“Being part of a new culture is such a critical part of college,” he said, sipping a drink from Starbucks that could also be found steps away from Brown’s campus. “The zest for life here is totally different.”

“An experience like this really forces you to branch out of your comfort zone,” continued Paul, who’s been socializing exclusively with the other Brown students in the program. “I don’t know if I’ll come back the same person.”

“I’m so sorry if you can’t understand me,” Paul added with no discernible accent or dialect. “I guess I speak like a local now!”

At press time, Paul was leafing through the latest issue of the BPR on the steps of The Capitol.