August 20, 2018From India to Morocco: How Studying Abroad Influenced Me

Hello, my name is Andreina Santamaria and I graduated from Ramapo College with a BA in International Studies with a minor in Human Rights in May 2016. During my time at Ramapo, I had some of my best experiences that continue to inspire me to this date. When I was a sophomore transfer student, with the help of the International Programs Team, I was able to study abroad in Bangalore, India. During my semester abroad, under the guidance of Ramapo faculty, I conducted a field research project focused on Tibetan youth living in exile in South India. Fast forward to senior year I was accepted into Peace Corps Morocco as a Youth development volunteer and I departed soon after graduation. If it were not for Ramapo, but more specifically Ramapo’s International Center and Team, I would not have been inspired to apply for Peace Corps and continue to live abroad. During my two years of Peace Corps service, I learned the local Moroccan Arabic Dialect and conducted various health and women’s empowerment projects in my rural community while teaching English at the youth center. After finishing my Peace Corps service, I worked with CIEE as a program leader for their new Language & Culture Program in Morocco’s capital Rabat. After seeing the amazing opportunities that studying abroad gave me and the doors it opened I knew I wanted to be able to share the same opportunities with other students. By working in Rabat with CIEE, I helped and guided 28 students in their study abroad journey. Now I’m happy to have accepted a position as a Language & Culture Assistant under the Spanish Ministry of Education for the Spanish school year.

Everyday I’m grateful for Ramapo and their focus on international exchange and their international department. Excited for what’s to come!

-Andreina (’16)

Categories: Africa, Asia & the Pacific, India, Peace Corps, Research Abroad, Semester Abroad