Kendyl Washington

How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?

I had the opportunity to travel to Paris for a month, and Brazil for two weeks. Having the opportunity to study abroad allowed me to not only understand the history of both Paris and Brazil, but also immerse myself in the culture and understand the differences between both Paris and Brazil compared to the US.

How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?

I am someone who loved music. In Paris, during my personal free time, I had the opportunity to take a walking tour and learn about the Jazz history in the city. In Brazil, the group had the opportunity to take a workshop regarding the drumming in the country.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

both Paris and Brazil were two very different experiences. I would recommend Paris if you have an interest in learning about French history. I’d recommend Brazil, or any program with Ms. Carolyn Barber-Pierre, if you have an interest in learning about the slave trade to another country outside of the US.

What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?

When applying, students should consider an experience where they feel like they can grow the most as a person, and of course choose a location that they have a deep interest in learning more about. I wouldn’t recommend overly thinking about what classes you have to take, as it’s easily transferable, but more so about the location that you have an interest in.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

My identity didn’t really impact my study abroad experience.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

While traveling to Brazil, I stayed with a host family, and had all my meals with them. While it was a hard experience at first because of the language barrier, I had a great experience seeing what a Brazilian family did on a daily basis.