Winter Break Travel, Part I

Every year, English Language Training (ELT) students take advantage of their winter break to explore the United States and deepen their American connections. Please find excerpts from their adventures below (and stay tuned for part two of this series in February).


Francisco Aquirre (Nicaragua) at Wright State University

“We visited the United Nations. Our guide explained the different kinds of crises that have happened and how they were solved by facilitating dialogue between its members. Throughout our tour, the facilitator told us that many things – paintings, some buildings, and stunning decorations – were gifts from member countries. We also had the opportunity to go inside prestigious buildings such as the General Assembly and the Security Council; we were astonished by the rich, meaningful history of the United Nations.”


Fadhil Adiyat (Indonesia) at Missouri State University

“The weather was so windy when I arrived in downtown Los Angeles. I went to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and stopped to take pictures. Then, I visited the Hollywood sign. After I arrived, I closed my eyes, smiled, and took a deep breath. Finally, I arrived in the place that I had only dreamed about! For me, the Hollywood sign is not just a masterpiece, but also a representation of a creative industry that demands dedication, consistency, and professionalism.”


Purity Mngindo (Kenya) at Wright State University

“Winter break has been fun! One of my American friends invited me to spend Christmas with her family. I received Christmas gifts from her, her parents, and grandmother. I was so excited, and it was the best Christmas I had ever celebrated. Then, I traveled with a group of students from Wright State to Atlanta, Georgia for a conference. We were sponsored by International Friendships, an organization that works to bring together international students. Since I am a gospel musician and artist, I joined the praise and worship team as a singer. We sang in 26 different languages including, African, English and Asian languages.”