Seeing the bigger picture. For each person, this could mean something different. Whether it be experiencing a different culture or becoming aware of new opportunities, studying abroad opens your eyes.
For me, it meant discovering I want to live internationally. Prior to my time abroad, I never thought that this would be a goal of mine. I spent most of my life as a homebody, too intimidated to think about setting foot in another country alone. But the study abroad programs at GEO made independence feel manageable. I was able to explore while benefiting from the structure that my program provided.
I studied in Berlin, Germany the summer after my freshman year. The Clark Honors College program offered two four credit classes that covered the history of the city and its place within the EU. Our 18-person cohort felt just like an honors college class in Chapman, except our classroom view was the Berlin TV tower. The passion that my CHC faculty leader brought to our program made each lesson engaging and it always connected to the excursion we did later that day.
During our free time, we used the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, the rail system in Berlin. There wasn’t a “Kiez” or neighborhood that we couldn’t reach by train or bus. I quickly realized that the way we did things in the US was, in fact, not always the best or most efficient. At nearly every stop, a new cuisine awaited: Georgian dumplings, Venezuelan arepas, Sudanese peanut sauce. Kristen insisted we try the classic Berliner donut filled with jam, and our go-to dinner became a döner kebab. I had never seen so many nationalities represented in one place. Berlin showed me that just because you are visiting a certain country does not mean that you will solely experience that culture. People in other countries are often very internationally focused, and that is reflected in their openness and willingness to connect. In restaurants, parks, and hostels, we met people with fascinating stories, often ones that made us excited to explore.
No matter what GEO experience you choose, there will be someone in your corner. For us, it was Kristen. She was our human Google, Berlin expert, and “mother hen”. Not only did she translate and make sure none of us got lost, she also shared her personal experience. Telling us about growing up in East Berlin, she personalized the experience for us. I remember our walk back to the accommodation was silent as we reflected on her story. Every tour, exhibit, anecdote, and lesson shaped our understanding of Berlin’s culture.
Coming back to the States was bittersweet. However, I returned with a new outlook on my education. I didn’t expect studying abroad to change my academic path, but it did. I had a sense of what field of study I was interested in, but the classes I took abroad were not connected to my major. Instead, they satisfied other aspects of my graduation requirements. I took this as an opportunity to explore courses that I might not have taken otherwise. When I returned to campus, I decided to add a major inspired by the classes I took abroad.
Not only did studying abroad inspire me to explore fields I hadn’t considered before, the credits I earned gave me the academic freedom to do so. Just eight credits over the summer allowed me to double major in both journalism and political science. Although I did not consider this before I signed up for the program, I would recommend to anyone to take a look at their schedule to see how a GEO program could help you get ahead.
My time abroad gave me a broader understanding of the world, but also of myself—what I value, what excites me, and what I want my future to look like. I didn’t just learn about Berlin or check off a few credits, I came home with a clearer sense of direction and a deeper curiosity about the world.
The walkable city of Berlin is something that I miss, but I see aspects of its accessibility in Eugene. I am a Peacehealth Bike lover now, always jumping on the opportunity to take a ride along the river or bike to a new restaurant. Looking for adventure in a city—no matter how familiar I am—is something that studying abroad taught me to do.
Stephanie Jersey, Global Programs Assistant