Bessell, Benjamin

Benjamin Bessell

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
My choice to study abroad was made for several reasons. I wanted to expand my knowledge of other cultures as well as experience a new educational environment. Also, I am interested in climate change and wanted to continue to learn more about this topic especially in Copenhagen that is known for its sustainability. I had heard that Copenhagen would allow me to experience living and going to school in a city setting which was an element I was searching for in choosing to go abroad. The program I selected additionally allowed me to gain exposure to data science which I am minoring in at UNC. 

What did you learn about yourself?
Through this experience, I learned that I have the ability to live in a city and really liked it so I would consider city living in my future. My entire life I have lived in a suburb of Boston and have attended colleges in the suburbs. This also was the first time I had traveled without my family abroad to a new cultural setting and while excited had some initial worries about being so far away in a place that I had never been. Within moments of arriving in Copenhagen, all these worries disappeared and I immediately immersed myself in everything around me. I really enjoyed this experience and would instantly say yes to doing it again.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories from my program was dining with a host family while in Copenhagen. I was able to hear from the family members about their experience living in Copenhagen, taste local cuisine, and immerse myself in Danish culture. The family was very welcoming.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
I would advise future students to talk to other people in their study abroad program as others are feeling the same way about living in a completely new country. This could help ease feelings of uncertainties and could turn into a friendship that could make your experience enjoyable. Right when I arrived in Copenhagen, I reached out to others if they wanted to join me to go explore the city and these friendships that formed were extremely influential to my great experience abroad.

How do you identify?
Transfer Student

Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
It allowed me to feel unique about my experience abroad. Most of the other participants were not transfers which made me have a good talking point to start conversations. I also found there were some other transfer students in the group and this created a bond in something we had in common.

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
As a transfer student, I learned last year the importance of immediately reaching out to others at the beginning of the semester and was able to build great friendships by interacting with them early on. I felt in this program that it was also important to reach out to others starting the first day to build the relationships and also it presented a great opportunity to meet more people that you would not have met normally from UNC. I was on a program where we studied with a UNC professor so all the students I was with were from UNC. 

Memories