Study Abroad

Molly Cox in Estonia

Currently, I'm studying abroad at Nebraska Wesleyan's sister school, the University of Tartu, in Tartu, Estonia. I'm studying a variety of classes in the school's Baltic studies program where I'm learning all about the history, politics, and culture of this region. I'm also involved in a program called SocialErasmus which does service projects here. We've gone to a children's home and played with the kids as well as gone to an animal shelter. Besides studying and helping out were I can, I'm also planning on traveling as much as possible! Seeing the world is a personal dream of mine and this opportunity is helping me check things off my bucket-list for sure!

Anthropology and sociology are things I've always been interested in even though I may not have known official titles. I love learning about people, how they interact and why they do the things they do. For me, the ways people learn to behave is best explained by their relation to the group and their culture. This is where my anthropology/sociology major came in. Going into college, I knew what I didn't want (mainly math...) but I knew I wanted to understand how people work. My intro to anthropology class with Dubas opened my eyes to worlds I never knew existed. From then on, I've been hooked.

I don't know how relevant this is but I also wanted to say how wonderful of a department this is. Being here has really pointed out how caring the professors are and how they try their hardest to be invested in their students. If I ever have personal issues or school issues, I feel comfortable talking to my professors and I know they will help me the best they can. It is easy to assume that this is the way it is everywhere but it's not. Nebraska Wesleyan is truly unique in the way they care for their students.

Molly is studying in Estonia thanks to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Leron West in Southern Africa

Last year, I was given an amazing opportunity to study abroad in a country called "Botswana" located in Southern Africa.

Being African American gave me a very unique opportunity to immerse myself into the culture. African Americans make up only 4.8 percent of the students that travel abroad. African Americans traveling to Botswana are extremely rare, so you can understand that I had some challenges. Many of the Motswana (the local people) thought that I was also Motswana. We have a similar body build and skin complexion. Outside of some initial challenges, I was able to adapt and enjoy my time in Botswana. 

I traveled through Botswana, visiting cities such as Serowe, Francistown, Maun, and Kasane. Okavango Delta, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, and Zimbabwe's side of the Victoria Falls were also some of the wonderful destinations I enjoyed.

I filmed my experience from start to finish and created a documentary called “Journey: The Realization.”