When I
boarded my plane from JFK Airport to Brussels, I was an undergraduate economics
student with introductory classes and an internship under my belt. Diluted
among a plethora of identical students, I went to Antwerp to distinguish
myself from the field.
In
Belgian-styled classes, I learned from new perspectives and teaching styles,
while improving my patience and listening skills in three hour classes. During International
Week, a week of researching sustainability with Belgian students, I learned to
work with groups of students very different from myself while advancing my own
education through discussion and research. On multiple business trips to
different European companies, I learned about positions I never knew existed,
was taught skills that are necessary to succeed in international markets, and
continued my education through well-known international companies like
Fidelity. While abroad, I lived through major historical happenings which
further developed my international outlook. For example, we passed the “Calais
Jungle” in the midst of the Syrian refugee crisis and went to the United
Kingdom during their talks of succession from the European Union.
From my
study abroad experience, I became a well-rounded, internationally-focused
student and obtained invaluable knowledge of culture, history, and European
business.
