Jordan Pringle, the Grizzlies Abroad marketing intern, writes:

Hi! My name is Jordan Pringle, and I am the new University of Montana Grizzlies Abroad Marketing Intern. I made everlasting friendships last winter when I studied abroad in New Zealand and Sydney over our winter-session semester. I am beyond excited to share my memories and stories with you.

At first, I was nervous to study abroad because I didn’t know one person that was going on the program. Trust me, the feeling is mutual – one month and 30 friendships later made studying abroad the most life changing experience I have ever had.

University of Montana students on the Sustainable Business 2011-12 program

Within the 13-hour plane ride, we all knew each other’s names. After the initial city tour and group dinner in Wellington, NZ it was like we had known each other for months. The memories you share with the people you study abroad with are everlasting. Almost a year later, we still are talking and discussing favorite memories. The top of our list: the dolphin encounter in Kaikoura, NZ where we swam with thousands of dusky dolphins and the Abel Tasman kayak trip in Motueka, NZ where we hiked and kayaked.

I wish I could discuss all of our favorite memories and how we turned into friends and how our friends turned into our family. If I could leave you with any advice, please follow your heart. If you want to study abroad, go for it – you will make friends. Also, do not bring your cell phone – being in the moment is the absolute best advice I can give to you. You will be too busy having fun in the classroom and outside of the classroom to worry about having a phone with you.

Remember when I told you I didn’t know anyone on the trip before we departed for New Zealand? What if I told you when I got back to Montana, I started to live with two of the girls I met on the trip. From peers – to friends – to family – to roommates.

Jordan with two study abroad classmates and her future roommates at University of Montana

Talk to you soon!