Grand Valley State University has an renowned study aboard department with opportunities for every year and major. On Tuesday, March 14, five GVSU alumni gathered for the Five Under 35: Study Abroad event to share some of their study abroad experiences.

Five Under 35 was hosted in partnership by the Student Alumni Association and Padnos International Center and took place in the Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event allowed student to hear about different study abroad experiences first-hand. Students were also given a chance to ask the panel any questions they had about studying abroad.

“As the Student Alumni Association, our main mission is to connect alumni with students,” said President of Student Alumni Association Kim Long. “We think there is a really big gap in that on campus and we want to help bridge that gap.”

Long said that they have done these events multiple times before, but they usually focus on different type of academic topics. This semester, they wanted to branch out and thought having students ask alumni about their study abroad experiences would be a lot more comfortable for them.

“I am interested in studying abroad and I really liked how everyone is here to take in everyone else’s experiences and what they have learned without the pressure of trying to figure everything out,” said Vice President of Student Alumni Association Taylor Blackburn.

Blackburn said that the main thing she took away from the event was that even if you go abroad for a short amount of time, it will still change your perspective about the world

“I think this event showed, especially people like me who didn’t even know it was an option, that study abroad is something that is accessible to anyone,” said GVSU alumna Kellie Zachman. 

Zachman completed her undergraduate degree at GVSU in 2013 and her graduate degree in 2015. At the event, she was able to share some experiences about her time studying abroad in South Africa.

“I had been very soiled in rural west Michigan where I had been out of the state but never out of the country or immersed in a culture different than my own,” Zachman said.

She said she is still able to show those skills that she learned while studying abroad in her current career. 

Zachman wanted to share her experiences with GVSU students because she has so much passion for the study abroad program and because it is what got her into her career. She really wanted to show her appreciation for the program and give back to GVSU by participating in this event. 

“One of the big things is that you need to have is an open mind,” Zachman said. “You’re going to experience things you often would never experience before. You are going to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds.”

Zachman’s advice to students studying abroad is to try to view these cultures through a different lens and see the importance of these different cultures around the world. 

“I think it is really important to study abroad because I think it opens the door to learning so much more about the world,” Zachman said.