Two students experienced awe-inspiring adventures this past academic year that gave them a new perspective into Grier life. Mars Hayot, ‘27, focused on learning German in Europe, while Adelyn Yoder, ‘26, sharpened her Spanish in Mexico.
Mars Hayot spent the year with relatives in Vienna, Austria. While living in Vienna, he also had the opportunity to visit Luxemburg, France, Dublin, and more. Hayot saw many memorable monuments including Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and the Eiffel tower. As a diehard Arsenal fan, he also went to London to see a soccer game. Hayot would pass Saint Stephen’s Cathedral on his way to school every day. “One time I went inside and someone was playing the organ,” Hayot says, “which is very cool.”
He found this study abroad trip to be challenging since he had to step out of his comfort zone by taking all of his classes, except English, in the German language. Hayot said that learning the names of math symbols in German was an obstacle, but that he learned a lot in the process. “I feel like I gained a new perspective of what [international students feel] at Grier,” Hayot said.
Hayot had an unforgettable experience in Austria. He was able to see how other countries view America and how we can misunderstand different nations. He believes that others should take the opportunity to go abroad, if possible. “I’m really grateful that I got to go and learn about another place,” Hayot said.
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Adelyn Yoder took a different study abroad path, living in Mexico for eleven months between three different host families. She was inspired to go abroad because her mother went to Argentina when she was seventeen. Yoder’s mom is now a Spanish teacher, showing how such experiences can truly influence your trajectory in life. “I wanted to open that door for myself,” Yoder said, ”and I think it was really cool.”
Yoder used the Rotary program, an exchange system, to set up her trip abroad. She was able to learn the culture of a new place, living in a big city known as Mazatlán, Sinaloa. “I got to experience different Mexican traditions,” Yoder said, “but also see some that aren’t celebrated.”
Yoder was able to to visit the Catedral Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción, Chichen Itza, Bacalar, El Faro, and multiple Aztec and Mayan ruins. She found that once someone understands the language, they get accustomed to the culture. She also learned that there is always a way to fit in. “As I learned the language, I realized that they’re actually making jokes that I find funny,” Yoder said.
Both Hayot and Yoder had different experiences, but came to the same conclusion. They discovered what it is like to be an exchange student and to experience a different culture. They also realized that people in other countries rarely meet Americans. “So as multicultural as it is right here,” Yoder says, “it’s still important to go abroad.”
