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The following students are studying off campus this fall in various corners of the globe. Each has agreed to share their unique experiences through regular blog updates.
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Bilkent University, Turkey
 Samantha is junior from Illinois studying economics and religion. She is spending the fall semester in Turkey at Bilkent University. She says she chose this program because she is eager to learn about Islam and experience the culture first hand. "I hope to gain a more global perspective of the world," says Samantha. "I expect these coming months to be both exciting and challenging and I am eager to begin my journey!"
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Washington Semester: Washington, D.C.
 Emily, a junior, is participating in the Washington Semester at American University in Washington, D.C. Emily is originally from Forestville, Wis., and is double majoring in environmental studies and politics and government. She says she chose the Washington Semester because it is specialized in both of her majors and includes an internship of her choice, a trip to Brazil, and "the opportunity to live in a large and powerful city." She hopes that her internship will provide her experience in a profession she may want to continue after Ripon as well as opportunities to her meet many influential people.
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Chicago Urban Studies
 Ellen is a junior from Gleason, Wis., who is majoring in theatre at Ripon. She is participating in the Urban Studies program in Chicago in order to learn about life in the city and gain knowledge in the business of theatre. She also hopes to hone her acting skills.
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British International School: Bangkok, Thailand
 Kali is a member of the Ripon College class of 2007 from Berwyn, Ill. She "walked" at commencement in May but actually will recieve her diploma one she completes her student teaching in Bangkok at British International School.
A music major with an emphasis on choral music education, Kali will be certified to teach K-12 choir. She says she chose to complete her student teaching abroad because she's never spent any time outside the country beyond a week in Vancouver. "I want to experience something diffrent while I still have the chance," says Kali.
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Marine Biology: Laboratory at the Sea Education Association
Jenan is a junior from Madison, Wis., with majors in biology and chemistry and a minor in Spanish. Her participation in the Sea Education Association program will have her sailing from Mexico across the Pacific Ocean to Tahiti, traveling through an area that few people ever have the chance to see. She will gain experience in carrying out scientific explorations on a research vessel. Since she has no sailing experience and has never been on the ocean out of sight of land, Jenan says this will be one of the most challenging things she has ever done. “I expect to come away from the experience with many valuable lessons (not all in the science field), some new friends, and a handful of great memories,” she says. “I only hope I don't get too seasick!”
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International Program: Toledo, Spain
 Josh is a junior from Two Rivers, Wis. He is majoring in both Spanish and physics with a secondary education minor. His goal after graduation: to become a high school teacher. Josh is
studying in Spain this fall through the International Program in Toledo, which is offered to Ripon by the University of Minnesota. He says he chose this program not only because of its focus on teaching language and culture to non-native speakers, but because of the atmosphere that Toledo has as a city. Josh views Toledo as a "smaller" city (pop. 70,000) and raves about its "amazing architecture that mixes Arab, Jewish, and Christian art in one huge melting pot." "As soon as I saw pictures of the city, I fell in love with it. I really want to walk away from this experience with a command of the Spanish language and a deep appreciation for the culture," he says.
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Florence Program: Florence, Italy
 Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Amelia is a junior at Ripon with a double major in French and religion and a minor in anthropology. She says she decided to participate in the Florence program in order to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning to speak Italian. "Plus I enjoy art history and will extremely enjoy this opportunity to learn a lot more," she says. "I am excited to learn what it is like to truly live and become part of another culture as opposed to just visiting. I want to make new friends, and learn as much as I can about the language and culture, as well as all the art and art history that is everywhere over there!"
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Center for Cross-Cultural Study: Seville, Spain
 Arlene, a senior, was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She lived in Tyler, Texas, until the age of 8 and then moved to Elkhorn, Wis. She is pursuing majors in Spanish and global studies, because as she says, "I like having majors that will let me expand my career options since I'm not quite sure of where I'll go after Ripon College or what I'll be doing as a career later on in life." By studying at the Center for Cross-Cultural Study, Arlene says she hopes to expand her knowledge about the people and their culture in addition to getting to know herself a little better. "I've been bilingual since I was a child and going to Spain will only bring out part of my culture as well," she says.
"I've always lived in small towns and living overseas on my own is definitely a big step for me. I know it will only bring good changes. I know I'll grow from this experience since I still have more to learn about myself. I am excited for what lies ahead of me."
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