Beyond Friendly

Welcome to Beyond Friendly, a place where Guilford College students write about their study abroad experiences! Are you a current student or alum who has recently studied abroad? Become a Beyond Friendly blogger! Contact the Office of Marketing to learn more.

Journeying Through Japan

Sociology and East Asian Studies double major Chelsea Sosa ’21 spent her spring semester on her dream trip, taking in the sites, building friendships, and absorbing Japan’s vibrant culture.

Photo of Chelsea Sosa '21 standing in Japan looking at cherry trees.

Down Under in New Zealand

Environmental Studies and Biology major Sonya Brunk ’21 had the experience of a lifetime studying Ecology and Environmental Policy in Whakatiwai, New Zealand.

Guilford College student Sonya Brunk '21 stands by the ocean in New Zealand.

Amber Dumont poses for a photo in front of a fountain in Spain.

This Pilgrim’s Purpose

On her journey to enlightenment, Honors student and Criminal Justice and English and Media Studies double major Amber Dumont ’22 overcame fear and exhaustion on the days-long walk to Santiago de Compostela.

Guilford student Khassir Atchabao '20 looks over the city of Senegal in the evening.

Swept Away by Senegal

French major Khassir Atchabao '20 shares how he was swept away by the beauty and hospitality of Senegal and how his experience shaped his understanding of the world today.

Guilford students including Jameson Lynch take a photo and show off their big smiles while in Munich.

Grüße aus Bayern!

Jameson Lynch '20 found his second home while studying abroad in Germany. He shares his experience as a teaching assistant on his second trip to Munich.

Savannah Henry poses for a photo in Spain.

Witnessing History in the Making

Savannah Henry '22 witnessed historical political activities during her semester in Barcelona, Spain. She shares how these events impacted her time abroad, as well as her outlook on the world.

Guilford student Quinn Candelaria smiles in a photo with a fellow Guilfordidan.

When I said, "Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland!" I meant it

Quinn Candelaria '20 credits Guilford's study abroad program in Munich with molding him into an international citizen. He shares how this fulfilling and authentic experience has changed his life — and given him a new home.

Student Anna Honer pets a dog in this photo.

A Dream Come True in India

Anna Honer '21 shares her life changing experience working with the Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, India as part of a new Guilford Edge study abroad program.

Samantha Brooks poses for a photo during her trip.

Environmental Stewardship

Samantha Brooks ’19 interned at the Greensboro Science Center and gained valuable participatory knowledge about local community environmental projects.

Guilford College student Xinxin Zhou travels to Taiwan on study abroad.

Taiwan Travels

Hello, my name is Xinxin Zhou '20, an international student from China and double major in Political Science and East Asian Studies, joined a CIEE study abroad program and went to National ChengChi University in Taipei, Taiwan.

Student Mallory Cerkleski and a friend hold goats in this photo from their study abroad trip.

Global Food Connections [Q&A]

Sustainable Food Systems and Political Science double major, Mallory Cerkleski ’20, traveled to not just one country for her semester abroad, but three! Here, Mallory reflects on her study abroad semester, Rethinking Food Security, in a Q&A with Katie Claggett ’19.

Students including Shea Orth-Moore share a meal during their study abroad trip.

Learning in Each Moment

My name is Shea Orth-Moore and I had the most incredible opportunity to study abroad (for a second time), in Mexico. I had the most transformative and intellectually stimulating experience of my life while studying with the Autonomous University for Social Movements, also known as the Mexican Solidarity Network, all over Mexico.

Student Robert Neff-Taylor stands on top of a mountain in Colombia.

'En Barranquilla Me Quedo!'

iHola amigos! My name is Robert Neff-Taylor, and I’m a 4th year at Guilford College majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science with a minor in Psychology. Barranquilla is an old industrial city on the northern coast of Colombia, right where the Magdalena river exits into the Caribbean sea.

Student Mikayla Jones poses for a portrait with a large golden bear in Seoul, South Korea.

Finding a Seoulmate

My name is Mikayla Jones, and there are no words that will ever be worthy enough to describe the impact Korea has made on my life. The summer of 2018 changed how I view the world. During those eight weeks, I was able to see, hear and eat things I could only dream about. For the first time in my life, everything I have ever been interested in was in one location.

Student Gillian Sherman stands with friends behind a fence in Seville, Spain.

Sweet Seville

Hola! My name is Gillian Sherman and I am a senior here at Guilford majoring in English and Media Studies. Last semester in Spring 2018, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Seville, Spain (or Sevilla in Spanish) which turned out to be one of the most fulfilling and joyful experiences of my life.

Guilford College student Caleb Amstutz studies abroad in Panama. Here, he's collecting poison dart frog for morphology research with other School for Field Studies students.

Biodiversity in the Bocas del Toro

My name is Caleb Amstutz! I’m a senior here at Guilford, studying Biology and English. In the Spring of 2018, I studied abroad in Panama with the School for Field Studies on a Guilford affiliated program.

Guilford College student Austin Bryla studies abroad in Africa.

In Awe of Africa, Akwaaba!

This marked my second study abroad experience following the 2016 Sienna program, which provided necessary cross-cultural and self-learning, (cultural shock included) that factored my decision to study in Africa.

Student Lesly Vasquez '18 takes a selfie in Rwanda.

Finding Peace in Rwanda

On May 5, 2018, I walked across a stage to receive a diploma alongside other fellow Guilfordians. An hour later, I was boarding a plane that would take me to see the Land of a Thousand Hills!

Guilford College students pose as they study abroad in Italy.

To Italy and Back!

This is the story of our journey from Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., to the Basilicata region of Italy — and back again. Our purpose: to understand the cultural influence of education, to partner with IIS Bernalda in growing our pedagogic and cultural knowledge, and to embrace all the Basilicata has to offer, both historically and today.

A group of faculty, students, and alumni pose for a photo during the anniversary trip to Germany.

Guilford Again — in Germany

Laura Jones '97 studied abroad once more with Guilford faculty, fellow alumni, and her mom at the celebration honoring 40 years of the Munich Program.

Student Ramya Krishna '20 takes a photo with her hello travelers on the train.

An English Excursion

My name is Ramya, and I’m a junior from Durham, N.C., triple majoring in Creative Writing, Psychology, and Education Studies. Despite my relatively short sojourn of three weeks, I had the opportunity to experience all of these as a student in the Oxford Fantasy Writers course.

Student Mara Stewart stands on Guilford College's campus

Jumping Into New Adventures

Hi, my name is Mara Stewart. I am a senior at Guilford College and I’m a double majoring in Health Sciences and Sociology and Anthropology. I have had the opportunity to study abroad in India, Costa Rica, and South Africa during the last four years!

Faculty, staff, and students ride a bus in Germany.

Guilford Hearts Munich!

More than 100 people — Americans, Germans, Swiss, and Austrians — gathered to celebrate one of Guilford’s longest running and most dearly held study abroad trips. June 2018 marked 40 years of the Guilford College in Munich program.

Danika poses for a photo during her study abroad trip in France.

French Fusion

Bonjour! My name is Danika Gottbrecht and last spring, I decided to study abroad in Strasbourg, which sits 6 km from the German border in eastern France.

Guilford College student Brian James rides a camel in China through Study Abroad

Outside the Bubble

My name is Brian James. I’m a senior double major in International Studies of East Asia and Political Science. When I studied abroad in 2017, I had the opportunity to learn outside the bubble.

Student Lila Jones takes a selfie in Bologna, Italy.

Studying in Siena

When I decided to study abroad, I had a few goals. These related to creativity, academics and personal growth. Specifically, I wanted to be inspired.

Guilford College COVID-19 Hotline — 336.316.2319