For the second part of my capstone project, I completed my application for my six month study abroad in Paderborn, Germany. Completing the application was relatively easy except for the cover letter explaining what I wanted to do and why.
I talked to the study abroad advisory for the trip, Dr. Smith, about what exactly will be expected of me while in Paderborn…
- I will have assignments every month that need to be submitted online by certain due dates. Since this trip is technically a “self-study”, I will get to chose what types of assignments I submit and what the topics will be. For example, I could write an essay about the difference between the social impact of club sports in Germany and those in America.
- I will be one of three teaching assistants who are in charge of holding English tutoring sessions and are required to run the “English Club”.
- One of the most important things that Dr. Smith stressed was that I should be having fun, traveling, and that I should not be stressing about looming due dates and assignments.
When asked about the possibilities of intercultural interaction while on this trip, Dr.Smith explained to me that they were inevitable and actually required.
- While attending classes at the University, I will sharing classes with not only Germans, but international students from all over the world.
- Thirty hours of community engagement are required every semester for the program. This can be something as simple as helping a friend improve their English to having an American themed booth at the local Christmas market.
Taking part in this program will equip me with intercultural skills that are close to impossible to gain without spending time abroad. Employers tend to favor job candidates who have studied abroad over those who have never left their home town, so this program will give me a leg up on the competition when I begin applying for jobs.
Laura The Explora 