Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Majors: International Politics, Global Studies, and Chinese
Minor: Global Security

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I learned about this experience through research on the Penn State Global Education Abroad website. Additionally, members of my sorority had studied abroad as well and greatly enjoyed it, encouraging me to do the same.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

My experience thus far in the Czech Republic has been profound. This culture is amazing and has helped me grow in ways that I could have never imagined. By exploring the city by myself I was able to interact with locals and improve my Czech. I enjoy learning about cultures and learning new languages; being able to speak such a difficult language like Czech has been a great accomplishment for me. Prague is one of the most beautiful and amazing cities and I know in the future I will definitely return to visit all the locals I befriended during my experience.

"The exposure studying abroad has provided me with through experiences with different languages, unfamiliar customs, and foreign countries will characterize me as an asset to future companies."

How did this experience impact you academically?

Academically this experience helped me to understand time-management better. It is difficult traveling and maintaining course-work, but studying abroad helps you to understand time management skills that you would not have known before. When you are studying at home you typically do not have to factor in elements such as foreign transportation, foreign language, and maintaining a travel schedule that works with your academic responsibilities. It was very challenging but it has helped me realize the importance of time management and prioritizing my work and stabilizing my work ethic.

What are your career goals or plans? How did this experience impact them?

With majors in International Politics, Global and International Studies, and Chinese, studying abroad is the best thing I can do in terms of my career goals. I desire to travel and work in different diplomatic agencies or governmental agencies as a future career. The exposure studying abroad has provided me with through experiences with different languages, unfamiliar customs, and foreign countries will characterize me as an asset to future companies or agencies that I would aspire to work with. Because my major focuses on global studies and national security, experiencing time in another country, learning a new language, and adapting to a foreign culture is undoubtedly something that will only assist me in my future career objectives.