Who chooses to check overseas, and the way do they resolve {that a} semester abroad is correct for them?
Our college students arrive in Sweden and Denmark at completely different levels of their tutorial and private journeys, every with distinctive motivations and aspirations. Some are targeted on exploring a profession path, some wish to expertise a brand new cultural context, some are searching for to step exterior of their consolation zone and develop their independence, and others set much more particular private targets.
Learn every blogger’s story beneath to be taught why they selected to check overseas in Scandinavia.
Tharaly (she/her), Spelman School – To set an instance for others
Tharaly’s weblog is titled “Past the 6%,” impressed by the statistic that solely round six % of Black school college students research overseas.
Initially from Haiti and now a pupil at an HBCU in Atlanta, Tharaly writes in regards to the transition from Spelman to a semester overseas at a predominantly white program in a Scandinavian nation. She shares her successes, challenges, and the way her Optimistic Psychology Core Course influences her views of belonging and id whereas overseas.
“I wish to use this weblog to share my experiences overseas, the great and the dangerous, to encourage extra college students of coloration to take the chance and discover the chance to go overseas.
It’s straightforward to really feel as if you don’t belong. Your college could also be unfamiliar, your hometown unknown, and your tradition or id questioned. However whether or not you’re finding out overseas or getting into any unfamiliar area, bear in mind this: you belong.”
Learn extra from Tharaly on her weblog
Grace (she/her), College of Colorado Boulder – To study her future profession
Grace already is aware of that she plans to work in healthcare after she graduates, however she’s nonetheless working to determine precisely what path she’s going to take.
She landed on the Medical Apply and Coverage program at DIS when she noticed the way it associated to her profession targets and permits her to be taught straight from working physicians and healthcare professionals within the area.
“The distinctive studying experiences at DIS have been a giant a part of my determination to check overseas. Earlier than I left house, I can’t even inform you what number of occasions I instructed my household and pals: ‘I’m going to Denmark to study their healthcare system and evaluate it to ours AND I’ll get to go to medical doctors within the hospital to be taught from them.’”
Examine Grace’s profession aspirations on her weblog
Oli (he/him), Kenyon School – To discover his id, each previous and future
Oli grew up in a small Wisconsin city and research at Kenyon School in Ohio, an equally small and rural spot.
However “Denmark has been an unread, ever-rooted web page” in his life due to his grandfather, who grew up in Denmark only a brief distance from Copenhagen, which is what impressed Oli to journey from the American Midwest to the Danish capital.
Aided with previous tales and pictures from his grandfather, Oli’s weblog is devoted to discovering his household historical past, whereas additionally charting his personal path and exploring completely different aspects of his id.
“As a sociology main, you’ll be able to guess that id is one thing I mull over usually. There’s extra to id and your private narrative than the place you’re from or the place you was. I feel that objective is essential too.
Not simply the entire thought of ‘the place do you come from?’ however perhaps additionally ‘What are you doing right here?’
I’ve a complete new id to think about as ‘a pupil overseas.’ However what does that imply for me? As of now… I’m nonetheless engaged on that.”
Learn Oli’s reflections on his weblog
Elise (she/her), George Washington College – To encourage private progress
Elise self identifies as an over-committer, concerned in lots of extracurriculars at her house college. Reflecting on her packed schedule, she admits that she usually measures her success by how a lot she does for different individuals.
Finding out overseas, she determined, could possibly be a technique to get away of this sample.
“I wished to do one thing that was only for me. Finding out overseas wasn’t one thing that was going to win me brownie factors with the individuals again house. As a substitute, it was a chance for me to discover a brand new a part of the world and expertise a brand new tradition, permitting me to develop and be taught for myself.”
A semester in Sweden was the right probability for Elise to put aside her commitments at house, a minimum of quickly, in order that she might spend money on her personal tutorial success and private progress.
“I’m excited to attempt a complete bunch of recent issues with the liberty to maintain pursuing what’s attention-grabbing and fulfilling to me, but additionally the willingness to let go of the issues that aren’t for me.”
Learn Elise’s predeparture insights on her weblog
Jacques (he/him), Vassar School – To gas his passions
Jacques had expertise with worldwide journey earlier than coming to DIS, however finding out overseas was the primary time he had stayed for thus lengthy abroad.
It was a frightening alternative to check abroad, however a deeply intentional one. Shifting to Stockholm allowed Jacques to pursue his tutorial passions, additional his profession pursuits, and meet individuals from numerous locations.
“DIS Stockholm provided me the chance to proceed my passions: Running a blog [with the Student Media Team] will foster my love for writing and journalism, studentboende dwelling will permit me to satisfy new individuals from world wide and immerse myself in a singular life-style, and the Politics and Safety program will cater to my pursuits in immigration, political safety, and worldwide relations.”
Learn Jacques’s causes for finding out overseas
Need to be taught extra?
>> Examine a semester in Stockholm
>> Examine a semester in Copenhagen
