Reid, Will

Will Reid

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to experience a new place and grow as a person. I knew I wanted to go to England, but London seemed a bit too big. Bristol was ranked best place to live in England, and had a good program for my major. It certainly lived up to both of those expectations.

What did you learn about yourself?
That's a hard question to answer. I feel like I achieved my personal growth goals, but I also haven't tested myself back at school yet so I'm still not exactly sure how my experience will manifest in an environment I'm familiar with.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my highlights was when I took a trip to Manchester with some of my flatmates, a few of which were from the UK. Because of those relationships, I was able to experience some unique things while on that trip, which was really special for me.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Say yes. Doing things outside of your comfort zone, with people you are unfamiliar can really help you grow, and give you lots of unique experiences along the way.

Would you do it again?
Absolutely.

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?
I was fortunate to participate in a mock engagement with the London office of the Boston Consulting Group. This helped me work towards some of my career goals, and was an experience that does not exist back home.

How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at UNC?
One big positive for me about studying abroad was that Bristol has several classes in my major that UNC does not offer. One example of this is that I was able to take of behavioural economics with a leading professor in the subject, and get exposed to a rapidly developing field.

Memories