Experiential Learning
For me, studying abroad with the Honors program in Istanbul and Berlin was just about as experiential a learning endeavor as I've ever had. I had never really considered study abroad as something I would be able to participate in until the winter of my junior year. Because of the strict requirements for nursing and later for microbiology, I knew I wouldn't be able to take any time during the standard academic year for study abroad, and I wasn't even sure if my parents would pay for it. However, when I chanced to look upon an email from the Honors office about the upcoming summer programs I realized that I just might have a shot at an international experience.
Because of my rigid degree requirements, it was going to be exceedingly difficult for me to fulfill some of the Honors core requirements that were interdisciplinary or humanities based. When I realized that the Mobility and Negotiations of Identity program would not only allow me to explore the world but would also satisfy many of these tricky requirements, I just knew I had to do it.
While I meandered along the cobbled streets of Istanbul and navigated the U Bahn in Berlin, I was learning as much about the mobility of my own identity as I was learning about the people we were studying. I learned that I loved exploring, that I was more independent and capable than I had previously thought, and that no matter where my life took me in the future I would be able to carve out a niche for myself there. Berlin was the first time I had lived in an apartment, done my own grocery shopping, cooked on a daily basis. I had my first taste of independent life 4,900 miles away from home. As someone who was born and raised in Seattle, this adventure was immense. I remember feeling so excited picking my mom up from the Tegel airport in Berlin, knowing that I would be able to show her around the city and that for once I would be the one who knew where to go and what to do. Studying abroad marked a significant milestone into adulthood for me, and the learning I did there was life changing.
I have chosen to document my study abroad experience through a sampling of pictures from the trip. Most of them I took myself, but some were taken by my fellow students.
Because of my rigid degree requirements, it was going to be exceedingly difficult for me to fulfill some of the Honors core requirements that were interdisciplinary or humanities based. When I realized that the Mobility and Negotiations of Identity program would not only allow me to explore the world but would also satisfy many of these tricky requirements, I just knew I had to do it.
While I meandered along the cobbled streets of Istanbul and navigated the U Bahn in Berlin, I was learning as much about the mobility of my own identity as I was learning about the people we were studying. I learned that I loved exploring, that I was more independent and capable than I had previously thought, and that no matter where my life took me in the future I would be able to carve out a niche for myself there. Berlin was the first time I had lived in an apartment, done my own grocery shopping, cooked on a daily basis. I had my first taste of independent life 4,900 miles away from home. As someone who was born and raised in Seattle, this adventure was immense. I remember feeling so excited picking my mom up from the Tegel airport in Berlin, knowing that I would be able to show her around the city and that for once I would be the one who knew where to go and what to do. Studying abroad marked a significant milestone into adulthood for me, and the learning I did there was life changing.
I have chosen to document my study abroad experience through a sampling of pictures from the trip. Most of them I took myself, but some were taken by my fellow students.
The Blue Mosque
When I saw the Blue Mosque rising up out of the surrounding city of Istanbul, it seemed almost like something you'd see in Disneyland, something so perfect it couldn't possibly be real.
Turkish Delights
The amazing tidbits seen here were found at a kiosk in one of the malls we visited. There were more than enough perfect gifts to find in Istanbul, and an endless number of treats to sample.
Hagia Sophia
It still amazes me that I have pictures of myself in one of the most majestic and meaningful buildings in the world!
Through the Streets
Winding down the street from our hostel near the Galata Tower.
Reichstag
This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. I was so excited to be out in the sunshine, exploring Berlin, that I felt the need to skip across the courtyard in front of the Reichstag building. The Reichstag is the home of the Bundestag, which is the German parliament.
The Dome
Another of my favorite pictures, from the same day as above. Juliya took an awesome picture of the three of us looking at our reflections in the mirrored dome on the top of the Reichstag building.
Brandenburger Tor
I had to throw in a picture in front of this famous, identifiable monument.
Presentation Day
A few of us on the last day of instruction, ready to give our presentations at Humboldt Universitat