Name: Colton Abels ’27
Major: Elementary Education (Special Education, Science, Coaching)
Involvement: Tennis, Ritterchor
Why did you choose to take a May Term travel course: I went to Peru with Dr. Bechtel my first May Term in 2023. He was one of my first professors at Wartburg, and he made it seem like an amazing opportunity that I couldn’t pass up, which turned out to be true. He would talk about this class in all of the science classes I had with him, and he shared all of his amazing stories that made me want to go with him.
What was your favorite part of your experience in Peru: I loved getting to meet all the people in Peru. Everyone was so excited to meet us and teach us their way of life in the Amazon. I loved learning how people in Peru get to live their lives, and I could learn about a different perspective on life.
What did you learn from this experience: Have an open mind when it comes to new opportunities. Many times, when we face something new or challenging, we shy away because we don’t know what they outcome is going to be. This experience helped me challenge myself and opened the door to trying new things — like a grub worm. If I hadn’t gone on this trip, I would have never gotten to really experience the foods of Peru.
Why should others consider taking a May Term travel course: Traveling abroad can give you new perspectives and new experiences. It also gives you a better understanding of different customs and traditions in different countries. Taking this course also helped me improve my Spanish, which will help in my classrooms in the future.
Share
