Kara Anderson | UCB Study Abroad

"I love traveling abroad and wanted to add to my travel experience by combining it with study. I was intrigued by Israel as I am interested in international relations, politics, and conflict resolution."

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

I love traveling abroad and wanted to add to my travel experience by combining it with study. I was intrigued by Israel as I am interested in international relations, politics, and conflict resolution.

What was the most interesting cultural experience you had abroad?

Participating in a traditional Shabbat experience!

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

Overall security issues; I made myself very aware of current events, signed up for State Dept alerts, and checked in with family regularly.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

On school days (Mon-Wed): class from 9 to 4. Studying, grocery shopping, or relaxing at night.
Non-school days (Thurs-Sun): lots of tourism!

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

A sociology class: “Conflict Resolution from Theory to Practice: Israel as a Case Study”
A political science class: “The Politics of Planning in Multicultural Cities: The Case of Jerusalem”

They were both very interesting! Generally less work than Cal classes, but an overall different format. All lecture with a large final paper.

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

Getting to know one of my very accomplished professors, Moshe Amirav.

What impact did studying abroad have on you personally?

It only solidified my love for traveling! And increased my confidence in doing so.

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

Be purposeful. Why are you interested in this country? What do you hope to learn? Knowing what you’re looking for will help you to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime experience!