Nicole

It had always been a dream of mine to study abroad, explore new places and especially in the UK. When I saw that I was able to join the Berkeley Global Edge Program as a freshman I knew it was the right fit for me.

I knew that as a first generation Latina college student I had to take advantage of the opportunities in front of me. An experience like studying abroad is so unique and memorable that I wanted to experience it myself as no one else in my family had done previously.

I would wake up early to make myself some breakfast, usually consisted of an English breakfast. Then I would either walk or take the double decker bus to the learning center in London. Transportation alone could take up to 30-40 minutes so I had to meticulously plan out my mornings to arrive to class on time. I would usually have a class or two and afterwards eat lunch or go to the downtown area and walk. There were so many little cafes and scenery to enjoy. Later on I would probably go explore the city with my friend and head to our flat to rest.

I took a comparative politics course, Math 1A, English R1B, and London Museums abroad. The courses abroad were relatively simple, not too difficult but had its challenges as a regular class. On the other hand, Berkeley classes are definitely more rigorous and challenging, studying everyday is a must in order to stay on top of coursework.

My experiences studying abroad definitely impacted my understanding of my identities. I became more well aware of my own identify as a Latina/Chicana because there was no one else in the country that I studied abroad in that I could identify with. Mainly due to the geographical area of the UK. Yet it made me stronger and resilient.

My most memorable time abroad would be hiking Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and being on a boat in Croatia with my cohort. These experiences were so extraordinary and adventurous, that now when I think back to my time abroad I remember these fun memories.

My biggest concern during my study abroad experience would be maintaining my financials. Budgeting became one of the biggest parts of my experience when it came to traveling. I learned so much how to handle my money and I'm glad I did so, it introduced me to the realities of adulting.

I would recommend students that are considering studying abroad to do it, even if it's just once during your college career. As a first generation Latina, anything is possible and even if you feel like financials may come in between your decision, it is incredibly valid and theres many scholarships to apply to!