Alumni Abroad Story - February 2008

Alumna's experiences abroad dictate life's path, purpose
By Jasmine Stein

Staff Reporter

Publication Date: 02/12/2008

One Purdue alum lives by the rule that as long as she has her passport and a credit card, she will be fine no matter what situation she finds herself in.

Laura Smiley, who received her BA and MA from Purdue in Spanish education and German, has spent much of her post-college life traveling the world.

Smiley is a German teacher in Texas, and plans to lead a 12-day student tour through China this summer with the company Educational Tours.

"For the students, I feel that their experience and understanding of the Chinese culture will help in their future understanding of world issues, could influence their career decisions and will help their employment opportunities," Smiley said.

Smiley's background was not focused on Asian language. However, she is ready to expand her knowledge and experience with another culture.

"Regardless of where one travels, it helps their perspective and appreciation of everything," Smiley said.

Smiley began her expedition abroad during an undergraduate semester study in Vienna, Austria.

"I didn't speak any German at the time," Smiley said. "The scariest part was going to the grocery store."

Smiley describes these minor nerve-wracking situations as humbling experiences that help bring forth a new appreciation for life.

"I had to quickly bag my groceries, listen to how much I owed in German, count money in another currency and get out of the way before the person behind me," Smiley said.

Since her first trip abroad, Smiley has taught Spanish in southern Mexico, worked as a missionary in Germany and lead a 10-day tour in 2007 to Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland with students from Harrison High School in Lafayette.

"I am happy to provide the opportunity for others to have experiences that I have had," Smiley said.

For many students, the opportunity for experience surfaced when they were placed in situations outside of their comfort zones.

"Everything was amazing; I had to learn how to squat and pee in a rest stop in Switzerland," said Veronica Ensminger, a student from Smiley's 2007 Germany tour. "That was quite an experience."

Ensminger's favorite place in Germany was Beer Hall, where she was surrounded by what she called the stereotypical Germans.

"It was very loud. But it wasn't just tourists, it was cool being around the German people," Ensminger said.

Smiley said that international travel can also broaden a young person's perspective and help him or her appreciate the differences and similarities in other cultures.

"There are so many opportunities out there, you just have to find them and be creative," Smiley said.