Todd Russell

 My mom studied abroad in Stirling, Scotland and my dad backpacked around Europe when he was in college. Both their stories made me want to study abroad in Europe and travel around Europe. I wanted to study abroad in a country where English was the main language and Edinburgh has a strong cultural history which really drew me to it. Additionally, it has a good engineering program.

 Being a mechanical engineer was the main facet of my identity that impacted my preparation for studying abroad. I wanted to study abroad for a year which was rather difficult with my major so I had to find a program that would work with my major as well as provide engineering opportunities I wouldn't get in Berkeley.

 During a typical day I would walk to main campus for my Gaelic or Scottish Studies course, go to the library to study, go to the Nile River Cafe for a £4 chicken wrap for lunch, take the shuttle bus to Kings Campus which houses most engineering courses, go to my engineering lecture or lab, then walk back home. After courses I would go run to the Meadows for hares and Hounds (the University of Edinburgh running club) practice which would consist of an easy run or a session. After running and chatting with my running club friends, I would run back home. Then, I'd walk to the shops to pick up stuff for dinner before cooking something. Sometimes I'd eat with my flatmates or with friends or just alone. Then I'd generally relax and read or watch a show before going to bed, or hang out with friends, or facetime my friends or family, or sometimes when I had a lot of work I'd work after dinner.

 Introduction to gaelic language and culture, mechanical engineering design, marine energy, sustainable engineering design, scottish studies, programming for engineers, professional development for engineers, living materials and their biomaterial replacements, astrobiology. My courses were a lot backend heavy with most of my grade being determine by a final project or final exam. I didn't have any midterms and only had a couple assignments for some of my classes. My weekly workload was much lower than in Berkeley. My engineering courses were more hands-on than in Berkeley.

 I learned more about my identity as an American. Before, I never thought about how being born and raised in America affected my worldview. However, now I am much more aware of that, and try to open my mind to other perspectives.

 Travel most definitely. I learned so much while traveling, and I experienced so many things I never would have expected.

 My biggest challenge was doing things on my own. I've always done things with friends, but studying abroad forced me to be comfortable travelling and doing other activities on my own, buoying my self-confidence and enabling me to be more independent. This culminated in me taking a two week trip to Eastern Europe by myself at the end of my year.

 My main recommendation would simply be to do it. You'll learn so much from the experience, and it will be worthwhile in one way or another. In terms of finding a program, try to find one that offers plenty of engineering courses so you can get courses to transfer for major credit.