Erica Cho
"I definitely had many worries at the start of the program, but it’s the little things that I look back fondly on; seeing the Berlin wall for the first time, running in panic to catch our train to Austria, the late night card games that we would play into the night even though we had class the next morning, swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea in Capri, the intellectual, vulnerable conversations I would have for hours with the friends I made in the program, and so many more experiences and moments that I can only replay in my head."
Because I had never really had the opportunity or resources to travel, especially on my own, traveling seemed like such a dreamy, unachievable concept for me. But after meeting people who had studied abroad in college and actually doing some research for myself, it became a much more tangible and possible idea. I chose to go to Germany mainly because the courses that were offered for this program aligned with what I needed to fulfill for my major requirements, but also because Germany is a very fairly central and large country, so I knew there would be a lot to learn, explore, and experience both within and outside the country.
The most interesting cultural experience I had abroad was probably when Korea won against Germany in the World Cup. Since I studied abroad during the summer when the World Cup was happening, there was buzz everywhere about the games. I remember watching the game at a local restaurant, and once the game finished, many of the German locals would start congratulating me (because I am Korean American) and a couple other of my Asian friends.
The biggest challenge of my study abroad experience was balancing my schoolwork with traveling. The courses I took were upper division courses that I needed for my major, so the material was difficult and required a lot of time to understand and practice. But I didn’t want my classes to take away from my experience of being abroad, so I responded by working and studying intensely during the weekdays and saving my weekends for the adventures.
On most weekdays, I would start my day by getting a small breakfast at our school’s cafeteria before heading to my morning class at 10 AM. After class, a group of us would usually eat lunch together at a nearby restaurant or school cafeteria. After lunch, I would go to a nearby café or school library to study or work on homework before heading to my next class at 4PM. After our afternoon class, a group of us would get dinner together at a restaurant before heading back to our hotel to spend the rest of the night either playing card games or working on homework. My weekends were saved for traveling and exploring within or out of the country, so my days were always exciting and variable!
I took two upper division math courses: Math 104 and Math 191. The courses felt fairly similar, if not more difficult, to Berkeley classes because a Berkeley math professor actually came abroad with us and taught our class. It felt more difficult because, since they are upper division math courses, the material was a lot more abstract and took time to understand in addition to having to balance traveling with coursework. Courses abroad also felt different in the sense that our class size was much smaller, so the classes were more interactive and tight-knit.
The most meaningful aspect of my time abroad was the memories, experiences, and friendships that I’ve made. I definitely had many worries at the start of the program, but it’s the little things that I look back fondly on; seeing the Berlin wall for the first time, running in panic to catch our train to Austria, the late night card games that we would play into the night even though we had class the next morning, swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea in Capri, the intellectual, vulnerable conversations I would have for hours with the friends I made in the program, and so many more experiences and moments that I can only replay in my head. These are the things I hold onto when I think back at my time abroad.
Studying abroad really changed my perspective on a lot of things. I have come to value being more present and living in the moment, as cliché and cheesy as it sounds. Studying abroad has only enlarged the travel bug inside me, and I hope to be able to go abroad again. I also realized that I have become much more independent in terms of traveling and experiencing things, forcing myself to be uncomfortable so that I can push myself to try things that I wouldn’t have the chance to elsewhere. I enjoy being put in spaces where I have to put in the effort to make the most out of the experience. Whether it’s starting difficult conversations with the people in my program or with locals, or planning a trip out of the country, I’ve come to realize that these are the moments where I am able to grow and learn, not just about myself, but also about those around me and the environment that I am in, resulting in a much more valuable and meaningful experience.
Drop what you’re doing and sign up right now! I would highly recommend going abroad, whether it is in Germany or any other country—I think what one can gain from being in a completely new environment while still in a space where you are with people who are experiencing and looking for the same things is so valuable and rare. Studying abroad is truly a once in a lifetime experience, and it really is what you make of it, no matter where you go.