Carolyn Amfahr

Overall Experience

It was the best experience, and I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who is able. I was able to travel to various countries while abroad and learned so much outside of my program.

Learning experience

My most valuable learning experience occurred when I was traveling in Morocco during our Easter break. I met so many amazing locals in Morocco who have not had the same opportunities as me but still were the most remarkable people I have ever met. They had such a positive outlook on life and saw such joy in simple things. One of my local guides told me "I believe a day without laughter is a day wasted." I learned from this experience to make the most of life and the opportunities you have no matter how small they are.

Memorable experience

My most memorable experience was deciding to stay up all night and climb Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh to see the sunrise. My friends and I made a last minute decision at 3 am to go hike Arthur's Seat and then there was no sunrise because it was too cloudy. It was also so windy at the top and we were exhausted, but it made for such a memorable night with my friends that I will never forget.

What did you not expect?

Something I did not expect was the format of the classes. At the University of Edinburgh, the exams were at the end of the term and they were written exams taken in an exam hall. There were also no homework assignments and the only submitted pieces of work were one or two essays and a final exam for each class. Also, a normal workload was only three classes. I liked this system because the students had a much better work-life balance. This will change the way I approach my profession and my life because it taught me to focus less just on academic or professional achievements and remember to live my life as well and make the most of it.

What advice would you give?

If you are considering study abroad, do it. I was scared and doubtful when I initially signed up. It was a long process to register and prepare for the program, but it ended up being the best five months of my life. I made lifelong memories, learned so much about myself and the world, and made so many friends that I now cannot imagine living my life without. This experiences builds character and will make you a stronger and better person. Go for it because you won't regret choosing study abroad, you will regret not choosing it.

How has this experience impacted your life?

It was a great opportunity to see different parts of the world and opened my eyes to new experiences I never would have had if I didn't study abroad. I met the most amazing people who made my experience truly special and got to see so many different cultures and walks of life. It was an unforgettable experience that strengthened my character. It built my interpersonal skills as well as it made me more confident and outgoing, as well as improving my problem-solving skills.

How did you learn about this experience?

I always knew I wanted to study abroad for a semester and researched programs on my own.

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