I am currently a third year student at Carleton University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Law. This past academic year I was able to participate in two exchange programs. I spent the fall of 2013 in the United States taking courses in Legal studies at Ithaca College through the Killam Fellowship program at Cornell University. I was able to write for Ithaca College’s award-winning student paper, The Ithacan. Then, I went on to study at the Université Lyon 3- Jean Moulin in France. There, I participated in the SELF program which is specifically for students who wish to study in English for the majority of their courses while also taking French as a second language.
While studying abroad I was able to meet people from all over the world, discovering interesting cultural similarities and differences. Through all of these experiences I gained self-trust as I learned that I was capable of more than I thought. I learned from my peers and professors which helped me appreciate the diversity that the world offers.
My experience contributed to my studies immeasurably because I was taken out of my comfort zone and forced to think in critical ways to adapt to the new academic environment. Studying abroad helped me to think creatively about my academic career and gave me different perspectives on how to approach readings, assignments and improving my learning capacity. I believe the most valuable thing I can take away is the new ways of learning I gained. These will help me excel in my academic and professional future.