Topic:
Did studying abroad change your academic, career, or personal goals? If so, how?
Absolutely. This is one of my favorite parts about the research abroad experience. One is conventional, the other maybe not so much.
From a academic/career perspective, my research experience really solidified for me that I could enjoy the life of a researcher. I came in with a great deal of uncertainty of whether or not pursuing graduate studies would be worthwhile for me. One of the main reasons I chose this program was because the research topic I was assigned appeared to be a really engaging project—and it definitely turned out to be. Not everything that I tried worked, but I think that’s just one of the realities of research. Throughout the duration of the program, I changed my strategy numerous times based off of results I found, feedback from my labmates, or findings from other research papers. It was an excellent learning experience and I can take the skills I honed to any job in the future.
I had an expectation coming in that going abroad would give me the feel-good “abroad vibes,” which I define as a broadened worldview, an increased concern for global affairs, and an urge to make a difference. I’m not trying to say that any of these are bad, or that those who leave study abroad experiences with these feelings are missing something, but to me it was the stereotypical takeaway that I would receive. After spending two months in Southeast Asia, I can say that I have begun to feel some of these takeaways, but something I valued the most was how just being away from home in a new environment with completely new people affected me. There was a sense of peaceful solitude and personal agency that arose out of these circumstances, and it really helped me to evaluate my identity and the goals that I have for myself. It is hard to describe and these words don’t do it justice, but it did something to me that only going away from home, outside of one’s comfort zone can do, I believe.
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