What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have always had a love for travel. My desire to see the world beyond the states led me to study abroad. My mom also studied abroad in her college days which further inspired me to take that step toward this experience. I knew that studying abroad would be one of the best ways for me to immerse myself in a new culture at my age, especially while still being a student.
Canals in Venice!
Why did you choose the University Studies Abroad Consortium?
I am a political science major, so when looking through European schools to see what classes they offered, The Hague seemed like a good fit. It is the center of government in The Netherlands, also being home to the ICC and ICJ.
This was nice because a few of my lecturers had previously worked within the government or as lawyers. It also meant they had many connections. Furthermore, the school itself offered some very interesting law and/or poli sci classes that I enjoyed. USAC is the leading program with my school for any exchanges to The Netherlands, so I knew they would be the best choice.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
My favorite part about The Netherlands as a whole is probably the bikes. I just love how integral they are to Dutch culture now. Additionally, the people are very welcoming. The Netherlands is quite a diverse country with loads of international students and also a lot of immigrants.
It was such a valuable experience to be able to immerse myself in a new culture and discover how it operates. You learn a lot about yourself in that process. The Hague in particular I enjoyed because it had so much to offer us without being the main hub in the country (Amsterdam). I loved the beach, and the city center especially, but just exploring new parks around the city was entertaining too.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I think the best part about my experience was the relationships I formed. I truly made some of my closest friendships during my time there. Maybe in part because we were all separated from our homes and living in one building together, but all the exchange students felt like a little family.
Within that family, I found some really wonderful people that I will surely stay connected to for the rest of my life. We traveled together, explored the city together, had classes together, went out on the town, etc. Genuinely made my experience a million times more memorable.
Buckingham Palace with mom!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
I think every single one of the instructors in the European Studies program at THUAS (our school) was very invested in our experiences as exchange students. They were always willing to answer any concerns or questions we had in general, but also as students new to the school.
They were also well-equipped with resources and info to help guide us through our time in the country. We had a good week-long orientation at the beginning, and communication was solid from the school throughout the exchange.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had traveled to more cities within The Netherlands! I did get to visit several, but there were still many I missed. Whenever I go back I want to be sure to visit some more! For example, I would love to visit Maastricht again, but other places I haven't seen, including, Leiden, Haarlem, Sluis, Amersfoort, Groningen, and Eindhoven.
More from Venice! That blue water!!!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
Usually depending if I had class or not, I would wake up in the morning and make a cup of tea while looking out from our eleventh-floor view to check if the sun was out. I would either spend my day at school if I had class, or I would walk around to different cafes to do some studying or just hang out.
I took the tram or walked almost every day because I enjoyed it, but sometimes I would bike as well if it was nice enough/if I was confident enough. I would usually end the day cooking dinner with my roommate and chatting it up together because she is one of the closest friends I made during my exchange.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
During my free time, I liked to explore the country, finding new spots that I would jot down as favorites later on. I loved to try new sweets and to shop a lot. Vintage shopping and/or thrifting is really good in The Netherlands as well, so that was fun to check out! We also liked to go over to the beach, too, when it was nice, so we could see the ocean.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in the student accommodation. It was stressful to sign up for it, I won't lie, but after that, the process was fairly easy. I liked that it is where the majority of the exchange students lived so we were all near each other and it made the experience more fun. They also provided basic kitchen necessities and linens which was nice not to worry about.
Notre Dame Cathedral with my new friends!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
You will likely end up staying longer than the first week of June! I know originally I was under the impression I would be flying home during that time, but I still had assignments and exams into the second week of June.
Moreover, if you live in student housing, our leases lasted until the end of July no matter what, so just prepare yourself to maybe stay a bit longer than originally planned. You can also travel some more this way at the end if you want!
Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?
Yes! I think everyone was super helpful with all of my questions and any obstacles faced along the way. The program is well organized and they are prepared for essentially all scenarios. They made the logistics around the experience easier to understand and the steps to get to the country more attainable.
King's Day in Amsterdam! So much fun!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Seeing the world! I firmly believe it is so beneficial to see how other cultures and people exist in order to grow yourself. Of course, it is a great privilege to be able to do so, but if given the opportunity, don't pass it up!
That's what I feel is so important. All of the people you can meet, and the experiences you can have that otherwise you may never have even thought of! Even when there are bumps along the way, those lessons will serve you well, too!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I think it has helped me perceive home in a new light. I was so ready to fly away from the U.S. and while I'm grateful I did, it helped me understand my connection to the country in a different way.
I have a new appreciation for proximity to loved ones and having a solid routine in the States. Additionally, it has pushed me to be far more independent than I was before, and maybe a little more confident at times too.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
I suppose to me that means going to unfamiliar places without placing any direct expectation on how you will fare. Attempting to do things that teach about the place you visit and not simply mooching off of the tourist experiences, which are often worthwhile, but finding a balance is important in my opinion.
Also, meaningful travel can look like so many different things. It all depends on the reason behind it. Are you going to visit/reunite with a loved one? How can that not be meaningful? Are you going on a bucket list vacation that you've been working toward for years? Also very meaningful. Travel comes in all kinds of forms, and I would say almost all have a purpose!
