Erin Herberg

Erin Herberg is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Greece and Italy.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.

One night while a few students from my group and I had dinner, a girl accidently ordered anchovies on her pizza. The waitress spoke little to no English and we hardly could phrase a sentence in Italian. Somehow we managed to explain to her that we did not want the pizza. She was extremely understanding and brought out more pizza and never charged us for the mistake on our part. On our way out we told her manager, who spoke English, that she was the best waitress we'd ever had.

Why did you choose the program in which you participated? 

I chose the Greco Roman trip for a multitude of reasons. Primarily I had the opportunity to spend time in two desired countries all for the price of one. I knew that any study abroad experience was going to be life altering, but I was drawn to the culture and history of Italy and Greece.

Describe your overall study abroad experience.

My study abroad experience has been the most life alerting, eye opening, and exhilarating experience in my life. It has unlocked doors for me I never realized I had closed and opened windows I did not even know existed.

How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?

If I could begin to describe how the trip has affected me the answers would be endless. The best part is that I know that not all the affects have sunk in yet. What I do know is that I came home from being abroad with a completely different outlook to the world simply because I was able to witness things with my own two eyes. I not only feel more knowledgeable about the world, about people, and about cultures, but I feel more knowledgeable about myself. I know my limits, but more importantly I know my capabilities.

What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?

The biggest piece of advice for future study abroad students aside from "go!" would be to relax. No one can officially prepare you for such an experience. The best way to approach the entire thing is with an open mind and a relaxed attitude. Things will go wrong along the way, plans will change, and you will struggle, but ultimately that is what makes the experience worthwhile.