1. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself on this study Abroad? Share the pictures, people, and stories who helped you learn that lesson.
The most important thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m more capable and useful in hard situations than I expected of myself. Naturally, being in a different country, problems will arise and the means to go about fixing them can be more difficult than at home. Or simply the responsibility required for everyday things is a little more asking than at home. Things like transportation, figuring out monetary disputes while eating out or with housing people, or just any other situation trying to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak your language. When we had no idea where to go I was able to take some lead in knowing which tram lines and stops we needed to take, and additionally during our first weekend trip I was able to help coordinate where we were going and how. When we got stranded in Orleans and had to quickly make a new plan to be able to take the last train to somewhere that could house 9 people really forced my group and I to commit and trust each other. It then turned into the best night of the trip with us exploring a town we normally would’ve never visited and met some incredible people at a hole in the wall bar. It just really showed me that despite not knowing exactly what to do, with a little initiative you can really figure anything out.
2. What is the most important thing you have learned about (1) the EU, (2) Global Leadership, and (3) CQ while you were studying abroad? Share the pictures, people, stories, and insights you gained.
The most important thing I’ve learned about the EU is that while it shares similarities with the US and our government, it truly is its own one of a kind thing that has been formed over decades. The history of Europe is so ingrained into what the EU is and does and it pushes it to be better, more transparent, and more productive every year. Global leadership has become glaringly important if you ever have to do any business globally. Being able to navigate the cultural differences while keeping such different people on track to your goals is not something that can be done half heartedly. CQ was incredibly helpful to learn about and to show me just how little cultural knowledge I have. Being culturally intelligent covers so many bases and being in a different country that speaks different languages really pulled me out of my comfort zone and showed me really how different cultures can be.
3. What would you like to tell (and show) an Aggie who is considering taking a CIBS study abroad in Europe. What would they hear, what would they see, what would they experience?
I would tell an Aggie thinking about doing a study abroad to absolutely do it. Especially if that person has never left the country, it’s the perfect opportunity to have an experience like this with incredible staff and program directors that make it a good balance between fun, safety, and learning. They would hear a multitude of different languages they may have never even heard of before, the many sounds of all the amazing public transport all over Europe, and lots of conversation over food while walking through the city passing cafes and bakeries. They would see incredible architecture, nothing like anything in the U.S., amazing and colorful food, and a drastically wide range of people. They would get to experience everything a different culture has to offer and find enjoyment in living a different lifestyle. I could not recommend a study abroad program more.
