Global Exchanges Student Spotlight: Noelle Day

Noelle Day, a senior at Florida State University, had always been curious about the world beyond the US. As a Linguistics and Languages major, she was eager to immerse herself in new cultures and languages, but the opportunity had never quite materialized—until the Spring of 2024. That’s when she took a leap and participated in FSU’s Global Exchange program, spending a semester at the University of Salzburg in Austria.
 
For Noelle, the decision to embark on this journey was fueled by a deep-seated desire to experience life outside of her comfort zone. “I had never been abroad before but had always been interested in other cultures,” she said. “I knew that this would be a great opportunity to grow as an individual and be immersed in a different way of life, even if it was out of my comfort zone.”
 
This experience did more than just satisfy her curiosity—it profoundly shaped her personal and professional outlook. Noelle reflected on the impact of her time abroad, noting, “Global Exchanges have given me so many experiences that helped me grow as a person. I feel more independent, more mature, and more confident. After living abroad, I can connect with people of diverse backgrounds, and I know that I would love to work in an international setting.”
 
However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles Noelle faced was the language barrier. “People in Austria speak German, which I had never studied before, and I had a difficult time understanding the language,” she shared. To overcome this, Noelle enrolled in an intensive beginner course at the university and diligently practiced local phrases. Her efforts paid off. “I enjoyed speaking it, and people were always happy when I pronounced words correctly,” she added.
 
Despite these challenges, Noelle embraced the local culture wholeheartedly. “I tried to participate in Austrian culture as much as possible. I visited Easter markets, hiked in the mountains, visited carious beer gardens, and even bought myself a Dirndl,” she said, describing her experiences with enthusiasm. The Dirndl, a traditional Alpine dress, became a symbol of her connection to Austrian culture.
 
Noelle made the most of her time in Europe by joining Erasmus, the European Student Network, which organized various social events and activities. “They organized events, games at the park, going to the nightclub, and tours of the city,” she said. Her travels didn’t stop at Austria’s borders; she visited nine other countries — England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain —, taking advantage of affordable train tickets and holiday breaks.
 
When asked what advice she would give to other FSU students considering a similar program, Noelle didn’t hesitate. “I think everyone should participate in something like this. It allows you to have life-changing experiences, and the rewards are endless. You have the opportunity to make unique and lasting friendships, learn another language, travel, and immerse yourself in another culture.” Noelle’s semester in Salzburg was more than just an academic exchange—it was a transformative journey that left her with memories, skills, and perspectives that will guide her future. As she looks ahead to her career, one thing is certain: the world is now her stage, and she’s ready to take on new experiences and challenges.
 
The first exciting step she has taken upon returning to FSU is to apply and be appointed into a student staff role in the Global Exchanges Program. In this role, she leads weekly info sessions for students interested in going on an exchange and shares the many opportunities open to students through the more than 45 exchange programs. When asked why she wanted to do this she said, “It is really exciting to see so many new faces interested in going abroad and I am so happy to help share my experiences and help other people take advantage of this unique opportunity.”