Oluchi Okwu | UCB Study Abroad

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

The main reason I chose this program was because I needed to complete my physics requirement as a pre-medicine student and I always wanted to travel Europe, so this program allowed me to have the best of both worlds.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

During the second weekend of the program, my friends and I traveled to Paris and I tried duck confit and escargot (cooked snails) and it actually tasted better than I thought it would! It definitely is an acquired taste though. Also, being in Paris, it was the first time that I truly felt like a foreigner being that everyone spoke French and the French take so much pride in their language and culture. That cultural experience motivated me to try to learn more French, interact with locals, and have an open-mind towards the cultural differences.

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

My biggest challenge during my study abroad experience was getting accustomed to the rigor of the program and figuring how to study the material. You are learning a year's worth of physics in 8 weeks, so it's fast paced with a midterm or final every other week, which is an adjustment, considering Berkeley is on semester. After the first midterm, I figured out a a good study routine that worked for me and figured out how to tackle the problems, now that I had an idea on how they were asked during exams.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

I had class Monday through Thursday, with lecture every afternoon. Lab and workshop was twice a week each, so on the mornings I wouldn't have lab, I would have workshop and vice versa. In the afternoon, before lecture, I would eat lunch in the dining hall with my friends and then study, until lecture. After lecture, I would study some more, go to the gym (3-4 times a week), eat dinner with friends or my flatmates, and then do homework and study even more. On the weekends (Friday to Sunday), I would travel either to different countries, to London or nearby cities, or explore Brighton. Most of my weekend consisted of sleepless nights and lots of experiencing new things and meeting new people.

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

I took 2 semesters worth of physics in 8 weeks there. In comparison, physics at Berkeley is probably more rigorous in terms of context especially since you have more time to go in depth on the concepts; however, the timeline and structure of the program is shorter, which makes it much more intense and requires you to make sure you are understanding the material and not falling behind.

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

During the 5 day break between session 1 and session 2, I traveled to Rome, Italy with my best friend to meet my other close friends that were also studying abroad in Rome. By far, one of the most memorable trips I have taken. We planned everything out beforehand and for the most part, everything went according to plan and even the spontaneous adventures, worked out for us. Rome has so much to offer in terms of amazing architecture, historical significance, FOOD, and of course, nightlife. I remember wishing I could study abroad and thinking one day, I'll go to Rome and seeing the plan come into fruition, and doing it with my close friends, made it all the more meaningful.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

Personally, study abroad taught me how to live in the moment. I'm a planner. So, I came into this program determined to succeed academically first and foremost, and didn't think I would have the time to travel. Well I was definitely wrong! I am very fortunate that I got the opportunity to study abroad because it taught me the importance of having a good work-life balance and taking things day by day. Why rush things or worry about studying material that hasn't even been taught yet? Live in the now, learn to embrace the friendships along the way, and take time for yourself, which is what I did and is what made studying abroad all worth it.

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

I would contact people that have previously done the same program you are interested in to learn more about the structure of the program and can give you study advice as well as recommendations/tips on places to travel. Plan your trips ahead of time to save costs and reduce last minute planning stress and make sure you are on a budget and have a mix of cash as well as a international credit card with NO foreign transcation fees. Lastly, don't be afraid to introduce yourself to new people, especially within your program, they can be great study partners and travel buddies later on.