WAU Graduates Share Memorable Study Abroad Experiences in France and Italy

TAKOMA PARK, Md. – Two Washington Adventist University (WAU) graduates, Francisca Kimbembe and Vanya Huarca, recently shared highlights of their enriching experiences studying abroad through the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) program. Both students, who graduated in December 2024, majored in Biology and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Chemistry. They will join their classmates for commencement in May 2025.

Francisca Kimbembe spent six weeks immersed in the culture and language of France, studying at a university in Collonges, near the Swiss border. “My overall experience with ACA was honestly very great,” she said. “I met a lot of people I am still close to today. The faith-based environment, combined with excursions and vespers, helped us grow spiritually while enjoying cultural experiences.”

Kimbembe’s time in Collonges included exploring the scenic French-Swiss border and hiking a nearby mountain, which offered breathtaking views and a close-up of Switzerland’s iconic flag. With a family heritage rooted in Brazzaville, Congo, where French is the official language, she saw this trip as an opportunity to strengthen her connection to her roots and improve her fluency.

Her decision to study abroad was influenced by WAU’s Honors College. “Dr. Jonathan Scriven, the ACA coordinator at WAU, and the Honors College provided tremendous support, from financial guidance to planning the trip,” Kimbembe said.
Vanya Huarca chose Italy for her ACA experience, spending over six weeks in Florence. “I’ve wanted to visit Italy since high school,” she shared. “This trip allowed me to finally experience the country, its culture, and its language firsthand.”

During her stay, Huarca explored landmarks such as La Cinque Terre, Rome, and Pisa. Encouraged to travel independently, she ventured beyond Florence to the Dolomites, Tuscany, and even Paris, where she reunited with Kimbembe.

Huarca emphasized the warmth and hospitality of the Italian people. “They treated us like family, helping us practice Italian and making us feel at home,” she said.

Huarca, fluent in Italian, credited her preparation to WAU’s Biology Department and Honors College. “WAU helped me grow in confidence and independence,” she noted. “That foundation was invaluable during my time abroad.”

Both Kimbembe and Huarca found spiritual significance in their ACA experiences. “We prayed at every moment – before flights, classes, and activities,” Kimbembe said. Huarca appreciated the lively, participatory worship style she encountered. “It felt like family worship, where everyone contributed. It deepened my love for God and strengthened my faith,” she said.

As teaching assistants in WAU’s Department of Biology and Chemistry, Kimbembe and Huarca continue to contribute to the university community while reflecting on their transformative journeys.

For more information about the ACA program, contact Dr. Jonathan Scriven at jscriven@wau.edu.