Manske, Stella

Stella Manske

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I have always loved travelling and knew that I wanted study abroad to be a part of my college experience well before coming to UNC. When researching programs and countries for my study abroad, I mainly focused on schools in the UK as I knew I wanted to be in an English-speaking European country. Many of the schools in Scotland really matched what I was looking for. I wanted a school that had a lot of history and tradition, a welcoming and openminded student body, and a campus that felt like Hogwarts (to be honest). The University of St. Andrews seemed to have all of this. The smaller student population was really appealing to me as I didn’t want to feel super overwhelmed in a new place. I also loved that it was right on the water and there were plenty of beaches accessible from campus. I ended up choosing to apply to St. Andrews and I couldn’t have made a better decision!!

What did you learn about yourself?
I had never traveled solo before study abroad and to be honest, I was terrified to. I also didn’t know any other students from UNC participating in the same program as me, so I felt some fears about feeling alone or not meeting new people that I clicked with. Studying abroad definitely requires you to go outside of your comfort zone whether you want to or not. But I learned so much from it. Not only did I gain tons of independence skills in terms of travelling and problem-solving issues, but I also learned so much about myself. Turns out I actually enjoy doing some things on my own and putting myself out there to meet new people! I made a super close-knit group of friends and saw so many beautiful new parts of the world, through the places I went and people I met. I have definitely come back from study abroad an incredibly more confident, independent, and positive version of myself!

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
The University of St. Andrews has a TON of annual traditions that were all extremely memorable to be a part of. My absolute favorite was the May Dip. Every year on the night of May 1st, all of the students gather on one of the beaches near the school called East Sands. People make bonfires, play music, dance, and just have a good time while hanging out along the beach for a few hours. Then when the sun peaks up right along the shoreline, everyone runs into the water. (Keep in mind this is the North Sea at the crack of dawn. It’s freezing.) Supposedly if you participate in May Dip, all your “academic sins” from the semester will be cleansed and you will pass all your exams! Definitely a shock to the system, but it is by far my favorite memory from study abroad and something I will always remember.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Ask questions and say yes! If you’re unsure about anything, whether it has to do with travelling at an airport or train station, how the grading system works at your new school, or just where your dorm is, ask someone for help! People are there to assist you and most of the time are very friendly so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Also say yes to everything! I had a goal before I left for my study abroad to say yes to anyone that asked me to do something, whether that was to go check out a new café in town or plan a short trip to Ireland for the weekend. I found that doing this really helped me meet tons more people and have some really great experiences and memories. The semester goes by way way way too fast so make the most of every minute you’re there! 🙂

Memories