I have become more open to adventure. I have realized how much more I want to travel and meet new people all around the world.
b) How has your professional/academic goals changed?
Right now I am thinking about getting a work visa so I can work over seas. Before studying abroad, I wanted to stay in Pittsburgh and find work after school. However, I would like to experience working in a different country for some time.
c) What self-discovery surprised you?
What surprised me was how good I got along with everyone in the house. I am a very friendly person, however living with new people can be a challenge for me. Having my own room definitely helped, but I made some life long friends while traveling abroad.
d) How did you navigate through your fears and apprehensions that you had prior to studying abroad?
One big thing I was worried about was money. With the exchange rate I was afraid I would not be able to go to all the places I wanted to visit. Instead or trying to take many trips, I picked my top two destinations and spent a couple days there doing everything I wanted to do.
e) How has studying abroad impacted your view of the world?
I realized just how big the world is. It is easy to forget when you are always in one spot, but traveling opened my eyes to the amount of places I still want to visit.
f) Single greatest benefit of studying abroad?
Getting to meet the people I lived with. They made me feel at home and made my experience a lot much better.
g) What was your favorite experience and why?
My favorite experience was traveling to Scotland. It was most beautiful country I've ever been to and I would even consider living there after I finish school
h) What advice would you give to future participants?
Make as many friends as you can possibly can. It will motivate you to not only go back to visit, but it will also motivate you to travel other places to make more friends.
I) Would you study abroad again? Where? Why?
Yes. Either Thailand or London. I've always wanted to visit both these places and being able to live there for an extended period of time would be amazing.
