In what city & country is your study abroad program located?
Salzburg, Austria
What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?
I love dogs and can’t wait to see so many dogs abroad!
What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?
One thing I’m most anticipating about my study abroad experience is having Salzburg as both a home base and a starting point for travel. I’m excited to explore Europe and see new places, but I’m just as eager to really get to know Salzburg, so it feels like home by the time I leave. I think balancing travel with building a life in one city will make the experience especially meaningful.
Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?
I was inspired to study abroad because I’ve always wanted to experience what it’s like to live in another country, not just visit as a tourist. I wanted the chance to learn a new culture from the inside, while also challenging myself to be independent and adaptable.
In what city & country is your study abroad program located?
London, United Kingdom
What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?
I have an emotional support TV Show – Netflix’s “The Good Place”. Turn on any episode and I’ll bet I can recite the next line before the characters do. Socially, I like to pretend that I know a lot about philosophy, but really, I rephrase things that the characters say to start a debate with someone (usually my sister, who’s caught on by now).
What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?
Over the next few months, I anticipate gaining a deeper sense of self and independence. Until now, I have never lived on my own; DU is just a short 10-minute drive from the home I grew up in. This upcoming chapter of my life marks a shift in pace – I can begin navigating life on my own time, making important choices and exploring a big city without the safety net of having my family beside me. Having visited London with my family before, I’m excited to return with fresh eyes to explore towns across England, such as York, Bath, and Oxford, to uncover their unique charms while making new memories that are entirely my own.
Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?
As a first-generation American, my parents always stressed the importance of seeing the world, understanding different cultures and perspectives, and adapting to various environments. When I was younger, my siblings and I would be taken halfway across the globe to visit our Iranian family throughout the entirety of summer break. Of course, I didn’t fully appreciate it as a kid, wishing to see fireworks on the Fourth of July or go to summer camp like my classmates.
My perspective changed in High School when I joined the Model United Nations team and realized how significant my earlier experiences were in shaping my global and cultural understanding. Competing in conferences all the way from Mexico City to New York, my childhood experiences helped me to become a delegate with a stronger sense of cultural fluency.
These experiences, alongside the life that my parents worked hard to build, have inspired me to study abroad. Studying abroad is more than an academic journey. At this point in my life, it is an opportunity to become a more socially mindful and culturally sensitive version of myself in London, one of the world’s most diverse cities. I have always aspired to be the type of person who can fully integrate themselves into the traditions and lifestyles of other cultures; this way, I can finally put my cultural awareness and adaptability skills into real-world practice.
An old and DELICIOUS restaurant in Mashhad, Iran, which I grew up eating at (a whimsical environment with the sound of streams and wind blowing through tree leaves)!
