Hannah Reasons gazed over the Emerald Isles. There were sheep grazing and low hills continuously rolling in what seemed to be a never ending Irish countryside. In the distance stood a quaint little cottage, the stone structure and hay roof showing its age.
“It’s kind of a timeless area,” said Reasons. “It’s called the Emerald Isles because it’s green and stunning.”
6,000 miles away, Jonathan Seagraves scaled the behemoth that is Mount Fuji, 3776 kilometers of rock and, in the winter, ice. Basking in the moonlight, he climbed rock by rock, which wasn’t easy.
“It was very difficult,” he said. “If you fall, if your weight moves, if you miss your step, you’re going to die.”
He had a week until finals and had decided to take on the challenge. Seagraves was regretting his decision. He was regretting the trip. Then he made it to the peak.
“You get to the top of the mountain, you get to see the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji,” he said. “It was gorgeous, it’s an experience that you will never forget no matter how long you live. You can’t express it in words.”
While they ended up almost thalf of a world away from each other, both Reasons, a University of Memphis junior English major, and Seagraves, a U of M international business sotphomore, began their respective journeys in the university’s Study Abroad program.
Reasons spent the fall of 2014 in Dublin, Ireland through the school while Seagraves spent the summer studying abroad in Japan.
With Wednesday’s study abroad fair fast approaching, Reasons and Seagraves found themselves reminiscing of their respective trips.
“It was stunning — everywhere was,” Reasons said of Ireland. “Specifically the juxtaposition of modern architecture with Georgian Architecture in the city center.”
She also spoke highly of Irelands famous comfort fare.
“It’s great,” she said. “It’s a lot of meat and potatoes. And the fish and chips are everything they’re made out to be.”
Of his trip to Japan, Seagraves said: “It was thoroughly enjoyable. You meet some of the best friends you’ll ever make abroad.”
He also described Akihaera, the most technologically advanced city in Japan.
“It’s the electric city,” he said. “It’s like Times Square but bigger and brighter.”
According to Reasons, studying abroad is an experience every student should have.
“It’s important so you can expose yourself to more cultures,” Reasons said. “It really just helps you become a more open minded individual.”
Students will have the chance to explore the possibilities of studying abroad today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Plaza.
Meant to combine an academic and cultural experience not found in the United States, the university offers programs in over 60 countries.
For cost-concerned students there is an abundance of scholarships available to help fund the trip, according to assistant director of International Programs and Study Abroad Rebecca Laumann.
“We have somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000 in scholarships this year,” she said.
Though it can be expensive, Seagraves thinks it’s worth the price.
“It’s worth every penny,” he said. “Every culture is different, and the people that don’t leave America will never understand how big the world actually is.”
For cost-concerned students, there are various scholarships to assist with studying abroad.
