Q: Describe some of the unique opportunities you had while studying abroad.
A: One of the best and most unique experiences I had while abroad was going to an international football match of The Netherlands vs Germany, it was the first professional match and for it to be an international one was very special. I had went with a big group of students from the university which made it more special to watch The Netherlands win the match 3-0 against Germany.
Q: What was the most interesting cultural experience you had while abroad?
A: I went hiking in Luxembourg in a very rural village up in the northern part of the country. I had taken about 3 buses to get into the town where people go to shop and eat. This is the one and only time I had encountered a language barrier, the woman who worked at the restaurant spoke Luxembourgish which is a language used widely there. I was trying to order food and in the end had to google images of hamburgers and fries to show what I was trying to order. This was such a funny experience because we both were laughing in the end at how we could not understand each other.
Q: Describe what you learned academically due to studying abroad?
A: I learned quite a bit in regard to neuroscience and even a bit about medical ethics in Europe. I think that I learned the most about the neuroscience aspect of psychology, which for me was a big reason of why I chose that specific program as I am very happy to have chose it.
Q: What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?
A: I think that it instilled more confidence in myself, my abilities to excel out of my comfort zone, and live in a place far away from home but still manage to make friends and a life. I feel as though I am more sure of myself, as well as more comfortable with who I am and what I am doing. In some ways as generic as it might sound, this experience has changed my life for the better, I am ready for whatever comes next especially traveling more and being prepared to move away if need be.
Q: What was the most memorable or meaningful aspect of your time abroad?
A: I believe the most memorable is a very difficult to say, but I believe that the friends I've made and the experience of adjusting to life in a new country was absolutely amazing. I believe that the friends I've made was amazing because I can honestly say I have made friends who I can go visit now and I have a reason to see these other countries and explore. The memories I've created with these people is something to never forget, also the experiences we have shared together are things that will change and affect all of our lives in some ways.
Q: What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially to your program?
A: Yes! It is something that should be more common and promoted, it can do so much for you and the your view of the world and even of yourself. I would recommend my program as well, the university is great and the location is perfect for its ease of access to different airports, so it is very easy to travel around to other places from this university. For neuroscience and psychology students this university has a great department and good classes as well.
Q: What coursework did you take while abroad? How did these courses compare to UCM courses?
A: I took four course while abroad, one was positive psychology, one was a public health course on medical ethics in Europe, the other two were cognitive/neuroscience courses. I think they were similar in some ways to courses here, such as the assignments, but the main difference is the heavy use of tutorials (discussions) in their method of teaching, which I have come to prefer over lectures.
Q: Describe a typical day for you while abroad in your host country?
A: A typical day was usually, waking up and going through the process of waking up and getting ready for class. I would ride my bike through the town and to the building for my classes. I would attend my classes then try to meet up with my friends and do something such as go eat or just walk around the city. There was daily bike riding which was absolutely amazing and just refreshing to be outside so much. There was a time where me and a group of friends were making group dinners so we would all eat together and hangout before we would go out for the night.
