When Esmeralda C. decided to travel more than 5,000 miles to Rome, Italy, and study Italian Language and Culture, she never expected it to be one of the most surreal and fulfilling experiences she has had.
Along with nine other students from Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, Esmeralda ventured abroad to explore leadership and build global connections through international study.
“Spending four weeks in Italy gave me the opportunity to build a strong sense of community with the locals,” she said. “Hearing the daily ‘ciao’ at coffee shops, restaurants, and from neighbors, conversations with my host family at the dinner table, along with exploring the city, deepened my appreciation for the present moment.
For her, navigating a new environment came with its challenges, but she cherished every second. She hopes to encourage more students to study abroad and see the beauty of the world through the lens of cultural immersion.
Made possible through the Council on International Educational Exchange Global Navigator program, students earned over $60,000 combined in scholarships to travel to countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
“Seeing my students light up when they share their admission into one of CIEE’s study abroad programs makes my day,” said Esmeralda Martínez, a Spanish and leadership teacher.
The summer programs, designed around academic topics like language and culture, ecosystems, and sustainability, combine classroom instruction with immersive real-world experiences. For many students, it’s their first time traveling without family, providing an opportunity to gain independence, strengthen communication skills, and build confidence in unfamiliar environments.
“Studying abroad in Madrid has been an exciting, eye-opening experience. Every day has felt like a mix of adventure, culture, and learning far beyond the classroom,” Ashley M., who studied Honors Spanish Language and Culture, said.
Beyond academics, Martínez said students return with a broadened perspective and a deeper sense of empathy.
“Experiences like these allow students to view life in a more holistic way. It pushes them to put their phones down and take in the world,” she said. “To be open to the problems of the world through their own eyes, not a textbook or a social media post. They also embrace cultural competency as a valuable trait to have as a contributing member to society.”
