Madison is a senior here at the U of A, majoring in history and political science. She traveled abroad during the summer of 2015 to study history and European studies in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to
travel. First it was seeing more than Dallas, and then more than Texas, and
then everything, the whole world. Studying abroad was my first opportunity to
fulfill that wanderlust while getting more than just travel experience. The
European Genocide class, trip to Auschwitz included, offered at DIS really sold
my heart to studying abroad.
What did you really
learn by going abroad? How was it impacted the rest of your college
experience/your personal life/your job search?
It might seem like a
small lesson, but learning how to be comfortable in an open classroom setting
was huge for me. Maybe it was the basic fact that I had already pushed myself
in so many ways that made pushing myself in the classroom that much easier. I
have seen how this advancement has changed the way I interact in classrooms and
with professors at the UofA.
What was the biggest
hurdle in getting abroad and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle
I faced in getting abroad was financing my trip. I pay for majority of my
college experience at the UofA and so naturally a study abroad trip would also
fall on my shoulders. I took out a loan, worked as an Orientation Mentor during
the months of May and June, and saved every penny. All the hard work,
frugality, and extra post-college debt was worth it for such a life-changing
experience.
What is one piece of
advice would you give to other students thinking about studying abroad?
Stop thinking about it as just a distant possibility or dream.
Start thinking about it as a reality. Change “I hope to go...” to “When I go…”
and “It would be cool to study abroad” to “How awesome is it that I am on my
way to studying abroad!” Studying abroad isn’t just a possibility, it is 100%
attainable.
What did you learn
about yourself/your culture by going abroad?
I learned that I’m a
little braver than I thought, actually a lot braver than I thought. Getting
lost alone in a country where no one speaks the same language as me, yes
frightening the first time, but ultimately its moments like that where you find
yourself. I found out I don’t know much about beer other than you drink it, I
desperately need to learn how to cook more than just pasta, taking the long
route somewhere is good for your calves as well as your soul, it never hurts to
ask, even if you are fumbling through a tough language, and that being positive
is truly the best way to live life.
Where did you live
while abroad?
I lived in Holmbladsgade Residential Community, student
housing provided by my external program, with 9 other American students in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Was studying abroad
expensive? How did you pay for your experience?
The basics of study abroad are expensive – airfare, tuition,
housing, ect. The rest can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. I cooked
most of my meals and attended every free event I could to maximize my
experience and minimize my spending.
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If you need help getting started with study abroad, take a
look at the first steps: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/getting-started/first-steps.php.
