Student spends exciting semester abroad

For many young adults, going to college is a period of self-definition -- the early part of adulthood wherein the transitions of a life away from home first start to take place. This is even more the case for Rector's Natalie Sigsby.

Sigsby is now back home from a semester of study at the University of Applied Science, or "Fachhochschule," in Aachen, Germany.

Wanting to see more of the world than what was on display at Arkansas State University, Sigsby, a 20-year-old junior studying civil engineering, decided to examine her options for continuing her education abroad.

"I've always wanted to travel and see more of the world," Sigsby said. "I looked into it and it seemed like studying abroad would be one of the best opportunities to do exactly that."

Sigsby began the process of finding a foreign school during the summer of 2006. She began meeting with the Study Abroad adviser at ASU in order to find a partner university which best suited her field. Through the program, she was able to learn more about Fachhochschule Aachen and decided to attend.

Sigsby applied to attend the school last fall. Upon acceptance, she began preparing to leave in the spring. European semesters have different time frames than their American counterparts, however, so Sigsby left in September and will be completing her work on the Internet, taking her finals in a few weeks.

Through the Magellan Program, which helps prepare students for overseas studies, Sigsby was able to find a place to live while staying in Germany, as well as being introduced, via e-mail, to other American students heading to Fachhochschule.

"There was a lot of preparation involved," Sigsby said. "The Magellan Program helped me get everything ready beforehand, making it a smoother transition once I actually arrived in Germany. They actually sent me a list which highlighted a lot of what I needed for going over there. Plus, I felt like I knew some of the other American students already because we had been in contact through e-mail. I didn't feel like I was completely on my own when I arrived."

At the university, Sigsby was able to take classes in English, though her German has improved from taking three German language classes.

"At first I was pretty nervous when I would go into the city and try to speak German. I took German in high school, but I wasn't exactly fluent. Most people have been very helpful. If I didn't use the right word or mispronounced something, most people were patient with me and would do all they could to help."

Though not taking any civil engineering classes (that field is not offered in English), Sigsby has been able to study some of the necessary business courses she needs for her degree.

One of the most difficult challenges she faced was a bout of homesickness.

"At first, I really got homesick a lot. I missed my friends and family. I missed Rector. I called my parents almost every day. But it's gotten better. I've made friends there, and they've been a big help when I get down. We take day trips and see the different sites."

Sigsby has been able to tour some of the area's sites. She's visited Berlin, where she saw pieces of the Berlin Wall, as well as the Brandenburg Gate, Jewish Memorials and the Berlin Zoo. She visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the International Parliament in Brussels and toured London, attending church services at Windsor Castle. She also visited Big Ben, Westminister Abbey and Buckingham Palace and went to Barcelona, Spain, where she saw the Mediterranean Sea and toured the Picasso Museum.

"I've been able to see a lot of interesting places," Sigsby said. "That was one of my goals in life and a big part of my decision to go to Europe."

Sigsby's latest trip, returning to Rector, had an element of surprise. With her parents expecting her to arrive late Christmas Day, Sigsby worked with her brother, Marshall, to arrive two days early. She was home waiting when her parents Steve and Lark awoke Christmas Eve morning.

"It was very fun to surprise them. They had no clue. I wanted to spend as much of the holidays at home as I could. I didn't want to miss out on spending this special time with my family."

Sigsby will continue her studies at ASU when the spring semester begins, but she would like to return to Europe.

"If I can't study abroad again, I would definitely like to go back and travel. I love my home, but I also enjoy visiting other parts of the world a great deal."