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.

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

As a pre-med student, I didn’t think studying art history and Italian food in Rome would be relevant to my career, but the cultural experience has given me a perspective that no amount of in-class discussions or articles could teach me. I saw a difference in how medicine is practiced and drugs are regulated- I got a weird look when I asked for Flonase, an over-the-counter drug in the US but prescription only in Italy. This trip greatly broadened my world view and increased my empathy for how stressful finding healthcare is in a language and culture you’re not familiar with can be.

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

Like most, I love food. By taking the class “Italian Food and Culture,” I was able to try a bunch of delicious food but also learn about their cultural and historical significance. I got to engage with this interest in a way I could have never imagined and it really helped me understand the city in a meaningful way.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would recommend this program because it was amazing at integrating and centering the content around the city we are in. Instead of studying by putting my nose in a book, I was studying by going to museums and restaurants. These experiences will stick with me longer than if I were cramming for a test, and let me engage with the host city in a meaningful way.

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

Consider what you are trying to get out of the program- is it a deep understanding of a subject that is relevant to your host location, getting some core requirements out of the way while in the ideal spot to relax on the weekends, or something else?

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

I wouldn’t say my identity impacted my study abroad experience, but rather I became extremely aware of my identity. Being an American surrounded by other Americans, it’s difficult to see what our culture looks like or hear our accents. When I went abroad, I realized some behaviors of mine that are distinctly American and I do, in fact, have a strong accent.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

One time I felt I experienced cultural immersion was talking with one of the CIEE student program coordinators. I had just come from a cafe and was confused whether I should pay before or after ordering, and judging by the service I received I figured I got it wrong. I asked Surija the proper etiquette for paying and tipping, and we had a conversation about our cultures’ differences in it. By the end, we felt like friends and I felt more connected and knowledgeable about my surroundings.

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

While taking classes abroad, I was able to not only make progress toward my degree with incredible professors, but also develop a skill set including flexibility and adaptability to new and novel situations. Also, taking advantage of the program's objective to introduce a global perspective on academic topics during the courses gave me a new understanding of cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication. Applying that knowledge when interacting in our host country was a very valuable experience! I cannot recommend this program enough to anyone looking for a fast-paced, yet rewarding journey! You will make the memories of a lifetime!

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

As a Music minor, being able to appreciate a new musical landscape and culture was extremely rewarding. While studying at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, I had a unique opportunity to be surrounded by students with the same passion as me. Connecting with some of those students during the program and talking about their goals in music and passions was an invaluable experience, and it helped to enrich my global understanding of the music industry. I am still connected with those friends today!

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would recommend the Summer in Stockholm program for its location and staff! The weather and scenery are incredible in Stockholm, and the atmosphere is electric. The fast-paced nature of the program will encourage you to explore and immerse yourself as much as possible, and I really enjoyed that experience. While you do so, the program staff will be consistently available for anything and everything you need, and they are ready to be a part of this experience with you! The mentorship and advice I received during this program from our staff was truly invaluable, and I am excited to stay connected with them when we return to campus and throughout the rest of my time at Tulane.

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

The number one thing I would consider is finances. Make sure you spend time planning for what you would like to do and how much you would like to spend. Prepare in advance, whether that is working or saving, and ask as many questions as possible! The staff is here to work with you and answer your questions.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

Being abroad in such a vibrant city was amazing! Being able to embrace my identity with warm and welcoming locals was a very enriching and unique experience!

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

Throughout the program, I was able to meet incredible locals and experience unique Swedish traditions and everyday activities with them. Exploring the city together with my newfound friends - everything from trying incredible meatballs well-known by locals to jamming out together to Swedish club music - truly shaped my time in Stockholm. Being able to foster our friendship throughout the program is such a cherished memory of mine, and I look forward to staying in touch with them!

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

Studying abroad opened my worldview and personally opened my mind to the possibility of taking my career to an international level, not just within the US. It made me more comfortable with the idea of being open minded about where I end up, and also continued to spark my passion in my field of interest (neuroscience and women's health).

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

I joined the local rowing club for the month! They were super welcoming and open to be being there, and it was super awesome to get to know people and see the city through one of my favorite hobbies.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

The weather, infrastructure, safety, and culture of Stockholm is perfect in the summer for college students who want to comfortably explore on their own. There was a lot to do and it wasn't overwhelming - the trip is what you make of it, and it's easy to go at your own pace here.

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

Apply early! Especially when looking for scholarships. And as far as packing- check the weather and prepare for all climates.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

Personally as a woman I felt more comfortable here than I usually feel traveling alone in the US, and I felt safer in my identity in that way. My identity did not hinder me from anything here.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

When I was a part of the local rowing club, I got to interact with locals and talk about their day to day as well as their career choices. I felt closest to connecting with Swedish culture when I was discussing things with the team. I also felt culturally immersed when we had our orientation group culture talk, which provided good context for the place we were living in.

Sophia Young is a current senior at Tulane studying International Development, Latin American Studies, and Spanish & Portuguese. She spent her junior year abroad, including a summer interning with Fundación Paraguaya in Asunción Paraguay, a semester studying in Montevideo with Middlebury in Uruguay, and a semester in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro with Middlebury in Brazil. After witnessing the professional, academic, and personal growth undergone abroad, Sophia is dedicated to helping students find their own paths outside of the traditional education model. 

She is passionate about anything and everything study abroad, from linguistic immersion to intercultural exchange to dealing with culture shock. As an advisor, Sophia aspires to help students understand what motivates them to study abroad, ultimately working together to make international dreams come to fruition. She hopes to be an advocate for underrepresented voices, and provide individualized advising tailored to the context of each student.

Josef Kiesenhofer is a current Tulane student (Class of '25) coming from Camas, Washington. He is working towards a BA in German Studies and a BSM in Finance, but his experiences studying abroad have been the most impactful part of his academic journey. While at Tulane, Josef studied in Mérida, Mexico in the Altman Program Summer Abroad, Berlin, Germany with IES Abroad, and Madrid, Spain at Universidad Pontificia Comillas. At Tulane, Josef is a member of the Altman Program in International Studies & Business, a brother in Alpha Kappa Psi pre-professional business fraternity, a WTUL broadcast radio DJ, and an Office of Undergraduate Admissions intern. He likes to embroider on clothes, take long walks, and is always down for a chat.

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

Going to Australia allowed me to take classes that Tulane does not offer, such as Aboriginal History and Controversies in Australian History, furthering my enrichment in courses outside of my major. I was also able to take psychology classes that taught me how to use programs like ANOVA, which is extremely relevant in the field of psychology.

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

During my time abroad I had plenty of opportunities to travel and experience nature. In the area surrounding Melbourne there are so many different landscapes to explore, and being able to go on all of these road trips has fostered my love for the outdoors. I was able to climb to the top of volcanoes in New Zealand and watch the sunrise from above the clouds in Indonesia. I am extremely interested in history, so being in Australia allowed me to learn more about the Indigenous Australians and their rich history. My travels through southeast Asia gave me the opportunity to learn so much about a region of the world that has been largely overlooked in any history class I've taken.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

I would highly recommend the University of Melbourne because they have plenty of resources for exchange students, which means plenty of opportunities to meet other study abroad students and become immersed in Australian culture. You live right in the middle of the city, granting you access to museums, libraries, public parks, and a range of activities that are right outside your front door. Not only do you get the experience of a city dweller, you have nature reserves and public parks surrounding the city, exposing you to a whole different side of Australia. Furthermore, Australia has a unique location that enables you to travel to a region of the world you would typically not go to on your own.

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

When applying for your time abroad, I think it is important to consider what you hope to gain out of your experience. If you crave finding independence and want to become comfortable with change, you might want to choose destinations that force you out of your comfort zone. If studying abroad means furthering your professional career, you might want to select universities that have respectable programs for your major. When preparing for your time abroad, it is extremely important to engage in research on the culture for which you wish to immerse yourself in. For those who feel nervous about going abroad, I found it very helpful to write letters to my future self to provide some emotional support.

Did your identity impact your study abroad experience?

Being an American and only being fluent in English definitely impacted my time abroad. Most of the international students I was friends with knew two or even three languages, which has inspired me to work towards becoming fluent in another language. It was also fascinating to understand how people of other nationalities viewed Americans.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

In the state of Victoria, footy is one of the most popular sports. In fact, it is so popular that most people have a day off from school or work for the final match. It is a mixture of football, soccer, and rugby, and is played on a cricket field. I was able to get nearly front row seats to one of the games and learn about all of the rules from the friendly security guards. Although fans going crazy for a sport sounds very American, it felt completely different to experience it with Australians for a sport that I had never even heard of before.

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

Studying abroad helped me to challenge myself academically while also learning to make time for other activities, such as immersing myself in the local culture.

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

I made sure to use almost all of my free time to explore the city of Copenhagen, taking advantage of all the modes of transportation and familiarizing myself with every area of the city. I made sure to visit local book shops, cafes, and museums and to walk and bike whenever I was able to. This provided me with a great way to see the city along the way.

Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?

DIS Copenhagen was an absolutely amazing program. For starters, they made the process a lot less intimidating by handling complicated logistics (visa, housing, food stipend, transportation from airport, etc.) while also giving you room to challenge yourself. I absolutely loved my classes and professors, as well as the strong emphasis on immersing yourself within the culture during class. On Wednesdays, you have field studies instead of class where you get to go on field trips that are relevant to your course content. Even if the program had been horrible, however, I still would be absolutely obsessed with the City of Copenhagen. I experienced some of the most intense personal growth and moments of mindfulness that I have in my life. The culture is just so positive and has ingrained personal care and happiness into their set of values in a way that I have never seen. I cannot recommend DIS or Copenhagen itself enough.

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

Consider who you are going with and consider going with a smaller group if possible. Also try and look into the program itself to make sure your coursework will be helpful for your major.

Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.

Since DIS places you with a random roommate and you are responsible to take public transportation to get everywhere, I felt as if I was experiencing cultural immersion on a daily basis. I felt as if I was truly living as a resident in Copenhagen, rather than studying abroad there for a few months.