding with the group and the tour guide. With so many personalities, I definitely left the trip with more people skills, which I think will carry me through my professional life."

"Anyone who has the opportunity to do a Study Abroad trip should do it. It can be a little scary traveling to a new place with a group of people you might not know, but it’s such a great experience. Don’t let any fear stop you."