“This experience has helped me learn how to work with people who come from all kinds of places and backgrounds. I’ve gotten better at listening, finding shared goals and understanding different points of view. I’ve also learned how to have respectful and open conversations with people who see things differently which I know will be an important skill in any professional setting,” reflected political science major Karagan Cowman, who is currently studying abroad at Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Cowman is studying at Leiden’s Campus The Hague, which is the country’s administrative capital, where she is taking courses on international relations and organizations as well as competitive politics.
“I always knew I wanted to go abroad and have the experience of studying in another country. Going abroad felt like an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself in a brand-new environment. I wanted to experience education in a different academic setting, meet people from around the world and broaden my understanding of how others live,” said Cowman.
Personally, Cowman reflects how this experience has helped her gain independence but also value the collaboration of new classmates and colleagues across the world.
“This experience has shown me that I can have a strong sense of adaptability and resilience. I’ve learned how to thrive in new environments, communicate across cultures, and approach challenges with an open mindset.”
“One of the best parts of my time abroad has been the people I’ve met. I’ve made a close group of friends from all over the world, and it’s been so fun getting to learn from each other and experience new things together. I’ve also been lucky to have people from home visit, and traveling with them to places like Berlin and Paris has been something I’ll always remember,” Cowman stated.