3 Years Later: How Study Abroad Changed My Life
Written by Evan June 2, 2016
I can't believe this was 3 years ago.
Where did you go, summer 2013???
I remember it like it was yesterday, trying to stay awake and soak up as much of the view from the window of the plane as my flight touched down in Venice. I got off the plane and immediately was in culture shock. My immediate reaction was, “What have I gotten myself into?” and “How am I supposed to order that slice of pizza?” Little did I know, these were the first of many moments of the next four weeks that would shape the rest of my future.
These first moments in Italy, questioning my decision to study abroad, have become some of my fondest memories. I didn’t realize how valuable it was to be placed in a new culture and completely out of my comfort zone. Throughout my time abroad, I was placed in situations where I had to do quick thinking to solve a problem that came up and learn how to get somewhere on foreign public transportation or how to speak to locals in a different language. These scenarios I was placed in led me to think beyond myself. This created an opportunity to see that the world is so much bigger than I had ever imagined and there’s so much more out there that I need to learn. I was able to take the difficult situations presented to me, and create positive outcomes.
Before going abroad, I heard advisors talk about how great studying abroad looks on the resume, but I don’t think I really understood what this experience could do for me. The fall after my summer abroad I updated my resume with a small entry about studying in Italy and entered the Engineering Career Fair. I then received three different interviews with great companies and each representative made comments about me studying abroad. From that point on, each interview focused on studying abroad and every experience they asked about related back to when I was in difficult situations and was required to make a decision. The result of learning how to solve those difficult, but unique, problems of communication and travel led me to my first internship after my 2nd year of college which, in turn, led to my full time career.
After returning to the University of Iowa after that summer abroad, I also decided to work part-time for the CIMBA office on campus. I figured it would be a great way to talk to other students about my wonderful time abroad and earn a little extra income. After 3 years, I am begrudgingly walking away from that job with multiple references, professional experience, and transferable skills that are in high demand in my field. All because a few years ago, I decided spending 4 weeks in Italy wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Your path will not be identical to mine, but no matter what experience you have or how long you study abroad for, it will change you. This international experience has had a profound impact on my life and career trajectory and my time in college would never have been complete without it.
(Oh. And the travel bug is definitely real!)
Blogger: Evan, University of Iowa
