My STEP Signature Project involved spending a semester in Costa Rica, focusing on ecological resilience studies. The main activities included exploring national parks and tropical ecosystems, visiting local farms, and conducting a field research project on herpetology.

Through my study abroad experience, I underwent a significant transformation in my understanding of ecological resilience and sustainability. Initially, I had a superficial understanding of conservation efforts, often viewing them as isolated projects. However, immersing myself in Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems and witnessing firsthand the integration of agriculture and conservation changed my perspective. I learned to appreciate the interconnectedness of natural systems and the importance of sustainable practices that benefit both the environment as well as local communities. This experience challenged my previous assumptions and broadened my view of the world, emphasizing the necessity of a holistic approach to ecological and community resilience.

Exploring the cloud forests of Monteverde and Bajo La Paz exposed me to the incredible biodiversity and the delicate balance required to maintain these ecosystems. Seeing the efforts in resilient land management and community development firsthand highlighted the intricate link between ecological health and human well-being. Visiting the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, showed me the urgency of conservation efforts. Interacting with local conservationists and my professors who are dedicated to protecting this unique environment inspired me and reinforced the idea that individual and collective actions can make a significant impact.

Engaging with local farms and learning about their innovative practices in combining agriculture and conservation was another eye-opening experience. These farms demonstrated how sustainable agriculture could support both food production and environmental preservation. Participating in activities like gathering fresh produce, managing compost, and observing sustainable food efforts on campus provided practical insights into how these principles can be applied in daily life.

Conducting a field research project allowed me to delve deeply into herpetology, from literary analysis to presenting my findings. This process taught me important field research skills and provided a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with research. I was able to check off so many things off of my bucket list during the month we dedicated to directed research, including: kissing frogs, petting bats, and booping tarantulas 🙂 

This transformation is significant as it has reshaped my aspirations. I now have a clear vision of pursuing a career in environmental science and sustainability, with a focus on creating and implementing holistic conservation strategies. The insights gained from this experience are valuable for my future endeavors, as they have equipped me with a practical understanding of ecological resilience and sustainable practices.

This experience has instilled a deeper sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship. I am more committed to adopting and promoting sustainable practices in my daily life and am encouraging others to do the same. This shift aligns with my long-term goal of contributing to a more sustainable and resilient world, making my experience in Costa Rica a pivotal moment in my personal and professional development. Pura Vida!

• Provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project

My STEP Signature Project was utilizing the Fisher College of Business Global Education program. Since January 16th, I’ve been blessed with countless opportunities to explore all throughout Europe, while obtaining a fantastic education from my host University in Nantes, France. In my classes, I got the chance to experience a new style of classes with much less of an emphasis on homework and quizzes, with much more of a focus on final projects and exams. I learned about numerous helpful topics, including (but not limited to) skills in project management, customer experience and branding tactics, digital marketing, and the landscape of business in Europe. Outside of my studies, I explored a total of 8 countries in the 4.5 months I spent abroad, allowing me to experience numerous cultures and foods otherwise completely foreign to my American livelihood.

• What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

While studying abroad this past semester, my perspective of the world has changed completely. As mentioned in my previous answer, I was blessed with numerous opportunities to visit cities & countries I’ve never been to before. With each place I visited, I encountered a new way of life through various languages, customs, transportation, and food. As this was my first time ever coming to Europe, my main perspective of life has come from that of an American way of living. The culture we’ve created in American society is so much different than that of other countries around the world in a bunch of ways. Namely, we tend to focus our lives on how much work we can get done and how much money we can earn. In Europe, there is much less of a focus on such material things – people tend to just live life on a day to day basis, enjoying the little things like walking around and enjoying a coffee outside while having a conversation with friends/family. Not to mention, the architecture and history all throughout Europe was something I didn’t expect to be so taken-aback about. It’s hard to put into words the feeling you get when walking into a church thats hundreds of years older than America as a country. I felt myself time and time again being humbled by the little amount of time I’ve existed in comparison to the entire history ever present throughout European countries.

• 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?

The relations I created while studying abroad will stick with me for the rest of my life. Just last week, I had to say goodbye to friends I made during my semester at Audencia (my host university) – recognizing that I’ll likely never see most of these people ever again. The exchange program I was apart of was fairly small, only having around 85 total international students participating. I was one of six Americans in the program, which led to creating friendships with people almost exclusively from countries I’d never been to. Although this program was in English, I found myself constantly trying to learn small words and phrases from my closer friends in their native language, out of respect and curiosity to learn about how people exactly like me born in a different part of the world learned to assign different sounds to the same objects I interact with on an everyday basis. I can proudly report that my French has significantly improved since arriving in France, mostly thanks to the hospitality and patience from the French friends I made throughout the term. Other languages that helped expand my cultural horizon were Dutch, Turkish, Greek, and *some* German. I was also fascinated to learn about the slight cultural differences in the countries my friends were from, including a much nicer dress code all throughout Europe compared to the US.

A specific event that led to my perspective of the world changing was while I was traveling with my roommates to a small town in Eastern Italy called Locorotondo. We were about halfway through the first trip we’d go on in the semester, and were still pretty fresh to the culture change, coming from America. We had taken a train then took a short bus ride from Rome to arrive in a nearby town, when I realized that I had incorrectly booked the wrong dates for the Airbnb we were supposed to stay in that night. According to the booking, we weren’t supposed to check in until the next night. Terrified we wouldn’t have somewhere to stay, I texted the host of the property we were supposed to be staying in if he could let us in a day early while on our second bus ride, this time leading us to our destination. Despite the last minute nature of my text, he promptly responded, saying that the place we were supposed to stay in was occupied – but that he had another property open for the night that we could stay in. 

With a sigh of relief, we just had one more problem to overcome before getting to the new location we’d be staying at for the night: how to get there. We got in at around 11pm, and the bus we were taking dropped us off in the downtown area of the little town, with our Airbnb about 3 miles away. There were no uber/lyfts available, and we couldn’t get ahold of any taxi services to help us out. As a last resort, we walked into a small shop and used google translate to try and ask how we should get to our Airbnb. In some stroke of luck, the shop owner offered to leave his store and drive us and our luggage himself, for just 10 euros. When we finally got to the place we were staying, we were greeted by the father of our host – who we fondly called Papa Cosimo (Cosimo was the name of our host) – who only spoke Italian. He gave us a tour of the place we were staying, and offered to be our personal driver for the entirety of our stay in Locorotondo. All in all, the helpfulness and willingness of locals to help complete strangers in need entirely changed my perspective of how people in Europe are. I don’t think we would’ve been so lucky in America.

• Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

This change/transformation is significant AND valuable for my life for a bunch of reasons. Namely, this new perspective taught me how the different environments people are raised in greatly affect how someone lives their lives. Having been almost completely exposed to just the American experience for my life up until this semester, I never realized how much different cultures in other countries are in the ways they value things in their lives. For example, one of the key lessons I learned during my time in France was the importance of work-life balance. In the U.S., there’s often a strong emphasis on productivity and career advancement, sometimes at the expense of personal well-being and leisure. However, in France, I observed a cultural norm that values taking time for oneself, enjoying leisurely meals, and prioritizing family and personal relationships. This taught me that a fulfilling life can be found not just through professional success but through a balanced approach to work and personal life.

Additionally, this experience has enhanced my communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, I learned to appreciate different viewpoints and approaches to problem-solving. This will be incredibly valuable in both my personal and professional life, as it has made me more adaptable and empathetic. Whether I’m working in a multicultural team or traveling to new places, I now have the skills to connect with and understand people from different cultures.

Finally, this transformation has fostered a sense of global citizenship within me. I now feel a deeper connection to the world beyond my own country and a responsibility to contribute positively to the global community. This broader perspective encourages me to be more open-minded and considerate in my actions, knowing that they can have far-reaching impacts.

Overall, the expanded cultural awareness I gained from studying abroad has equipped me with invaluable life skills that will help me navigate and appreciate the diversity of the world around me.

• Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed. 

Over the course of this past semester I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. I spent four and a half months living and learning Italian culture. I also used my free time on the weekends to travel to other European cities and countries, and had the incredible opportunity to experience those cities, people and cultures.

• 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. 

Throughout my time abroad my view of the world changed and evolved. I became more open-minded and worked to break down the American “bubble” I have grown up in. It was interesting to experience first hand just how different other cultures are from America. Whether it was something as simple as learning that Europeans need to pay for water when they dine out, or as complex as European education systems, my time abroad changed the way I had perceived many of these foreign cultures.

While away, not only did I learn more about the world, but I learned more about myself as well. I discovered that I was more adventurous than I ever realized. I found myself constantly stepping outside of my comfort zone in my efforts to try local cuisines or participate in adrenaline filled activities. I did not want to miss anything.

• 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.

During my time in Europe, I interacted with people from a variety of countries and backgrounds. On one of my favorite trips to Bruges, Belgium, my friend and I met a young couple from France. We spent nearly an hour speaking to these people in the street until we decided to all go and share a traditional Belgian dinner together. We found a neighborhood eatery, and tried lots of local dishes while swapping stories about where we come from, our families, and our lives. The couple taught us about French cuisine, education and social life. This unique experience allowed me to freely ask questions and understand how life outside of my Rye Brook and Ohio State “bubbles” are different.

Studying in Italy, I attended an International school where my classes consisted of students from Russia, Spain, Kazakhstan, and England, to name just a few countries. We were lucky that our professors gave us time to interact with one another, and we built relationships both in and out of the classroom. It was interesting hearing what brought each student to Italy, and I found it particularly intriguing speaking to the Russian students. Many shared that they do not feel safe in their home country and that they are not accepted by their families for living an “artsy lifestyle.” This was sad for me to hear as I am very close with my family and they accept me for who I am, quirks and all! 

I took a few art classes, thinking that since I was in Florence I should take advantage of learning about all of its beautiful architecture, museums, and bridges. I am so happy I did. My sketching class brought us to different Piazzas each week, where we sat with our sketch books and worked on various illustrations of the Duomo, bridges, and fountains. It was a dream. I went to see the David statue and had to sketch him. I am no Michelangelo, but I did the best I could! I found myself appreciating art much more than I ever did.  When my family came to visit, I was actually an informed tour guide! They were pretty impressed. Sitting on the Ponte Vecchio bridge at sunset was one of my favorite things to do, and paint. It was so beautiful it didn’t seem real. I appreciated every magical moment.

• 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.

Over the course of the past five months I took advantage of every opportunity I possibly could to speak to new people, try new foods and partake in new activities. These experiences broadened my horizons and taught me about other people and cultures. I believe my time spent in Europe has made me a more well-rounded and interesting individual, which will greatly enhance both my professional and personal life. As I will soon find myself entering the business world, I feel I am now well equipped to work with all types of coworkers and handle any situation I may find myself in. This new air of confidence makes me feel like a better person. Being abroad opened my mind to new ideas and has helped me develop a more inclusive view of life, which makes me feel less judgemental.

I was never a real foodie, but was determined to not let anything pass me by. I tried oysters and cicchetti in Venice; pate in Bruges; spicy tapas in Madrid; and stegt flaesk in Copenhagen. I liked some, loved others, and didn’t really dislike anything. Also, I wouldn’t consider myself a “scaredy cat”, but I am certainly one who thinks things through and never does too many crazy or dangerous things. Yet, while abroad, I jumped out of a plane in Switzerland (skydiving), jumped off a high cliff in Malta, and rode a vespa in Tuscany. I am really proud of myself. And I will be forever grateful to those who helped me realize my dream of living in Florence, and experience the most incredible opportunity of a lifetime.

I traveled to Costa Rica to participate in a non-profit global consulting program through the Fisher College of Business. Over two weeks, our team immersed ourselves in the local culture, while providing consulting services to Chocolates Nan, a local chocolate company, to help them develop a business plan, enhance their social media presence, and create scaling guides.We also learned about the nature and tradition of Costa Rica that make it a unique biodiverse country.

Completing my STEP Signature Project profoundly changed my understanding of global business practices and cultural sensitivity. I realized the importance of adapting business strategies to fit local contexts, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. I also gained a deeper appreciation for the richness of different cultures and how they influence business operations and community interactions. It was an amazing opportunity to find a balanca of business and culture while getting to learn about the local community.

Costa Rica takes pride in their Pura Vida lifestyle. This literally means “pure life,” but it is the embodiment of the relaxed and enjoyable way of living they prioritize. The people in Costa Rica don’t get caught up in the small inconveniences of life. They appreciate life and make sure to act accordingly. This can seem difficult for us to understand as Americans because we are accustomed to quick service and immediate gratification, but the people in Costa Rica are all about taking their time and being happy doing it.

One key aspect that led to this transformation was living in Gandoca, a small village with 300-500 residents. This close-knit community welcomed us warmly, allowing me to see firsthand how interconnected business and daily life are in such settings. Working with Chocolates Nan, we faced unique challenges that required us to think creatively and collaboratively, deepening my understanding of flexible business planning.

Our daily interactions with the villagers, from playing soccer to making hammocks, provided a rich cultural immersion. These experiences highlighted the value of community and the importance of supporting local economies. Engaging in these activities fostered a sense of empathy and respect for the local way of life, reinforcing the idea that successful business strategies must be culturally informed.

Additionally, the collaborative nature of our consulting project played a significant role in my transformation. Working closely with my team for over five hours each day, we had to navigate different perspectives and ideas to create effective solutions for Chocolates Nan. This process taught me the value of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in achieving common goals.

I made sure to let all the stressors of life take a backseat and just go with the flow because that is the priority of the people in Costa Rica. This allowed ideas and strategies to flow more easily as we were able to relax and take our time. There are many aspects of the culture in Costa Rica that I would love to bring back to the USA with me.

This transformation is significant for several reasons. Academically, it has broadened my understanding of international business and the importance of cultural competence, which will enhance my studies and future research. Personally, this experience has made me more open-minded and appreciative of cultural diversity, which will enrich my interactions and relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Professionally, the skills and insights gained from this project are invaluable. The ability to adapt business strategies to fit different cultural contexts is crucial in today’s globalized economy. This experience has also reinforced my commitment to supporting sustainable and community-focused business practices, which will guide my future career.

STEP Education Abroad Reflection

By Cassie Kobel

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 an education abroad project, in which I lived and studied in Madrid, Spain for a little over four months. During this project, I was able to experience life in Spain, including immersing myself in a new culture, trying new cuisine, learning about different traditions, and meeting new people.

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.

During this experience, I definitely had an opportunity for self-growth, as I was doing something entirely new and out of my comfort zone. However, although it may have felt uncomfortable at first, it was one of the best experiences of my life, and it has truly changed me for the better. Going into this experience, I was extremely anxious and nervous. I was not much of a risk-taker at all, and I was afraid of being on my own. At school, I had almost always relied on my friends to do things with me, so this was the first time that I would be doing something entirely on my own, without knowing anyone going with me. Upon completing my project, I can confidently say that these traits of mine have changed drastically. This experience allowed me to take even more risks, such as traveling to new cities on my own and even going out to eat alone. Things that I previously never would have thought to do, I am now completely able to, and enjoy doing. This experience not only gave me the opportunity to see new places, learn in a new environment, and meet new people, but also allowed me to learn more about myself, grow, and mature in the process. I am extremely thankful to have had this opportunity of self-growth and am excited to see how this project will impact my decisions and perspective for the rest of my life.

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.

The first and most significant event that led to my personal transformation and growth this semester happened on one of the first weekends that I was in Spain. My friends had already made previous plans to go on other trips, and I had nothing to do that weekend. So, instead of sitting around in my apartment, I decided to make the most of the situation and do something on my own. I had been hearing about a small city about one hour north of where I was living called El Escorial, so I decided to face my fears and go. I did this trip entirely by myself, going to the museum, going on walks, and going out to meals alone. However, instead of feeling awkward or afraid, like I may have previously, I felt perfectly content and proud of myself for being able to face my fears and go ahead with this, instead of sitting around all weekend. From this moment on, I truly had a change in perspective, because I realized that doing this is extremely common and normal, especially in Europe, and that if I want to do something, I can’t rely on anyone but myself for it to get done. After this trip and throughout the rest of my semester, I explored different neighborhoods of Madrid on my own, went to meals alone, and even did different activities such as riding rowboats in the park alone.

Another aspect that encouraged my self-growth journey while abroad was the way that my teachers acted. All of the teachers that I had while abroad were extremely encouraging and wanted us to be able to explore Spain and see all that it had to offer. This definitely impacted my self-growth because they gave us the opportunity to learn about the history of different cities as well as activities to do in Madrid itself. Having them say all of this made me realize that I needed to take advantage of every opportunity that I have and make the most of my time in Spain without letting any of it go to waste. Because of this, I saw as much as I possibly could within Madrid; the Royal Palace, Retiro park, Temple of Debod, Flamenco, and even Bull fighting. All of these interactions made me realize how fortunate I was to be able to be studying away from home and have this once in a lifetime experience, which further helped me mature, obtain a new perspective on life, and realize that you cannot take any moment for granted.

Finally, the last realization that I had that led to my opportunity for self-growth was being able to meet new people, all from such different backgrounds and places with different perspectives. Because of all of the people that I met, I was able to be pushed out of my comfort zone even more. I was a lot more introverted before I went abroad, but I felt that in order to meet new people, I had to push myself to be more extroverted. At first, it was definitely a bit of a challenge, but by the end, I felt that it came much more naturally for me, and I had become much more outgoing without feeling like I was forcing myself. Additionally, with all of the people that I met, everyone had such different experiences and interests, and I was able to do things or try new foods with them that I would not normally have done on my own.

All of these experiences have helped shape me and contribute to my self-growth transformation, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.

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.

This transformation is valuable for my life for many reasons. Firstly, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and I know that I will never be able to have an experience like this again. Being able to live in another country for over four months helped me be able to grow and mature as a person, and I do not believe I would have had this same transformation without this experience. In addition, because of my future plans, I do not foresee there being any other point in my life where I am able to take the time off from further education or work to be able to live in Europe and travel to different countries the way I did during the past few months. For this reason, this experience was extremely significant in forming a lifelong impact on my outlook and perspective on life, as well as creating an opportunity for self-growth for me. Secondly, as I mentioned, this experience changed my outlook on life and allowed me to see things from a new perspective, which will help me in my future professional goals as well. By being able to become more independent, willing to take risks, and be able to adapt to change more easily, I believe that I will be better prepared for the working world. Because there is so much unknown and so little that can be precisely planned out when it comes to future professional plans, I am glad that I have adapted this new mindset of being able to go with the flow more, because it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen.

1.) For my STEP Signature Project, I had the opportunity to study abroad for the whole semester in Florence, Italy. Spanning from January to April, I was able to live in Italy, attend classes, form a routine, travel to other places in both Italy and Europe, meet incredible people, and live out a dream.

2.) Studying abroad for my STEP Signature Project definitely introduced me to so many new perspectives and changed my outlook on both the world and myself. I came into studying abroad hopeful that I would achieve these “cliches” or finding myself and gaining new outlooks on life, and after successfully completing my project, I can confidently say that all of these cliches about abroad are true! Living in Florence for four months has taught me so much about living on my own, being independent, and managing and prioritizing my responsibilities, which will all be extremely useful when looking forward to my life post undergraduate college. Studying abroad has also allowed me to look inwards and really think about my friendships and relationships. I came to Italy only knowing two friends, and I have met so many incredible people that have shaped my experience and outlook on the world. Even by meeting other American students from different colleges across the country, I have learned so much about people’s different traditions, attitudes, cultures, and values.

3.) The human interaction was one of my favorite parts of all of study abroad. Getting to meet people from not only just Italy but also all over the world was so incredible and shaped many of my outlooks. There is one specific instance of this that comes to mind. In early April, two of my friends and I were sitting right by River Arno, just casually chatting and enjoying our delicious sandwiches on a beautiful and sunny Sunday. An older woman in an adorable Snoopy shirt slowly approached us.

At first, she asked for the time, but then she stayed for a while and we conversed. She was telling us that she was in Florence 25 years ago with her husband and that everything now looks so different! She did not speak English very well, as she explained she is German and speaks multiple languages, but we still managed to have a very deep and comprehensive conversation with her. We told her we were study abroad students from all different parts of the US, and that all three of us were business majors. She shared that when she was our age, she travelled a lot too. she has been to New York and Florida, as well as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, all over Europe, India, and so many more! We were fascinated listening to her endless stories.

She was happily married for 50 years, she said to a very clever man, who recently passed two years ago, but instead of speaking about him with sadness, she talked with a perspective of gratitude. The woman shared that she as well was a woman in business and worked at a bank, which was rare for women in her time in Germany, and was very successful. She did not have children of her own, but she told us that when she and her husband visited India, they paid for 30 years worth of school for children. We were absolutely blown away by her kindness. After I told her that she is such an incredible person with inspiring stories, she went on to emphasize how important it is for people to take the time to talk to one another. I was so inspired because I, too, agree that having tough conversations and sharing stories and experiences is the key to bringing people together and building communities. She eventually said goodbye and walked away, just as spontaneously and mysteriously as she arrived in the first place.

My two friends and I lifted our sunglasses to see that we were all teary-eyed and blown away after having one of the best and most moving interactions. I immediately journaled about this the second I got home (which is why I remember every detail!), and I am so happy I did because now I can vividly think back to this memory with such fondness. This is one of many interactions that has truly changed my outlook on life. We are out here in 2024 fighting gender norms in the workplace, and this woman, so many generations older than us, had to do the same exact thing. She was once the same as us—a young soul wit the desire to travel the world while working a successful career, and she has had such a fulfilling life. This moment altered my outlook on life and planted a new seed of inspiration, home, and dreams in my brain. Living by this woman’s wise words, being kind and having a simple conversation with someone new genuinely changed my life.

4.) I will most certainly be applying the new life skills I have learned abroad to my decisions that I will make about my future and even in my everyday life. The independence and conversational skills that I have learned will last a lifetime. I have also learned a lot about patience and open-mindedness when getting to know new people from other parts of the world, and I will continue to go into every conversation I have with pure kindness and no assumptions, as well as with a willingness to learn.

Studying abroad has also allowed me to explore my passions and take time for myself to truly think about what I want to do with my life. I am a finance major, and I was lucky enough to have enough credits to not have to take any business courses this semester. This allowed me to have the freedom to choose classes that sounded interesting that I normally would not be able to take. Besides a required Intro to Italian course, I chose to take courses on travel writing, forensic psychology, and social media and food blogging. I absolutely loved all of my classes as they really opened my eyes to all there is out there. I chose these classes based on my pre-existing hobbies, interests, and curiosities, but they really helped solidify how much I love to learn. My favorite role in life is being a student! I am in the works of earning a business degree, but from there, I can really go into almost any field or industry of my choosing and work for the business side of things, so getting this experience on new topics has greatly helped me ponder new career paths.

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.

This past spring semester, I was given the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Here, I was immersed into a new culture where I got out of my comfort zone by taking classes that related to my surroundings while also traveling the world to various places.

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.

Before going abroad this past semester, I had some idea, or at least I thought, of what to expect. I have a couple of friends who studied abroad; thus, I was able to hear all about their experiences. After listening to them and their stories, I assumed that I was going to have the same exact ones. However, this was not the case, and I was naïve to think that it would be.

While I was in Europe, there was a major culture shock. Growing up in the United States my entire life led me to assume that what was ‘normal’ for me was most likely close to “normal” for others. I knew that there were differences in the way of life throughout different parts of the world, but I did not realize the extent and the capacity these differences would be. My assumptions and my view of the world was altered and transformed after my time abroad for many reasons, and I am very thankful for that.

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.

As mentioned previously, I came into the study abroad experience not truly understanding the differences that I would encounter. Since I knew multiple people who went abroad, I heard their stories of the differences they saw in the culture and everyday life, but I assumed that it wouldn’t be a super large change or that they were just exaggerating. This was not the case at all. During my daily life in Florence, I had class four times a week. During this time, I would make sure that I would make the most of my day by going out and exploring different areas of town and try to meet as many people as I could. While doing this, I was encountered with differences in culture and the ways in which people interact.

One particular type of interaction that surprised me was when I would be walking around town. In the states, it is often thought of as awkward, weird, or rude to stare someone down as you are walking by them. In Europe, however, this is completely normal, and I was not ready for it. I would be walking down the street and get stared at for the longest time, and I was informed that this is very common and not at all rude. Additionally, I was shocked by the fact that you sometimes pay for your food before you order it, as this is not very common in the United States. Additionally, I was caught off guard with the table service while dining. In America, it is common for your waiter or waitress to come over and check on you often. In Europe, it is a more relaxed and laid-back culture, thus, as the customer, you must be the one to flag down your server if you’re wanting to bill.

Various interactions with people were not the only things that challenged my assumptions and view of the world. I also got the amazing opportunity to go on many adventures, such as sailing and hiking in a city called Sorrento. Here, I was with a small group of other study abroad students where we learned about differences in cultures while being asked questions that challenged our thinking about what it means to have freedom. I had never really thought about this before, since in America, we are told that freedom is represented solely by the color of our flag and what that stands for. After this trip, I was able to learn about a different point of view that expanded the way I had previously interpreted the idea of freedom. I loved getting to listen to the different ideas, as it truly reflected the Italian culture. We talked about how freedom can be represented by being who you want to be without being judged and being able to love on those that you are around. In my mind, I connected this concept to the ways in which Italians value social interactions with others by sharing ideas and food. I was opened more to the idea that freedom is a concept that can even be reflected through things that don’t relate mainly from a political standpoint, unlike in America.

These interactions and experiences are just a fraction of what I was able to learn about myself and the world while abroad. It is amazing to reflect on all the wonderful people I met and the amazing experiences that came with it that truly expanded my knowledge of cultural differences.

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.

This change/transformation was very significant and valuable for my life because I became more empathetic to the world around me. Before abroad, as mentioned, I did not have a super enriched understanding of other cultures. I had traveled outside of the United States, but I feel as though I was not appreciative of the experiences that I was getting and the people that I was meeting. Living in an entire new city, country, continent for many months was the absolute best way for me to truly appreciate the differences that cultures have. Coming back home to the states, I feel changed in the fact that I make sure to try and appreciate and respect different conversations or interactions that I have with others that don’t share the same lifestyle as me. My assumptions of what the “normal” thing to do is has altered, and I feel more open minded than ever before.

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.

I studied abroad in Australia for my STEP Signature Project. Studies took place at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Australia. These studies included learning about the indigenous people of Australia, Adventure Tourism, Environmental field analysis of coastal regions, and Marine and coastal environments.

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.

I learned more about myself through interacting with different types of people of different cultures. The ability to talk with people from around the world changed my assumptions about my view of the world. There seemed to be so much more of an emphasis on health and wellbeing in Australia. People of Australia are slightly different than Americans in the slang they use in their talk but my perspective of them all being rugged outback kangaroo herders changed. Now I see Australians as very similar to Americans in culture and music due to the western influence.

My view of the world changed when I went to Australia and nearby countries. I was able to interact with people from around the world and travel around Australia with them. Many beautiful beaches on the east coast of Australia, smaller portion sizes in food, and eating kangaroo were a few new experiences and things I learned. While traveling to Bali I got to see what it was like to not be able to have fresh water at your fingertips. A third world country with less infrastructure, I needed to only drink bottled water, or I would get sick as the water there is contaminated. It struck a deep chord in me of how lucky I am to live in a place with clean drinking water and the ability to afford lives simplest necessities.

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.

Traveling to Bali was a big change from Australia as I discovered a new land filled with rice fields, lush green forests, and elaborate temple sculptures. I witnessed life where streets were filled with people mostly travelling on mopeds and wild dogs roaming through the streets. Being in this new environment made me be more aware of my surroundings as well as enjoying such a different culture that I have never been in before with the different natural beauty not found in the states or Australia. These experiences made me appreciate being outdoors in nature more as well as being more aware of the appreciation that the people of Bali had in them even when they have so much less than what we have in the United States.

Surfing at beaches along the Gold Coast opened my adventurous side of trying a new activity. Learning a new hobby that enabled me to be in the ocean was rewarding. Being on the Gold Coast, I was only 15 minutes away from the beach which is the closest I have ever lived by the ocean in my life. It was something special. I bought a surfboard and would go out on the waves and crush them. It was tough to learn at first. Many falls off the board and getting swept up in the waves was not always the most fun. But through perseverance and consistency I was able to become more comfortable and learned to surf after multiple times practicing out in the water. It is a freeing experience. Being up on the surfboard riding those waves for the few seconds that you are up on the board feels like a roller coaster. Coming home to the States after learning how to surf I will take away with me the feeling of trying new things by taking new risks.

Experiencing the Great Barrier Reef with its illustrious coral reefs and its limitless colorful fish was unreal. Ever since I was a kid watching Nemo, I was always interested in seeing the Great Barrier Reef and all the pretty fish it had to offer. When I got to Australia I had the opportunity. I became scuba certified and went on an overnight dive expedition. Once under water I was put to the test with remembering and executing all my dive training I had learned earlier. Diving into see all the colorful fish and so far under water where I have never gone before was scary and thrilling. Being able to go so deep while breathing nitrogen out of a tank was something I never thought about doing before this adventure. The transformation after diving and seeing great amounts of choral and fish made me appreciate all of what nature has to offer under water and it has encouraged me to want to protect all the beauty in the ocean so that it may be preserved for centuries to come so others like me can enjoy witnessing it firsthand.

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.

Exposure to a new environment in a new country has countless benefits that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I will value my time in Australia and abroad forever and have stories to tell my friends and family about all the new things I have experienced with new adventures and new friendships I have formed. It has sparked within me a new desire to keep exploring new places and possibilities in life. Discovering new places and sights that have not been seen before is such a unique experience that I have been reminded of again which piques curiosity. This change matters because before the trip I was interested in traveling but now I am even more passionate about traveling to new places around the world and around my local area.

For the spring semester of 2024, I studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica. This was a partnership between The Ohio State University and the International Studies Abroad program that placed each student with a host family while we studied at the local university (Universidad Veritas). Throughout the experience, I had the opportunity to go on multiple program excursions throughout Costa Rica as well as travel with friends I met there. I was also able to practice Spanish with locals and explore various aspects of Costa Rica’s culture and history.

            I had never studied abroad previously and my primary reason for going started from me wanting to be completely immersed while completing my Spanish minor. I was hoping to learn more about the culture through things like cuisine, music, history, etc. I came into this with rather general expectations but can now gladly say that I was blown away. I am glad that I maintained the mindset to simply go with the flow of things and be open to new experiences. This allowed me to learn a lot about Costa Rica’s rich history and formed some unforgettable relationships along the way. The way I view the world and look at my own way of living has changed completely. I enjoyed the relaxed and more present pace of Costa Rica compared to the U.S. and have brought aspects like this back with me.

“Pura Vida” is a Costa Rican phrase I had heard before and knew it generally meant to take things easy and not worry or stress over them. I learned that this phrase was truly an integral part of Costa Rican culture. Nearly everyone says it multiple times a day whether it be to describe your day, greet someone, show appreciation, etc. I found out that this wasn’t just a phrase to use but was indeed a way of life. Similarly, there is another strong way of life that many people describe as “Tico Time”. This relates to taking life slow and living in the present. My teachers and host parents would describe this as not stressing to arrive at an event at a pre-determined time. This doesn’t apply to professional activities, but it is expected for locals to arrive at casual events later than the agreed-upon time. I have kept both of these notions with me since my return to the U.S. as a constant reminder to live in the moment and not stress over small things, especially the larger things that are out of my control; instead, find the brighter side of any seemingly bad situation.

            Another exciting piece of my study abroad was meeting new people. Looking back, it seems obvious, but I did not plan on meeting and building such strong relationships with the other students studying abroad from different schools or with my host parents. My host family was exceptional and surpassed my expectations; we ate meals together, went shopping, bought each other gifts and they even met my family. From talking with other students there, I know that many of them had a similar experience of becoming part of a family that expressed their love verbally and through so many kind acts. This encounter from the start really got me through any stages of homesickness or negative culture shock very quickly. The other students I met have become close friends of mine as well and we still keep in touch.

Although I was studying in San Jose, I did explore the surrounding 7 provinces of Costa Rica with friends. Traveling allowed me to see Costa Rica’s bountiful nature but also led me to learn about the surrounding cultures and people. Going out of the San Jose province to Alajuela is where I visited the Monteverde Cloud Rainforest which has become one of my favorite locations. Moving down to Puntarenas, I was able to visit some of the National parks as well as the various beaches. Towards the eastern side of the country, I was exposed to an entire shift in the people and language as this was a much more Caribbean side of Costa Rica. These experiences have left me wanting to return and also ignited a desire to discover new cultures and environments in other parts of the world.

Overall, this experience surpassed my expectations of what I could learn from studying abroad. My initial goal of practicing Spanish came easily, and I went on to experience much more aside from this. Most importantly, I was able to actively participate in a culture quite different from my own which has changed the way that I view the world and how I live my life day to day. I have a new desire to explore the world around me not simply to learn a language or for neat scenery but rather to experience a different and enriching way of life. I plan to continue learning about the many differences between cultures around the world and hope to continue experiencing them firsthand.