Sigma Phi Epsilon - Pepperdine University

3 S I G M A P H I E P S I L O N HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STUDY ABROAD? Maxwell Rickard '20 Shares His Return from Buenos Aires and Study Abroad Recommendations W hen signing up to go abroad, Pepperdine really emphasizes going the full year as opposed to only one semester. While this is extremely ideal and what I would recommend, not all students have the ability to do both semesters. As a Hispanic studies major, I was required to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country (Argentina or Spain). However, as a pre-veterinary medicine student as well, I could not afford to miss out on science classes for two semesters. For me, the solution was a one-semester commitment. In the fall of 2017, I spent one semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Although my entire study abroad experience was a blast and lived up to the expectations Pepperdine had set up for it, I was, like many "fall only" abroad students, worried about how my spring semester back in Malibu would be. I wouldn't know any of the incoming freshmen and most of my sophomore friends would still be abroad. Everybody back in Malibu probably already had friend groups who they would've been hanging out with all year. How could I possibly find my niche? I found the answer where I found familiar faces— in my fraternity. Being a part of the Sigma Phi Epsilon brotherhood made my return to Malibu so much more welcoming. I honestly don't know how I would have done it without all my brothers. Thanks to SigEp, I was reintegrated into a big community of men and was able to not only socialize with guys I haven't seen in a long time, but also meet many new brothers who had recently returned from abroad or who had just signed their bids in the fall while I was away. The fraternity is always changing, and for the better. It's good to be back and see that change with my own eyes. After all, I'm a part of it. HFF, Maxwell Rickard '20 Brendan Caldwell Oklahoma City, Okla. Coleman Doyle Franklin, Tenn. Tim Good Hanover, Mass. Mikaeel Habib Karachi, Pakistan Justin Rorick Valencia, Calif. Welcome, New Brothers Malibu Argentina Czech Republic Italy SigEp CA Psi Studies Abroad SigEp brothers studying abroad in Europe reconnect in Prague showing off their SigEp pride. From left: Steven Cravotta '20, Manuel Velasquez De Leon '20, Simon Pilato '20, JP Krueger '20, Blake Ballard '20, and John Louis Chiappe '20. Brothers John Louis Chiappe '20 and Nico Toracca '20 take in a street performance in Florence. Max Rickard '20 and Nick Mason '20 sport the SigEp flag while abroad in Buenos Aires. Maxwell Rickard '20 explores the beautiful mountains of Patagonia while studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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