Looking back on my time in Brussels, and the EU as a whole, I feel grateful for everything a learned. Exploring a country and nation so foreign to me gave me so much perspective on the world and people around me!

Learning of the cultural differences between Belgium, Amsterdam, the US, and many surrounding cities was so fulfilling. I was able to meet so many different kinds of people, and explore places I never thought I would have the opportunity to see.

At the beginning of my trip, I expected to primarily be buried in my work, but I quickly found myself making friends with people I would have never met anywhere else. The highlight of my trip was working and exploring with my cohort. From meeting with ambassadors to exploring the small towns surrounding Brussels, our group grew closer everyday.

After this program, I will return to my research, by spending the remainder of my summer working with the McNair Summer Research Institute. But past this trip I will carry with me all the lessons I learned.