Noah Prozan | UCB Study Abroad

"When you first live in a place somewhere different than where you grow up, you are introduced to people with a much different background. Studying abroad was really about absorbing a lot of unique and fascinating perspectives."

What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

I grew up very close to Berkeley and had been around the Bay Area my whole life. My freshman year I was admitted as a spring admit to the program and I believed the Global Edge program was best opportunity to experience going away from home.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

I had the opportunity to go snowboarding in Austria for a weekend. Other trips I went on included: a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich, visiting the fringe festival in Scotland, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona (and more).

What was the biggest challenge/concern of your study abroad experience? How did you respond?

The biggest challenge was communicating with people from home. I responded to this by setting a call schedule with my family to ensure that there would be no extended breaks of communication.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

After I got ready and cooked myself breakfast, I would pack my bag and then take the tube to class (which was about a 15-20 minute commute). I had class for about five hours, and in between my classes I had an hour long lunch break. During these breaks I would venture out and visit a lot of restaurants around the city. When my classes ended, I would try to visit one iconic landmark in the city of London, using the public transport card that Berkeley provided to go to the various locations. Some locations included: Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the British Museum, and Oxford Street. Sometimes I would get dinner out in the city. The rest of the day was dedicated to homework, and if my friends and I had time we would go to a pub or even a night club and celebrate.

What coursework did you take while abroad? How did courses abroad compare with Berkeley classes?

I took many of my breadth requirements (all Berkeley approved) and also completed my English R1B requirement. These classes stressed understanding and experiencing the dynamics of London, so we got to travel around the city frequently. My favorite class was a museum course where we would go to various museums around London and discuss the history of museum curation using the London museums as case studies.

What was the most memorable/meaningful aspect of your time abroad?

My most meaningful aspect of my time abroad was traveling through the London transport system everyday. London's transport system with black taxis, red double deckers, and the Tube (underground rail) are the most iconic places in London. Also, Berkeley provided us with an oyster card so we got to travel an unlimited amount of times within Central London by means of public transport.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

Studying abroad taught me to become more empathetic and understanding. When you first live in a place somewhere different than where you grow up, you are introduced to people with a much different background. Studying abroad was really about absorbing a lot of unique and fascinating perspectives.

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially to your country or program?

I would recommend to not confine yourself to the home environment. Go out and travel as much as possible, whether it in your host city or while you are venturing elsewhere. The last thing you want is to return home and say, "I wish I went out more frequently", as some of my peers did.