"I am a dance student at JU. This study abroad program was quite possibly the single most influential few weeks of my life. Not only did I learn a lot about my field from some very interesting and talented people, but I learned a lot about myself as well. My only negative comment is that I wish we had more time to be in the culture and take classes! The hostel was amazing with very friendly and helpful staff. And Dock 11 was a great facility, along with all of the people. The classes were great and it was a lot of knowledge to obtain but it was all so interesting. And I loved that the dance and theatre classes were able to be combined. I learned a lot from the classes dealing with breath, and biomechanics.

I also was able to collaborate with two theater practicioners for our choreography which was another influential experience. I had never worked with actors before and it was quite a process of trial and error, but I learned from it. The city was amazing, it was great to be immersed into their culture and learn about them. It was a great challenge to communicate with them, and ultimately that was the concept for the choreography project. All in all it was an amazing experience and I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat!"

Best regards, Rebecca Rymes (BA dance student/Jacksonville University)

"The study abroad dance and theater program in Berlin, Germany, was nothing short of sensational! From the hostel that we lived in to the space we worked in, everything was surrounded by culture. The guest artists that were brought in were extremely inspirational in their passion for movement and theater. They all presented different techniques and ways of working with the body as well as demonstrated an individual experience for each of us. The excursions we went on were very relative to the courses and allowed us to really experience the German culture in performance as spectators. The sites were amazing as well. Dock 11 was a great space to have the opportunity to work in. It was very spacious and friendly.

I feel this program offered the students a complete experience in that it allowed us to participate as a spectator, performer, and creator. I personally found this trip to be the stepping stone I needed to evolve from a student to a professional. I feel I have grasped some knowledge that will help me in the future as a professional dancer. I am grateful for the opportunity to have studied in Berlin. I will never forget it!"

Danielle Stanford (recent graduate/ BA dance, Jacksonville University)