Gabrella Bahilu

 

In what ways do you feel that you learned and grew during your global experience? Could you share a particular memory from your time abroad where you learned something important about yourself or your host culture?

My study abroad trip to Singapore taught me more about myself than I had ever expected. There were very few African Americans in the program and even in the country itself so it was sort of a culture shock for both me and the locals. I didn’t expect people to be as curious as they were about my hair (it was in long braids at the time), culture and nationality. I had a lot of people come up to me and want to ask question or even want to take photos with me which made me very uncomfortable. However, I had to quickly understand that their questions, statement and even pictures came from a place of curiosity and it was an opportunity for me to explain my identity and culture. I slowly gained confidence in myself and became comfortable in candidly carrying myself as an African American women no matter where I was or who I was with. After that experience, I understood the importance of asking and answering questions to have a conversation to educate one another.

 

What are your life plans after UNC Graduation?

I would love to work in an industry that allows me to travel and create. Possibly working in an ad agency or production studio would be ideal. I’m also open to taking a gap year and traveling on my own and making fun Youtube videos about solo traveling and maybe van life!

 

How do you think studying abroad prepared for you for your next steps post graduation?

I believe study abroad allowed me to be a better communicator overall. It’s crazy how quickly you can become friends with strangers in just a short amount of time. I got a chance to speak with so many people from all over the world that I normally wouldn’t get to which allowed me to hear different stories, journeys, passions, interests, etc. It helped me be more understanding and emphatic to others as I got to dive deep into intentional and meaningful conversations. Also, because of study abroad and the experiences of solo traveling, I feel confident enough to move to a new city, state or even country when looking for career opportunities. The idea of independence and change excites me and I don’t think I would feel as confident about it if it wasn’t for study abroad.

 

As you reflect back on your undergraduate experience, what words of wisdom do you want to share with your fellow Tar Heels?

Do as much as you can! Don’t let opportunities pass you by because you don’t feel qualified or capable enough. Imposter syndrome is real but don’t let it stop you from making those unforgettable memories. There are so many resources available to help you succeed or make your dreams happen you just need to seek them out.

Memories

Janie Oberhauser

 

In what ways do you feel that you learned and grew during your global experience? Could you share a particular memory from your time abroad where you learned something important about yourself or your host culture?

 

What are your life plans after UNC Graduation?

I just got a research job in a neuropathology lab at Stanford, so I’m super excited! My plan is to work for a couple of years before going to graduate school. And I’m definitely hoping to cram some traveling in there somewhere.

 

How do you think studying abroad prepared for you for your next steps post graduation?

Spending a semester in London inspired me to grow in confidence and independence and taught me more than I ever could have imagined about both myself and about people, cultures, and ideas from all over the world. It was one of the best and most valuable experiences of my life, and I hope to continue traveling and exploring in the future!

 

As you reflect back on your undergraduate experience, what words of wisdom do you want to share with your fellow Tar Heels?

Take advantage of every opportunity you can and don’t let a moment go to waste! Four years fly by. Sometimes the wildest, scariest possibilities end up being the most rewarding, but it’s also really important to slow down and enjoy the small things.

Memories

Ruth Samuel

 

In what ways do you feel that you learned and grew during your global experience? Could you share a particular memory from your time abroad where you learned something important about yourself or your host culture?

I learned a lot about myself — how much I value my autonomy & independence — my love for travel, and the nuanced experience of being a Black woman abroad. Spending a semester in Sevilla, Spain certainly stretched me, but there are lasting memories I’ll never forget: going to London Fashion Week, riding camels in Morocco, watching the Madrid Open live, and more.

 

What are your life plans after UNC Graduation?

After graduating from Carolina, I’ll be working at the Los Angeles Times as a summer arts & entertainment reporting intern. Currently, I’m waiting to hear back about a nine-month fellowship that begins in September — fingers crossed!

 

How do you think studying abroad prepared for you for your next steps post graduation?

Though a journalism major, I minored in Hispanic Studies, which motivated me to study abroad and complete the degree. Since my introduction to Spanish in middle school, I always knew I wanted an immersive global experience and to achieve fluency. Learning Spanish & living abroad has been so fundamental to me as I report on & engage with diverse Spanish-speaking communities.

Memories

Christian Delgado

 

In what ways do you feel that you learned and grew during your global experience? Could you share a particular memory from your time abroad where you learned something important about yourself or your host culture?

I feel like I learned how to trust myself and be more independent. Before my time in London, I was never the one to instigate plans with friends or go out of my way to try something new. In London, I was the exact opposite. I planned entire trips with friends, solo traveled through Paris, and had a challenging but fun internship in the House of Commons that showed me I could do anything I wanted.

 

What are your life plans after UNC Graduation?
Law School

 

How do you think studying abroad prepared for you for your next steps post graduation?

Definitely the independence I developed will be a huge asset. More tangibly, my time in Parliament really prepared me for the policy/legal briefing that I am sure I’ll have to do in Law School.

 

As you reflect back on your undergraduate experience, what words of wisdom do you want to share with your fellow Tar Heels?
It goes by so fast. Don’t take a single second for granted.

Memories

Callie Barnard

 

In what ways do you feel that you learned and grew during your global experience? Could you share a particular memory from your time abroad where you learned something important about yourself or your host culture?

As someone who had always dreamt of traveling Europe in college, the decision to study abroad was an easy one. I quickly submitted my application to study in Barcelona, and was overjoyed when it was accepted. I got to Barcelona in January 2020, eager to begin learning about Spanish and Catalan cultures. I took classes through IES and UAB, so my classes were spread out among three campuses. This was an awesome opportunity to be able to take the bus or metro to new places that I wouldn’t ordinarily visit.

IES has a super central classroom building in the heart of Barcelona, but my classes at UAB were not walking distance. This could have been annoying, but I took it as a chance to shop, eat, and explore historic museums, parks, and monuments further away from my home base. I loved getting to the campus early to sit at the cafe and drink an espresso while listening to Spanish students chatter about their classes. You don’t realize how much you eavesdrop until everyone around you is speaking a different language!

When March quickly arrived, the month that we now all know to be the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, my friends and I started hearing word of programs across Italy being canceled. We spent our last few weeks fitting as much as possible into our already long days to make the most of what we knew was coming to an end soon. We ate at restaurants we had been “saving” for the end, went to an FC Barca game, visited the Sagrada Familia, and watched the sun set from the Bunkers one last time.

Coming back to the US was a hard transition from living alone in Spain for the past month and a half. Being stuck with my parents and sister in quarantine, with a positive COVID test post-return, and having to take classes 6 hours ahead was not easy, but it taught me patience like no other experience. I learned through this experience that I was a lot more resilient than I thought I was.

 

What are your life plans after UNC Graduation?

After graduation, I am hoping to move to Washington D.C. and work in the public sector. I hope to return to Europe to continue my travels as well as explore new places all over the world in the future.

 

How do you think studying abroad prepared for you for your next steps post graduation?

Studying abroad instilled in me a sense of freedom and a love for exploration that I will take into my future career and life. I did not realize how much of a bubble I lived in growing up in North Carolina and going to UNC, so having the chance to wander around Barcelona in between classes and hear new languages, try new foods, and navigate the metro system in Catalan made me realize that the world was so much bigger than North Carolina.

I started out my time in Barcelona being timid and afraid of messing up; however, I realized that the Catalan people are actually very kind and accepting. While you may get some odd stares when trying to speak Spanish at a restaurant met with what “What would you like to order?” in English, most of the time, they were helpful and tolerant of my language skills. By the time I returned to the US, I was much more confident and ready to take on whatever the world threw at me.

 

As you reflect back on your undergraduate experience, what words of wisdom do you want to share with your fellow Tar Heels?

If you have the chance to study abroad, whether it be for a summer or a semester, GO! Do not be afraid of talking to people, because they may end up being some of your best friends. Take chances, they will most likely work out better than you could ever imagine. If they don’t, you will have an awesome story!

Memories