This semester we have three abroad columnists who will contribute a column to The Eagle once a month. They will provide insight into what the life of an abroad student looks like from all over the world.
Where are you studying abroad and why did you choose that program? I will be studying abroad at Manipal University in Manipal, India, which is in the southern state of Karnataka. The program's focus is Public Health and with my interest in Global Health it seemed like a perfect fit. My desire to get to know India came after I decided to study there. After reading up on my destination, I am beyond excited to live in India this semester.
What are you hoping to get out of your abroad experience? My first goal for study abroad is to meet as many new people as possible. I am a people person. I learn best through my peers, and so I want to get to know both my fellow abroad-ers and the Indian students I meet. Secondly, I want to connect what I have learned development and health in my classes to what I see and witness in India. My program involves site visits to hospitals and clinics in rural India, and I want to witness the reality versus what I have learned in class. My final goal is to make the most out of the unexpected. Obviously there will be many surprises during my semester, and I want to take advantage of every adventure that comes my way, good or bad.
What are you studying abroad and why did you choose that program? I'm actually a Spanish Language minor, so I'm taking a mixed bunch of courses. Gender and Psychology, English\Spanish Grammar, Contemporary World History, and Mexican Judicial Systems.
What do you hope to get out of your abroad experience? See how my understanding of various social justice issues changes and develops while immersed in a Mexican university and culture. Also eat as much Mexican food as feasibly possible.
Why are you studying abroad and why did you choose that program? I chose to study abroad because I love to travel and see the world, and I don't know much about Prague. I loved the idea of moving to a new city with an open mind, and seeing what kind of life I could make for myself there. I chose my specific film program in Prague because it seemed like the logical next step in my education. The FAMU program I'm enrolled in is popular among film majors, and it was the only program that I found that really fit what I wanted. I was a bit dissatisfied with the film education I was receiving at AU, and the program I chose seemed to offer the creative outlets and opportunities I needed.
What are you hoping to get out of your study abroad experience? I am hoping to learn to be more open to leaving my comfort zone while studying abroad. I have been told by hoards of traveling veterans that there is nothing more educational than spending time in a new city and a new culture on your own, and that's an experience I am looking forward to immensely. I'm hoping to learn to navigate and feel comfortable in an unfamiliar setting, and to hone my adaptive skills by dropping myself into a completely unfamiliar world. In terms of studying, I'm hoping to define the career track I want, and to see the process of seeing a movie through from start to finish.
