Programs Abroad:
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Semester Abroad (SA): University of New South Wales, Australia
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Penn Global Seminars (PGS): Healthcare Systems, Travel to Chile
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Penn Global Seminars (PGS): Religious Studies, Travel to Spain
Ask me about...
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Keeping vegetarian or Kosher while abroad
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Joining student organizations at my abroad institution
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Re-learning the English language with Aussie terms and slang
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Trying to communicate in a foreign language for the first time outside of my Penn classroom
My Experience Abroad:
I spent fall 2018 at UNSW, where I took 2 courses for my major and 2 electives. I joined the UNSW ultimate frisbee team where I made friends with a bunch of Aussie students. I also joined the waterski and wakeboard society, where I got to try something new and outside of my comfort zone. In Australia, I had a lot more free time than at Penn which was really nice and allowed me to explore Sydney and travel some weekends. I also frequently went to Coogee Beach, just a 30-minute walk or quick run from uni!
I also took two PGS courses that didn't directly have much to do with my Psychology major -- a nursing class and a religious studies class. However, I found that the topics of the courses allowed me to apply my psych background to other fields of study and have a more interdisciplinary educational experience. Having no prior knowledge about the areas I was studying made the learning especially meaningful and interesting to me!
Other Highlights:
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Hiking alongside wombats and wallabies in Tasmania
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Supporting the Sydney Roosters rugby team as they went on to win the NRL title
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Traveling to New Zealand, Thailand, and Hong Kong after my exams ended
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Celebrating New Years the Chilean way with fireworks over the Pacific Ocean
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Climbing the tallest mountain in Santiago, Chile (and overcoming my fear of heights)
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Going on a wine tour in Chile with my class
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Going to the Spanish royal gardens and seeing some amazing plants, trees, and flowers
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Becoming close friends with people in my PGS classes
