For Ted Elsaesser, studying abroad was one of the most eye-opening experiences of his life.

Elsaesser, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, traveled to Ireland last semester to study at the University of Ireland at Galway.

"I was able to see the United States from a different standpoint and to view American politics and culture through the eyes of a different perspective," he said. "You get to see things in ways you never thought of before. It was really interesting to see what else is out there, because America is not the only country in the world."

Elsaesser said he enjoyed taking classes in Ireland, although he prefers the American method of teaching.

In Ireland, a student's grade is based entirely on a test given at the end of the semester, he said.

"You learn what's good about a system of academics by experiencing what they're like abroad," Elsaesser said.

The best part about studying abroad, he said, was seeing America from a different standpoint.

"Ireland is an amazing place," he said. "The people are incredibly friendly and accepting of Americans. It's very easy to live there because there's no language barrier."

Other students who have studied abroad shared experiences similar to those of Elsaesser.

Brent Baumann, junior in College of Business Administration, studied in London last year and said his favorite part was getting to know students from all over the world.

Baumann, who studied at City University, said he met students from many European countries, including Spain, Greece, France and Italy.

"It's really worth it to get a lot of other people's views and to meet people from different cultures," Baumann said. "It's something you don't get in Milwaukee."

In London, Baumann spent "a lot less time in the classroom" than in America. "It's a lot more independent learning," he said.

John Fournie, junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, studied at King's College in London and said he "enjoyed getting others' perspectives about what was going on in the world."

"Everyone was really good to me, even though they might not like American governmental policies," he said.

Matt Dettmer, junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, studied in Munich, Germany, for six-and-a-half weeks last summer.

Dettmer studied through the Kentucky Institute for International Learning, which he learned about from a brochure he received from Kristen Michelson, study abroad coordinator in the College of Arts & Sciences.

While in Germany, Dettmer lived with a host family and studied with two American professors who accompanied the students on their trip.

"I really enjoyed living with a family, because I got to hang out with some of the friends of my host siblings," he said.

Living with a host family allowed him to immerse himself into the German culture and to "get an actual feel for German life as opposed to living in a dorm," Dettmer said.

"I was very impressed with the professors and thought they did a great job of placing me with a family," he said.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 10 2005.