Study Abroad

Since the Bachelor degree takes four long years to complete, students can spend their first two years exploring anything they find interesting, and focus on their desired field during the second half of their studies. Luckily, to complete all requirements for a major one needs 48 credits, which translates to three semesters. As I was entering Grinnell College with a pretty good idea of what I want to do, I chose to do my exploring during my entire third year of college through studying abroad.

I spent the fall semester together with forty other students at a European Union program in Freiburg, Germany. Besides learning about the Union’s history, structure, and the current issues it faces, we also got to travel through nine member states. During those travels we visited think tanks, European agencies, and organizations. We got to talk to various representatives about EU’s challenges and had the possibility to ask questions. The highlights for me were meetings with the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation and of Turkey to the EU.

Currently, I am just about to start my spring semester in Santiago de Chile at the Pontific Catholic University that is ranked among the most prestigious institutions in Latin America. While my first semester focused rather on the international relations part of my major, this second semester will be filled with photography and photojournalism classes.

So, even though studying at an American small liberal arts college is already filled with endless opportunities, getting out its bubble has many benefits. I can completely immerse myself in two different languages, experience different cultures, and most importantly gain a new perspective. Once I return to Grinnell, it will be this perspective that will add to the diversity on campus and make mine as well as everyone else’s experience richer.