Benita Ikirezi '21 Spends Fall Semester Traveling to Four Major World Cities
As a Rwandan attending Bryn Mawr, Benita Ikirezi '21 already had plenty of experience living abroad. So rather than doing a traditional semester abroad, Benita decided to spend her fall semester in four of the world's major cities.
The Growth and Structure of Cities major took part in the (part of the School for International Training’s International Honors Program), taking courses covering politics, economics, the environment, and the people in each city. The four classes were taught throughout the program by two traveling professors and one local professor in each city. The students also had the opportunity in each city to visit government agencies, non-governmental organizations, hear from speakers, and stay with host families.
“As a Cities major, this program has literally changed my view of the world, how I navigate and interact with cities, and my vision of city planning†says Benita.
One of the biggest highlights of the trip for Benita was visiting the buildings of her favorite architect, Antoni GaudÃ, in Barcelona.
“I had taken many architectural classes about him and his style, so visiting his buildings and structures, like La Sagrada Familia and Park Güel, was a dream come true.â€
Highlights in other cities included learning to tango in Buenos Aires, tasting sangria and hiking Montserrat in Barcelona, and taking a drumming lesson in Capetown.
“I saw places and views that left me speechless like Montserrat and Table Mountain, and experienced the beauty of the world in unimaginable ways. I enjoyed amazing conversations with people in restaurants, markets, buses, and homestay families about their cities, culture, and my own background. I also experienced moments that challenged my understanding of humanity and the world itself.â€
Benita advises all students, even those studying abroad at Bryn Mawr, to look into other international study opportunities.
“This experience changes your life completely regardless if you are familiar with being abroad or not. You are constantly challenged and educated in different ways that leave you questioning every aspect of your life."