After studying abroad in Hong Kong for a semester, senior Ce’Ara Rice-Malkowski learned it was cheaper for her to study in China than it was to go to school at the University.

She also learned that in certain areas it is acceptable to go to the bathroom in the street.

At a panel discussion Tuesday night about studying abroad, Malkowski and three other students talked about their experiences. The panel was a collaboration between the Global Management and Leadership Society and The Center for Leadership, and is a part of the spring 2014 Leadership Workshop Series.

Malkowski was joined on the panel by students Michelle Hicks, Andrea Badertscher and Andrell Hall.

Each of the students had different experiences during their travels, which they openly shared.

“People say Hong Kong is like New York, but it’s like New York on steroids,” Malkowski said.

The city had no personal space; when people bumped into Malkowski, they would not apologize or say “excuse me,” because it was such a common experience, she said. Malkowski is an accounting major who is also minoring in ethnic studies. She said she would like to work in an international market after she graduates in May.

Hicks studied in Spain for four months and also mentioned that going to the bathroom in the street was also a common occurrence.

“People are also really open and passionate in public,” Hicks said.

She talked about one couple heavily making out in public, which no one seemed to mind.

“It was a life experience,” Hicks said. “It’s always good to try something different and get out of your comfort zone.”

Badertscher studied abroad in Japan and said there was no defecation or urination in public; rather, she had to pay to use a public restroom.

She was in Japan for four weeks and spent her time there with two host families and stayed in two different cities.

Her language classes were all in Japanese, but her culture classes were in English. She said her favorite part was the Hiroshima Museum. She also shared funny stories about the families she stayed with on her trip.

“One time, my host mom made me cereal, but she gave me a fork,” Badertscher said.

Hall did not take classes during her summer in the U.K., but as an interior design major she did study the architecture in Paris, London, Rome and Florence. She shared many stories of her travels, but her most notable was about food.

“Pepperoni in Italy is peppers. Salami is pepperoni,” Hall said. “And in London at Pizza Hut they have shrimp and potato wedges instead of breadsticks.”

Senior Maria Buettner attended the panel and said she was interested in studying abroad.

“It’s interesting to learn about cultural differences,” Buettner said. “It is a great opportunity; I’d love to do it if I had more time.”

For more information about studying abroad there is an informational meeting every day in 219 University Hall. For the time, email [email protected].