Do it scared! Leaving an environment you know and diving into the unknown is never easy, but it's so worth it.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience what I was learning in the classroom in the real world. My major encompasses a broad range of topics, including poverty, food insecurity, and agricultural issues. Studying abroad has helped me see these issues firsthand and put many of the concepts I had only read or discussed in class into perspective.
What was your favorite study abroad experience?
I have cherished all of my study abroad experiences because each one has offered something unique and valuable, whether it was connecting with professionals at the FAO in Rome, Italy, or forming relationships with students and community members in rural Kamuli, Uganda. One specific experience that I often reflect on is creating fun recess games with my primary students in Uganda to help the time pass. Even though it was something as simple as a game of duck-duck-goose, the students were so appreciative of my presence and eager to teach me their local games. Their openness, warmth, and willingness to make me feel entirely accepted and share their joy will always be a memory I carry with me.
What advice would you give students interested in studying abroad?
Do it scared! Leaving an environment you know and diving into the unknown is never easy, but it's so worth it. Traveling changes you in the most beautiful ways. It opens your mind, builds your confidence, and helps you see yourself and the world in a different light. If you're considering it even for a little bit, take the leap and just do it!