Maurice Nick
 Age: 25
College/University: University of Maryland — College Park
Year Graduated: Undergrad 2012; Graduate 2016
Current job: Supply Chain Program Planner — Northrop Grumman Corporation
Year you went abroad: 2014
Where you went: Sri Lanka
How long you were there: 4 weeks
BlackEnterprise.com: Did you always want to study abroad or is it something you decided to do after you started college?
Studying abroad is definitely something I had a strong interest in doing since high school. However, due to the need for financial support, college was the first opportunity that I could actually capitalize on. My honors ‘Spanish 4′ class went to Mexico in the 11th grade. I pleaded with my parents for the opportunity to go abroad with them, but the funds simply weren’t readily available, in addition to other concerns they had.
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How did you prepare to go abroad? Did your school help you prepare?
All of my programs were associated with a class. This will be true for the vast majority of programs offered by a school. When I went to Sri Lanka we had three meetings prior to going abroad. I was working on behalf of the International Executive Service Corp., so they held an executive meeting with all of the student consultants, and personnel from USAID. These sessions were used to jumpstart the groups on their projects. I was on a team of two, and we had two clients in two very different industries that needed similar services provided.
We were funded by USAID; they had subbed their program to IESC, who then contracted with the MBA program at my University. Therefore, IESC paid and made all of our hotel accommodations.
We worked throughout the entire island; the official travel was made for each team from the capital city where we all landed, and to the cities we would be stationed. If we chose to travel between cities or to meet each other at various sites, then that was an out-of-pocket expense. The flight to the island was also an out-of-pocket expense and that reservation was made by each individual student consultant.The first thing I did was submit an application for a visa. This step can be burdensome if the instructions for the country are not followed closely. In addition to submitting my applications and passport for a visa, I prepared by learning about the people who called Sri Lanka home. I purchased a travel guide book about a month from my departure date to learn what I could about the culture and cities I was to travel to. These books always have tips on having a great time, signs to watch out for, and things to avoid to prevent offending locals.
The CDC website provided me with the list of shots I needed and additional ways to ensure I stayed healthy while abroad. The last thing I did was call my bank and have a travel note placed on my credit cards to ensure they’d remain functional during my trip.
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Did you speak a language other than your native tongue while you were away?
I tried to soak in as much of the language as I could. Natives love to teach you their words and help with your pronunciation and enunciation. (Note: The major languages spoken in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese, Tamil and Sri Lankan Creole Malay.)
Who did you stay with?
I stayed in two hotels while in the country.
What were you expecting before you actually got there?
I was expecting the country to look a lot like India. In many ways they are very similar. However, Sri Lanka still has its own culture.
I was not expecting the abundance of Toque Macaque and Gray Langur monkeys. I’m used to seeing stray dogs abroad, but this country seemed to have a bit more. I will always remember the hilarious scuffles between the monkeys and dogs. Man’s best friend is not the best rumbling opponent for the rambunctious primates.
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At what university did you study?
For this particular trip we were functioning as consultants. I worked with my home University, USAID, and IESC.
What was it like to attend classes?
Instead of taking classes, I had daily meetings with clients. One of my clients was a pretty established national dairy farm, the other was a fast-growing furniture store. Depending on the task at hand, we would do a number of things: meet with one in the morning, the other in the evening; or consecutive whole-day working meetings if we were on the cusp of a deliverable deadline. My partner and I never split time between the two clients. We stayed together as a team the entire time.
Did you establish any lasting relationships?
Yes. Social media has given us the ability to track friends stateside, but I think the biggest benefit is the ability to connect with individuals all around the world. Using Facebook and Instagram, I have the ability to nurture the relationships I developed in the country.
I keep in contact with the son of the dairy farm owners; he
even extended me an invitation to his wedding this past summer. However, the manager of the furniture store and I speak more regularly. We are both motorbike enthusiasts, and are waiting for the opportune time to meet somewhere in the world and partake in a race or two.What was your biggest misconception about the people and/or the country?
I hadn’t heard many stereotypes about the Sri Lankan people, so I didn’t have any cultural misconceptions.
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What were their biggest misconceptions about you and where you were from?
We assume that America just runs the world. Every time I leave our soil I realize how little influence we have on citizens from other countries. I traveled with a Japanese student and they were all over him –Â infatuated in a sense. And when I saw the ways Japan and China were investing in the country I realized why.
We had many discussions about America’s involvement. America has given billions and, although appreciated, the officials would much rather America not tell them what laws to change and how to run their country in order to get the aid. China and Japan’s foreign direct investment is their preferred method of receiving aid. They don’t care that they don’t own it, or have much of a say in how it’s done. Their interest is not an economic development clause that hires their own citizens. They want the service provided or the building built. If another country will do that without hiring Sri Lankans and telling them what laws to place on their books, then they’ll take that over the humanitarian funds provided by America.
What did the experience of studying abroad teach you?
I learned something new each day. I
What’s your favorite memory of your experience?
My favorite memory was after a draining, whimsical seven-hour car ride from the capital city of Colombo to the capital of the North Central Province, Anuradhapura. We finally reached our motel. (This is how I tell the story.) Of course, I packed too much, and now have to face the task of carrying two of the largest suitcases ever allowed on a plane up the three flights of stairs to my motel room.
I walk in my room and, instantly, all is forgiven once I see my view over the Kandalama Reservoir. I walk to the huge, sliding glass door and open it for a breeze. I grab my suitcases that are now keeping my main door ajar and bring them inside. I dig in for a snack and ponder a nap before getting to work. I walk back to my door to ensure it’s fastened shut and then I notice a sign. It’s the rules of the motel, so I give it a quick skim. No. 4 on the list was “DO NOT OPEN SLIDING GLASS DOOR, AND WATCH OUT FOR ROAMING MONKEYS.†I turned so quick to run back and shut the door before the aroma of my snacks hit the trees and attracted a monkey. Thankfully, I had no intruders.
Would you recommend studying abroad to others?
I think studying abroad is an essential part to one’s matriculation. The lessons learned while studying in another country are invaluable and cannot be replicated in your own country.