After completing the Comparative Economics of Central Europe program this May, I am back home and finishing up my Summer Internship! I had a wonderful time on the Maymester program, and I have loved continuing to reflect on what I learned through blogging about these experiences. 

Something that surprised me about this program was the number of perspectives from which we were able to hear. We had so many different guest lecturers and tour guides who each had different areas of expertise, which gave our cohort a vast understanding of different components of Czech and Polish life. I loved having the opportunity to hear different perspectives, and I enjoyed the sincerity and openness with which each person spoke of these topics.

My advice to others studying abroad would be to try to explore as much as possible. Study abroad programs offer enriching opportunities to learn, but you also have time outside of the program to learn by taking a walk, speaking with locals, or trying out a new dish from the local cuisine. My other tip is to develop some form of routine. I found that it was helpful to me to ensure I got enough sleep so I was energized for class, and that I enjoyed waking up before class to take a walk and try out a new cafe. Although it can be difficult to establish a routine while studying abroad and you don’t want to constrain your schedule too much, it is helpful in feeling some sense of normalcy while in a new environment. 

The Maymester Comparative Economics Program has not changed my professional plan, but it has given me additional perspective when considering my future goals. This experience exposed me to a region’s history, politics, and culture that I was previously unfamiliar with. As I look ahead, I know I want to continue to learn about different regions of the world, both in an academic sense and through travel. I also found that I really enjoyed discussions of European Union dynamics, both from a political and economic angle. I would definitely want to incorporate these topics into future classes I take and essays I write. 

I learned so much from this program, and I am so grateful to the Frederick Honors College for their generous support in this endeavor. I would definitely recommend this program (and studying abroad in general!) to anyone interested, and I am excited to bring what I’ve learned from this program back to Pittsburgh with me in the Fall.