- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three
sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My STEP signature project was under the Education Abroad category where I took the Neuroscience of Emotion course through DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia. This was a three-week course in Stockholm, Sweden that involved engaging in a cumulative group project, attending study tours, completing readings, and actively participating in class discussions.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the
world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or
two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
I grew significantly from this experience as a student, global citizen, and person. Change is something that before often scared me away. I am comfortable with routine and familiarity, but I also understand the great importance of change and the growth that comes with new challenges.
I have gained confidence and significant development in my own abilities. I always thought of myself as quiet and introverted, but I learned that I am much more capable of initiating conversation and communicating then I thought I was. I had to overcome and navigate situations unlike those I have ever experienced before from traveling alone for the first time to navigating large cities in countries I have never been to before. Places across the globe are all so different, and each holds so much to learn. This experience, which was made possible through STEP, helped me gain so much knowledge in so many different aspects. New experiences, new places, stepping outside of my comfort zone and challenging myself helped me grow and learn in so many ways.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature
Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those
affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences
completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
This experience led to a lot of change at once, which for me at first felt very overwhelming and intimidating. It took me almost a week to get adjusted and feel relatively comfortable with my new surroundings. Everything about this experience was unlike anything I had ever been through before. Meeting my new roommate for the first time, getting to know peers living in my housing and my classmates was nerve-wracking. However, each of these experiences uniquely taught me that I am more capable than I give myself credit for in terms of building connections and relationships with people I am meeting for the first time. This is such an important and valuable skill I knew I had in me, but I grew confidence in myself having these experiences during my STEP project.
I am often scared to express my opinions or speak to large groups of people because I am so terrified of being ‘wrong’ or being perceived differently. The class setting of my education abroad experience helped me open up and become more comfortable and confident in speaking up and sharing my opinion. Through the small class environment and the atmosphere in which my professor instilled in the classroom, my confidence in myself grew. I foresee taking these lessons through my life and remembering overcoming the challenges and my previous assumptions of myself to not fear speaking up in other scenarios.
Aside from the neuroscience knowledge I gained through my course, I also learned a great deal through living in Stockholm for three weeks. Before this experience, I had never been abroad for that long, let alone by myself. It was an adjustment acclimating to a new city in a new country. I enjoy exploring new places and meeting people from around the globe. I am incredibly passionate about helping people and would one day love to travel to provide medical care to those who do not have access or cannot afford the treatment they deserve. Learning about cultures different from my own I believe will help me best be able to treat and care for patients as a future medical professional.
My time abroad was an incredibly valuable experience in a myriad of ways that will benefit my future goals and shape the person I will become. The Neuroscience of Emotion course I took expanded my knowledge in my field of interest while building valuable connections with my class peers and professor. Navigating a new city in a country I have never been to helped me gain confidence in myself and my abilities. Being abroad, I learned so much about the countries I am so grateful to have visited. Through my STEP project, my education abroad experience provided me valuable experiences and lessons that I will carry with me through my personal life and future career.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or
two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your
academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
Exploring the world and traveling to new places is something I always knew I wanted to experience. Growing up, I have been incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to so many remarkable places. I value each opportunity I get and the connections I build with people across the globe. Each encounter and adventure I have helps me grow as a person and the hopeful medical professional I seek to become. The specific challenges I had to overcome from this experience in particular instilled valuable skills and lessons that I will take with me through the rest of my life.
Better communication, increased confidence, and growth as a global citizen are some of the multitudes of lessons and skills I gained from my experience abroad. Each one of these strategies will benefit me in the future, through the rest of my education and career. In my opinion, knowledge is one of the most valuable things in human life. I gained significant understanding in a variety of aspects that will shape the person and professional I seek to become. I am so incredibly lucky to have had this experience studying abroad that provided me invaluable lessons and memories I will never forget.
My class!
National Day in Stockholm at Skansen listening to Sweden’s King speak at the celebration.