Washington Adventist University’s ACA Program Opens Doors to Global Learning

TAKOMA PARK, MD – Washington Adventist University is proud to empower students with incredible opportunities, and the Adventist College Abroad (ACA) program is one that offers rich, life-changing experiences. The ACA program provides opportunities for qualified students to study overseas while completing the requirements of their programs at their home colleges. Students can continue their education without missing the lifetime experience of studying abroad.

Four representatives visited Washington Adventist University from ACA, including Juan Antonio Lopez, the Director of the Adventist Colleges Abroad Program; Christian Brown, the Study Abroad Program Assistant at the North American Division (NAD); Gabriel Samperio, the representative from France; Sunmin “Amy” Kim, the representative from South Korea; and others. Each representative gave informative presentations to students with valuable insights into the program.

As part of the Office of Education in the NAD, ACA is the consortium for Adventist colleges and universities in North America, partnering with sister colleges and universities in Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and most recently, South Korea. 

The ACA program was born 60 years ago to help students learn other languages and cultures and is committed to facilitating its accessibility by offering seven options, between academic year and summer programs, to best suit the needs of students.

Learning a language teaches one a new way of communicating and understanding and opens new perspectives of seeing the world. People who join the ACA program will be immersed in a different culture, engaging with their music and sports and benefiting from internship activities available in that country.

“Most of them will never change the day they make their decision, and they never return the same from having been abroad because they have changed their lives. Even from my spiritual point of view, they grow as a person, and they grow new connections with others,” stated Lopez.

Moreover, the ACA program offers constant support in all the bureaucratic processes a student may go through while applying. One of the program’s missions is to guide students through this big decision, providing direct contact and prompt responses.

Former student Michelle Neyra shared her delightful experience at Villa Aurora, Italy, for the year 2018-2019: “I was fortunate enough to spend a year living in Italy, and I’d encourage anyone who wants a change of scenery and a full immersion into the rolling valleys of Tuscany to consider a similar program. Leaving home, family, and friends can be daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to make new friendships that will last a lifetime.”

“My experience in Italy is a pool of memories I’ll treasure forever. Villa Aurora is where you fully immerse yourself in arts, rich history, and divine cuisine. Taking culinary and photography classes were skills that I continue to practice, and learning about Italian history is truly enlightening when you walk into town and look up to the Duomo, realizing you’re taking steps where Brunelleschi was,” commented Neyra.

On Thursday, the 25th of January, Washington Adventist Univerisity hosted ambassadors of the ACA programs on campus, engaging the community with powerful presentations and time for open questions. One of WAU’s first-year students, Carrington Mattox, was particularly attracted to the program and plans to embark on this new journey. Given his French background, Mattox has always been interested in learning the language, and with the visit, the ACA program fell right in his path.

The decisive moment happened during class, thanks to a close chat with the French ambassador for the ACA program. His answer was clear after hearing the experience’s ins and outs.

“I’m excited about the change of scenery and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to meet new people and explore possibilities beyond the borders of the United States. This includes reaching out to different individuals, connecting with family members, learning a new language, and delving deeper into its history,” remarked Mattox.

“It was very comforting to hear that it was what I imagined it to be, and even more. I am looking forward to it.”