Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - While most college students spend their undergraduate years hitting the books, working, and hanging with friends, University of Wisconsin-Platteville student, Rikki Green, has accomplished these activities while going above and beyond the norm. As an electrical engineering major with an emphasis on power and controls and a Spanish minor, Green has traveled abroad and participated in a coop during her time at UWP.

Green studied at the American Spanish Institute in Seville, Spain during the spring of 2002. At the institute there were approximately 150 American students with class sizes ranging from 15 to 20 students. Studying abroad she took classes in Flamenco dancing, painting, art in Seville, Latin American history, and an intensive Spanish language course. She also took cultural trips to bullfights, pottery shops, and nearby Greek and Roman ruins.

"I gained the most self-confidence by proving to myself that I could get around Spain without help," commented Green.

Part of the experience was spent with a host family giving Green an even greater opportunity to use her language skills. "I really wanted to have more contact with international students and build an international community of friendships. This trip exposed me to another language and immersed me completely in another culture," said Green.

Upon returning to the United States, Green participated in a coop at Kimberly Clark. In the future she would like to work internationally in other countries setting up power systems in underdeveloped areas. "I definitely see a use for Spanish in my future because it's a connective language lots of people speak," commented Green. She added, "I would also suggest that anyone interested in studying abroad should pursue their dreams because what you learn from these experiences will really benefit you in the long run."

The daughter of Richard and Linda, Green plans to graduate from UWP in December of 2005.