After a semester at sea as a Santander fellow, Sully Jiminez ’17 says she’s ready for the next chapter of her life. The voyage — from San Diego across the Pacific to Japan, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mauritius, South African and England — was simply life-changing.

"My study abroad experience was so unique and eye-opening, I feel as though I could tackle anything right now. What other experience lets you dive into so many countries? Every day at sea in between ports was spent in class — I was in love with these classes, which supported my Liberal Arts major: anthropology, environmental sciences, even the Hip Hop History of the World. Our professors were from all different universities, and they brought their best classes that related to the cities we were visiting. When we came back to Bentley, I was able to take that real-world experience, say, being in Mauritius, to my classes, like geology. The cross-application has been amazing.

"One big lesson I took away from the semester was improved intercultural communication. As a double major in management and global perspectives, I now have a better perspective on how to listen to people from other cultures, and this will be a great asset as I begin my career. I want to pursue a field in which I can give back to the community while using my business acumen. This experience has not only prepared me, it’s lit a fire in me to take this pursuit internationally.

"Thank you so much to Santander for thinking about students who want to go abroad. Without you, I wouldn’t have seen the world — and I wouldn’t be able to imagine the world that is now my future."