Junior Ryan Wilson watches as his wife, junior Diane Wilson, sails across a playground in Clifden, Ireland. The group stopped at the playground on their fifth clay of free travel. Courtesy ofAlison Schroder The Wilsons hold on tight as the camel they are riding rises from its sitting position. Students had the opportunity to ride camels and see the Pyramids of Giza during their time in Egypt on the HUG program. Courtesy of Elise Moore lNl '/C2A\TM~ together Most married couples settled down in a new apartment or house after tying the knot, but this was not whatjuniors Ryan and Diane Wilson had in mind. The pair met as freshmen in an Introduction to Communication Disorders class. It was a relationship that culminated two years later at their wedding on August 15, 2011, at which point they decided to begin the new chapter of their life in Greece. Spending the first months of their new life together in a foreign country was not originally in the plan for Diane Wilson. "I was not planning on studying abroad," Diane \1\Tilson said. "It wasn't until sophomore year that I decided to make Greece work." Ryan vVilson, however, had always planned on spending a semester abroad. Greece was the prevalent choice for the newlyweds because of its direct connection to biblical history. They also commented on the importance of having friends on the trip to support them throughout the semester. "The moments that involved our friends while overseas were special for us," Ryan Wilson said. Both Ryan and Diane Wilson made special efforts overseas to get to know everyone individually and make new friends, even though they could have easily closed off and only spent time with each other. "Ryan was a huge spiritual leader for the guys, and Diane was definitely a spiritual leader for the girls, as well," junior Alison Schroder, another student on the trip, said. "You could tell that they were both there for the same reason: to get closer to God and to establish strong Christian relationships with each other and everyone else on the trip." The couple added that it was important to allow oneself to experience everything a study abroad program had to offer. "Anyone preparing for this kind of experience should try to embrace all the opportunities God places before you," Diane Wilson said. "Remember, God is the one growing you; let him do the watering and trimming. As a newlywed couple, you should try to eliminate as many expectations as possible before getting married." In retrospect, the Wilsons agreed the semester abroad was a special one because it was a new experience they shared together. While they admitted that spending a semester overseas as newlyweds was not for everyone, it worked out perfectly for them, allowing them to bond with each other during the trip of a lifetime. "Overseas was different from what we were used to, but different things and changes are just a part of life," Ryan Wilson said. "That's the way we like it." Mallory Davis People 1Qf aau •
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