Sabrina Dong | UCB Study Abroad

"I was scared of being homesick and missing out on my first semester at Berkeley. I realized though that I actually am not missing out on anything at all. I was having my own unique first semester and Berkeley was right here when I came back with all it has to offer."

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

I was a spring semester admit and this was one of the options. As a freshman who lives close to campus, I wanted a taste of something new and I wanted a little bit of adventure in my life! Traveling and studying abroad was a perfect option for me.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

I went to Iceland one weekend during my time abroad and I was astounded by the natural beauty there. I saw geysers erupt, huge waterfalls, and swam in the Blue Lagoon.

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

I was scared of being homesick and missing out on my first semester at Berkeley. I realized though that I actually am not missing out on anything at all. I was having my own unique first semester and Berkeley was right here when I came back with all it has to offer.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

I would wake up and go to class for a couple of hours, then I would explore the city of London (go to museums, eat at a new restaurant). I would come home and do some homework and go out again and explore the night life with my friends.

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

I took 4 classes: Theatre, Museums, Comparative Politics, and the R4B writing requirement. I would say the classes were the same level as I've seen here.

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

The most meaningful aspect was the friends I made in the program. They truly are friends that I will have for the rest of my life, especially since we have traveled so many places together.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

I have definitely grown as a person. I've become more independent and have learned to manage time really well. I've also learned how to adapt to whatever situation I'm thrown in and how to meet and converse with people of various backgrounds.

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

I would say jump into it! Don't stay at home all day -- jump into the culture! Spend every moment you can exploring what is available around you because you're going to miss it later.