1) My STEP project was a study abroad program with DIS Scandinavia. I studied abroad over the summer in Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden. 

2) Before my study abroad experience, my knowledge of Scandinavian countries was limited to knowing that, despite enduring cold and dark winters, they consistently rank among the happiest in the world according to various studies. I embarked on this journey with an open mind and a deep sense of curiosity. With this program, I was able to visit three countries: Denmark, Sweden and France (study tour). The first thing that I noticed when I traveled abroad was how different the architecture was from the United States. Copenhagen is known to have outstanding architecture and I think it truly lived up to its expectations. The old buildings are well preserved throughout the city and the modern buildings are a stark contrast and are spread throughout the city. In my opinion all of the architecture found throughout the city was jaw dropping compared to some other European cities that I have seen. Another very big difference in Copenhagen was seeing all the people biking and how well the infrastructure was to support this culture. Nearly every Dane owns a bike and many use it to commute to work even in the cold months. This was transformative to me because it showed me a different way of life that I did not know was possible. It allows them to live an active lifestyle by going about their daily lives. Moreover, Stockholm showed me how a well designed public transportation system can allow people to travel far distances without having to own a car. Their system was a mix of buses, the metro and ferries. With public transportation, I was able to travel over 30 km to various places.  

3) One event that was transforming was my study tour to the French Riviera while I was taking my course in Copenhagen which was called “The Good Life.” This course entailed learning about philosophy and understanding what makes a good life good. We spent a lot of time reading from a few well known philosophers including Albert Camus, Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. While on the study tour, we had the opportunity to visit the same places that some of these philosophers resided and hiked the same paths that they did. We walked the same paths they once did, experiencing firsthand the landscapes and environments that inspired their thoughts and writings.  This immersive experience profoundly changed my perspective on learning, demonstrating the powerful impact of interactive and experiential education. It went beyond the traditional classroom setting, making the lessons come alive in a tangible and meaningful way.

One activity that was transforming for me was riding a bike in Copenhagen. As stated in answer #2, the infrastructure set up for biking is not like any other in the world. There are bike lanes that are slightly raised from the roads in every major street that extend for miles beyond the main city center, allowing people to commute seamlessly via biking. The city of Copenhagen is flat, making biking a relatively easy task. Additionally, I was able to rent a bike through an app, allowing me to ride whenever I wanted. This was transformative for me because it was so easy to get around and was drastically different to my experience biking in the United States. The well-maintained bike lanes provided a safe and dedicated space for cyclists, something that is often lacking in many parts of the US. Instead of it being a scary and fearful experience, I felt at ease everywhere I went with the bike. Biking alongside the canals was an experience like no other.

One relationship that was transforming was meeting my friend Bella in my class in Stockholm. We took a class called “Photography in Europe: Technology, Culture and Art. Bella became a really good friend of mine through this class. During our field studies we would have fika, which meant that we would take a break to have coffee and a snack; we were able to bond during this time. We talked about nature and travel and all of our little adventures that we had throughout our trip. We went on hikes and took a boat to a nearby island. As we talked I learned about her background as a finance major but what she truly wanted to do was to be an entrepreneur. We talked a lot about food because she loved to learn about healthy ways of living. I also learned that she has a blog that she writes in her free time. Bella told me that what she wants to do at the end of the day is to create a business within the healthcare realm that is in tune with her healthy lifestyle. This was a transformative relationship because it has inspired me to think about a career as an entrepreneur and to create something that I am passionate about.

4) This study abroad experience was valuable to me because it allowed me to see a new part of the world and to live life in a completely different way. Studying and living in Copenhagen and Stockholm opened up my eyes to how different the lifestyle is between us. I gained a deeper appreciation for the Scandinavian approach to work-life balance, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. I noticed that people were, in general, happier and more relaxed on a daily basis. Being able to experience efficient public transportation, the biking culture and the abundance of parks and public spaces in a city impacted how I view major cities. It has allowed me to broaden my horizon and has inspired me to incorporate various aspects of Scandinavian lifestyle into my own routine.

This relates to my personal and academic goals because one day I want to move abroad and work in another country. Being able to have a taste of living and studying in two different countries over the summer opened my eyes to the world of possibilities that are out there. I met a medical doctor who lives in Stockholm but lived and trained in the United States. Through talking to her, I realized that my goal of working in healthcare and living abroad was much more attainable than I had previously thought. She has inspired me to continue to pursue my dreams of going to dental school and working in another country.