Throughout the school year, some Ouachita students have the incredible opportunity to study in a foreign country. Samantha Burgess, a senior Christian studies and sociology double major from Fayetteville, Ark., is currently studying abroad this semester in Prague, Czech Republic for a Hands On missions semester.
“So far my semester has been amazing,” Burgess said. “I feel like I am drinking out of a fire hydrant with all that I am learning about the culture and what it means to live missionally wherever God places you. There are definitely challenging days when culture shock sets in, but being here is so worth it.”
Being far away from everything that is familiar, students are sure to experience major differences in everyday life while studying abroad that is very different from what they are used to at home, no matter what country they study in.
“There are a lot of differences,” Burgess said. “Prague is a large city with a great public transportation system, so you have to plan to leave about an hour before you want to be there, but it’s nice because I can go anywhere without driving. Another difference is the concept of friendship. At Ouachita, you can’t walk across campus without having at least five people say hello to you. Here, everyone puts their head down and tries to avoid human interaction as much as possible. There is a high first wall to get over to gaining someone’s trust, yet once you do, that friendship is highly valued.”
For some students, studying abroad is their first time to travel outside the States. However, this is not the case for Sam.
“I have been on several short term mission trips, but this is my first time going to Europe and being away for this long,” Burgess said.
One of the benefits to studying abroad is the opportunity to travel the city and the surrounding areas. Sam has already visited Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria, this semester.
“On the weekends I go out and explore the city,” Burgess said. “I have seen the Castle, Charles Bridge, and the famous squares and monuments. Yet, there is still so much to explore . . . Bus tickets and hostels are pretty cheap and it is so easy to travel from one place to another. I am also hoping to go to Italy and Germany as well as travel around other places in the Czech Republic.”
While studying abroad, students also have the amazing opportunity to witness to people who might not have ever heard the Gospel.
Burgess described her witnessing experience as “terrifying at first with not knowing the culture and how the people would interact.”
“But, God has been so good to guide us and take away my fear in sharing,” Burgess said. “The more I see God’s goodness here, the greater desire I have to tell others about Him. I am definitely not a star evangelist; there have been many instances where I have held back and failed to share. Yet God is still faithful and continues to provide the opportunities and the boldness to take them.”
After all that she has experienced so far, Burgess strongly encourages everyone to consider studying abroad during their time in college.
“Do it! Whether you do study abroad or Hands On, it will be a semester you will never forget,” Burgess said. “Being abroad and visiting different countries and cultures reminds you of how small and insignificant you are compared to the God who created the whole world. It gives you a glimpse into God’s global purpose.”
For more information about OBU’s study abroad program, visit http://www.obu.edu/intedu/en_US/study-abroad.
By Sarah G. Hays
