The opportunity to study abroad doesn’t end when you’re a student. Beth Hultman, public services librarian, and Travis Linville, photography professor, recently hosted international guests from the Netherlands in their homes and on the Elgin Community College campus through ECC’s Center for Global Engagement and the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs.
“I lived in Spain as a student to study abroad, and I just loved it,” Hultman said. “I love Europe, and I want to go back!”
This is Hultman’s first time on an international exchange, and she has been matched with Nadia Kettani from Koning Willem College in the Netherlands.
Kettani is a student guide and, like Hultman, is on her first exchange. Her eagerness to learn about American education and her desire for adventure drew her to participate.
“I saw this as a chance to go abroad and experience a completely different school system,” said Kettani. “Every conversation has been interesting, especially those with students. They gave me a different perspective and shared their dreams and goals with me. I learned so much about their lives and what it’s like to be a student in America.
Linville was paired with Jaques Veshagen, a journalism professor at Aventus College in the Netherlands. Like the others, this was Veshagen’s first exchange, while Linville has participated in two before.
“I’ve found them very rewarding,” Linville said. “The programme tries to match people within the same discipline, but I think there are some real advantages when it’s not a perfect match. Mine and Jacques’ fields are not identical, but they have a lot in common, and our differences allow us to learn something new.”
During their three-week stay, Kettani and Veshagen met with various staff and faculty, sat in various classrooms, and explored the off-campus community. Both acknowledged the make-up of ECC’s student body, particularly the number of part-time students.
“Almost every student I spoke with had a part-time or full-time job to help pay for their education and support themselves,” Veshagen said. “They are very motivated here, and we see that in their student clubs. At the end of the day, our students go home. Here they come together. It’s incredible.”
Veshagen also had the opportunity to teach a journalism class.
Showing their exchange partners around campus opened up ECC in a new way for both Hultman and Linville.
“Having them here has allowed me to see so much more of our campus,” said Hultman. “I’ve met more people in the last few weeks than I ever have working here.” This prompted Linville to reflect on some of their out-of-work excursions. “Whenever you’re showing someone around, you get to experience the places you frequent in a different way.”
The foursome explored downtown Chicago, attended a Chicago Bulls game, took a bike ride around Elgin, experienced Nightmare on Chicago in downtown Elgin, enjoyed a comedy show and more. After three weeks, a strong bond has formed and they’re all looking forward to seeing each other again in the spring when Hultman and Linville travel to the Netherlands.
“I am so happy to say that I now have two great friends in Europe,” said Hultman.
