Jed Higdon
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Environmental Science; Geography; Entrepreneurship
Program: 1- UNC Burch in China and South Korea (Renewable Energy); 2- UNC Shuford Away in Shanghai
Location: 1- Seoul, South Korea; Shanghai, China; Shenzhen, China; Hong Kong, China; 2- Shanghai, China
Email: deweyj@live.unc.edu
Term: Summer 2019
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
After spending last summer at home taking Calculus classes, I knew that I needed to do something more exciting for my last summer before graduation. I searched for programs in Asia that didn't overlap and found the two that I eventually settled on. I wanted to spend a lot of time in Shanghai because it is one of the biggest cities in the world and I'm interested in pursuing a career in urban planning.
What did you learn about yourself?
I surprised myself by being adaptable in a variety of settings and quickly getting comfortable with living in a new place.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
Riding through Shanghai with three other students on a taxi-motorcycle meant for two.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
The more uncomfortable a Study Abroad trip sounds, the more you are likely to grow from it. Always try something new when you get the chance (assuming it's mostly safe).
Would you do it again?
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How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at UNC?
While abroad I spent much less time in a classroom and much more time engaging in hands-on experiences, whether it was meeting at solar company's headquarters, using Chinese in public, or networking with expats living in Shanghai.
Memories
