Lopez, along with her peers, praised Halberstadt for her academic rigor and emotional availability, whether she was helping with flight details or guiding the group through unfamiliar public transportation.
“She made sure we knew what was expected but also gave us the space to explore,” Lopez said. “There was always room to ask questions, to wonder, to grow.”
At each turn of the trip, students were gently reminded by the faculty leaders to be curious, not certain. Observe before interpreting. Connect before comparing.
“Honestly, this trip made me see my life differently,” Mamani said. “I became more independent, more open. I grew in ways I didn’t expect.”
Lopez noted how the intercultural communication skills she practiced abroad directly support her future goal of becoming an occupational therapist.
“You don’t get to choose who you work with in health care,” she said. “You need to understand people: their culture, their norms, their language. This trip was my training ground for that.”