Sarah Arnett

Sarah is majoring in Spanish and Spanish Education and pursuing several minors in Psychology, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Latin American Studies. Sarah is also involved in many organizations on campus, including Best Buddies, FLES, Sigma Delta Pi, PSI CHI, OU Peer Body Project, and OHIO Honors Program. Sarah's first global opportunity was a high school exchange experience in Augsburg Germany. Later, she participated in a language immersion OHIO-Credit experience in Toledo, Spain for 2 months taking weekly courses and cultural immersion activities like cooking classes and dance lessons. Sarah lived with host families for both global opportunities and appreciated the cultural learning from these living arrangements.

What skills do you feel you've gained from going on a global program?

During my study abroad experience, I strengthened my language skills, self-awareness, adaptability, resiliency, and listening skills.

What is one of your favorite memories from your global program?

This is one of the hardest questions I have been asked in such a long time because there are just so many to choose from! I will just pick one of the many: After a day of classes and chatting with my fellow OU students, I decided to go for a walk and I landed on the path that encompasses Toledo, maybe four miles in total. I am not sure what delusional thought I had, but I figured I could trot my way around and be back for dinner in time. Spoiler alert: I was not able to make it back in time for 8 o'clock dinner, and I remember texting my host mom in hysterics, apologizing over and over again, but she just thought it was hilarious. When I walked through my host family's door, we all just laughed and laughed. I guess it is something you kinda had to be there for to be funny, but it was something that helped me to feel comfortable and free to be myself, mistakes and all.

What advice would you give a student who is interested in a global program?

One piece of advice I cannot stress enough is do not over-pack! Throughout your study abroad experience, there will be a lot of moving pieces and you will be challenged physically, emotionally, and mentally, so the last thing you need to worry about is packing space/space within your living arrangement. Trust me, whatever you think you may need, you can most likely find abroad, and most likely, if you do not pack that one top or pair of pants, you will not notice its absence while you are there.