Now that I'm back home after 3 weeks in Singapore, it feels like a good time to reflect on the goals I had before the study abroad program. My biggest academic goal was to gain a better understanding of the Singaporean government’s admirable relationship with the private sector and it's population, which I can confidently say I achieved.
Traveling alone can be daunting; seeing new places, experiencing new cultures, and being put outside of your comfort zone are concepts many of us go through when going to a new place. I would be lying if I didn't say that these feelings are exponentially increased when not only traveling but even more so when working there. Don't let this deceive you, though; all the high emotions you get from experiencing new things also get increased.
Ever since I began my travel adventures, I have been searching for this feeling; the feeling of home. I have always loved experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, making connections around the world, and putting myself outside of my comfort zone. My parents have always asked me where I could see myself living someday, and I never had an answer. I had loved so many places, but nowhere ever felt like somewhere I could truly call my second home. Until Copenhagen.
My three-week study abroad experience in Ecuador was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in college. Our group visited Quito, various eco lodges, Artisana National Park, and the Amazon rainforest. Passionate about ecology, we had hands-on lab experiences, short lectures, and even a small research project. Though Ecuador is a relatively small country, it was exceptionally diverse in culture, ecosystems, and animal life.
Spending eight weeks in Paris, France as a website development intern was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. While I was excited to live in one of the world's most famous cities, I quickly realized that working abroad would require me to adapt in ways I had never expected.
Studying abroad in London for four weeks was truly one of the best experiences of my college career. I loved being able to take what I was learning in my business classes, especially Cross-Cultural Business Communication and Marketing Arts, and experience it firsthand through company visits, cultural experiences, and exploring London. Being immersed in a new environment gave me a much better understanding of how culture influences the way people communicate, market, and do business around the world.
This was my third GEO program, and it easily set itself apart. Beyond the beautiful excursions, our Professors Karen and Casey Walker stand out for their dedication, carefully structured curriculum, and insightful feedback during workshops and discussions. In just four weeks, this coursework helped me complete my creative writing minor and grow immensely as a writer, both in sharpening my craft and learning to embrace constructive critique.
-Lola Tagwerker, Creative Writing in Oviedo
It’s hard to believe that my study abroad trip is already over. I’m back in Burgos with my family, where it feels like I’ve stepped back into summer (my last week in Asturias was overcast and drizzly). It felt like an early start to autumn weather in Oviedo, but the people there don’t seem to mind, saying it’s what keeps the city green. Oviedo is green, literally and figuratively. Beyond the weather, what really struck me was how environmentally conscious daily life is there.
