My main project consisted of traveling through London, Bayeux, Paris, Krakow and Berlin studying World War II. Every morning, my fellow students would meet in the lobby with my professors and we would go to historical sites and give site reports until mid afternoon. We studied strategies, to war tactics, and politics. One of my main take aways from the trip was taking the time to really process that there are more than one side to every story. I have learned about World War II in a way that I thought was universal; however, I have discovered that is not the case. I have studied the history of World War II all the way through high school and taken three college classes for my own interest, and each class was generally about the same. While learning about the war throughout my school career, I started out by learning just the most basic parts, generally about battles and that was the extent of it. As I got older it became more specific, politics became more central, and the approach more detailed. The way that I viewed not only the war but America was challenged during my time in Europe. I began to think about the role politics play in how things are taught and that just because I was taught something my entire life does not mean it is correct. There is always more than one perspective to events.

I have learned a lot about myself during my month abroad. My confidence has grown drastically. I had to do traveling in a foreign country on my own. I did a pre- and post-travel around my study abroad program. In both of those cases I had to find my way around a country in which their first language is not English. I had to make my way from Spain to London and I had to make my way around Amsterdam on my own. However, even though I was not on my own in France, Germany and Poland, I did not speak their language and it was intimidating. I learned that it is okay to stop and ask for directions. When trying to understand someone, I could not just nod and pretend I understood what they were saying, I had to ask them to repeat themselves multiple times which is something I have never liked to do when it is more than two or three times. I had to own the fact that I was a foreigner which was something I did not have a lot of experience in. I had to become self-assured and I had to do it fast. By being thrust into a foreign environment, I was forced to grow a great deal and I am a changed person from that.

I think that traveling alone was something that really pushed myself grow as person. I had to fly from Madrid to London on my own. I had to figure out how to get to the Madrid airport, find my gate, successfully make my flight, take a train from the London airport to the main station and then walk to the hotel where I would eventually meet my fellow classmates. Then again on the way back to the US, I had to walk to the train station, buy my train ticket to the airport and successfully make my flight. Both times I was in a country whose first language was not English. I had to become sure of myself to successfully figure my way around a foreign country.

The first day in London was another time where I grew and learned a lot about myself. Dr. Steigerwald and Dr. Davidson showed us how to use the Tube and they showed us a little bit around the city. Then they let us have some free time. It was my first time in a major city, without any guidance. We had to navigate, make plans and figure out the city on our own. I have always been a shy and passive person but I had to learn how to assert myself to be able to see the sites that I wanted to see since I was in the city for such a short amount of time.

Another difference I see in myself is that I really pushed myself outside my comfort zone during the trip. Usually I am a very reserved, quiet and shy person until you get to know me. I did not go out of my way to make friends. I was content with the friends that I had. When arriving in London, most of the group had done pre-trip travel together but I did not because I went to visit my roommate who studied abroad in Spain. When I arrived, I felt as though everyone had started forming bonds and already had inside jokes. I felt I was on the outside. I had to push myself and make that awful small talk that I hate so much. The first two days on London were not that great because I did not feel comfortable socially. I ended up making a core group of friends by the time Paris rolled around, but I realized there was still half of a group that I wanted to know. Then I made the conscious decision to switch groups, which was something I would never do back in the US. By doing this, I gained even more friends. I can see the growth in my confidence walking away from this trip. By really forcing myself into uncomfortable social situations I gained an amazing group of friends with who I got to have experiences that I will never forget with.

This trip was not just a something fun that I decided to do. It gave me the encouragement I needed to pick up a history minor. Before this, I was just a psychology major, but now I also have a minor. This trip will make me stand out from other applicants when applying to graduate school. There has been a drastic change in myself and I like what I see. Before this trip, I was unsure of myself, shy and passive but now I see a huge spike in self-confidence. Going into interviews and the job force, this confidence will show and hopefully stand out over other applicants. Having more self-esteem and confidence can only improve my chances in being successful in my future career. I am thankful for STEP for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip and to be able to create memories, see history and make lifelong friends.