Travel Study

Nicole and I were shopping in a store in Hannover that seemed kind of like a Macy’s. From the outside of the building it looked like an entire mall, so we naturally assumed we would go into the department store then exit out of it into the mall. We shopped for awhile but couldn’t find what we were looking for (gloves) so we decided to leave. We followed the signs with the little man on them which we naturally assumed were exit signs, but couldn’t find the mall. Finally, we were sick to death of looking for this mall that may or may not be there so we exited out of the door we found following these signs. The door slams behind us and in front of us is this creepy, unlit (because of course the Germans are so frugal and efficient that they aren’t going to pay to light a corridor no one uses) stairwell that is cluttered with department store displays and random unused junk that is obviously not meant for customer view. At that moment we realized we were not supposed to be there and turn to go out, but the door is locked behind us. We go up one flight of stairs then the other realizing there is no door out to be seen, only a creepy, unlit hallway. At this point we are starting to panic so I start banging on the door. Of course, there is music playing in the department store so no one can hear us. My next thought is to break the door so it will open, so I started banging on and messing with the mechanism that made the door open and close, but nothing happened. Finally, with no other choice, I said, “I may not know Germany, but I know a mall, and something is telling me down that unlit hallway is and employee exit.” We fumbled our way down there, and sure enough, there was an employee exit that led out to the street.

I used this story to demonstrate a point. Students who participate in travel studies like adventure, enjoy having new experiences, like to take safe, calculated risks, and develop creative problem solving skills. Furthermore, studying abroad you...