What Spartans Abroad Did on Their 'Summer Vacations'

Thanks to the efforts of UNCG’s International Programs Center (IPC), many Spartans enjoyed experiences of their lifetimes in faraway countries this summer. Be inspired by these tales of adventure and hands-on learning, and contact IPC about how you can make your travel dreams come true with a study abroad trip.

Old buildings with palm trees around and the ocean in the background.

“I went to Tanzania on the first AADS trip to this region. We visited a spice farm, learned about the history of Zanzibar, explored beautiful beaches and went to a local’s house to learn how to cook traditional foods like chapati, pilau and biryani.”

–Stephanie Fisher-Huynh, biology major, chemistry minor, African American and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) minor

Female student sits at a picnic table on a beach in Africa.

Golf course in Ireland with cliffs dropping into ocean.

“Our team played six different golf courses in Ireland and explored the beautiful landscape and history of the country.

The last course was Old Head, built on its own peninsula near the village of Cork. The course truly took your breath away – to the point where you would sometimes forget you were playing a round of golf. We came home wondering if we could ever top the golf experiences we had in Ireland.

It will be hard to beat this once in a lifetime trip.”

–Parker Truesdale, economics and business administration major, Men’s Golf player

“I worked at the National Science Museum in Paris this summer. Our collections were in the same research labs where Georges Cuvier, the founding father of paleontology, made early 19^th century discoveries in natural science. Our work was focused on analyzing and categorizing snake fascicles (jaw muscles) collected in the Canary Islands.

I met locals to explore Paris with, visited countless cafes and art galleries, and enjoyed dancing at parties and festivals. The impact of Africans to culture in France was fascinating to me.”

–Anthony Hines, biology major

Carribean cove with sailboats in the distance and 2 chaise loungers in the foreground.

“I traveled with a group from the School of Nursing to the Carribean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis this summer. We toured disaster management facilities and hospitals, but we also made time to learn the history of the islands, snorkel in the Carribean, hike and zip line and kick back on some gorgeous beaches.”

–Angie Moore, nursing major

4 women with safety helmets and zipline harnesses on.

Seven women sitting at a picnic table with blue ocean behind them.

UNCG Men's Basketball team poses together in an arena with international flags and NBA Academy Africa sign behind them.

“Our team traveled to Senegal to play at NBA Academy Africa. We toured Gorée Island, which was the furthest west slave trading center on the African coast from the 15^th to 19^th centuries. It is also the most well-known and well-preserved slave trade outposts for the Atlantic Slave Trade.

Being a person of color and stepping foot in the House of Slaves really hit home for me and a lot of my teammates. Learning about the pain and suffering of our ancestors gave me appreciation and purpose for my life.”

–Kobe Langley, information systems management major, Men’s Basketball player

Camera looks over the shoulders of two men wearing backpacks at a group taking a tour on a sandy island.

Young tourists pose on a sidewalk with Asian women in traditional dress.

“I spent a semester in Japan for intense language studies. It’s been a dream of mine to travel here. I’ve created so many memories and made so many friends. I will always treasure this experience.”

–Jasmine Doctor, art/animation major, Asian studies minor