Some aspects of the human experience transcend language or cultural identity.
For instance…cookies.
Lessons like that are among the memories that Arkansas Tech University students Jeremy Chronister of Atkins, Autumn Goffar of Russellville and Gavin Copeland of Cabot carried back home to the United States following a study abroad trip to Belgium May 8-June 1.
“We were waiting on our train and had about an hour before it arrived,” said Chronister, an ATU sophomore elementary education major. “After our long flight that we didn’t sleep on, me, Autumn and Gavin were sitting on a bench eating cookies when a train stopped on the platform. We looked through the window and saw this older lady. She looked at us, rubbed her stomach and gave us a thumbs up with a chewing motion with her mouth.”
While in Belgium, the ATU students taught English 20 hours per week at Collège Saint-Augustin.
“They were so excited to meet the Americans,” said Chronister when speaking about the Belgian students they taught. “We would be walking down the halls and they would whisper something about us being Americans, and they were so quick to run up and talk to us.
“There were kids who were disruptive, the talkers that sat in the back and the ones who answered and paid attention to all the teachers’ questions and instructions, just like we have here in the U.S.,” continued Chronister. “Another big thing is social media. They knew all the slang and brain rot and would ask us if we knew them. From our perspective and from theirs, we each thought the other was so different, but in reality we were also teenagers, just divided by language.”
Philippe Y. Van Houtte, ATU visiting lecturer of French and systems librarian, served as the faculty leader for the Arkansas Tech delegation.
As part of an exchange of good deeds secured with Collége Saint-Augustin by Van Houtte, the school identified host families that provided living accommodations for the ATU students while they were in Belgium.
“I think the biggest highlight for me, and something that will stick with me forever, are the moments spent at my home with my host family,” said Chronister. “Especially my first day. After we settled in, we all had lunch where everyone was a bit nervous. Then they gave us a tour of their beautiful home and grounds where my host dad ran his business. After my host sisters showed me my first round of chores we would do, we all brushed out and washed our ponies together. Afterward, to get the hair off of us, my littlest host sister, who didn’t speak English, guided us over and showed us the best way to get the hair off. She used an air machine that blew the hair off our clothes and sprayed us down. We were all laughing and bonding with them over something so small. It broke the ice between us and set the tone for the rest of my experience with my family, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
In addition to their teaching responsibilities and experiences with their host families, the ATU students also saw the sights in cities such as Paris, France, and Brussels, Bruges and Ghent in Belgium.
Chronister said that given the steps ATU takes to make study abroad affordable, he believes more students should consider participating in the program.
“I think one thing people should know is that study abroad isn’t just about seeing another country,” said Chronister. “It’s about the people you meet along the way. I’m incredibly grateful to my host family, the students and teachers who welcomed us into their school, Arkansas Tech University and Professor Philippe for making this opportunity possible. I left Belgium with memories and friendships that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
“I think a part of Belgium will remain with me forever, wherever I go,” continued Chronister. “Meeting random people, whether in the school, in your host family or in a restaurant, will completely fill you with joy and new perspectives on life you could have never imagined. This experience has also given me ideas about how I want my future life to look. If you have the opportunity to do so, then take the chance. You can always go back home. Even if you are scared, even if you are unsure…in the end, you’ll be happy you went.”
Learn more about the ATU Office of Study Abroad at www.atu.edu/studyabroad.
