"On a personal level, living and studying abroad pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone."
Receiving the Global Learning Scholarship made it possible for me to participate in the Summer Program: Global Neuroscience, an experience that has truly shaped both my academic and personal growth. Without this support, I would not have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a program that combined cutting-edge neuroscience coursework with a cross-cultural perspective.
Academically, studying neuroscience in an international context expanded my understanding of the field beyond the classroom. I was able to learn from professors and researchers who approached the brain and behavior from different cultural and methodological perspectives - we had multiple famous guest speakers from France and surrounding countries during the program.
The program also encouraged me to think critically about how science is communicated and applied across global contexts - something that I hope to integrate into my future career in neuroscience research or medicine.
On a personal level, living and studying abroad pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone. I navigated new environments, adapted to unfamiliar systems, and built friendships with peers from around the world. One highlight of the program was visiting a neuroscience research institute in Paris, where I not only observed research but also was able to attend a convention where researchers came together to discuss innovative methods and findings. These interactions gave me a clearer sense of what pursuing an international career in research might look like.
This experience has reinforced my long-term goals of pursuing graduate studies in neuroscience and contributing to research that bridges cultural and scientific boundaries. Beyond academics, it also taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of global collaboration - skills that will serve me throughout my personal and professional life.
I am deeply grateful to the Global Learning Scholarship for making this experience possible. It allowed me not only to study neuroscience in a global setting but also to grow into a more thoughtful, open-minded, and ambitious version of myself.
