What inspired you to go abroad?
What inspired me to go abroad was not just curiosity, but the need to understand the systems that shape people's lives beyond borders.
Coming from a migrant background, I have always lived between two realities. Studying abroad felt like a way to connect those experiences to a broader global perspective and to challenge the limits I once thought I had.
Why did you choose European Centre for Career Education?
I chose this program because it allowed me to work directly with the Ministry of Education in Prague, focusing on educational inequality and funding for disadvantaged students.
It aligned perfectly with my academic interest in political science and my personal commitment to understanding how policy can either reinforce or reduce inequality.
Instagram post.
What was your favorite part about Prague?
My favorite part of Prague was how history and modern life coexist so naturally.
Walking through the city felt like stepping into a story shaped by politics, resilience, and transformation. Every building and public space carried meaning, reminding me how deeply history influences present-day systems and identities.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
What made my experience extraordinary was the opportunity to see how policy is not just theory, but something that directly impacts people's opportunities.
Working on research about school funding and social disadvantage made everything feel real; I wasn't just learning, I was contributing.
But beyond that, it was the life I built outside of work. Traveling across different countries, embracing the adventure of backpacking, and allowing myself to explore freely shaped me in unexpected ways. Through dance, I found connection and familiarity even far from home.
That balance between discipline and freedom made the experience unforgettable.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was incredibly supportive both academically and personally.
They guided me through complex research topics, encouraged my ideas, and made space for me to ask questions. Their openness made me feel included, not just as a student, but as someone whose perspective mattered.
Honestly, everyone was wonderful.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I had allowed myself to be more present instead of feeling the pressure to do everything perfectly.
Sometimes I focused too much on making the most out of every moment, instead of simply living it. The experience taught me that growth also comes from slowing down. Not all is just the job, sometimes we need to explore.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
A typical day involved commuting into the city and working at the Ministry of Education on research related to school funding and inequality. I spent my days analyzing data, discussing policy, and learning from professionals in the field.
After work, I would explore the city, explore more coffee shops, go to the gym, reflect, or spend time dancing or connecting with others.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
my favorite spot.
During my free time, I embraced exploration. I traveled to different countries, often on my own, learning how to navigate new places with confidence. The experience of being a backpacker taught me independence and resilience.
I also balanced moments of rest, sometimes working remotely while still immersed in new environments. And through it all, I connected with people, sharing conversation, cultures, and experiences.
Even when I was alone, I never truly felt alone.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in student housing, which allowed me to live independently while still being surrounded by people from different backgrounds. What I liked most was that balance gave me space to grow on my own while also creating opportunities to connect with others. But above all, it was the location: everything was very close, and the area was very pleasant and safe.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Future participants should know that this program truly requires initiative. It’s not just about attending sessions or completing tasks—it’s about how willing you are to engage, ask questions, and step into spaces that might feel unfamiliar at first. No one is going to hold your hand through the experience, and that’s actually part of its value.
You have to be curious enough to go beyond what is assigned, confident enough to speak up even when you’re unsure, and open enough to learn not only from the program but from the people and environment around you. Some of the most meaningful moments don’t come from structured activities but from conversations, observations, and the effort you put into being present.
Would you recommend the Professionals Program to others? Why?
Yes, I would recommend this program, especially to students who are genuinely curious and willing to step outside their comfort zone. What makes it valuable is not just the opportunity to travel, but the chance to engage with real-world issues.
Working with the Ministry of Education in Prague allowed me to see how policy functions in practice, beyond theory. At the same time, the experience goes beyond academics. It pushes you to become more independent, to navigate unfamiliar environments, and to build connections with people from different backgrounds.
It’s not always easy, and it requires effort, but that’s exactly why it’s worth it. You don’t just come back with memories; you come back with perspective, confidence, and a clearer sense of direction.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
the big book tower
For me, the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is stepping outside of my comfort zone and growing through it. Being in unfamiliar places pushes you to adapt, to trust yourself, and to become more independent. It’s in those moments of uncertainty that you realize how capable you really are.
But also, there’s something powerful about finally standing in places you once only saw in photos. What once felt distant or unreachable suddenly becomes real, and that changes the way you see the world and your place in it.
Traveling opens your mind, but it also grounds you. It reminds you that the world is bigger than you imagined, yet somehow closer than you ever thought.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Now that I’m home, I notice the change in small, everyday things. I’m more comfortable being on my own, making decisions without overthinking, and stepping into unfamiliar situations with less fear. Things that once felt intimidating now feel possible.
It also shifted how I see my goals. Being in Prague, working and traveling at the same time, made me realize that the life I want isn’t something distant; it’s something I can build. I don’t see opportunities as out of reach anymore.
More than anything, I came back with a stronger sense of direction. Not everything is figured out, but I trust myself more, and that changes everything.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel, to me, is when a place stops feeling like a destination and starts feeling real. It’s ordering food in a language you’re still learning, getting lost and figuring it out, and moving from place to place with just a backpack, learning to trust yourself along the way.
It’s not about doing everything or seeing the most popular spots. It’s about the small things: conversations that weren’t planned, the routines you build even if they’re temporary, and the moments where you feel both out of place and completely present.
Traveling like that, a little uncertain but open, taught me more than any plan ever could. That’s when it becomes meaningful, when it stays with you in quiet, unexpected ways.
