My interest in having another education abroad experience developed as a result of my realization of the many ways in which my first study abroad experience has profoundly impacted my life. Last summer I participated in the Interdisciplinary Art & Culture study abroad program to Florence, Italy, and the experience had a profound impact on me academically, professionally, and personally.
Upon returning from my study abroad program and resuming my courses at my home institution this fall, I realized that my experiences abroad had prepared me for academic success. For instance, this semester in Renaissance Art History class I noticed that I was better able to recall facts about Renaissance art during exams because my experiences abroad had laid a foundation of knowledge for me to draw upon. My realization that my program has lended me an academic advantage in my classes has contributed to my interest in studying abroad again.
My program impacted me professionally as an aspiring artist by providing me with a professional setting where I could create my own work, receive feedback, and present. Through my study abroad program I was able to gain real-world experience as pertains to being a professional artist and build a resume which will make me stand out as
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Studying abroad profoundly impacted my personal growth in many ways: Prior to studying abroad, I had never travelled outside of the U.S and so I was thrust into an unfamiliar environment, with little knowledge of the language. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone by requiring me to muster the courage to speak up when I needed help and also cultivate the self-sufficiency to be my own resource when I needed to be. I was also able to improve my intercultural communication skills by learning how to employ verbal and nonverbal techniques to communicate with people who do not speak the same language I