Series of photos of Jess in Europe.

Jess B.

Major: Environmental Science, Environmental Economics and Policy
What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

 I always wanted to go abroad! Honestly, I wanted to go somewhere in Africa/ South America but there were barely any classes that would transfer and Madrid had a ton that would transfer for Econ/ breadths

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

 Wake up, go to school, go to the gym at school, vibe out on the train ride home, go out to drinks/ activities with friends!

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

 They were easier but the grading was super weird (a 50% in Spain is passing) so it was a pain to do well in my Econ classes. The two UCEAP classes I took were super fun and easy to get an A in.

Often, studying abroad can influence or shift our understanding of our own identities. How did your experiences studying abroad impact your understanding of your own identities? And/or what lessons did you learn in general related to your identities?

 I learned how much I love traveling alone! There were a ton of Berkeley students in Madrid and I was really proud of how much I was able to branch out from that group.

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

 Traveling alone and staying in hostels

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

 Not falling into the trap of only hanging out with Berkeley people - I limited myself to one night out a week with my Berkeley friends.

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially if they share similar identities and/or are considering your country or program?

 Definitely consider if you want to be around a ton of people you know. Also if you want a more involved program (living in dorms vs. in apartments)