My study abroad experience far exceeded my expectations and has permanently changed me. I had never been outside of the United States before this experience, and I ended up going to 8 countries during the time that I was abroad.
My perspective and understanding of different cultures have changed since being in Strasbourg and around Europe. My European integration class was the main factor in this, as our class studied how different cultures interact in business and why different people from different cultures behave the way they do. It made me a lot more conscious of the way that I behave as an American, and how others may perceive me as I interact with those in other cultures.
I also gained a lot of perspective about my life and my country. America is a relatively young country compared to the majority of Europe, which opened my eyes to other cultures, perspectives, architecture, food, etc. I was impressed by the age of a lot of monuments and famous buildings, and it made me more aware of our country in relation to the rest of the world.
Finally, this experience changed the trajectory of my college career slightly. It caused me to explore more abroad programs and internships, as well as convinced me to look for jobs and careers in other parts of the world. I had never considered leaving the United States for work or an internship, but this experience made me at least consider that it could be a reality. I am so glad I had this experience and I know that this experience will positively impact me for the rest of my college career and beyond.
