Go into the experience with an open mind, try new things, and take advantage of every opportunity while you are there.
Why did you choose to participate in the study abroad program? I chose this program because I wanted the opportunity to travel somewhere completely different from what I was used to and experience a new culture. The UAE interested me because of how quickly it has developed and how it has worked to grow its economy beyond oil. I also saw studying abroad as a great opportunity to get outside of my comfort zone, experience a different part of the world, and learn things that I wouldn't normally get to experience in a classroom.
In what ways did this experience contribute to your personal, professional, and/or academic growth? This experience helped me become more independent and gave me a better understanding of different cultures and ways of life. I was able to see firsthand how the UAE has developed its economy and how businesses and industries operate in a different part of the world. It also gave me a different perspective on topics I had learned about in school. The experience itself helped me become more open minded and gave me experiences and knowledge that I can carry with me both personally and professionally.
Most memorable experience? The most memorable experience in the UAE was not only the agricultural differences, but the way of life. Seeing what other countries go through and do on a daily basis is something I never thought I would have the opportunity to see. It also has to be the friends I made and went thought the experience with!
Have scholarships impacted your decision to study abroad? Yes!
What advice would you give to students interested in one of your programs or study abroad in general? My biggest advice would be to take the opportunity if you have it. Traveling to another country can seem intimidating at first, especially if you have never traveled that far from home, but it is worth getting outside of your comfort zone. Go into the experience with an open mind, try new things, and take advantage of every opportunity while you are there. Don't forget to make new friends during this experience as well! Studying abroad gave me experiences and memories that I would have never gotten from sitting in a classroom, and I would definitely encourage other students to do it.