"...studying abroad was an eye-opening experience in regard to realizing what I am capable of both as a student and as an individual."
Studying abroad in Paris was truly a defining moment in both my academic and professional journey at Columbia. With the help of the UGE Global Learning Scholarship fund, I was able to gain a global perspective in the field of neuroscience, both in and out of the classroom. Not only was I being taught by amazing professors from Columbia, but I also had the opportunity to directly hear from leading scholars in the field of neuroscience from all across Europe. One of the aspects of the program that absolutely stood out to me was having the scholars whose research we were studying come to Reid Hall and teach us what their work entailed, provide us with career advice, and, most importantly, host a Q&A session regarding their research. Additionally, towards the end of the program, one of my professors granted me the opportunity to work alongside him on a project for my senior year research capstone, which had been a dream come true for me as I had been actively looking for a professor with whom I felt close enough to pursue my dream research project with.
On a personal level, studying abroad was an eye-opening experience in regard to realizing what I am capable of both as a student and as an individual. Paris provided me with a new profound confidence in myself. Whether it was navigating a foreign city or keeping up with a rigorous and accelerated curriculum, studying abroad in Paris unexpectedly became a life lesson I will forever be grateful for. As someone who is originally from a rural farm in Texas, I have always felt as though my life was meant to be confined to the routines, knowledge, and experiences that were most available to me. However, taking the risk of studying abroad and putting myself out there in a city I had only ever seen in the media provided me with a fresh new sense of inspiration. Paris granted me the opportunity to tap into a child-like curiosity for life and for the trajectory of my career. In a sense, this renewed sense of curiosity provided me with the fearlessness to take more risks, get to know people, and learn to become comfortable with the feeling of being uncomfortable - for these were the principles that led me to the most memorable experiences abroad.
In conclusion, none of these experiences would have been possible without the support of the Global Learning Scholarship. The opportunity to study abroad in Paris, connect with leading scholars in neuroscience, pursue a dream capstone project, and grow in confidence while navigating a new city was truly life-changing. This scholarship not only opened the door to invaluable academic and career opportunities but also gave me the chance to discover a new sense of self, curiosity, and fearlessness that I will carry with me long after my time abroad. I am deeply grateful to the GLS scholarship fund for making this defining chapter of my journey at Columbia a reality.
