Nicole Ellerbrock

Nicole participated in the 2022 Study Abroad trip to Germany and France.

A Conversation with Nicole Ellerbrock

Why did you choose to participate in the Study Abroad program?

When I heard that the Honors College had an optional study abroad capstone, I knew that this was the college for me. I have always been interested in seeing the world, and I was thrilled by the fact that I could go with the Honors College. So, when it came time to pick my capstone, the answer was easy: Study Abroad. For me, the destination did not even matter. I was excited at the prospect of seeing beautiful architecture, visiting museums, exploring new landscapes, trying new foods, and learning new languages, with the bonus of getting to do all of this with friends.

What surprised you the most about your experience?

What surprised me the most was that each place was genuinely “just” a city. As someone who had never left the United States before, any place overseas took on a mythical quality. I expected to feel different and have experiences that made me go, “Wow, I really am in Europe right now.” However, when I got there, it hit me that to the people who lived there, it was just their hometown or a destination to take visitors when they were in town. We got to see people living their daily lives among the tourists and, to me, that made it even more special. It made Europe a tangible place. Not only could I easily see myself in this environment, but I could also see historical events happening there. The realization that life overseas is so like life here in the U.S. may sound like a silly one, but it gave me perspective.

What was your favorite part about your time overseas?

This trip was incredibly special to me, and I have a lot of favorite memories from it. One of the best ones was from our day trip to Bayeux/Normandy, France, when we went to see Omaha Beach and the German and American Cemeteries. It was our last day in France, and everyone had mixed emotions. When we boarded the bus, we were tired and sad about leaving, and we were dreading a three-hour bus ride. However, we finally arrived in Bayeux, a town that genuinely felt like a storybook village, and everyone was suddenly excited again. There was a cathedral to explore, street vendors to visit, bakeries to try, and big, beautiful trees to sit under. After Bayeux, we headed to Omaha Beach where we sat and listened to testimonies of the soldiers from D-Day. It was such a powerful moment to listen to the events while sitting on the exact beach where it happened. After some solemn moments at the memorial, we got to explore the beach and spend some carefree time walking in the sand and trying the goodies we had bought from the bakery. Overall, this day was a beautiful combination of solemn, powerful moments mixed with joyful, carefree moments shared with friends.

How do you intend to use this experience in the future?

This trip has impacted me in a lot of ways. In a practical way, it taught me to not fear adventure, to rely on other people, and that even though people may speak a different language than I do, they are still just the same as you and I. In a broader sense, the trip gave me a better grasp on historical events, showed me the resilience and camaraderie that emerge among people during disaster (this trip's focus was World War II in Germany and France), and introduced me to many new cultures and experiences. Going forward from this trip, I intend to apply everything I learned to my daily life. I believe that these new experiences will allow me to become a more well-rounded person, especially one who is able to see where others are coming from and find common ground with them now that I know that we are not so different after all.

What is your advice to students who want to study abroad?

To anyone who is thinking about studying abroad, I would say, “Do it!” There are pros and cons to every decision, but choosing to study abroad is one that you will never regret. Money, though an important concern for all college students, will come and go but these opportunities will not be around forever. The school provides many resources to make sure that studying abroad is financially doable for everyone, so if you're interested, you should investigate it! If you have never traveled before and you're worried about it, you are not alone. I had never left the country before, and some people I knew had never even been on a plane before this trip. Whatever you are going through, I guarantee there will be at least one other person in the same boat. If you're worried about not knowing anyone who is going with you, the trip has a way of making everyone bond closer than they ever thought.

If you're looking for practical advice, I have a few suggestions. One, bring a filtered water bottle. Water is harder to come by in Europe than it is in America, so having one will benefit you. Two, bring allergy medicine. The flora in other countries is different than the flora in America, so you never know what you might be allergic to. Three, don't wait to apply for your passport if you do not already have one. This can be a lengthy process and you don't want procrastination to be the reason you can't travel. Lastly, don't be afraid to try new things. You're in a new place with new people; take advantage of it!