Hello

My Study Abroad Experience: Sunayana Basa

/in , /by

Where and when did you study abroad/off-campus?

I studied abroad spring semester of my junior year (Spring 2017) in London, UK.

What did you do for your internship and what kinds of projects were you assigned (if you had one)?

I interned at a non-profit called Walkabout Foundation. I had a couple different jobs there – since I have had experience with social media from working as a social media intern the summer before sophomore year, I helped the foundation figure out ways to increase their social media presence by researching best social media practices. As a finance major, I was also assigned to work with the CFO of the nonprofit, Marina, to organize donations on Quickbooks for their annual report and to work on Salesforce to manage their donor information.

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

One of the biggest things I learned studying abroad is just how much bigger and diverse the world is than expected. I feel like the faraway places you read about never seem so different on a computer screen or in a book, but when you actually visit these places, you recognize that your imagination couldn’t possibly fathom how different they actually are. Another thing I learned (or more gained) from study abroad was a greater appreciation for America.  When I visited countries surrounding London, other young people I would meet would always seem to revere America and were so in awe of the things in the US that I take for granted. They would always exclaim how it would be a “dream come true” to study in the US, especially at a school like BU. I think seeing this adoration in different countries definitely made me appreciate my parents, the faculty, and administration of BU for giving me the opportunity to travel and see a new culture.

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

I think that, despite the similar culture of the US and the UK, there were some subtle differences between the two countries that definitely surprised me. For example, British humor is more dry and raunchy than American humor, and often times I would interpret a sarcastic joke as being genuine until someone told me otherwise. In fact, one English person I met even commented that in her experience, it was funny to joke around with Americans because we are so polite!

What was the hardest part of your experience?

The hardest part of my experience was feeling like I was missing out on what was happening in Boston while I was away. Social media always makes it so easy to see exactly what your friends are doing and where they are, and it always is a little bit bittersweet to realize that they are hanging out without you. To be fair, however, the fact that I was in a city as big and beautiful as London definitely made them feel jealous at times too.

What was the best part of your experience?

The best part of being in London was that we could travel a lot because the city is such a hub in Europe. In the US, you can fly for hours and still barely make it to another coast, let alone another country. Since London is pretty central, we were able to take a quick two-hour flight to travel to so many cool countries in weekend trips. I especially loved visiting Malta and Scotland—they were absolutely stunning!

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

Use your time wisely. Everyone says this, but study abroad flies by, and it is important to make sure you are really doing what you want with your time! Especially in a city like London, there is so much to see and do, and there are so many student discounts which makes it very affordable to go to different places. Also, travel! London is a hub and you should check out what is in the city, but if you can, getting out and exploring other cities and countries is a must.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

All the outdoor markets are totally worth going to, if only for the food! There are so many more than just Camden Market, like Portabello Road Market and Spittlefield Market. If you are looking for a view, you can definitely go to the London Eye but also check out the Tate Modern Museum’s top floor for a cool view of London! I would also check out Little Venice and Chinatown for the food. If possible, try to get out of London (to Oxford or Cambridge)—both cities are beautiful!

 

 

My Study Abroad Experience: Spencer Bolling

/in /by

Where and when did you study abroad/off-campus?

I studied abroad in Sydney Australia during the spring semester of 2017.

What did you do for your internship and what kinds o  f projects were you assigned (if you had one)?

I had the opportunity to intern at PwC as a Financial Advisory Intern. I had a very unique experience because my manager had more of a transitional position so I had the flexibility to work on a wide array of projects over many business sectors. Aside from familiarizing myself with their internal systems and working with more managerial data sets, I was able to help roll out a new enterprise solution system to all of the Australia office locations, publish articles on key business trends on PwC’s international app, PwC 365, and develop the curriculum for a program that is designed to assist young professionals in learning business and communication skills.

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

To explore every day. Everyone has a natural tendency to establish a routine. No one enjoys the feeling of instability at first –It’s a foreign concept that we tend to repel if we can. Although I promised myself to try to be more independent while abroad, it is much easier said than done. I found myself gravitating towards people, places and things that I already knew, especially when I first arrived. The most important thing I learned was to always set yourself up to take new risks. Even if it’s as small as taking a detour home, going to a different coffee shop in the morning, or networking after work with coworkers you don’t know well, it will always be worth it. Even if you find nothing of interest on that detour, you don’t enjoy the coffee that morning, or feel out of place with your colleagues, the ability to open yourself to opportunity will always serve you well in life.

How important it is to immerse yourself in culture. Whatever city and country you find yourself in, take the time to learn about the foundation of each place. Visit the best historical museums, talk to natives, try the food, and stay informed –understanding the socioeconomic climate will allow you to be more engaged and insightful. I believe that you learn the most about a city by learning from its people, so take the time to make conversation with your staff, employers, or anyone you may meet along the way!

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

How much you will learn about yourself. I understand how cliché this sounds but trust me when I say that you become almost overly self-aware. Your strengths and weaknesses will all unfold over the course of your semester abroad especially if you decide to challenge yourself enough. Though this was intimidating at times, it is invaluable because it allowed me to understand what I value both personally and professionally.

What was the hardest part of your experience?

I would say that it was being so far from home. The time change can make it difficult to talk to family and friends some of the time so I would suggest scheduling in daily/weekly times that are best. It’s funny because although the time change was the hardest part of my experience, half the time it was more frustrating for my parents because I was constantly travelling and exploring and struggled to find time to call them. There will be moments that you miss home, but knowing that your time abroad is so limited makes you cherish the time that you’re there.

What was the best part of your experience?

Having the opportunity to travel. Australia is absolutely enormous so you won’t have time to go everywhere on the continent, but the places you are able to go will be unforgettable. I was able to go to so many places in Australia, and in and around Sydney, but the highlight of my trip was definitely going to the south island of New Zealand. There were three of us who decided to backpack around the island for about a week and it was the best getaway I could’ve imagined. New Zealand is one of the places that you may never get to go to again if you don’t do it while you’re in Australia so I highly suggest it, especially if you love to hike!

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

Be very open minded and stay flexible. Though studying abroad in Sydney was unbelievable, it is important to maintain realistic expectations for your semester. There are classes, mandatory events, and you are required to go to your internship every day when you start working. If you want to make the most of your experience, commit yourself to doing the best work that you can. Learn from your classes, ask your professors important questions, reach out to your advisor, and make meaningful relationships with your co-workers. Even if you don’t find the class particularly interesting or your internship isn’t what you had expected, find ways to enhance your experience instead of deciding it’s not worth your time.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

For this question I’ll do a few hidden gems for food, activities, and travel opportunities. Honestly, the food is beyond belief. You will find incredible food everywhere in the city from acai bowls to the best Thai food you’ll find other than Thailand; but my two suggestions would be to go to the Sydney Fish Market for sushi and to try kangaroo at least once while you’re there. Before you think I’m a psycho for eating the national animal, kangaroos are overpopulated and it’s actually good for biodiversity, so start small and try a kebab.

For activities, I’d highly suggest signing up for Surf Camp, going to a Sydney Swans game, travelling to Palm Beach, frequenting the Glebe markets and consistently checking local news for upcoming festivals and events to attend. Though a lot of people go, Manly was my favorite place to go on the weekends. It’s a great beach town with food, music, and even cliff jumping, but it is the perfect place to relax for a day.

Finally for travel, the biggest hidden gem I discovered was Tasmania. A lot of people dismiss the island because there isn’t much going on, but I think that is part of the allure and charm of it. A small group of us ended up renting cars and booking an Airbnb in debatably the middle of nowhere and ended up having the best time. From hiking, travelling to vineyards, walking along empty beaches, and experiencing the wildlife, it was the perfect place to go for a two day weekend.

My Study Abroad Experience: Nikki Reyes

/in , /by

What are two things you learned from your time abroad/off-campus that you may not have learned otherwise?

I learned to be grateful about being from a big city in America and the relationships that I have here. Although abroad was beautiful and I saw things and places that I have never seen before, it made me realize that we have a luxury in cities like Boston and New York; everything is so easily accessible. It also made me realize that the world is small, and things and people are similar no matter where you go!

What surprised you most about your time abroad/off-campus?

When I was abroad I had a lot of free time. In Boston I was doing something 24/7 – working at a job, keeping up with classes, managing student groups, working out, etc. But in Venice my only real obligations were my classes – and they were MUCH less work than what I am used to in Questrom. So I had a lot of free time – which was good because I could travel a lot.

What was the hardest part of your experience?

The hardest part of my experience was the slow paced life style in Venice. I haven’t had that much time to sleep since 6th grade. It was impossible to work out in Venice – there are barely any gyms and you can’t run across bridges. I wanted to have a job on the side – because I always have a side job – but it was hard to get hired because of the language barrier. Also, there were times that I missed my other friends and family (since the program was so small)

What was the best part of your experience?

Venice is such a cute and simple city. You always have access to fresh, yummy, cheap food. People are always out having a drink and eating. Also, I loved travelling. It is so cheap to fly somewhere in europe. A lot of things are a lot cheaper in Europe (Alcohol Especially). It was nice to experience something COMPLETELY new every single weekend. Europe is awesome because every country has such a different culture. You fly an hour away and the food, the language, the way that people look, the architecture, the history, is all so different – it felt like I was in an amusement park.

What are your best tips for those planning to study where you did?

Don’t be afraid to spend money experiencing new things. You will never really have the chance to be in a different country for 5 months, with no other obligations, with a group of people who are all on the same page as you. Abroad is a great time to be refreshed. I had CORE the semester before and was drained – I wanted to travel the world and be an artist for a living – but after doing that for four months abroad, I came back to America refreshed, more motivated, and more inspired than ever before. It was as if I got the travel bug out of my system and came back wanted to get shit done.

Are there any hidden gems that your classmates should check out?

If you are in Italy go to the Amalfi coast – the food is amazing and it is one of the most beautiful places ever. I think that although traveling outside of the country you are living in is amazing – you should also immerse yourself in the country that you are in by exploring different parts of it. As far as Venice goes – there is a super cool place that all the college kids go to called Billiardy (Like Billiards) – it is the only place in Venice that is open past 2 am. Also do the tour of the Venetian islands – it is a good deal and you can see all of the islands for the perfect amount of time at the perfect price. Also – drink spritz and tons of cappuccino because you can’t get that in America. Also — 5 euro pasta.