Global Studies majors spend semesters abroad in the UK and Spain
Two Alfred University fourth-year students, Sadiya Young and Larissa Hageman, spent their Fall 2021 semesters abroad in the United Kingdom and Spain.
Two Alfred University fourth-year students, Sadiya Young and Larissa Hageman, spent their Fall 2021 semesters abroad in the United Kingdom and Spain.
Young, a Global Studies major, French and Psychology minor studied at the University of Essex in Colchester, England., while Hageman, a Global Studies and Communications double major and Alfred University Honors student, studied at the Universidad de Granada in Granada, Spain.
“Studying abroad in Spain has been an incredibly valuable experience for me,” Hageman said. “I didn't know what to expect when I first came to Granada, Spain, I had studied Spanish and knew basic things about the culture. Now I feel like I have truly adapted to living and attending University in a Spanish city.”
“I've also grown up a lot in my few short months of being here,” said Young. “I've learned how to travel by myself and how to be okay with it.”
Young last month shared her experiences through the Zoom platform with Alfred University students in an Intro to Global Studies course and a First Year Experience (FYE) History course. She recounted the differences between the American and British university systems but nevertheless concluded “college students are really still the same everywhere.”
Both Young and Hageman found time to travel during their semesters. Young visited London several times and took the Chunnel to Paris, explaining, “I recently went on a solo trip to Paris for my 21st birthday and even though it was one of the most stressful and impulsive things I’ve ever done, I really enjoyed myself and I learned how to handle situations I wouldn’t have been in if I weren’t overseas.”
Hageman found time to visit Vienna and Budapest. Budapest was personal, she said. “My grandmother's family was from Budapest, so it was also interesting to see the culture and geography from where that part of my family originated.”
Summing up her abroad experience, Young said, “I’ve learned and experienced so much being here, I definitely encourage others who are thinking of Studying Abroad or traveling solo to just do it! Set your plans in motion and just go for it. You only get one chance at life so why not take that once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity and run with it?”
Interested students should contact Director of AU Education Abroad Laura Johnson or Director of Global Studies Andrew Kless.