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 chose to do a study abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile for 10 weeks during the Summer of 2024. I stayed with a host family and for the first half of my program I took classes at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso that counted toward my Spanish minor and the second half I volunteered at a local clinic. 

 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 think the most valuable thing I learned on my trip is that I am a lot more capable and independent than I originally thought I was. Having traveled on my own before, I knew it was intimidating, but that I was fully capable. However, on this trip I pushed myself to new limits that were well worth the growth and knowledge but truly scared me in the moment. Experiencing so much alone made me not only appreciate myself more, but the people around me. This included not just the friends and family I was missing, but the relationships I gained with new people around me too. 

In this process, I came to understand other cultures in a much deeper, more meaningful way. It was amazing to learn so many interesting facts about different cuisine, customs, and languages in such an authentic setting. Yet what really stood out to me was that despite such large differences, I was able to connect with so many unique individuals. It was so special to sit at the dinner table and share laughs with a culture so vastly different from my own only to discover that in the end, we are all just human. 

 3.What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP SignatureProject 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. 

One of the most influential events of my trip was having my phone stolen from my hands about halfway through. I just remember feeling entirely shocked and utterly helpless as I stood on the sidewalk after it happened. Luckily a couple saw it happen, and called the police for me, but I wasn’t feeling too lucky as I was driven alone to the station caged in the back seat to file a report. This event created obstacle after obstacle for the rest of my trip, and I’m not sure if I would have been able to get through them without the support of my host family in Chile, friends, and family at home. In this way, I came to appreciate the kindness of others in such a meaningful way that will stick with me forever. 

My host brother, Aníbal, was a prime example of this kindness. Aníbal welcomed me with such open arms and was eager to share his city and culture with me, as well as my companions from my program. He began as our tour guide, showing us the best snacks in the supermarket, local cafés (he is a barista), and even places to get pierced, but soon, he was one of us. Aníbal was my closest friend on my trip, and I will never forget the conversations we had cleaning the dishes or walking home together. It was such a unique and moving experience to get so close to someone so different from me. I will hold on to our relationship forever. In fact, I plan on visiting him when he comes to Colorado in December. 

Aníbal was not the only one I formed a meaningful relationship with. Not only did I grow super close to the other members of my host family and friends from my program, but I developed unexpected relationships traveling to other parts of South America solo. For example, I was fortunate enough to travel to Easter Island, where I became close friends with one of the owners of my hotel, Renata. She showed me around the island, invited me to a party with her cousins, and even helped me book and accompanied me to get a tattoo. The hospitality of this close-knit community on the island left me in awe, and even after just 2 days on the island, I found myself connected to the remarkable culture.  

What was perhaps so moving about these travel experiences was that for many of them, I did them alone. While it was nerve-racking traveling to Peru and Easter Island by myself, doing the trips solo allowed me to take in the culture in a whole new way. I spent a lot of time in silence, which was at first very unusual, but I began to appreciate the simplicity of it. I learned a lot about myself on these trips. I now have so many memories that are unique to only me, which has given me a new sense of independence and pride. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone was the only way for me to learn what I was truly capable of, and I surprised even myself. 

 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.

One of my biggest goals in life has always been to be a kind, understanding, well-rounded person. This is why I believe traveling is so important and find so much joy in my experiences abroad. I have become more empathetic, knowledgeable, and communicative through various challenges traveling, which has helped me achieve not only my personal goals, but will help me achieve my professional goals as well. My appreciation for others of all different backgrounds will make me a better team member, which is especially vital in my field (engineering). Furthermore, studying in a Spanish speaking country developed my language skills. My fluency will stand out on a resume and allow me to continue engaging in unique situations others do not typically have the chance to.

During my STEP Signature project, I took part in the TEAN Korea University Summer Program, which allowed me to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I was able to participate in Korea University’s International Summer Campus, which had over 900 students from across the world come to the campus in Seoul and take part in summer courses that ranged over many subjects. I was able to take courses that broadened my experiences and knowledge while also being able to be a part of the culture and feel what it is like to be a college student at a Korean university. 

Growing up as a Korean American in the United States was definitely a different experience as to what my other family members or friends who grew up in Korea felt. I always grew up having different ideas about education and school, being that I had never actually lived in South Korea. A lot of my assumptions and knowledge of the Korean education system often came from forms of media or just stories from my family or friends. This experience that I was able to take part in allowed for me to be able to fully experience what it was like to be a part of the Korean education system, especially at such a prestigious university, which was something I had dreamed of for a very long time. 

I had grown up being continually interested in Korean culture as my parents had given me a home environment that allowed me to continue to speak Korean fluently and be knowledgeable in Korean culture as much as I could while living in the United States. Although I had visited South Korea numerous times growing up to visit my extended family, I had never been able to visit and live on my own until this opportunity. It was truly a unique experience that allowed me to be able to grow my own Korean skills while also being able to experience unique parts of the culture that are only truly available when you visit alone. 

Some of these things include having to travel around one of the fastest growing and busy cities in the world alone, having to communicate with locals to order food or buying clothes, or simply just being able to walk around a campus that has so much history behind it as well. Korea University provided a lot of different opportunities for students to partake in as well, ranging from cultural tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a day at Lotte World, a popular Korean indoor amusement park, or even a baseball game, all offered to students for free. 

I truly believe that this experience helped guide my future as well, as it allowed me to take courses that will guide my future interests as well. As an aspiring international lawyer, being able to take courses abroad tailored to my major and interest, truly gave me a unique experience that not many other students would be able to gain. 

These different experiences, all paired with being alone in a different country for the first time, allowed for a personal growth that I would not have been able to experience if not for this opportunity given to me by both universities. 

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 study abroad program in Poland. This program fulfilled some course requirements for my major and taught me about Eastern European history. It was about 6 weeks long and 12 credit hours.

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 would say this program allowed me to realize that a lot of things I thought I wasn’t privileged enough for are more accessible than I imagined. Before this program, I used to think study abroad programs were only for rich students who have a lot of travel experience already. I hadn’t even been away from my family for more than 4 days up until this trip, let alone 6 weeks. It has given me the confidence I need to pursue bigger things that I’ve always been too scared to pursue. I’m so glad I went on this trip because I don’t see any better way to learn these lessons than through this study abroad.

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.

First and foremost, I had never been in an airport by myself let alone flown across the globe. This was the first experience that made me realize I am more capable than I thought. Reading signs and navigating gate numbers is a scary and daunting task but I was able to do it on my own and that was a surprise to me. I learned that simply asking strangers for help is the best way to get things done if you are unfamiliar with any setting and you don’t feel comfortable trusting your own skills. This realization also taught me that people are much more eager and nicer than I expected them to be (for the most part). All of this contributed to my positive experience. 

Secondly, I was able to see how professors live outside of an academic setting. During the between-city travels with the faculty on this trip, I realized that professors are just as normal as my family. I was raised to uphold academic degrees to a profound level of respect and although this is a positive thing, it led to me forming misconstrued perceptions about how different academics must be outside of their professional field. This was unhealthy, however, on this trip, I realized that regardless of how many PhDs, families raise their children very similarly to my family; they have the same arguments, the same jokes, and the same traditional values and emotions. This was a profound discovery for me because I now see my professors in a more wholesome and accessible perspective. 

Thirdly, navigating a new country was a world of realization for me. When I landed in Poland, I was so jet lagged that I hadn’t processed what was happening around me; however the next morning, I was able to sit and come to terms with the fact that I was thousands of miles away from familiarity and that I had made it here all on my own; I was proud. Moving forward, the trip became a matter of time management and ambition. In other words, I was no longer worried about the details of my family and friends not being near, and I started exploring the city and looking at things with an eager perspective. On one of the free weekends, I went to a Money museum on my own and then treated myself to a nice lunch afterward. I also went to the Oprah, the ballet, I went to a piano concert, explored the nightlife, and so much more. All of this was made possible by the change in perspective from “ I can’t do that” to “Why not”? 

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 is significant because a lot of my life has been dictated by the limitations I’ve put on myself. I needed this shift in perspective because it taught me that the experience and life I want to have is very much dependent on whether or not I think I can have it. At no one person’s fault, the life I’ve lived up until now as a former refugee African woman has taught me that I don’t have much say in my life; my life is dictated by outside forces. However, this could not be further from the truth. I am just as capable and worthy of the life I’d like to live as anyone else, regardless of what position in society I was born into. I needed this realization because it would empower me to strive for the things I thought I wasn’t made for, whatever that means. 

Here is a final project Tiktok. I cooked a traditional dish made during the communist era in Poland.

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 project, I participated in the DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia Program, where I spent a total of 6 weeks in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden. While I was on my trip, I took two 3-credit hour classes that would benefit my major and field of study.

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.

Completing my STEP Signature Project in Europe was a transformative experience that significantly altered my understanding of myself and my assumptions about the world. I immersed myself in diverse cultures and different ways of living, and I was struck by how much happier people seemed in Europe, where healthcare and education are free. Safety was another eye-opener—I felt more secure walking through European cities than I often do in the United States. This experience revealed my aptitude for adapting to and integrating into new cultures, something I initially feared but quickly embraced.

My travels through European cities showed me the efficiency of their transportation systems and the effectiveness of their social structures. Before this trip, I believed that the U.S. was superior in terms of social structure, education, and healthcare. However, seeing firsthand the well-being and happiness of Europeans made me realize that other countries have equally, if not more, effective systems. This experience has broadened my perspective and reshaped my view of the world, emphasizing the importance of openness and adaptability in understanding and appreciating different ways of 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 major aspect of my STEP Signature Project that led to my transformation was my relationship with my professors. Their enthusiasm for teaching and genuine care for each student’s well-being profoundly impacted me. Unlike the often impersonal nature of large university classes in the U.S., these professors were flexible and accommodating, striving to enhance our learning experiences. They made me feel valued and cared for, which significantly enriched my overall study abroad experience. This contrast highlighted the potential drawbacks of large class sizes back home, where personalized attention is often sacrificed, hindering students’ ability to excel—a challenge I have frequently faced.

Another pivotal aspect was immersing myself in the European culture. The friendliness and openness of the people I met, both locals and fellow Americans, made a lasting impression on me. I built meaningful friendships and engaged in insightful discussions that broadened my perspective. The sense of safety in European cities was striking; walking alone at night felt secure, and the cleanliness of the urban areas was remarkable. The emphasis on environmental sustainability, such as incentivizing recycling by paying people to return cans and bottles, showcased a level of societal advancement that I found inspiring.

Additionally, the efficiency and reliability of European public transportation systems stood out to me. Navigating through various cities with ease underscored the effectiveness of their infrastructure, contrasting with my experiences in the U.S. This seamless mobility allowed me to explore and appreciate the diverse cultural landscapes more deeply.

These experiences collectively transformed my understanding of societal structures and well-being. Witnessing firsthand the happiness and quality of life in Europe challenged my previous assumptions about the U.S. being the pinnacle of social structure, education, and healthcare. The project broadened my worldview and instilled a desire to advocate for similar advancements back home, striving to create an environment where everyone can thrive as I saw in Europe.

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 relate

This transformation is significant for my life because it has reshaped my professional and personal goals, particularly as I plan to enter the medical field. My primary objective is to ensure that everyone has access to the healthcare services they need. Observing the healthcare systems in European countries highlighted the potential benefits that similar policies could offer in the U.S. These systems not only provide universal healthcare but also contribute to overall societal happiness and well-being. This understanding has reinforced my commitment to advocating for healthcare reform in the U.S., aiming to make it more inclusive and equitable.

Furthermore, the realization of how safety and low crime rates in Europe are linked to societal happiness and well-being has deepened my desire to see similar improvements in the United States. The lower poverty rates and the freedom from financial stress related to education and healthcare allow Europeans to lead more comfortable and fulfilling lives. I want to contribute to creating a society where people can enjoy the same level of happiness and freedom, where basic needs are met without the burden of excessive costs. This transformation in my perspective is valuable because it drives me to work towards a more just and supportive environment, both as a future healthcare professional and as an advocate for broader social improvements in the U.S.

Over the past five weeks, I participated in the Ohio State Pre-Law Study Abroad Program at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Over the course of this program, we took two courses focusing on the Anglo-American legal system and International Law. We had various site visits to places such as the International Courts of Justice, the Royal Inns of Courts, and the Bulgarian Embassy located in London. Additionally, each of us wrote a position paper focusing on one of the questions posed in our course focusing on international law and had the opportunity to close out the program participating in an International Treaty Negotiation Simulation. 

The largest takeaway that I gained from participating in this program is recognizing the importance of learning about topics you are not generally submersed in. Throughout this program, I was able to hear various guest speakers who are professionals in their respective fields discuss matters that are gravely important to the international setting. Prior to this program, I never knew anything about practicing law in military settings, how the developments of artificial intelligence can lead to both the destruction and creation of jobs, or even anything about how the European justice system works in general. Through this program, I heard from experts not only about these topics, but also about why it is so important to keep up to date with these concepts. I feel this is especially important as a twenty-year-old pursuing the career field I am because it made me realize how out of touch, I was in terms of current events happening beyond what is consistently streamed in the U.S. Media.  

One of the visits to sites we had during this program was to the International Courts of Justice. During this visit, we were each assigned a role in court and carried out a mock trial in one of the court rooms. I participated on the Jury, but there were others immersed in roles such as a barrister, solicitors, judge, witnesses, plaintiffs, and the defendant. This process taught me that, though it might be obvious, the United Kingdom legal system is not the same as the United States legal system, even though our court system formed as a result from the UK. In the United States Courts, we have one lawyer who represents each side of the trial: they do the preparation, representation, and legal research for their client. In the United Kingdom, they have solicitors who do most of the preparation for the trial, and then barristers who stand in court and represent the client in the trial. This was a relevant lesson to learn whilst pursuing law because it allows me to understand the inner workings of the court from a greater global perspective. 

Also, another event was various guest lectures on developing artificial intelligence. Towards the beginning of the program, we had a guest lecturer talk about the extremes of artificial intelligence and how unprecedented it truly is; topics we should be concerned about, processes to remain up to date on, and even addressed extreme concerns about a global move towards a “utopian” world that removes human jobs altogether. A couple of weeks later, we had another guest lecturer talk about expanding the use of artificial intelligence in practice and how we have nothing to be worried about at all because it would not be possible for Ai to take over human jobs. With these drastic oppositions being lectured toward us, it taught us to really consider all the information we are given with a grain of salt and truly think for ourselves when deciding how we think about such new and controversial topics.  

Further, I learned so much about international standpoints and interactions during our treaty negotiation simulation. During this event, teams of two were each assigned to a country to represent in drafting an international human rights convention. We had to research the country we were assigned based on how they would regard each article of the proposed treaty beforehand and come to class prepared to debate with the other teams to have our ideas represented in the convention. Through this exercise, I learned so much about different forms of government, all the involvements of the United Nations, and understand a close example of how international law is really used in practice. Just studying law in my studies so far at Ohio State, I have never considered any other country perspective in terms of human rights, so it was truly enlightening to do that research and put it into practice to close out everything I had learned throughout the program. 

All these experiences and global lessons have contributed a great deal towards the biggest goal I had upon applying for this program. I wanted to gain a wider global perspective, and I can’t imagine any other form of program where I would have learned more than under the curriculum presented to me in this program. We discussed historical political events, human rights violations, current humanitarian cataphoresis and discussed the morality and responsibilities involved in each of them. Having the opportunity to discuss all these matters with my professors, other students pursuing PHD’s in Oxford, and the various guest lecturers, we learned about all of these topics from the perspectives of areas such as Bulgaria, India, Cyprus, United States, and many more. Learning these topics of discussion has taught me more than I ever imagined about the global setting and current events. I am so grateful this program allowed me to recognize the importance of these concepts, and I will surely continue to make the effort to remain educated on global matters individually upon returning to Columbus in the Fall. 

1. My STEP signature project was focused on the studying and implementation of peace processes in past and present conflicts. Specifically, the goal of my project aimed to I study the Irish Peace Process and then determine what if any aspects of that process could be applied to the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine. I spent two weeks in Ireland/Northern Ireland followed by three weeks in Jordan.

2. During my time abroad my view of the world around me changed drastically. Being immersed into two totally new cultures forced me to approach each day with an open mind. My overall mindset towards the Middle Eastern region of the world expanded. I am now better able to understand both Jordanian and Palestinian culture. This change in my mindset allowed me to enjoy my time in Jordan. Letting go of the stereotypes I held towards the region allowed me the capacity to enjoy all the amazing aspects of Jordanian culture. From the food to the historical sites, to the overall structure of the society, Jordan is a place that is welcoming of all people, and I am thankful I took the chance to see that for myself.

3. The most impactful event I experienced in Jordan was the opportunity I took to drove through a Palestinian refugee camp. The camp I visited is located in East Amman. I had imagined the refugee camp would be heavily guarded with security and have fencing around it to define the clear split between the Palestinian refugees and the Jordanian people. I also had the impression that going to the camp was risky and that I was at risk of something dangerous happening to me. All of these things I imagined were false.

The camp was essentially integrated into the town it is in. If my professor had not told me I had entered into the camp, I would have had no idea. There was a small sign at the entrance of the camp signifying the boundary but that was all. The camp could have just as easily been mistaken for a small poor community within the larger area of Amman. There were apartment buildings and shops just like the rest of the city. Children ran in the street and women shopped for goods in the marketplace. These people who live in the camp were joyful. This was surprising to me given the ongoing struggle between Israel and Palestine.

Seeing these people smiling caused a great deal of reflection for myself. I saw people who had been ripped away from their homes and forced to live in an entirely new place, yet they were still continuing to persevere on. These people have every right to be down, and while they are upset, they continue on. They are hopeful they can return to their homes and believe they will one day. These people in the camps are strong. I felt guilty in that moment for often times feel frustrated for small issues in my life. These people have so little but at the same time have such a strong sense of community. I left feeling grateful for the life I have, and feeling a greatest sense of empathy for all the people involved in this ongoing struggle.

4. This transformational experience has proven to be incredibly valuable in my life as I enter back into my daily routines at home. I have become to feel such a sense of gratitude for the opportunities I have access to here in the United States. I am thankful that I can attend a university to further my education, I am thankful that when I turn on my shower, I don’t have to worry about water coming out. I am thankful for the strong support system I have in my life. I am also blessed with the ability to be able to travel almost anywhere in the world with my U.S. passport as this is something the people from certain countries cannot do. I approach my days with a grateful heart and cherish all the freedoms given to me by my country. This has been a life changing opportunity.

Here is a sunset picture from the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan!

A picture from Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland

Abigayle Minello

STEP Post-Project Reflection

08/01/2024

Education Abroad: Milan, Italy

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to travel abroad to Milan, Italy for 3 weeks in June. While I was there, I observed surgeons and physicians in a cancer research hospital in the specialties of Otorhinolaryngology, Radiotherapy, and Medical Oncology.

With this being my first trip outside the country and observing in a hospital setting, there was many things that I was able to learn about myself and the world around me. Before embarking on this experience, I spent much time reflecting on the person I consider myself to be and how this trip would not only bring out those qualities but help me discover new things about myself. One of the main things I learned was that going into the medical field is truly the calling for me, and I am passionate enough to put in the work to achieve this goal. Every day, I woke up with excitement to learn more about the specialties I was observing that week and get to know the doctors and their experiences. I felt like I can picture myself living the life they do in the future. As a college student, there are always the days that I question if I picked the right major or am choosing the best career path for myself, and this trip helped me realize that all the choices I’ve made until this point were worth it. Continuing my journey to medical school and eventually as a physician/surgeon is the path for me.

Looking at more of a bigger picture, being outside the country forced me out of my comfort zone so that I may embrace the new culture I was living in for 3 weeks. I believe that the more well-rounded you are as a person, the more adaptable you can be for challenges in life. Being in a new culture, not only was I able to learn more about the world around me, but I was also able to be confident that I can be flexible when in situations I am not familiar with.

To be certain, though, I would’ve not been able to learn these things about myself without the interactions I had with the doctors and medical students, the opportunity to travel and meet my family members, and experiencing Italian culture with those in my program. While working in the hospital, the doctors did an amazing job at allowing to observe experiences from 9-hour surgeries to patient check-ups. This gave me a more all-around grasp at all the different responsibilities physicians and surgeons have. Moreover, undergraduate and medical school is structured differently in Italy, so I was able to meet Italian students my age and compare the differences in the structure of education and healthcare systems. Because of these interactions, I was able to learn more about specifically what I like about the healthcare systems and possibly which type of specialty I’d pursue in the future.

When I was not observing in the hospital, I was blessed to be able to travel around Italy and to surrounding countries. However, the travel experience that meant the most to me was the opportunity to meet distant relatives that still live outside Florence, Italy. My grandmother’s cousins welcomed me into their home, spoiled me with food and presents, and gave me a tour around the city where I was able to learn about my family’s history. The feeling of being connected to an ancestry deeper than I can ever understand was so fulfilling as family has always been a core value of mine.

While I learned about Italian culture through my family members and their history, I was also able to experience the typical Italian day-to-day lifestyle with members of my program and our city managers. There was no better way to do this than our weekly group dinners at local Italian restaurants. I ate typical Italian cuisine like risotto, seafood, pizza, pastas, gelato, and espressos. It was so interesting seeing how the simple things like the timing of meals and order of food served was different than the American experience. I know it may sound small or that it might not have that much of a significant impact, but for me it was something new. The opportunity to be living a totally different lifestyle than the one I’ve been living for 20 years has sparked a new longing to continue to learn more about different cultures and enjoy lifestyles other than my own to be a more inclusive individual.

With all that being said, I am beyond grateful to have enjoyed this experience as much as I did. I truly had such a positive impact in my life, strengthening my motivation to achieve the career goals I have set for myself and providing me with a taste of the affects being a part of a new lifestyle and removing yourself from you comfort zone can have on one’s character. Academically, I am confident that the medical field is the career I want to pursue. Professionally, I have a better understanding of what type of specialty I enjoyed. Personally, I feel that I have grown more as knowing that I can count on myself to flourish in unfamiliar situations and embrace new cultures as they are. In all, STEP helped me undergo the experience of a lifetime and I cannot wait to see what else the future holds as I continue working towards medical school and traveling to new places.

Step Reflection- College Year in Athens  

By: Reggan Gray 

For my STEP project, I studied abroad with CYA- College Year in Athens. CYA is a program that is based in Athens, Greece and helps many English-speaking students each year live out their education abroad dreams by helping smooth out the transition to a different country, offering semester long courses, shorter summer session courses, and even yearlong courses. I went abroad for Summer Session 2, and I took a course called, “Hist/ Lit 342: Making Love and War in the Medieval Mediterranean.” In this course, my class and I explored the Mediterranean throughout the Byzantine period. We had numerous readings, museum visits, site visits and castle hikes. Together, my class and I explored all over Greece, spending a long weekend in the Peloponnese and another in Thessaloniki in addition to Athens. Each location had numerous breathtaking medieval castles, churches, and other sites that told endless stories through their architecture and remains.  

During my time in Greece, I experienced a tremendous amount of personal growth. Going to Greece was my first time out of the country, and not only was I going for a whole month, but I also didn’t know anyone that I would be living with as they were all from different colleges around the country. That said, I had a lot of stress and nerves heading into the program, as I was flying across the world for the first time alone. Post experience, I can say that this was the best possible way to do it and believe I was able to fully emerge and adapt to Greek culture because of the circumstances of my visit.  

The class that I took while abroad focused on the history of Greece, specifically in the Byzantine era. However, we also covered multiple time periods that have a transformative impact on Greece’s history. Learning about each of these time periods, while also seeing firsthand evidence of the lives that once lived in a specific area was incredibly transformative for me as a person. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not normally a history buff but studying the culture of ancient Greeks while also seeing ruins, monuments and artifacts that exist today was incredible and put a tremendous amount of perspective into my life. Understanding that people used to walk on the streets that I was walking centuries before while also recognizing the amount of cultural exchange that had to happen for Athens to be what it is today left me truly speechless numerous times.  

Because this was my first time out of the country, it was my first time experiencing what it is like to be a foreign visitor in another place- with my language not being the default, my pace of life not being reciprocated, my style not being the majority, etc. Obviously, going into this program I knew that this would be the case. But I can vividly remember sitting on a ferry and listening to the people around me, all from different cultures and countries, speaking to each other and not one conversation being in English. I remember thinking to myself how beautiful that was, that I could exist in a crowded public space completely unbothered and alone while the whole rest of the world goes about their days as normal. This was extremely transformative for me as it put things into perspective: that we are all just people going about our days, working, experiencing, traveling, etc., with our differences but also our similarities. I remember being extremely moved by this realization, as I have always logically known it to be true, but living in a moment where it fully came over me was so special and significant to the growth that I experienced in Greece. 

I was incredibly fortunate to have the professor that I had at CYA, as he was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Greek culture and what he was teaching. He taught us many things, but if I had to choose one profound takeaway it would be the idea of “spolia.” Spolia can be defined as the reuse of an object, typically seen in antiquity as reuse of stones in architecture. Spolia suggests that an object can live many lives and fulfill many purposes. In a structure, we can see pieces of stone that were once a column, door hinge, fountain, etc., that are repurposed to fit modern needs. My professor challenged us to think of Athens as a spolia city, one that has been repurposed many times throughout history to fit the different needs of the forces that took it over. From this interaction with my professor, I began thinking about how the concept of spolia has been so crucial to the history of Greece, and how spolia suggests a minimalistic way of living that could impact the glorified need for overconsumption by many Americans and people of other cultures today. The concept of spolia is beautiful and strategic and is something that I intend to remember and incorporate for the rest of my life.  

Greece has been filled with “firsts” and out of comfort zone experiences, and it has been easy to get caught up in all the new experiences without spending much time to appreciate how I got here. However, the monuments and castles I have had the privilege of seeing continued to pull me back down to earth as unavoidable evidence that the existence of anything “old” is how we are able to experience anything “new.” Seeing these structures that have survived hundreds of years and have adapted to serve a purpose to the various cultures as needed remind me to slow down and appreciate the history of how things, people or places have come to be. Further, as I lived among and interacted everyday with Greek people, as well as other cultures, I was reminded that it is the exchange of ideas, languages, and cultures that allow for growth within a place or person. For me, growth was experienced within myself. I found that in a culture that is different from my own, it was easier to decenter myself and slowdown in my day-to-day life. Living this way is extremely valuable to me, as I, along with the rest of our country, have been taught to always be looking for what’s next or how I can get better, which makes it hard to take appreciation in what beautiful life I already have. I am forever grateful to STEP and CYA for helping make this lifechanging experience possible and will remember the impacts of it for the rest of my life.  

From May 23rd through June 29th, 2024, I studied abroad at Universitat de València through the Hispanic Studies program at International Studies Abroad (ISA). During these five weeks, I stayed with a host family while attending Spanish Culture and Spanish Cinema classes Monday through Thursday. When I wasn’t in class or with my host family, I spent time with my friends from the program, exploring Valencia and other European cities on the weekends.

Because of this trip, my view of the world and my life transformed into something more beneficial. Ever since I can remember, I have always worked hard in school, sometimes to my detriment. I used to believe it was okay if I didn’t have balance when it came to school, at points prioritizing my academics over my social life. As my trip to Valencia progressed, I understood the importance of my academics; however, the connections I make with others are just as, if not more, valuable.

This trip also taught me a new mindset that completely altered my worldview. I used to spend a lot of time stressing about the future and its “what ifs,” but when I began navigating a new city abroad, those worries completely stopped. I started to grasp that if I could learn how to maneuver unfamiliarity independently, I would be just fine confronting any other challenges in the future. My mind was suddenly at ease, and I knew I would be just fine in the future because everything works out as it should.

One of the most significant relationships I developed in Valencia that helped transform my worldview was with my host mother, Cristina. There were times in my abroad experience when I struggled, and when I needed advice, I went to Cristina. Having Cristina as a host mother was a blessing, for she could tell when I was stressed out and always knew the right thing to say; Cristina took me in as one of her own. There is one thing that Cristina told me that will always stick with me, and it was “Hay que vivir,” which translates to “You have to live.” Anytime I began to stress out about insignificant things, I reminded myself of Cristina’s wisdom and how I couldn’t let the small things keep me from living my best life.

During my study abroad, I also traveled to various cities with some of my friends from the program. Because we all had the common goal of taking advantage of our free time and traveling, it was easy to find one another. My group collectively traveled to Palma de Mallorca, Crema, Lake Como, and Seville on our own, and it’s safe to say that each of these trips significantly contributed to the changes in my view on life. These trips taught me how to balance traveling between taking classes and doing homework during the week and how to prioritize connecting with others more. If my friends and I could plan trips, maneuver new cities, and safely return to Valencia all in one weekend, I knew I could do more than what I thought I was capable of.

Additionally, when my friends and I attended classes during the week, we all ensured we had time to socialize and have fun. My friends from Spanish Cinema and I even became regulars at this local café called Rocky Road and befriended Jesús, the owner. After classes, sometimes we would go to the beach, and other times we went to the town center to grab some gelato or shop. Another one of our favorite places in Valencia was this Mexican taco place called TKO Tacos, and I will forever be craving their food. Even with our busy days, my friends and I set aside time to socialize and explore.

The various changes in my mindset due to my abroad trip to Valencia are valuable to me more than words can ever explain. I’ve always been a part of very competitive environments where putting school before yourself is praised, there is constant comparison, and worries about the future are never-ending. I believe that continuing to possess a mindset that flourishes in a competitive environment would not have been sustainable for me and how I want to live my life. Learning that I could take extreme pressure off myself academically and that my future would turn out just fine as long as I prioritized what matters feels like I changed my life for the better. I genuinely believe that Valencia sent me home as a better version of myself: a woman who is self-assured, independent, less worried, social, intelligent, and joyous.