Name: Sarah Bright
Type of Project: Study Abroad
My STEP signature project was a DIS study abroad trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. The class I took focused on children with special needs. This trip not only expanded my knowledge on the population I will one day work with, but traveling allowed me to develop a stronger sense of independence.
My greatest take-away from this project is that I am capable of so much more than I thought possible. This program was going to be a challenge for me, not only because of the rigorous course material, but also because the course itself was in a completely new country. As someone who rarely leaves the bubble of central Ohio, I was anxious to be alone 4,193 miles away. However, this was something I knew I needed to experience. This project showed me how exciting the world can be, and I am not afraid to step further out of my comfort zone.
The course I completed in Copenhagen analyzed the different theories and practices within the special needs population and provided hands-on experience through numerous field experiences. This class involved a lot of reflection on current research as well as these field experiences. As someone who is pursuing a career in the special needs field, this class was very valuable to me. It challenged my perspective on what I already knew, and it furthered my knowledge in this field.
I met so many people through this program, from the U.S. and beyond. I lived with students from all over the U.S., and it was interesting to hear about their life experiences as well as share my own. Together, we explored Copenhagen, immersed ourselves in the culture, and interacted with locals. Experiencing a totally new culture with my new friends was an incredible opportunity for me to increase my global awareness and broaden my perspective on the world I live in. We reflected on everything we were seeing and experiencing and talked about how our lives in Denmark compared to our lives back home. I was very thankful we were able to share this unique experience together.
Having the opportunity to travel in general challenged me to grow as an individual, gain self-confidence, and develop more of an independence. Both my class and the setup of this program aided in my growth. This program was very independent – though there were resources for us to utilize if we needed them, we were left to live in Copenhagen and adapt to the Danish lifestyle on our own. Since going to college and moving away from home I have been discovering my own identity, and living abroad through this program took this one step further.
The class I took not only counts toward my minor in Developmental Psychology, but it also puts me one step closer to my professional goals by educating me in the field and giving me a solid foundation of knowledge and experience that I will be able to apply to my future career. It further solidified my decision that this line of work is what I am passionate about and it is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. It motivated me to continue to work towards my goal of graduating, attending graduate school, and obtaining my physical therapy license.
This project also helped me further my independence and develop a greater self-confidence. Coming to OSU, I didn’t know what to expect out of my experience. Completing a portion of my academic career in an entirely different country was something I never expected to have the opportunity to do. This trip fostered a desire in me to continue meeting new people and experiencing new places. I hope to continue to grow and see everything the world has to offer.
