Lauren Neuhaus
How did you learn about your study abroad program?
I had a friend who chose this program last summer and highly recommended it to me. I was also looking through the study abroad website on my own and discovered more information about it there.
Why did you choose to participate in the study abroad program?
Since I can remember, I have loved to travel and have been fascinated by other cultures. I knew coming into to college that I wanted to take advantage of studying abroad as it would be a good way for me to build a community and to build connections surrounding traveling and my major. I have always been particularly interested in Europe, so when I came across studying abroad in Greece, I knew this is where I wanted to be. It felt like a good fit in terms of program length and I really liked that it was a agriculture oriented experience. It checked off a lot of my boxes, which made my decision pretty easy.
Have you traveled internationally before studying abroad?
I had traveled to Central America in the past with my family, but it was on a cruise, so we didn't get to spend much time really on the ports and in these other countries. We traveled to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. I had never traveled overseas like this before, so it was definitely a new experience for me in a lot of ways.
Do you think your experience benefited you personally, professionally, or academically?
All of the above! Personally, it gave me a huge sense of confidence and accomplishment. I felt really proud for being able to put myself out there and for having such a fun and enriching experience while doing so. I met so many new friends and got to check so many things off of my bucket list. While I was there, I was involved in research surrounding regenerative agriculture. From a professional standpoint, I was greatly benefited in the way that I learned how to use so many new technologies and methods towards research that I previously had not been exposed to. I was also able to build connections with other people involved in deep and meaningful ways. It gave me an entirely new perspective and attitude towards research that I feel like I can now build on for my future. Similarly, I feel like it provided me with a lot of academic experience and tools because I was expected to practice working with data, writing reports, etc.
Most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience would probably have to be the sailing trips as a whole. I had so much fun being in the sun and getting closer with my new friends while we sang and swam all day. I felt so relaxed during these trips and I felt like we were really able to just explore on our own. At the same time, we were given the perspective of island life vs. more city life, which I found to be a fun comparison.
Did you experience any difficulties?
There were definitely a lot of times when I really missed my family and friends back home or when I felt isolated from the rest of the group. I will say though, it was in these moments that I realized how much I had inside me. It was very hard at times to keep up socially with everyone, but by just showing up, you are tremendously doing yourself a favor.
Did scholarships impacted your decision to study abroad?
Scholarships definitely relieved a lot of the anxiety surrounding money during studying abroad. Without a scholarship, I would have struggled a bit more with money, and it’s hard to say if that would have impacted me going, but it would have been significantly different.
What advice would you give to students interested in one of your programs or study abroad in general?
Get out there!! Put yourself in uncomfortable, yet safe, situations whenever you can. You have no idea what you have in you and where that can take you. You never know if you don’t try. I would highly recommend to anyone thinking about studying abroad to do it. I found it so enriching and structured with a perfect balance of free time and scheduled activities. It was such a interactive way to travel and I gained so many valuable skills and experiences along the way.
