For my STEP Signature Project, I decided to pack my bags and head 4,000 miles away from Columbus, Ohio to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. I stayed over there for the entirety of the Spring semester learning about sustainability, citizen science, and of course, the Danish language and culture. I enrolled in a “core course” that discussed sustainable development across Northern Europe, which is on par with my Environmental Policy and Decision-Making major. With this course, I got the opportunity to travel to Samsø, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden where I sat in on renewable infrastructure lectures, visits to sustainable farms and energy facilities, and got to hear from many different speakers across a multitude of fields relating to environmental activism.

Personal growth on these types of excursions can come in many ways. One is exposure to different cultures and navigating through countries with different native languages than my own. Another was my independence being tested. Traveling alone internationally was not an easy task and many times I experienced self-doubt in my ability to make decisions. A final thing is, your education being tested because you are put in a country with different ways of learning and norms built into their culture and you get the opportunity to be exposed to that.

I chose to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark because it is one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the world. Although Copenhagen proved to be a very English-friendly country, there were still times I was faced with challenges in trying to communicate with others. I was also challenged with that when traveling to 10 different countries during my semester. Learning the norms of another culture was quite fascinating and a crucial part of my time abroad. It was amazing being able to immerse myself into the Danish culture for a long period and truly grow to appreciate their way of life. I was enrolled in a Danish language and culture course where I got to learn common phrases and entry-level ways of getting by in communicating with other speakers.

Traveling alone internationally helped me build a lot of confidence in my ability to problem-solve when put in difficult situations. It almost forces you to become comfortable with yourself because you need to put trust in your ability to figure things out on your own. You need to step out of your comfort zone to build this self-reliance.

My program, DIS, only employed Danish professors. This is different than a lot of counter programs that will sometimes only have American professors. I think this was a great factor in my education experience because I got to see Denmark’s approach to education. Due to this, I got to learn from many different professors of all different fields and backgrounds with diverse perspectives. For example, Denmark’s approach to education is very community driven and a lot of the time group work is a huge factor. Most of my courses incorporated some form of group discussion in every class, as opposed to lecture-based learning. This was very different than what I had experienced during my time at Ohio State.

This study abroad experience has allowed me to grow and learn in so many ways I did not think were possible. I feel like a more well-rounded person because of the things I experienced in the last couple of months. Not only on a personal level but on an academic and career level. Seeing how Copenhagen was able to become so environmentally conscious and incorporate a multitude of sustainable goals into its culture allows me to feel more confident about the future of my chosen industry. It made me discover that I want to have a career in urban planning and incorporate sustainable infrastructure into United States cities. Thanks to the STEP program and other financial aid, I was able to make studying abroad a reality.

1. For my STEP Signature Project I traveled to Lisbon, Portugal and spent 3 weeks completing a consulting project for Fundação Joana Vasconcelos, an art foundation for one of the world’s leading visual artists. Our project included conducting a benchmarking study and creating an effective merchandise strategy to enhance operations, increase revenue streams, and better engage with the target audience of the foundation. 
2. My view of the world was transformed by seeing how vast it is. When you hear that the Earth’s population is 8 billion, it’s simply a number that seems comprehensible. However, once I got out into the world I realized just how big that number actually is. In Portugal I encountered many people from all different walks of life. From traveling at the airport, to walking around the city, to meeting my host company, there were a lot of people that I interacted with. It was interesting to think about how many other cultures are also out there. Not only in Lisbon, but other cities all around the world are experiencing life differently than how I am. The experience put into perspective the things in my life that I am thankful for or easily take for granted by opening my eyes to the vastness of our world. 
3. One of the key relationships that shaped my experience was that with my host company. Joana Vasconcelos is one of the leading visual artists in the world and is very famous in Portugal. My trip involved working with the staff at her foundation to better understand their operations. During our time, we learned about the cultural norms and work expectations within the country. We also learned about Joana’s status and strategic partnership with some big name brands such as Dior. This interaction was very impactful on my experience for both positive and negative reasons. For example, my group quickly learned that at a certain level of fame, one may no longer be concerned with the “little guy” in a company. However, everyone working in the foundation was passionate about their work which was very inspiring. 

   A second interaction that shaped my experience was with our Resident Director, Paulo. Paulo was responsible for guiding us around the city and maintaining relations with the host companies and accommodations for all 16 students in Lisbon. Throughout our time we learned about Paulo’s life, the work that he does, and about the country. He shared with us Portugal’s history, economy, pop culture, and more. He offered advice for activities on the weekends and places to eat to ensure we experienced the culture to it’s fullest. One of our weekend activities included attending a professional soccer match. This was a unique cultural experience because it was different than attending a soccer game in the U.S., the fans took it way more serious. Overall, he contributed to making sure our stay in Lisbon was a positive one. 

   Third, the final interaction that contributed to this transformative experience was with the other Ohio State student’s that I traveled with. There were 16 of us in total, split into groups of 4 paired to each company. With 16 people there were lots of different personalities and life experiences to learn from. We were able to share a lot with each other after living together for 3 weeks. It was interesting to see other people experience the culture for the first time because there were things that we noticed that were unusual to us, and also times when we noticed others looking at us for acting outside of the norms. Lastly, it was unique to see us all come together for 3 weeks for the same purpose, and then go back to other parts of the U.S. to our normal lives that all look completely different. 

4. This change is valuable to me because it was a reminder to be compassionate toward others. This is a message I’ve heard since grade school, but you never know what life looks like in someone else’s shoes. You may think one thing, but the reality is something completely different. Especially when interacting in other cultures, what one people group may label as “weird” is actually a norm to another people group. There’s no right or wrong way to do some things, they’re just different perspectives. 

1. As part of the OSU Office of Global Business I was able to participate in a study abroad consulting project in Singapore. During this project I, along with other students on a team, worked for a company in the country to measure and assess any inefficiencies in their manufacturing process. 
2. Immersing myself in a different cultural and business environment, I realized how crucial adaptability and open-mindedness are in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Working closely with a diverse team and a local company, I learned to navigate cultural differences, which challenged my initial assumptions about universal business practices. This experience taught me the value of cultural sensitivity and the importance of tailoring strategies to fit the unique context of each market. Moreover, the project expanded my perspective on innovation and problem-solving. Observing the manufacturing inefficiencies firsthand and collaborating to devise solutions highlighted the importance of a holistic approach and the need to consider multiple perspectives. Supporting the company’s marketing efforts reinforced my belief in the power of creativity and customer-centric strategies. This experience shifted my view from a theoretical understanding of international business to a practical, hands-on appreciation of the complexities and rewards of working in a global environment. It instilled in me a deeper appreciation for cross-cultural collaboration and a renewed confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully in diverse settings.
3. One pivotal moment was during our initial assessment of the company’s manufacturing process. Our team observed inefficiencies that were deeply ingrained in the local practices. Collaborating with the company’s employees to identify and address these issues was challenging but incredibly enlightening. This process required us to step outside our preconceived notions and embrace a more culturally sensitive approach. The experience taught me the importance of empathy and adaptability, as well as the necessity of understanding local contexts before proposing solutions. Another significant interaction was with our local team members. Working alongside them provided invaluable insights into their perspectives on business operations and marketing strategies. Their innovative ideas and approaches to problem-solving were often different from what I was accustomed to, which broadened my understanding of effective business practices. Engaging in open discussions and brainstorming sessions with them fostered a collaborative environment where diverse viewpoints were respected and integrated. This collaboration not only enhanced our project’s outcomes but also deepened my appreciation for the richness that diverse teams bring to the table. Additionally, our involvement in supporting the company’s marketing efforts was a transformative experience. We were tasked with finding innovative ways to communicate their products to customers, which required us to delve into the local market’s preferences and behaviors. Conducting market research and engaging with local consumers provided a hands-on learning experience about the significance of cultural nuances in marketing. This activity underscored the importance of tailoring marketing strategies to align with the target audience’s values and expectations, reinforcing the concept that effective communication goes beyond language and involves understanding cultural contexts. The relationships I built during the project were also instrumental in my transformation. Forming close bonds with my team members and local colleagues created a supportive network that encouraged open-mindedness and continuous learning. These relationships fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, allowing us to navigate challenges together and celebrate our successes collectively. This experience highlighted the power of teamwork and the importance of building strong interpersonal connections in professional settings. Overall, these events, interactions, and relationships not only enhanced my professional skills but also reshaped my worldview, emphasizing the value of cultural diversity, collaboration, and adaptability in global business environments.
4. Academically, the experience has enriched my understanding of international business practices and deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity. It has equipped me with practical skills and insights that complement my theoretical knowledge, making me better prepared for future coursework and research in global business studies. The ability to analyze and adapt to different business environments will undoubtedly enhance my academic performance and broaden my intellectual horizons. Professionally, the skills and perspectives I gained are invaluable as I aspire to a career in management consulting. The project taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving—competencies that are crucial in the global marketplace. This transformation has also instilled in me a greater confidence in my ability to work in diverse settings and tackle complex challenges. Personally, the experience has made me more open-minded, adaptable, and empathetic, qualities that will enrich my interactions and relationships both within and outside of work. Overall, this change aligns with my goal of becoming a well-rounded, globally-minded professional capable of making a positive impact in an interconnected world.

For the last three months, my STEP Signature Project has afforded me the most memorable experiences thus far in my life. As a result of my project, I was afforded the ability to embark on so many new opportunities. For one, I was able to expand upon my knowledge of the Spanish language, a skill and a language I find very valuable to know. Additionally, the chance to be taught in a different style was both challenging and intriguing. Finally, I was able to live an entirely different lifestyle, one of a European.

Barcelona: a city of immense historical significance, artistic ability, and passion. When deciding on my STEP Signature Project, I knew early on that I would love the opportunity to study in a foreign country, regardless of the period of time and where. However, the latter question became increasingly important: where? After countless hours of researching where I might want to embark on this extraordinary new opportunity, I decided on the perfect destination, Barcelona. The chance to study in a foreign country, learn a new language, adapt to a new lifestyle.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, I was immediately blown away by the architecture, the food, the life. Hundreds of thousands of people, all going about and enjoying their daily lives in the many plazas, markets, and picturesque alleyways.

Then I moved in with my host family. My host mom, Pepa, immediately embraced my roomates and I, and welcomed the three of us into her quaint and charming home. With her cat Momo, and dog Kuki, we became part of the family, going about our daily lives with an amazing home in the historic Gothic Quarter, but with even more amazing company. We became incredibly close, and I felt genuinely cared for by my host mom.

Aside from an incredibly warm and comforting home life, I was able to explore the vibrant and fascinating city of Barcelona. So much history. So much life. I became deeply invested in the history of not only the city, but its interaction in the greater Spanish history. For the first time, I was able to understand the scope of the history of countries outside the U.S. And I loved it. Additionally, I explored the immense architectural feats of artists such as Gaudí. La Sagrada Familia was truly inspiring, and his other works such as Casa Mila gave me a greater appreciation for architecture altogether. While there are certainly historic buildings in the U.S., few compare to these. While I had not really cared about art before, I now found myself appreciating different aspects of it.

Not only was the city itself beautiful and fascinating, but the lifestyle was drastically different. For the first time, I was able to live an entirely different lifestyle. I had been to other countries before, but I had never truly lived in another country. For one, I realized a general sense of class amongst the locals early on. Nobody necessarily seemed to care “too much,” but they just had a general sense of self confidence that I appreciated. Also, walking and taking public transportation everywhere, while possible even in Columbus, was taken to another level in Barcelona. Before I knew it, I was averaging 24,000 steps per day. I felt great. I was being active without even making a conscious effort, I was meeting incredible people from different walks of life, and I finally felt my sense of self-confidence growing. I was beginning to see what it was like outside of the U.S., for better or worse. I found it incredibly valuable just to even have that different perspective, to know that lifestyles outside of your own do exist.

Barcelona, while amazing on its own, also provided me the incredible opportunity to explore the rest of the continent. With the accessibility and affordability of travel between Barcelona and other European cities, I was able to venture out and experience and see things I never had in my young life. From seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, to the first bite of pasta in Rome, Europe as a whole blew me away. The history of each of these places was apparent, the cultures vibrant, and the people prideful in making their homes the best for them. I greatly appreciated each of these concepts. What really left an impact on me was the apparent value to live a happy personal life, rather than focusing on material possessions or money. Sure, these things are valuable in their own right, but I found it intriguing how the citizens of these countries put these things on the backburner of their lives.

What started as a simple idea, a STEP Signature Project idea, became the most life changing experience I have had to date. I now know what life is like outside of the U.S. I was able to love and appreciate the differences in the many places I traveled to, and I was able to ponder how this experience will change my outlook on life moving forward.

This opportunity has genuinely made me question every desire I have and have had for my future, and I welcome that with open arms. Do I really want the same things? Who knows. But I never would have known what was out there had it not been for my STEP Signature Project.

1. My STEP Signature Project consisted of a semester-long study abroad program in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia at a remote field station. I completed classes on Tropical Biome Ecology and Climate Change, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, and Environmental Sustainability and Socioeconomic Values. During the second half of the semester I took a Directed Research class, wherein I conducted research assessing the flammability of littoral forest species and their efficacy in green firebreaks.
2. My view of the world was transformed when it comes to collaboration and group work. The program that I was in was very communal and group oriented. I shared a one-room cabin with seven other students, completed assignments with multiple groups of people, and had to collaboratively assist with kitchen duties every week. While I considered myself good at working collaboratively with other people before this program, I was surprised to find myself so challenged this time around. I quickly learned how important communication and compromise were after tensions between students ran high following consecutive long physically challenging days of field work. By the end of this program, I learned how to be a better group member and improved my communication skills with others.
3. Participating in a program not led solely through Ohio State meant that I was working aside students from different universities with varying skill sets and knowledge levels about different topics. In relation to group work this meant that members in a group had different strong suits and perspectives. When a student in a group had more experience with a particular thing than others, it made completing the assignment easier, but students who had more experience usually had to do more of the work in the group.
   For the first half of the semester, I was mainly in a randomly assigned group with two other people. We completed most of the field work, in class assignments, and scientific reports together. Tensions really ran high in the group at the end of the first half of the semester when the reports were being written. We clearly delegated different sections for each of us to write. It became clear between another group member and I that the other person’s sections needed more edits than ours. The issues started to occur when we talked to this person about changing what they wrote, and they refused or wanted everything explained in detail on why things needed edited. As a result, two of us in the group ended up doing double the amount of work to make these edits. The main reason why this became such an issue was the fact that these reports were a large percentage of our grades. In addition, they were also going to have all our names on it, so we wanted to be proud of what we submitted.
   For the second half of the semester, I was in a group with two different students for the directed research component. Collectively we could have improved on delegating group work in an even way. At the beginning, tasks were clearly delegated but not evenly so some of us had more work to do than others. Following data collection, the work was not completed evenly between the three of us. I would go to work on something that needed to be done to find that someone else had already done it. I think a large factor was that one of us was completing things very quickly, so they were speeding through getting things done and as a result did more of the work. It was challenging to navigate feeling like I was not contributing enough but then being given work that was then completed by someone else since I was not doing it quickly enough. As a result of being a part of both groups I saw both sides of unequal work distribution and how that can impact group dynamics. This had led me to see the importance of delegating work more evenly with clear communication while still trying to let people do what they are good at.
4. One of the reasons I completed this study abroad program was so I could figure out if I like doing research and if it is something I want to pursue in my academic/professional career. Learning about collaboration and group work is very important when going into a field where it is necessary to complete fieldwork with other people in a group. While I am still uncertain on whether I want to pursue research, I was able to improve my communication skills and am interested in pursuing more fieldwork opportunities. It was beneficial to be able to exercise my abilities to work in a group and I hope to be able to apply what I learned from working with other people to future group projects that I will have to do. I really enjoyed studying abroad in Australia and learned about how their work culture is more collaboratively oriented. If I were to consider pursuing living there more permanently that would be an aspect worth consideration.

Cassowary spotting!

Completing fieldwork at Cattana Wetlands in knee-high foliage!

My STEP project involved a global education experience in which I studied abroad for a semester at the University of Granada in Granada, Spain. As a student at UGR, I attended classes in Spanish, immersed myself in Spanish culture, created close connections with Spaniards, and acquired proficiency in the Spanish language.

My study abroad experience allowed me to grow significantly in my independence and confidence. Through learning a new language and practicing everyday, I was able to meet and connect with people I was previously unable to communicate with. Additionally, living with a Spanish family taught me that there are many different ways of doing the same things that we do in the United States, which I was able to observe and consider. Many things I thought were better than the ways in which I had done things, some worse, but mostly just different. 

The largest influence in my perspective change was living with a Spanish family, as I was forced to change many habits from my life in the United States. For example, I adjusted to the significantly different eating schedules that the Spaniards are accustomed to, ate typical Spanish dishes most days, and learned to kick off my shoes at the door in exchange for my zapatillas for the marble floors. This component of my experience also improved my language capabilities the most, as I was constantly forced to circumlocute and picked up new vocabulary, grammar structures, and sayings from the language immersion. The international bond that I have with my host family is something I will hold with me for a long time, and I plan to return in the future to visit again.

Living in another country taught me to evaluate my lifestyles and habits in the United States, many of which I had never considered before. Since returning home, I have made small changes to my daily life to reflect my time in Spain and the lessons I have taken back. I am more open to communication with strangers, I have slowed down my previously-overwhelming workload a bit to take time to enjoy my time in college, and incorporated small aspects of Spanish culture like utilizing their sayings or adding a couple dishes into my diet. My study abroad experience has altered my perception of who I can be in this world, and I will certainly carry my experiences, learnings, and invaluable memories for the rest of my life.

For my STEP Project I studied abroad at the Université de Montréal for a semester. I was a full time student in industrial design, taking classes that cover topics like product design, user research, and user experience design. I also participated in an undergraduate research project with one of my professors investigating how classroom structures impact student learning.

Prior to this experience I though that by studying and researching possible things I could encounter I could make the experience easier. As it turn out, no amount of research or preparation could accurately prepare me for the realities of living abroad in Quebec. I spent 6 years studying the french language, watching videos on different dialects, learning regional vocabulary, practicing my speech, and yet I still felt lost trying to navigate complex conversations. Nothing except real-life experience could prepare me for it. I also discovered the cultural difference between francophones and anglophones. While I had been aware of stereotypes beforehand, I now feel that I better understand what experiences may have caused individuals to develop these stereotypes about different nationalities. While it was difficult to deal with in the moment, I think the experience has opened my eyes to some different lifestyles and values.

One specific memory I have from my time there that helped me realize this was during my first week of school. I got to class a few minutes early and started trying to make small talk to students quietly sitting nearby me. I politely introduced myself in French and asked their names, just like I would here at OSU. To my surprise, they did not greet me with a friendly smile or ask for my name back. Instead, they looked away or turned around to talk to some other classmate. I thought maybe this was a one-time incident, but I noticed a similar pattern continuing over the next few weeks. I would introduce myself to students and try to strike up a conversation but the only effort I felt was on my end. Most of the students had no interest in trying to make new friends. While I knew the stereotype that French people are unfriendly, I didn’t want to believe it or generalize everyone, but I see now that it is rooted in real behaviors.

It was difficult, trying to overcome this barrier while still struggling to adapt to the language. Quebecois French sounds very different than Parisian/Metropolitan French. They have a different accent, different slang, and often combine multiple languages into one sentence—Most people there knew at least two languages whether that be French and English, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, or something else. Learning some of the slang beforehand helped but even then it wasn’t easy to hold conversations, I had to rely on others patience and understanding. From this I gained a new understanding of a small part of how non-native English speakers feel in the United States and I hope to be more patient and friendly with them in the future so that I may extend them courtesy and reduce some of the burden of that language barrier.

In Montreal, I also learned that the French university system is much different than the American system—at least in the field of design. School are much less strict on guidelines for professors to follow in how they run their classes. Here in the US, higher-level education involves becoming a critical thinker by asking questions and it is a professors job to prompt these questions by providing readings or lectures. Professors are encouraged to allow students to explore new ideas and we are giving the creative freedoms to do so through research, interviews, experimentation, etc. Oppositely, the French system encourages student to churn out content that looks nice without regards to how well researched the design is. They were far more worried about render quality and flashy prototypes than designs based on thoughtful planning.

I realize now that even though i study the same subject as these students in Montreal, the skills and knowledge I gain from my degree are quite different than theirs. I am much more practiced in group collaboration and creative exploration while they are more practiced in refinement. I think this experience has helped me realize some of my strengths and weaknesses, and I know what skills I need to improve in the future. I also know now that no amount of preparation or research can substitute the actual experience of doing something as intense as going abroad. I feel very lucky that I was able to go and I believe these experiences, even though they were hard, will positively impact my future endeavors.

1. My STEP project was a three week long internship with Freeda Media in Milan, Italy. While there, my group and I performed a competitor analysis for the United Kingdom and United States markets. We also created a survey that was posted on the company’s instagram to develop a better understanding of company positioning. 

2. My understanding of myself shifted in an important way during this project. Going into this project I had a very narrow view of what I wanted to do with my life and what certain jobs consist of. However, as I worked with the different teams at Freeda media I learned so much that broadened my horizons. Originally, I thought I wanted to enter a very quantitative field due to my math major and passions in life. I thought that marketing and social media related jobs would be a borderline nightmare. Now, I understand that I can use my mathematical background in so many unique ways that may be even more interesting than I ever imagined. 

3. I would say one event in particular comes to mind. As part of my program we got to meet several different teams at Freeda. On my third day we got to meet the DATI team. Most of the team received degrees in fields such as math, data analytics and cse. They leverage these skills to analyze social media data and create predictive machine learning models for future posts. Coming into this I couldn’t have even imagined such a role and now leaving, I find it genuinely interesting to pursue. 

4. This change is absolutely critical in academic, personal and professional goals. The idea that so many new avenues in my future are available is revolutionary. It allows me to take my unique and creative academic classes to expand into different fields. It allows me to take a bit of stress out of my personal life since I don’t have to fight over the same ten jobs and it will allow me to explore jobs that will make me happier. Finally, it will help me professionally in many obvious ways. One not so obvious way, however, is my new experiences will give me much to talk about in interviews and new meetings. 

1. 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 a semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. I continued to study environmental science and took Natural Resource Management, Environmental Pollution, and Ecological and Environmental Analysis. I lived in the student dormitories and traveled to other European nations on weekends and school breaks. 

2. 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.

Since studying in Scotland and becoming friends with many different types of people I realize how ignorant I was before my time abroad. I grew up in Cleveland, OH, and now live in Colombus, OH. I had not seen much of the world, nor had I ever been such close friends with people who were raised differently than me. Speaking with people of different religions, sexualities, and countries around the world shined light on the fact that my everyday activities are so little in the grand scheme of things. It also showed me how lucky I am to be living in a safe space. The opportunity to experience the Scottish culture firsthand taught me the importance of a slower way of life, admiring nature and art more, and simply spending time with friends. North American life is so fast-paced with a strong influence on productivity. I enjoyed learning to be in the moment and find peace in small things. I no longer dwell on unimportant things because I have a better idea of how mundane it is. I hope this lesson sticks with me throughout my final year of university so I can focus on getting good grades, but also spending time on campus and with my friends because those are the things that make the Ohio State experience so special. 

3. 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. 

While abroad I was thrown into uncomfortable situations with people of different backgrounds than me and was forced to adjust. One experience that was particularly uncomfortable at first was the limited school hours and lack of homework. This left a lot of free time to myself which is not something I am used to. In the United States, there is always some responsibility I must be getting done whether it be for my academics, job, family, or friends. When I first arrived in Scotland I did not have a lot of friendships and my family was not with me. I was not working, I had no homework, and I only had lectures for 2 hours a day. I was very unused to this lack of productivity and was very hard myself. 

Throughout the semester I had to learn how to spend time with myself and rewrite the narrative of fun days as “productive”. This slower way of life was a tough adjustment but I learned to enjoy the little things and the opportunity to explore Edinburgh. I also used this time to further myself by spending time with other University of Edinburgh students. These students were different than me growing up in different countries, practicing different religions, eating different cuisines and holding different values. This taught me so much about other people. It taught me to be more thoughtful when I speak about my life and experiences. It taught me to ask more questions and be more curious about other lifestyles.

These people exposed me to how much I didn’t know. They would make me dishes I had never heard of before or tell me stories of their childhood that seemed nothing like mine. I grew so much as a person because it was a moment of realization of how much I did not know. I realized how young I am and how much more learning I have left in my life. I have a newfound excitement for trying new things and meeting new people that I did not have before. 

4. 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.

Learning to slow down and enjoy life without the expectation of being productive helped me not only gain stronger relationships with other people but also with myself. I was left alone to entertain myself a lot during my semester abroad and I learned so much about myself, my hobbies, likes, and dislikes during this time. This has helped me a lot in my personal life as I now know how to live a life that is best suited for me. I also can take this new found personal knowledge and apply it to my academics and professional life. I know how to motivate myself and how to keep myself focused. I know how to maximize doing things I enjoy and minimize doing things I don’t. I am happy to know all this because it makes life so much easier and enjoyable. My time in Edinburgh, Scotland was so special and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to go.

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1. Over the month of May, I was given the opportunity to go to Barcelona to study international business at the CEA Capa Centeralong with a group of other OSU students. I was able to immerse myself in the local culture, practice my professional skills, and learn about a new work environment in an international setting. I visited local businesses with my group and learned about professions like project management, technology innovation, journalism, and global expansion.
2. This trip was an interesting and fun journey for me that gave me the chance to see the changes that I have gone through over the past year on my path to self-acceptance and self-love. I assumed going on this trip that things would be very planned and segmented out for our group, giving us a strict timetable that would keep us busy. I was extremely shocked to find out that we had a very fluid schedule that made us plan accordingly to get work done while still being a part of the culture of Barcelona. I found that, with time, I was able to create a routine that mimicked an average Barcelona citizen to better adapt to the environment that I was in. I got up later than what I usually did, ate a different breakfast that usually consisted of a quick coffee and pastry, walked the very walkable streets to class, enjoyed large lunches that led into afternoon naps to give myself a break, and stayed up later at night to see the vivid and beautiful nightlife of the city.
   This was the largest thing to change for me: having a slowed-down pace. Through everything that we did, we were late sometimes and we had to wait on people. It was never a hustle to get everything in or done on time and, instead, to put in all the best effort that we could and have our best work possible. My view on how I live my life drastically changed as I usually work myself to the bone to get my projects in on time (or early, even) along with having to do everything I possibly can in a day. There is a sense of having to work like the American work culture in any place that I go, every day of the week. It turned into a competition with myself that I could never win, but I became successful in the eyes of the United States work standard. There is a huge difference in Barcelona, along with many European countries, on how their work and life are balanced. It is said that Americans live to work and the rest of the world works to live. I think this is incredibly true and I was able to witness it in just two weeks of being abroad.
3. There were three main parts to our trip that really solidified the changes that I noted within myself.
   The first one was with the relationships that I created with the people in my program. I had an apartment for housing and shared it with three other girls who were all younger than me and just starting their time at OSU. Along with this, there were two other apartments of girls that were in the program and we all got along very well through the week. The one thing that I did notice, though, was the roles that we all naturally fell into over the period that we were in Barcelona. One of my main goals coming into this program was to immerse myself as much as possible into the local culture so as to not disrupt the people that lived there. I wanted to blend in and tried my hardest by researching the social norms to know how to best conduct myself in any situation. When I started to travel with this group, from our apartment to restaurants, classes, small towns, and business visits, I saw that we each had a role to play in what we knew and how we were going to interact with the environment around us. I took the role of navigator and communicator, keeping us on track of when and where we needed to be places along with corralling everyone together. Another girl was in charge of researching where to go during our stay and what would be most beneficial for us to do. Someone else was in charge of managing who had to pay for what when we paid with one card to not confuse waiters. So on and so forth, giving us each a key part in how we interacted with each other and did our best to do the most during our time abroad. This was huge for me, as in the past I think I liked to control all aspects of what went into a social group or a project, but I really tried to slow down and listen to what each person brought to the table to best understand how I fit in with everyone. I went into this program not knowing a single person, scared that I would be doing this all on my own. By the end of the program, I gained many new friends that I’m excited to bring back to campus.
   The second part was the cultural workshops and events that we went to through the two-week program. Barcelona is filled with art, food, dance, and a social life that is unlike anything that I’ve been a part of. The first amazing thing that we got to do was see some of the more touristy, but important, spots like Parc Guell, Casa Batllo, the Picasso Museum, and more. There were so many famous artists that lived in Barcelona and filled the streets with amazing architecture and art. Along with this, we went to a tapas workshop to learn about the history of tapas and why they are a huge part of Spanish cuisine today. I love to cook, and getting the chance to learn about the food that people eat here every day, along with what ingredients go into a recipe, and the history of why these specific dishes have stayed around made the food that I ate later so much more special. Finally, we got the chance to learn and watch a Flamenco dancer who showed us some classical moves and how to do them. I loved this the most, probably, because I saw as the lady danced the confidence and the importance of each move that she made. Trying to do it myself was a little embarrassing, but after I saw that confidence was one of the biggest things that you needed to dance Flamenco correctly, I felt a lot more at ease doing some of the moves. The dance class was a fun way to realize how much confidence plays a role in me being comfortable with what I’m doing. Sometimes, I really just have to lean into the fake confidence until I feel comfortable enough to be confident on my own.
   The final piece was how I got to be independent. After the first few days of riding the metro to get to class, I started to walk different routes each day to see more of the city. This was my favorite part of anything that I did. I would put the route into my phone each morning and then go down different streets, either one too early or one after, knowing that I knew the grid would lead me where I needed to go at some point. I got to see so many different neighborhoods and go into a new cafe each morning, testing out my Spanish speaking and listening skills each time. By the second week, I was able to go into a cafe, order my food, have a small conversation, and pay fully in Spanish. Sometimes the people would respond back in English, but when they saw that I would do my hardest to keep going in Spanish, they would be nice and slow down to help me understand better. It was a boost of confidence to know that I could try to make it easier for someone to do their job and not have to switch to English in order for me to get my food. I didn’t want to have to add more difficulty to their job, and while they know another language, I do too if I try hard enough and keep practicing.
4. This change and development is a big part of my life and the journey that I’ve gone through with OSU. When I started here back in 2021, my life was in shambles as I tried to navigate how I would be myself and independent amidst a global pandemic. COVID aside, I was nervous to be on my own and reach out to make new friends. I hit so many bumps within the first couple of weeks that I really started to feel alone and scared for the next four years. It took so much time and so much effort to see that I needed to go through the roughest points to get to some of the best. I always thought of myself as being super introverted, but in reality, I was just scared to show my authentic self because I hadn’t found a group of people that I felt fully safe with. It took me having to be comfortable in my most uncomfortable moments, to have my friends get in arguments with me, and to be alone and learn to be comfortable with myself before I could see how I’m not the person who started here three years ago. This trip showed me that I made friends in two weeks, I put myself out there and did what was honest and true to me, and that it can sound cheesy and corny, but I love the cheesy and corny stuff the most.
   This journey didn’t change my life, it just opened my eyes to the person that I am proud to be today.