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Studying abroad, both in Poland and Belgium, has changed and deepened the way I understand myself. These moments spent away from my home country have not only allowed me to step outside myself and view the world from a new perspective, but have also given me the space to pursue academic interests I previously didn’t know existed and explore new avenues for a future career. I’ve been able to bring these experiences back to Syracuse and apply the knowledge I gained to shape future and ongoing projects, including my senior thesis topic. Professional and academic doors have opened simply because I had these opportunities to live and study in a different country.

These experiences definitely paired well with my majors in history and environment, sustainability and policy, as well as my minor in atrocity studies. This past summer, I had the opportunity to work as an environmental and resource justice intern at the (EEB) in Brussels. I helped with advocacy and coalition-building efforts toward the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. I was able to engage in nuanced conversations about what a just transition to climate change could really look like. My experience in Belgium exposed me to new approaches to sustainability and blended my passion for the environment, human rights and community resilience.

When I studied abroad in Poland in the fall of my sophomore year, I was unsure of what to expect and essentially flew over with few preconceived notions or assumptions. When I went to Brussels last summer, I was more experienced and, in turn, more confident in my ability to navigate, advocate for myself and stay as present in the moment as possible. I think the biggest surprise was how much I undervalued the privilege of the English language. Both in Brussels and Poland, I was able to navigate an international culture with my native language. Though convenient, it made me even more eager to learn additional languages.

The meaningful connections I formed with individuals from around the world. I was so fortunate to work with them, learn from their personal experiences and advice and even participate in EEB’s annual staff retreat in the beautiful Belgian Ardennes. Both opportunities gave me a brief but important taste of professional and academic life outside the U.S.

The academic strategic plan will be an instrumental part of making all these advantages [of study abroad] possible and accessible to students beyond those on traditional tracks. I think it’s incredibly important that every student has an opportunity to leave campus and explore a new part of the world, not only to broaden their worldview but also to learn about themselves at such a critical moment in their life!