Profile for
Collyn Tate
Honors College
Collyn Tate participated in the 2022 Honors College Study Abroad program in Germany and France.
A Conversation with Collyn Tate
Why did you choose to participate in this program?
When I applied to East Texas A&M to be a part of the Honors College, the opportunity to study abroad after my sophomore year really interested me. I have always dreamed of studying abroad and that is one reason why I chose the Honors College at East Texas A&M. I chose to study abroad to grow my comfort zone, learn about other cultures firsthand, and develop a better understanding of people in my community and around the world.
What surprised you most about your experience?
The most surprising thing about traveling to Germany and France was the number of times people started talking to us in German or French! I was honored every single time they thought we looked like natives! It was also surprising that every single person we talked to could also speak English. There was never a time that we could not communicate with someone, because most people there know multiple languages and speak them well.
What was your favorite part about traveling abroad?
My favorite part of being overseas was experiencing something completely new daily. We never did the same thing twice! Typically, I like to stay in my comfort zone and do things that I know I will like, but we were in Europe so I wanted to try new things while I was there! I had never been outside of the United States before this trip, so I didn’t know what to expect. I can genuinely say that I loved everything about my study abroad experience!
What is your advice to students who want to study abroad and participate in the program in the future?
If you are considering studying abroad, go for it! It was such an amazing, life-changing experience. You’ll gain knowledge from the courses that you are taking while over there, but you’ll also gain knowledge about a country that is completely different than your own. You will learn so much about other cultures to help you better understand the people around you.