Abbie Dym, ‘09

Abbie Dym is a senior International Relations major and History minor who spent a semester abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico with SIT’s "Grassroots and Development Change" program.

I gained a new perspective by living in another country.  It made me question the realities of my day- to-day life, and the experience has been very valuable in evaluating and shaping my future ambitions.

Where did you study abroad: With the SIT program in Oaxaca, Mexico.

When was this: Spring semester of my junior year (Fall 2008).

Why did you choose to study abroad: I really wanted to visit Latin America and the “Grassroots and Development Change” theme really sparked my interest.  I also wanted the opportunity to write a research paper that I could expand into an independent study during my senior year.

What did you speak: English and Spanish.  I had 4 semesters of Spanish which was very helpful, and I highly recommend learning the local language to help with communication.

What did you study: The program involved researching Non-Government Organizations and grassroots movements.  The last month was independent study, but there were lots of lectures on topics such as food sovereignty and trade relations between the USA and Mexico.

What was a personal challenge you had to overcome:  Not having true language fluency made it difficult to connect with locals. I knew that the culture, geography and climate would be very different, but functioning in a new environment on a day-to-day basis took some getting used to.  However, I knew I would be confronted with uncomfortable moments, and I mentally prepared myself to enjoy them and put them to good use.  Going abroad is to experience those differences and use them for learning and understanding.

What next: I want to move back to Mexico now that I feel more confident that I could work abroad and do a good job.  In addition to advancing my understanding of my host country, my study abroad experience gave me confidence in myself and a better understanding of my own culture and origins.