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. 

For my STEP Signature Project, I studied abroad in London during the Spring semester of 2024. I lived in London for around 4 months, took classes, and was able to travel around Europe and parts of the United Kingdom. This incredible opportunity allowed me to become immersed in London’s rich culture and visit parts of Europe I had never seen before. 

1. 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, I had no idea what to expect or how significantly the experience would impact my growth as a young woman. I had never been to London or Europe prior to this experience, so I felt a major culture shock in the beginning of my study abroad experience. My life changed almost instantly as I stepped off the plane in London; I was living in a completely new country without my family. While this was slightly intimidating, I learned how to adapt to this new environment and embrace the incredible opportunity. I learned about London and European culture in ways I couldn’t imagine before beginning this journey. 

1. 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.

Throughout my daily life in London, I spent lots of time on the tube traveling to my classes each day. I have never been that great with directions or public transportation, but I quickly learned to navigate the tube like a local. In the States, I usually get to different places by driving, which is very different from my experiences abroad. I had to navigate the difficulties of the tube lines, which I never thought I could do, but I figured it out quickly and grew to love the tube. Additionally, I managed to use the public transportation systems in other European countries with little trouble, which was a significant accomplishment for me.

Another aspect of my study abroad experience was the weekend traveling I was fortunate to experience. Nearly every other weekend, I planned a trip to neighboring European countries for the weekend. I had to figure out transportation, places to stay, activities, restaurants, and much more while keeping a budget in mind. Traveling almost every weekend is exhausting and requires a lot of planning, but I managed to accomplish it with the help of my friends with whom I was traveling. I was able to see so many different cities and countries, learn even more about Europe, and how to travel efficiently.

I met people from different areas of Europe and the United Kingdom and learned about their daily lives, cultures, and experiences with America. Most of the people I met had never been to America before or had never met an American. Through the people I met, I was not only able to learn about their home cities/countries but also gain insight into what life is like as a local living in these different areas.

1. 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 experience and transformation helped me discover more about myself and the world around me. In a short period of time, I became a well-versed traveler, navigated difficult situations, and adapted to a new lifestyle. As a young woman, this study abroad experience allowed me to become more mature and develop into a self-sufficient individual. I feel more confident in my abilities to be independent and converse with individuals from all over the world.

As a health sciences major, I spend most of my time in school studying science, which involves reading textbooks, studying complex terms, performing well on exams, and understanding the applications of various concepts. During my study abroad experience, my courses were drastically different than the ones I usually take for my major, which allowed me to experience a different type of academia and become a more well-rounded student. I learned that while studying science is very important for me to succeed in my career, I must become educated in other ways and explore different interests and curiosities. I began to truly internalize the importance of balance and learning through experiences and traveling versus learning through a textbook. Traveling Europe and studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, and I never thought it would happen because of my hope to become a medical professional. I now realize that anything is possible. I can still become a well-educated and successful healthcare worker while having incredible experiences like living in London and traveling around Europe.