Skip to main content

Skyeler Jackson Jackson

About My Study Abroad Program

Major/Minor: Political Science and Global Studies double major with a minor in data science
Program: Burch Vienna Program
Location: The Balkans and Vienna
Email: skyelera@ad.unc.edu
Term: summer 2023

 

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because I had never been out of the country before and I had always dreamed of visiting places that were not on my family's top of the list to visit like countries in eastern Europe. I then stumbled upon a class taught by professor Jenkins on the former Yugoslavia where he informed us that he ran a study abroad that visited the areas we were studying. Ever since then I wanted to be a part of the program and last summer I finally was.

 

What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I truly appreciate the little things. I so enjoyed the morning coffee runs or evening trips to scope out some gelato or baklava with my fellow classmates. When I am at home I am often so caught up in school or work that I forget how happy the little things make me. Everyday I tried to spend some amount of time outside of classes with my classmates to partake in the small activities of getting an appetizer together or finding a cool new shop.

 

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my favorite memories from the trip was getting to sit in on an OSCE permanent council meeting. We got to hear representatives from the OSCE participating states talk about their perspectives on the war in Ukraine. What really made this a stand out experience is that the OSCE is the only platform that Russia and Ukraine have to speak to each other in an international institution setting. It was so interesting watching the states interact and go about their duties that we had only learned about but never imagined we would get to see unfold.

 

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Trying new things can be scary but take comfort in the fact that you are likely not the only one on the trip in a completely new space. People on your trip will be in the same boat as you and together you will be able to navigate the unfamiliar terrain. I made some of my best friends on my trip and I found comfort in them when I was feeling a bit uncertain as to whether I had made the right decision to leave for so long when I had never been out of the country.

 

Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
There where times abroad when being American was frowned upon and places where being American was celebrated. For instance when I was visiting Kosovo, there were such warm feelings towards Americans that they actually celebrated the 4th of july while we were there to celebrate the US. However other places, like certain parts of Bosnia Americans were looked down on pretty harshly.

 

Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
Be cognizant of the norms of the culture and history around you.

 

If you faced any challenges abroad, where could you turn to get the support you needed?
I could always turn to my friends I made on the trip. Everyone was so caring and I never felt home sick because I was always surrounded by people who made me feel welcome and understood.

Memories