My study abroad enhanced my academic pursuits and career goals by allowing me to learn and experience ​​​​​​​different cultures. My expectations of each country I went to were very different from my original perspective than when I got to experience each environment. It changed my view on my academics, a school like MSU that strives to achieve diversity since we have an abundance of international students. By being able to visit different countries and see how they live and what their norms are, it just opened my eyes to the world. It has helped me relate to our international students on a different level. My study abroad help me realize that every country has their own language, religion, and culture. Being put in the middle of a country that English is not their main language, you had to figure out a way to communicate and act. For example, in Paris I learned their cultural style was to be more subtle and speak quieter while Americans are a lot louder and we had to adjust to their way of living while we were in their country. I learned to speak slow and try to say as many words in their language I knew because that shows them that I care about their country and I was at least trying to understand it. My study abroad affected me on a personal level because it opened my eyes to many different cultures and made me eager to learn about the different countries and how they live. For example, when we were in London we kept hearing about Brexit, I did not know much about this topic but getting the opportunity on my study abroad to interview people on the streets about Brexit and their thought was a great learning experience for me. I learned Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. My study abroad was full of fun and great learning takeaways. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity in college to experience different countries to do it and go in with an open mind because you will experience a whole new world and meet many friends in the process. Having the chance to study abroad was a once in a life time experience that I will never forget and is something that has changed my life in a positive way forever. I thank my donor tremendously because without your help I wouldn’t been able to go on this amazing program.