All I Learned Through Study Abroad

04-16-2025

During my time as an undergraduate at Purdue, I had the opportunity to study abroad four times in my undergraduate career, most recently in Berlin, Germany. Even as I explored other countries, I had always wanted to go to Germany for its rich history and political science. I found that studying abroad blended perfectly with my academic and personal goals. I was able to explore both German history and my own.

The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. Unlike my other study abroad experiences, I did not know anyone on the trip. I was excited to learn more about Germany and also meet college students from all over the United States. While I had studied abroad before, each city brought new experiences and challenges.  

I didn’t have a quiet space for myself in the beginning, so I created my own. I didn’t realize how hard adjusting to a new city would be. I missed familiar spaces like my dorm room, my parents' house or the cafe from which I worked every day. 

Everything was completely new and overwhelming. I overcame this by doing normal things such as going to the gym at the same time every day, trying new coffee shops, reading at the Tiergarten and enjoying time with my new friends. Before I knew it, I made this place feel like home. Anytime I studied abroad, I loved creating a routine in a new place. 

By creating a routine, I found myself able to enjoy new experiences. I was taking care of my mental, emotional and physical health, allowing me to embrace my temporary home in Berlin. When I left Germany, I left behind my daily life and a piece of my heart.

I found that Berliners love sharing their culture. I ate amazing food, explored beautiful memorials and saw unique art. I loved the social life, with Berlin’s live music and performances in the city’s parks.

It seemed their past is in every aspect of Berlin, etched into sidewalks and monuments constructed around the city as a reminder. It was clear through my classes and experiences that the guilt and shame of the Holocaust are still very evident. The German government makes sure there are memorials to commemorate those who died and were impacted by the Holocaust. It was impactful to see how they made sure the victims are not forgotten.

In light of this, the Germans take their past at face value. They do not conceal what happened. They teach it in school, they talk about it with one another, and they commemorate those lost in monuments and museums. From this, I realized how valuable it is to face past grievances and to teach future generations the truth.

I have a political science minor, so it made me curious. I wanted to learn about the different eras of German history, such as World War I and II and the Berlin Wall. I wanted to see how these events affected the country as a whole, especially through art, literature and music. For this, I visited museums such as the Museum of Terror – the site where World War II decisions were made. We also visited the Berlin Wall and its checkpoints, Berlin Cathedral, Brownsburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial and the Tear Garden. 

I learned more in Germany than I can share, but the most impactful lesson came from an old German man who told his story to my group. In love with a woman on the other side of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War, he longed to save her from the pressure of the East German government. He tunneled under the wall six different times, saving countless lives. He faced the threat of arrest multiple times, but continued to tunnel under, eventually rescuing the woman, his wife of 60 years. The lesson implicit in this inspired me. Life goes on even when these crises happen – there is still a reason to keep on fighting.

Being abroad has driven a deeper curiosity for my international business studies. In Germany, I learned that government-run businesses involved in public services take much longer to complete construction projects due to numerous regulations. For example, a huge museum in Berlin will take the next 15 years to reconstruct. Learning about business abroad has given me more awareness and helped me communicate with people who have different business standards in the U.S. 

Studying abroad helped clarify my career path.

By pushing myself in new environments, I’ve learned adaptability, how to approach new people and how to handle new situations with grace. All of this shaped my life and my career goals. These experiences and my time at Purdue gave me the confidence to land my first professional position at Nestle.

Later this June, I will join their Manufacturing Leadership Development Program in Springville, Utah. I credit my study abroad experiences for developing the skills needed for this prestigious position. I’m now excited for change and newness.