This blog post introduces Keaira and Kylie, who both spent the Fall of 2024 studying abroad in Prague with Verto Education before transferring to Syracuse University, a Channel and Direct Transfer Partner of Verto Education!
After meeting on-site and participating in Verto Discovery, our programming model for building community for first-year students, they decided to become roommates at Syracuse University. Check out their responses below.
Keaira and Kylie at Syracuse
1. Where are you both from, and why did you decide to study at Syracuse University?
Keaira: I’m from Biddeford, Maine, which is just about 30 minutes from Portland. I chose Syracuse University because of its excellent Forensic Science program and incredible school spirit—the energy on campus is seriously unmatched!
Kylie: I’m from St. Petersburg, FL, and I decided to choose Syracuse University because they have one of the top communication schools in the nation! I’m studying journalism and international relations, so going somewhere with good connections was a huge deciding factor for me.
Street art workshop during Discovery Week in Prague
2. What was your experience like in Prague? What were some academic and student life highlights?
Keaira: My time in Prague was unforgettable. I find myself thinking about it all the time! I went in with no real expectations, but I left with a deep love and appreciation for the city. The connections I made there were incredible, and from the moment we landed, it felt like everyone had each other’s backs. Being in Central Europe also made it easy to explore different countries on weekends, so I got to visit Vienna and even go to a concert in Berlin! Academically, I loved all my classes, but one highlight was an ethnographic study I conducted for my Cultural Anthropology class. I got to observe how the historical context of the Czech Republic has influenced modern attitudes toward public displays of affection. That research really broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for Czech culture.
Kylie: I absolutely adored the time I spent with Verto in Prague. While it wasn’t my initial college plan, there is no place I would have rather spent my first semester. The class sizes were pretty small, so I made great relationships with my professors and learned a ton!
Kylie traveling during the semester
3. How did your experience with Verto help you prepare for Syracuse? What is Syracuse like now that you are on campus?
Keaira: Verto gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and prove to myself that I could thrive independently and succeed academically. Starting college in another country was definitely nerve-wracking, but I embraced the challenge and had the time of my life! Now that I’m at Syracuse, I absolutely love it! My professors are patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in their students’ success, which has made the transition much smoother.
Kylie: I am convinced that if I hadn’t done Verto, I would be so lost at Syracuse. The independence and freedom I had moving to another country straight out of high school is something I was initially worried about, but now that I’m back in the States, I am so thankful I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. The start of my spring semester has been a breeze due to Verto, and while any transition has its difficulties, the good habits I build abroad are making things so simple! (Kylie)
Keaira in Prague
4. What advice would you give to a high school graduate considering Verto as their pathway to Syracuse University?
Keaira: Do it! When I first considered Verto, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go abroad right away, and I worried about missing out on the Syracuse experience. But looking back, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and eventually, I found myself repeatedly calling Prague “home” even when I returned to the States; that’s how much my experience impacted me. The friends and memories I made abroad will stay with me forever. If you’re feeling nervous about studying abroad, know it’s completely normal. But that feeling will pass, and soon, you’ll find yourself on a life-changing journey. Take the leap—you won’t regret it!
Kylie: I would advise any current high schoolers to seriously consider when they will be given another opportunity like this. Yes, there are study abroad semesters at Syracuse, but to spend your first semester abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the transition halfway into the year is something that you are worried about, don’t be. There are so many transfer student events, clubs, and sports, and I am still in contact with all of my friends from Prague- I’m visiting my Prague roommate in Boulder in March!
Want to see if a Verto start to college can work for you? Apply today to get started.
