Join us in hearing from current Bethel students and Bethel alumni about their own personal experience studying abroad!
Welcome to the #BethelAbroad Pod, a space where Bethel students, faculty, and staff bravely share how their anxieties became answered prayers, how strangers became life-long friends, and how a city that was once foreign can become home. Our goal here is to break down barriers to better understand and process the "study abroad experience" as it exists here at Bethel University.
Frances Boerman-Cornell joins the #BethelAbroad pod to talk about her semester in Costa Rica! We chat about homemade lunches, internships abroad, exploring the rainforest, and other adventures. Listen now!
6 May 2025
Spain, India, Colombia, oh my! (Special guest Luca Lombardi)
Taylor and Davey are back with 3x study abroad traveler, Luca Lombardi! In this episode, the three talk about Luca's time in Colombia, India, Spain, and then India again! They unpack why Luca chose to travel abroad, the difference between J-term and Semester programs, and Textura 2024. Taylor and Luca also reminisce on their time abroad together and finding the best kebab in the world. Listen now!
17 Apr 2025
Study Abroad 101: Who, What, Where, & Why
#thebethelabroadpod is back with new hosts Taylor & Davey. In this episode, the two talk about their roles as global ambassadors, their favorite travel destinations, and everything you need to know about the Study Abroad office!
18 Apr 2024
3X Study Abroad Champion, Soraya Keiser! (Guatemala/Lithuania/India)
In this episode, we connect with Senior Soraya Keiser and dive into her journey studying abroad in Klaipėda, Lithuania at LCC. Soraya shares her thoughts on the varying differences in academics, her culinary adventures with Lithuanian cuisine, disparities in public transportation, and much more. Additionally, we explore her involvement in creating the Textura magazine during her time in both Guatemala and India.
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00:00 Introductions
01:17 About Lithuania and why Soraya chose to study there
05:18 Culture shocks in Soraya's experience
06:56 Clark's program director in Australia
08:18 Soraya's program director and student leaders in Lithuania
09:58 Courses in Lithuania and Australia
13:30 Getting out of her comfort zone and meeting new people
16:52 Traveling during the program
18:20 Journalism experience in May (in Kosovo)
19:57 Diversity in Lithuania and Melbourne
21:30 Food
25:56 Transportation in Lithuania
27:18 Homesickness
28:56 Clark quizzes Soraya on "how well she knows Lithuania"
34:20 Textura India
42:04 If they could study abroad again, where would they go?
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Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please contact us at study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop by the Study Abroad Office. We would love to answer any questions you might have about your semester, January, or summer programs abroad (https://bethelabroad.via-trm.com/visitor-programs-v2)!
25 Apr 2023
Walk Slowly, and Bow Often (Kate Osgood '24, The Oregon Extension)
In Season 2 Episode 3, we connect with Junior Kate Osgood to hear about her experience on the Oregon Extension. In this episode, Kate shares the reality of cabin life shenanigans, the slowness of the environment, and about the beauty and encouragement she found in her cohort of students. From simple living and to backpacking adventures, Kate gives a glimpse of life "among the trees".
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please contact us at study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop by our Study Abroad Office. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
30 Nov 2022
The Man with a Peruvian Pan Flute (Abby Schroeder '23, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Episode 2 Season 2 kicks off with Bethel University senior Abby Schroeder. Abby studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina on a trip called Social Movements and Human Rights. In this episode, Abby talks about the biggest cultural differences she encountered, being a part of multiple protests almost on the daily, and the moments that made the adventure one she will ever forget.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop by the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
14 Nov 2022
48 Hours in a German Hospital (Anna Thielke '23, Berlin, Germany)
Episode 1 Season 2 kicks off with Bethel University senior Anna Thielke. Anna studied abroad in Berlin, Germany in Spring of 2022. In our first episode back, we talk about the experience of being alone in a new country, balancing school and travel, and how God can be seen through the people you meet. A special story of why Anna had to spend two days in a German hospital that led to her going home four weeks early.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop by the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
13 Dec 2021
Navigating Different Cultures and Gaining Independence (Alyssa Boysen '20 ISA, Meknes, Morocco)
Episode 7 is full of rich content related to studying abroad in a predominantly Muslim country, learning how to communicate using multiple languages, and the high's and low's of studying abroad during start of COVID. Alyssa opens up about her faith journey and how she saw God working in her life differently than she'd see before and her reasoning for going to Morocco. Thank you Alyssa for sharing your amazing experience with us!
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
10 Nov 2021
Australia Travels X Two (Leah Vigil and Sophie Kendall '20, ISA, Gold Coast, Australia)
Episode 6 kicks off with Leah Vigil and Sophie Kendall, two recent Bethel grads who studied abroad together in Gold Coast, Australia through a third-party provider, ISA. In today's episode we talk all about their incredible experiences abroad, the pro's and con's of studying abroad with a friend, and how to enjoy God's beauty where ever you go.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
29 Sept 2021
Moments in Time (Rebekah Gomes ‘21, API Limerick, Ireland)
Episode 5 kicks off with Rebekah Gomes, a recent Bethel graduate (‘21) who studied abroad in Limerick, Ireland in the Fall of 2019. She joins us today to share about all her adventures abroad, how she saw God work in her life, and the positive characteristics she brought home with her. We discuss the realities of living abroad, her 3 week countrywide trip to conclude her time abroad, and how all of her experiences that fall led her to make the decision to move to Spain in September 2021 to teach English to elementary students. A big thank you to my friend Bekah for the many laughs while recording and for sharing her story.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu (https://study-abroad@bethel.edu/) or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
1 Mar 2021
"Instagram vs. Realities of Studying Abroad" (Megan Duff '21, AIFS Barcelona, Spain)
Episode 4 kicks off with Megan Duff, a current Bethel student who studied abroad with AIFS in Barcelona, Spain exactly one year ago! She joins us today to share all about her growth as a person and as a friend, as a Christ-follower, and more, and then we end with her story of navigating a mass-exodus from Europe back home when former President Trump announced the closing of the border due to COVID-19. We try to get real and honest about some of the difficulties about studying abroad that you might not hear about from friends. If you can relate to anything that is being said in today's episode, shout us out and let us know! Most "study abroad difficulties" and realizations are way more common than you might think. Big thanks to Megan for this conversation!
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu (//study-abroad@bethel.edu) or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
4 Feb 2021
"Che Que Buena Onda Acá" (Alyssa Martinson '20, CIEE Argentina)
In this new episode of the #BethelAbroad Podcast, recent Bethel alumni Alyssa Martinson stops by to share her experiences navigating Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester study abroad program. Alyssa studied abroad with CIEE, and she is with us today to share all about her experience getting stuck in a blizzard on her way to Argentina, how her homestay helped broaden her language skills, and why non-traditional locations tend to be less traveled by Bethel students.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu (//study-abroad@bethel.edu) or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
25 Jan 2021
"Triple Culture Shock?" (Ryan Voth '20, API Seville, Spain)
In the second episode of the #BethelAbroad Podcast, recent Bethel alumni Ryan Voth stops by to share his experiences navigating Seville, Spain for a semester study abroad program. Here his take on realizing that a host family experience wasn't for him... weeks into his actual host family experience, how free traveling really solidified his friendships with other study abroad students, and how his Argentine background helped (and hurt) his overall experience studying abroad.
Thank you for listening! If you are interested in studying abroad, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu or stop into the Study Abroad Office on campus to set up an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have about semester, J-term, or summer programs abroad!
13 Jan 2021
"You Can't Go Abroad Without Also Coming Home" (Eleanor Schutte '20, ISA New Zealand)
In the first episode of the #BethelAbroad Pod, Bethel alumni Eleanor Schutte ('20) walks us through her transition into her study abroad semester, the highlights and hardships of her experience, and the important yet confusing feelings she was confronted with upon returning home. Thank you for listening!
If you are interested in pursuing a study abroad experience, please send an email to study-abroad@bethel.edu (//study-abroad@bethel.edu) or visit us in the Study Abroad Office (CC320A) on campus to schedule an advising meeting. We would love to answer any questions you might have or start the process connecting you with program!
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