When God Says GO: Studying Abroad

By Isabella Perez on April 22nd, 2022 at 8:30pm

Vanguard University history major Imogen Buttcane-Hibbert unveils the memories of her experience studying abroad in Europe last fall. For a total of 16 weeks, she along with a few other students travelled to The Eternal City– Rome, Italy. 

When asked if she always planned to study abroad, she states, “when I came to Vanguard, it was one of my goals to study abroad, but I had forgotten about it.” Once a friend of hers mentioned she was going to be studying abroad, the goal was brought back to life. While deciding if she should take the leap and go on the trip, she quotes, “I thought about it and prayed about it for months. One day I woke up and I was like–I’m going. There was this thing in my mind that said ‘you have to go’.” So her journey began: letting her family know, attending preparation meetings, working to save up money. She adds, “Coming to college was my first experience leaving home. Then leaving everything I was comfortable with was hard, but they [GEO team] prepare you so much for it. You step into something you’re prepared for.” 

When asked about the biggest thing she learned while abroad, she says with gratitude, “I’ve always been a really closed off person. I’m really shy. Before this I was even more closed off. I came back so independent. When I got there I had to be open. I had to try things I wasn’t comfortable with because I had to otherwise I wasn’t going to survive there.” She encourages students interested in studying abroad to take the leap and go. Looking back at the strength God provided her with throughout the trip, she encourages others with this: “Pray about it first. Talk to someone who’s experienced it. And just do it, because this was the best experience of my life.”

Visit the Global Education & Outreach office on campus for more information on their next study abroad trip or online at: https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/global-education-outreach/study-abroad