The STEP project I chose to go to was the Uganda Global May trip. In this class we studied and visited different areas of Uganda that were struggling, and exceeding expectations, with the aspect of human security. The course defined human security as food, economic, health, communication, political, environmental, and personal security.

I have never visited any country in Africa before this trip. I had no idea what to expect before the trip and I talked about it with my classmates while on the flight. None of us knew what was going to happen for the next month or what to expect. Once we got to Uganda, all of us were amazed. I was so curious and loved everything about the country. I learned that there is nothing wrong with being more outgoing. I am usually very shy and lack the confidence to go out and talk to people and make new friends. This trip changed that part of me. I now enjoy going out and meeting new people and learning their stories. I think I was like that because of the culture here in the U.S. People here are usually on their phones and have headphones on and ignore everyone else while walking in public. People in Uganda love to conversate. While out on the street, one can notice so many different conversations going on. I noticed that there is still some hope in having conversations with others. I learned that there is nothing wrong with reaching out and talking to a stranger that you are sitting next to on the bus.

I also learned how we are very much alike. It does not matter if you live in Uganda, the United States, or Mexico we all feel the same things. I realized how we tend to divide ourselves from others that live in foreign countries. I do not know why we do this; we all are pretty similar if we get to know each other. It is horrible how we have these stereotypes of people around the world that do not even apply to the people once you meet them. I think this was my biggest lesson while in Uganda. I learned to love others and accept others. I did this by ignoring any of the physical traits of a person. I did not care how they looked, how they dressed, or how they smelled. I wanted to learn about them and who they were. I think this is something we could do more of here. How we look and dress are traits that pretty much define us as who we are in the United States and that is not something we should keep doing.

       I learned those two things throughout my STEP project. The first lesson, about reaching out more to people, was something my professor encouraged me to do. She knew that I was a shy person and struggled with public speaking. She helped me overcome that fear by encouraging me to talk to others and giving me tips about the language and how I could use it to meet locals. When having conversations with others she included me in the conversation by asking me how I felt about a topic they were discussing. Dr. Fouts is one of the best professors I’ve had the honor of having at Ohio State. It is a shame that I was only able to learn from her for a month, but it was an amazing time because she truly cares about her students and really wants to see us succeed. My host family also helped me overcome this fear of being outgoing. They welcomed me from the first day and started conversations about family and politics and what my interests were. I learned so much from them and I am so happy I was able to stay with them. The last relationship that helped me learn how to be more social was the one I had with the whole group. All of the students that were on this trip were some of the best people I have met. We bonded from day one and kept a positive mindset the whole trip. We all learned from each other and helped each other grow and I am so grateful I spent a month with them.

The second lesson, learning how we are all alike, I learned by doing the site visits and talking to strangers. We did a lot of site visits, we went to a children malnutrition center, a refugee center, and a microfinance center. Those three had the most impact on me because I got to talk to people in those centers. I think my biggest and most moving conversation was one that I had with a refugee from South Sudan. We talked while he was showing us his house, we talked about his life and what the future holds. He told me about his biggest fears and how he did not really have any hope for the future of his country, and I tried telling him to not lose hope. At the end, he thanked me for giving him those words and thanked the group for visiting the center because it reminded him that there are people out there that truly care. Apart from his tragic story of fleeing his home country to reach Uganda, I learned that we are very similar. He reminded me of my dad and how they both thought very alike. I think it is going to be a conversation I will remember for the rest of my life.

There are so many more events and interactions that helped me change and develop as a person throughout that whole month. The biggest thing that impacted me were the people. From my classmates, to my professor and the staff, to the people of Uganda. They are all beautiful people that made this past month a remarkable time. The people of Uganda were so kind and humorous. We met people that have nothing but yet had way more happiness than most of us on the group. We met people that lived just like us, and sometimes even better than us, and it showed me how we have the wrong image of Africa embedded in our minds thanks to the media and stereotypes. We met super intelligent humans that planned to study engineering in Canada and others that started their own organizations to help their communities. The people and the interactions were my favorite part of this project and I hope to be back one day to see all of them again.

This transformation I went through during this trip will help me out in my future and my career. I plan on working with NGOs and help the people that truly need help. I realized I can have more of an impact now since I learned that reaching out to others is not as hard or as embarrassing as I thought it would be. I learned how to connect and bond with people that live on the other side of the world and how it is not as difficult as I thought it would be. Learning how to be less of an introvert will help making networking easier and that way I can have more connections in my field that can help me out. I can voice my ideas better and not struggle with showing people what I truly mean. There are so many ways that this trip has transformed me into a better person, and I cannot wait to see how this past month will impact my life in the future.

My STEP Signature Project was a 24-day OSU faculty-led education abroad program titled Indonesia: Tourism, Culture and Local Community.  While abroad, I attended workshops on the impacts of tourism, visited popular tourist destinations, relaxed on the beaches of Bali, and explored the backstreets with Indonesian college students.

During my STEP Signature Project, I learned that I am a serious over-packer!  I brought more sunscreen, bug spray, and clothes than I could possibly use, along with hiking boots and water-shoes (which I could easily have done without!).  I also became better at enjoying the moment.  At home, I tend to focus on school and my career plans rather than going out with my friends or pampering myself.  In Bali, almost everything you do is treating yourself, either with a spa day, gelato, or a walk on the beach.  It is impossible to focus on work when you are in such a breath-taking place.  Furthermore, my view toward world religions was broadened by the trip.  As a Christian in America, the only information I knew about Hinduism and Buddhism came from a brief middle school education program.  Being able to learn about those religions first-hand by watching or talking with members helped me understand Hinduism and Buddhism more deeply and compare them to Christianity.

On a deeper level, some of my assumptions about the world were broken during my education abroad program.  For example, my view towards developing nations changed during the program: I saw wealthy Indonesian manors, poor shacks, huge shopping malls, and traditional rice paddy farmers.  I interacted with Indonesian college students who had smartphones and social media accounts, “Googled” things, and worked to pay for college loans.  These sights showed me that just because Indonesia is a developing country, it does not mean that the people there are stuck in the past without modern technology.  People all across the globe are connected and share a globalized culture!  This insight makes the world seem a lot smaller, since most people you meet will understand the Internet, cell phones, and modern plumbing.

One of the main events that led to my transformation was a workshop with students from Gadjah Mada University.  Part of our day-long workshop was walking around the backstreets of Yogyakarta to explore non-tourist areas.  When planning our trip, myself and a few other Ohio State University students talked with and got to know two GMU students named Fitri and Matteas.  This was the first up-close and meaningful interaction I had with local Indonesians.  I did a double-take the first time I heard Fitri say “I’ll Google it”; it seemed like such an “American” saying that I was stunned hearing it from her.  On second thought, it makes sense that if they have internet, they have Google in Indonesia!  Matteas also gave us his Snapchat and Instagram information so we could stay in touch.  People in developing countries can behave more “developed” and modern than Western culture!

Another key event was our day around Yogyakarta touring the Buddhist Borobudur Temple and the Hindu Prambanan Temple.  Our guide at those places, a local Hindu practitioner, described the core beliefs of each and interpreted how the architecture of the temples reflected those beliefs.  The weathered stone and grand structures were awe-inspiring, especially considering they were built around 500 years ago.  Visiting these temples and learning their history showed me that Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism share a common purpose: to guide their worshipers between right and wrong in order to prepare them for a better afterlife.  My view of world religions was broadened. There is not necessarily one “right” religion, each religion can be “right” as long as it helps people live better lives on this earth and comfort them about the next life.

One last transformational activity was visiting the Monkey Forest in Ubud.  There were hundreds of monkeys on the property, and they were free to climb the fence and leave anytime.  I was expecting a poorly-kept property with a few monkeys trapped in enclosures, but I was happily wrong!  The place was very modern and well-kept, and it even had a clinic in case anyone was injured by the monkeys.  Furthermore, the monkeys there are vaccinated every three months for rabies and other diseases, and whenever one passes away, it is autopsied to ensure they (and the tourists) are safe.  Again, this showed me that I should not judge people prematurely.

This personal transformation is significant because I have a more open and understanding view of world religions and cultures.  I am not as prone to judge people based on stereotypes, as I have seen some of those stereotypes broken.  Also, I have more appreciation for having fun and not worrying about the future all the time.  Being more open-minded and present in each moment will help me live a better, more accepting life.  Indonesia’s country motto, Unity in Diversity, summarizes my transformation fairly well because I need to embrace diverse people, cultures, and experiences to live the best life I can.

I studied tourism and its impact on the local community, culture, and environment in Indonesia.  We discussed what tourists want and how attractions provide those experiences.  We toured an ecotourism village in Central Bali, which showcased that tourism can be sustainable for the local economy, culture, and environment.  These experiences will be valuable in my hopeful career as a park ranger, as I will be managing tourists and will need to limit their impact on the park environment and the local community.  Due to all of the first-hand experiences I had interacting with locals, overcoming a language barrier, and learning about tourism and religions, this international experience will be an asset to my resume and increase my chances at obtaining a job as a park ranger.

I spent the whole month of May in 2019 in the western part of China in the city of Chengdu on the Global May China Program.  We spent the month learning about Chinese culture and making new friends along the way.

Before I went to China I had no idea what to expect or think about the country, I had never taken the time to think about what it must be like there. I came to realize that I am the same as everyone there and everyone there is the same as me. I enjoyed every moment food, friends, family, smiling, games, singing and dancing. The people there treated me amazing and truly wanted to get to know me and about my life in the United States.  I learned a lot about putting myself out there and going with the flow, many times I would no idea where I was going or what I was doing, but I learned to enjoy and appreciate the moment.  All in all it allowed me a chance to be surrounded by people vastly different from me and to make friendships that will last a lifetime.

The Global May China program is set up so that from the minute you arrive you are paired up with a student from the university. These relationships are built by communication, eternal excitement, and learning about cultural differences. It is such a unique experience to help someone across the world practice their English while also building a friendship. It allowed me to see into someone else’s life and revealed to me that I have this opportunity back at Ohio State and United States if I just take it. There are a vast number of students at Ohio State from all over the world and I know I am able to meet so many types of people just through my everyday classes and life.

Towards the end of my stay in China I was walking through a park and stopped to watch some people play badminton and hacky sack.  After watching for a minute they noticed me and invited me to play along. I stayed and played for awhile, this was a very special moment and one that I will remember forever.  The joy and excitement in the park really struck me and was a tangible feeling in the air.  This experience gave me an insight into how being open to new people and sharing

Another very unique experience was my trip to a Chinese middle school for a week. During the week I spent so much time with students playing games, singing songs, dancing, teaching English and playing basketball.  Practicing English with the students gave me inspiration to work hard and learn another language, it was really rewarding to teach and help someone else with something they desired and worked so hard at. I still talk with some of the kids I met there today! My favorite takeaways from this trip are the friendships I made on my journey and that I have the ability to stay in touch with people across the world and potentially visit again!

This trip helped me develop my own view on a country that we constantly have interactions with and from where many students from Ohio State come from.  I also thought a lot about how to look at other sources for information that are outside of our country to see how our actions affect other people around the world. This trip will allow me in my professional career to relate to different people and add global perspectives. I also plan to continue traveling and exploring new places at home and all over the world!

My STEP signature project was an education abroad trip to the Czech Republic. This program was focused on sustainability and agricultural policy in the European Union and how it compares to that in the United States. This program included classes at the Czech University of Life Sciences, field trips to different kinds of farms, and tours of the Czech countryside and how sustainability practices are implemented throughout the country.

One thing that I have learned more about since being in college that I will use for the rest of my life is how to have an open mind. Traveling to a new place with a closed mind is not going to be beneficial to you or to anyone else. I love to travel and I always have, but being open to trying new things is one factor that truly made this experience worthwhile. There were a few Americans that we ran into that did not feel comfortable trying a new food or drink, which is okay, but not every time. For me, I would’ve never experienced half of the things I did if I didn’t have an open mind. The transition that took place for me specifically was finding myself being more open to things than I normally am. I started taking chances more and not really worrying about the outcome right away and just seeing what happens. This has shaped the way I think about different cultures and people I come across in my life now because it could be the best thing that ever happens to you, but if you don’t take that chance you’ll never know.

This was a very eventful trip as we were either learning something new in the classroom, out on an excursion, or staying overnight in a new place. We did all of these things with other American students from other college programs but we also had Czech students showing us around the city and joined us for all of our excursions in the Czech Republic. It was a privilege to have the Czech students show us around the country since they are natives and know the country better than anyone. They put their heart into every history lesson they gave us and had a sense of nationalism that is different than that of Americans. Americans (sometimes) have a toxic sense of nationalism that can in some ways be harmful or offending to others. The Czechs are proud to be Czech because of how hard they fought to be independent. The nation itself is less than 30 years old and is still trying to recover its economy from the communist time.  The Czech Republic has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and continues to grow their economy effectively and sustainably.

The students honestly made the whole trip worth enjoying. They welcomed us into their country and their homes (literally) and they always made sure we were enjoying ourselves and felt comfortable. They definitely took us out of our comfort zones a few times but it was good because it was a new experience for all of us and gave us more of an idea of what its like to be a true Czech. One thing that still sticks out to me is the first night we were all together as a group in Prague, we went to this traditional Czech pub with beer taps literally at the table. You didn’t even have to wait for your server, the beer was there waiting for you. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per-capita in the world (yes, even higher than Germany). Beer is a large part of their culture and continues to be the national drink of choice. After that, a server brings one of the Czech students joining us a plate of beef tartar. I was in shock. Raw ground beef sat in front of me and I watched them pick it up and eat it like it was nothing. So, naturally, they offer each of us a bite to try and almost everyone declined (completely understandable). I however told myself to try every single little thing I can while studying abroad so I accepted the offer and it was actually really tasty.  I was surprised at how much I liked it even though I hadn’t eaten red meat in almost 6 months.

There were many other times on this trip where opportunities to try new things arose and I hesitated at first, but then realized I may never have the chance to do this ever again, so I did it anyway. That is what sparked this transition. The fact that I may never get to see these people, places, or things ever again, so why would I decline the chance to make a new memory? Even if it was a bad one, it was another thing that made the experience unique and unforgettable. I hope to make it back to Prague one day, solely for the culture dive and the amazing people I had the honor to meet. I’ve found a greater appreciation for not taking experiences for granted and taking every single chance I can to better myself for a changing world.

This was not my first time out of the country, but it was my first time to Central Europe. Three years ago I traveled to Western Europe but only spent 10 days there whereas this time it was a month. I went into this trip with no expectations solely because I didn’t know what to expect; it was the best decision I could’ve made. I have always loved to travel and going to new places has been exciting, but this was different since I would be gaining knowledge I may use for the rest of my career. Sustainability has three main focuses that cannot be achieved unless all three factors are in harmony; economy, environment and social. The Czech Republic has adopted many sustainable practices that the United States hasn’t (yet) and the differences in quality of life is very obvious between the two countries. The quality of life in the Czech Republic is so much better than that of the United States because there is better access to jobs, healthcare, and education. Seeing this difference has shown me how I want to improve the quality of life for people not only in the United States, but for people all over the world. I have a newfound appreciation for history and how even in the hardest times it is possible to find the positive side.

My STEP Signature Project entailed a four week study abroad program to Prague in The Czech Republic. Throughout the week, we would have morning classes that focused on sustainable agricultural at The Czech University of Life Sciences. In the evenings, we had a lot of free time to go and experience the culture of the Czech Republic by exploring the many castles and historical sites in Prague. During the weekends, we would have excursions that took us all over Northern and Southern Bohemia (and I did listen to Bohemian Rhapsody the whole time).

I found myself transforming into becoming a more independent person as I completed my study abroad. Out of the gate, I had to fly internationally alone for the first time in my life. I had no one to rely on to lead me to my gate on time, I had to do it all myself. And then once I landed in Prague, I was in a foreign country that spoke a different language. I had to trust in myself to navigate and get to the Czech school. Once I had gotten to the school, I was surrounded by OSU students who I did not know. I had to find the confidence to go and talk to these strangers and make friends. It did not stop at the OSU students, I also made friends with the Czech Buddy students who all spoke varying levels of English (I so envy that most of the students were so fluent in multiple languages) which could get difficult at times. It taught me patience and to not feel uncomfortable when they did not understand me. I just learned to go with it and to try to explain things in a different way until they understood. These newfound communication skills are very valuable. Additionally, this trip challenged my world views and what misconceptions I had about central Europe. These experiences taught me to trust in myself, to have patience when communicating with others and also to expand my view on the world.

Throughout the study abroad, my fellow OSU students and I would travel into Prague alone. Not one of us could speak a lick of Czech. In order to get into the city, we needed to take a bus and then transfer to a tram or subway. It is very easy to get lost in a city as large as Prague so the first few times were a bit scary. I was the only student who had data on their phone so it was up to me to follow the maps on my phone. If I messed up, we could all have gotten really lost. The more we went to the city, the more confident I felt to lead our group. The confidence only grew when we took a trip to Budapest and I was successfully able to get the group to an antique flea market in the outskirts of town. This gave me a new confidence for traveling to new places. I know that I can navigate new cities and get myself and others to places safely.

Many of the Czechs we met spoke near perfect English. On our study abroad, we had what we called Czech Buddies. These were students at the university who volunteered to help us get around Prague and show us all the good places to eat/hang out in the city. At times, we would speak too fast or use too much English slang for them and the Buddies would become confused (which is fair, English is such a tough language to learn). I then would have to think of other ways to say the same thing. Sometimes even my back up explanation would not make sense to them. This taught me patience as it would be frustrating to both me and the Buddies at times. However, in these sometimes awkward situations I found that laughter was the greatest remedy.

I did not know what to think about the people of Central Europe before I visited. I knew that they had faced many horrors in their history, from The Holocaust to a rigid communist regime. I was not sure if the Czechs would be more reserved/cold as a result of their past. I found that my conceptions could not have been more wrong. From day one, the Czechs welcomed us into their country and made us feel at home. We were greeted at the school with Buddies who took us to their local pub for food and drinks after an exhausting day. They were so happy to meet us and get to know us. It was little things like this that settled my nerves. It made this foreign place a lot less foreign. We even got to do a home stay and where our Buddies graciously took us to their family and introduced us. Everyone we met was so kind and welcoming. It was not the reserved/quiet misconception I had in my head. Also the Czechs are some of the biggest partiers ever which I did not expect. They are very free spirited and I hope to absorb some of their care free energy.

Having confidence in myself, learning the value of patience and expanding my world view are critical lessons for me to learn. I now know that I can trust in myself to navigate any place or any situation that crops up. If I have to travel for a business trip to a foreign country, I know that I will be okay. Additionally, learning how to communicate effectively with people of different backgrounds/nationalities is critical for my future job. It also taught me how to work in a group setting which is necessary for any job/ school project.  Finally, this study abroad opened up my world view and challenged my assumptions that I had made about a country I never visited. This demonstrated to me that things are not always as they seem. It has made me more open to other cultures and how big the world truly is.  Additionally, having a study abroad trip has made me more marketable when searching for a job, which will give me an advantage over other applicants. It demonstrated my ambition to learn outside of the classroom. I did not go abroad simply to travel, I went to better my character and do all that I can to be the most productive member of society that I can be. I also met so many great people that I can now call friends while abroad.  Overall, this study abroad to The Czech Republic will forever be etched in my memories and will better me for the now and for the future.

This past semester I used my STEP funds to go to Granada, Spain for a semester to study the Spanish language and it’s art, literature, and culture. I attended classes at the University of Granada’s Centro de Lenguas Modernas and stayed with a Spanish host family to help me practice my speaking. I also extended my trip after the semester was over to do some extra European travel.

I went into this semester expecting to be in completely over my head. I had not studied Spanish in several years, so I assumed that I would have trouble interacting with my teachers, talking to my host family, and navigating the city, but I found that it became easier over time. I was able to have really in-depth conversations about politics and society with my host family and learn about healthcare, taxes, school, and the different political parties. It was interesting to see how the United States is viewed in Europe, and similar issues both countries have. I was also able to see how different Spanish day-to-day life was from that of the United States. They take a siesta during the day, where many workers would come home to eat lunch with their family, and therefore many businesses would be closed for a few hours in the middle of the day so people could have time to connect with their families. In Granada many families also followed a Mediterranean diet. My family would cook many different legumes and vegetables every week, and fresh fish was very abundant. They also depend on olive oil for their cooking. In addition, it is normal to separate trash into organic, recyclable, and regular waste. Fast food is very scarce, and most people are able to walk anywhere they need to go. After living there all semester, I began to appreciate their way of life, and see how it shapes their personalities and overall culture.

One of the best things about my time in Spain was my host family. Through them, I was able to hear their first-hand opinions about life in Spain and what they thought of the United States. One of the most interesting conversations that I had with them was about what they valued as parents. During the first few years of school they taught the kids about how to deal with emotions and practice mindfulness, and they said disciplining the kids for bad behavior isn’t as common. They also feed their children the same meals that they eat, including things like fish, chickpeas, and tofu. Being able to watch the news with my host family not only gave me confidence in my Spanish-speaking abilities because I was able to understand it, but it made me feel more connected being able to talk to my host family about what was happening. It was also very meaningful to speak with professors in my classes about the problems in Spain. In one of our classes, we had to do presentations on a controversial topic in Spain, and it was very eye-opening to hear how they were affected by issues such as Brexit, excessive tourism, and assisted suicide.

This semester had a huge impact on me and my self-confidence, specifically with my Spanish. As mentioned, I was very worried about speaking since I hadn’t practiced Spanish in a couple of years, but having this experience has helped me a lot. I was able to have complex conversations with my host family and understand native speakers in contexts I’d never learned about before. Any problem I encountered I could find a way to ask for help. My goal with my job is to use my Spanish-speaking abilities to help those who need healthcare and don’t speak English, and additionally to eventually participate in Doctors Without Borders. Having this experience was humbling, because it showed me how much work it takes to become truly fluent, but it gave me confidence that with time I may be able to communicate effectively. I am taking a Spanish Medical Terminology course this summer to become more comfortable. In addition, I became more confident traveling alone and connecting as well. The semester all culminated in me spending a few weeks traveling alone around Europe, which to me was very valuable. I had already learned so much about the politics and ways of life in Spain, but in the hostels I stayed in I was able to meet people from all over Europe and hear about the similarities and differences between our education, political leaders, healthcare and more. This has helped me be more aware of what’s happening in the world around me, which I think will help me when I travel for work. Going abroad, it was important to be accepting of the culture, and not look for things that are better or worse, but more so what is similar and different, and I think that going abroad has helped me practice this. My experience abroad has helped me grow so much, and truly solidify what I want to do later in life.

1.      For my STEP signature project, I traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark for three weeks to take a sports medicine class through a program called DIS.  Throughout the course, we discussed the biomechanics of movement and sports injuries and went on various field studies to talk with people working directly in the field. 

2.      This education abroad experience taught me a lot about myself and the type of person I want to be from this moment forward.  Before this experience, I never got the chance to immerse myself in another culture, but this project helped me to accomplish that.  I have come to understand that people from different cultures have a lot more in common than I thought, and we are all trying to make the best out of our lives.  I had always thought of the world as this big place full of impossibilities and barriers, but in fact it’s the opposite if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and open up to the world around you.  The people I met and the experiences that I had showed me that the world is full of opportunities that are waiting to be discovered.  “For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.”  Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine, one that I did not think would happen, but I am so thankful that I took the steps to make it come true. 

Throughout this abroad trip, I found myself become more patient, understanding, flexible, and extroverted.  I had to make new friends in my classes and my housing and I had to talk to Danes if I was lost or to just get a better understanding of their culture.  Certain parts of the trip were not always easy, but I am glad I encountered the obstacles I did because it broadened my worldview and made me a better traveler and individual. 

3.      The biggest difference I noticed in Copenhagen was their health care system and lifestyle choices.  The Danish people I met make healthy living a priority as a community.  The biking population in Copenhagen is massive, but even those who do not commute via bike find other ways to exercise during the day.  Danes usually go to the grocery store every day to buy fresh produce and they even have fewer medical visits.  I rarely saw ambulances in the city, which is unlike the streets of Columbus, Ohio. 

During my time abroad, I contracted tonsillitis for a week and it was quite difficult for me to find antibiotics or a doctor.  I was told I was not able to see a doctor unless I had a fever, which is very unlike our medical culture in the states.  I had to get over the infection on my own with ibuprofen and it cleared up in about seven days.  I know that the pharmacists were not being insensitive, but they just have a different system with handling infections and illnesses that Americans are not used to.

In the classroom setting, I noticed how important participation is for effective learning.  My sports medicine class was very hands on learning and my teacher was very willing to take extra time to explain difficult subjects.  I have always struggled with being vocal in my classes, especially with the professors, and this class really pushed me out of my comfort zone.  Danish schools find it important to leave enough time in class for discussion between students and I found it very useful to hear other students’ stories and perspectives. 

4.      This transformational experience was very pertinent to my professional goals because I have hopes of becoming a physical therapist in the future.  This class strengthened my passion for exercise physiology and I hope to apply what I have learned in my career.  My professor works at a physical therapy clinic in Copenhagen and we had a few class sessions there.  It was interesting to see how their clinics were run and to be able to talk to other therapists about their specialties.  I loved seeing how passionate they were about their career and I hope to work with the same intensity as they do.

I also learned a lot about myself and what can help me grow as an individual.  I hope I never stop traveling or meeting new people because I know how important it is for self-discovery.  Keeping an open mind through life can open you up to a world full of adventures.

For my STEP project, I decided to embark on the exploration of the beautiful country of Costa Rica.  I was able to do this through GVI and their wonderful staff. In Costa Rica, we taught a children’s program, in El Cocal, that entailed creating lesson plans every day with English interwoven in the lesson. In addition, I was able to explore Quepos and El Cocal through a cross-cultural lens as I embraced the people of Costa Rica’s beautiful culture. Due to viewing my trip through a cross-cultural lens, I transformed from a privileged, upper-class child to an empathetic woman that yearns to change the world.  

Before visiting Costa Rica, I really didn’t understand how good I had it. I took simple things such as hot water and paved roads for granted. I didn’t appreciate having proteins such as beef or chicken as a centerpiece for dinner every day or how clean my apartment is. However, by being in Quepos for two weeks, I became extremely aware and grateful of everything I have. I learned to be creative with my meals as meat was too expensive to buy every day. My desire to wear everything designer quickly faded as I saw the hardships that the people of El Cocal were enduring with a smile on their face. Through my walks through the cities of Costa Rica and my interaction with the people, success in my life turned from how many designer items I own to how many kids’ lives can I better.  

Mathias. That’s the name of the little boy I fell in love with. He was loving and full of life. Every class, Mathias would run and jump on the volunteers as he played with our hair and gave us the biggest hug. He’d climb on my body as he attempted to get on my shoulders, so I could run around the playground with him. And with him as my pilot, we’d run around the streets of El Cocal playing tag with the other kids. Although I didn’t know Spanish, Mathias managed to communicate with me with lots of pointing and facial expressions. If you met Mathias, you would never have thought he lived in a small house made with panels that remains defenseless against Costa Rica’s heavy rain days. You would never have thought that he lived in one of the poorest and ostracized areas in Costa Rica that it isn’t even officially claimed as apart of Costa Rica by the government. Mathias was the light in the darkness.   

Along with Mathias, the other children of El Cocal showed me what it’s like to be in a community. Although they got on each other’s nerves, they loved each other and their country.  Unlike many siblings in America, the siblings in class had a bond that no one could break. An example that comes to mind is Andy and Andiewth. When anyone messed with Andy, his older brother would come blazing with his infamous line, “Hey that’s my brother.” Something so simple was so refreshing as it was apparent of the love siblings in class had each other’s back. This same bond was shared amongst the other children as they fought for each other from delinquent kids that weren’t allowed in class. Despite these children being born into drug abuser homes, they still were able to come together.  

 The last takeaway from my trip was that a want is far from a necessity. I had this realization through every day activities.  At the GVI home we had no hot water, which use to be a necessity in my mind. A few weeks ago my apartment didn’t have running hot water, so I would drive to my friends to take a shower. Something so simple was a necessity in my mind, yet the staff of GVI gave that up to help the people of Costa Rica. Another luxury that was a want and not a necessity was air conditioning. In the beginning of the trip, I was shocked and mad that our home didn’t have AC. However, when we went to El Cocal and realized that they had no AC and not as many fans as we did then I was quickly humbled. Also, things such as unpaved roads, dirty homes, and less appliances opened my eyes to the privilege I had.   

Because of  the children of El Cocal, like Mathias and Andriewth, and the living conditions of Quepos, I found a new love to change the youth of the less privileged. After traveling to Costa Rica, I decided to vow to go to Ethiopia next summer for three months. I want to deepen my understanding of my native tongue so that I may go back when I’m older and help my country’s youth. My STEP trip has sparked a fire in me for reaching the youth all across the world so that no child grows poverty stricken. In addition, I’ve become a more generous person as I realize how blessed I am to be able to go to college for free and have a great paying job. Therefore, I vow to continue my education so that I may get a better paying job and use my income as a way to better others that didn’t have the same opportunity that I’ve had. Ultimately, I plan on changing the world for further generations to come. 

This May, I took part in the Between France & Morocco study abroad program. During this time, we explored three cities in both France and Morocco, along the way undergoing immersive experiences by visiting historical and religious sites, monuments, and local buzz sites. The apex of this trip was to understand the histories of these two countries, as well as their “interactions” through colonialism and immigration. We also learned about the needs for diversity and inclusion in these two countries, and how they have been implemented over the years and today.

While traveling, I am typically accompanied by family. This trip was one of the first in which I got to experience a bit of independently navigating a new culture and space. During free days, we had the opportunity to explore the cities we were in, stretching our ability to navigate the area without knowing the language. During the trip, we tried new foods, learned new word, phrases, and cultural norms, as well us understood the present dynamic by learning the history of these country’s pasts.

One immersive experience I had on this trip was my live-in home stay experience with a local French-woman in Aix-en-Provence, France. During this experience, I knew very little French, and she knew very little English. This experience pushed me to stretch myself in a language I have no formal experience in order to get to know my host-mom. In the end, it proved valuable, as I learned a lot about what topics and phenomena are considered important in French culture, different social norms, and I also got to know her more as an individual. While this encounter was a mere 4 days, it was rich, and full of a lot of lessons. Additionally, in Morocco, we were granted the opportunity to visit a family in a village on the outskirts of Marrakech. During this time, we were given the opportunity to traditionally prepare a Moroccan staple meal: Chicken Tajin. This experience was certainly a highlight of the trip. While we couldn’t communicate directly with the host family, cooking brought us together, and we were able to experience a slice of their culture.

Traveling the world is certainly a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Whether or not travel will be incorporated into one’s future career, it is an experience we should take (if granted the opportunity/resources) to grow as an individual. In order to be culturally competent and accepting, traveling allows you to be put in situations and circumstances that you may not get in your home country. Seeing first-hand how other people eat, worship, commute, work, and enjoy life will give you a comprehensive understanding of how small you really are in this massively diverse world.

1. For my step signature project, I did a study abroad trip. I traveled to Spain and took a class and lived with a host family in Madrid for a month.

2. After my trip I felt like I became much more culturally aware. Living in the United States my whole life I assumed that the rest of the world was similar.  After visiting and living in Spain for a month I was really able to notice some significant differences between the two countries.  Being off on my own in a completely different country also helped me realize a lot about myself.  I felt like I learned a lot about the world in general, how it works and also became more responsible.

3. When living with my host family who spoke no English I had to figure out a way to function effectively. I had taken some Spanish classes which helped me communicate somewhat verbally but also had to find other ways to explain somethings including the use of google translate and even hand signals.

Another thing that was difficult at first was learning how to get from place to place and just navigating the public transportation system.  It was difficult at first but after about a week of practice I think I got the hang of it.  Whether it was a bus, the metro, taxi, or just walking on foot using google maps trying to read and follow the street signs I was able to get where I needed to go.

Another interesting difference was the customer service culture.  In the United States most service workers rely on tips from people to make a steady wage for their job and helps give them an incentive to do a good job.  In Spain it isn’t customary to tip your server or bartender or any type of customer service worker.  Because of this reason I noticed that these workers didn’t feel as obligated to give you the best service possible, sometimes just doing the bare minimum.  Even providing glasses of water in restaurants, didn’t seem to be as prevalent as it is in the United States and a majority of the time you had to pay for it.

4. Overall this experience was amazing and I think it did several things that helped me grow as a person.  I feel like a much more responsible and self-aware person.  Also just learning about the history of the country and seeing how it functions today had made me much more culturally aware and just more knowledgeable about the world in general.  I believe this experience will look good on a resume and make me more employable.
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