CHID Rome, Vienna, and Budapest: Legacies of Empires –
Power and Diversity.
Hello! Ciao! Bonjour! Hallo! Szia! Ahoj! My name is Lauren Michael. I am a student at the University of Washington. I am majoring in Global Studies and Minoring in Business Administration. During winter quarter my Junior year I studied abroad in Europe where I truly lived my best life. I participated in the CHID Rome, Vienna, and Budapest: Legacies of Empires – Power and Diversity. The program was directed by Ruggero Tardel with the assistance of Alison Kahn. Ruggero is one of the nicest and most intelligent individuals I will ever know. The program duration was from 01/03/2020 to 03/13/2020. During my study abroad experience, I traveled to Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Pre-departure
A statement describing your background and reasons for choosing this program or exchange, and the projected benefits of this experience to your course of study and long-term plans.
I have always loved to travel and see new places. I also have a passion for law, business, and helping people. Spring quarter this year has been very special to me because I have decided I want to pursue my dream of becoming an international business attorney. I recently met with my advisor seeking information on how I can do more with education during my next two years. She suggested I double major and consider studying abroad. I have always known I wanted to be able to travel the world and learn more about other cultures and see true diversity firsthand I just never really knew where to start. I think that being able to study abroad is one of the biggest opportunities in life that I do not want to pass up. After very careful and serious consideration I have decided to double major in Law, Economics, and Public Policy and Global Studies with a minor in Business. I truly believe this is the right path for me in life and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I chose this program because the countries and the courses could not be more perfect for me and my education. The courses that are offered in this program fit perfectly with my Global Studies Major. CHID 471A, B, and CHID 470 all will count for GST course credits. The countries are incredible because I am Hungarian, and I actually have family that lives in Hungary and the Czech Republic. Knowing I have family in these countries provides relief in the case of an emergency, for example, if I were to get hurt or sick and needed additional help that I could not get through the program. Being able to see parts of the world where my family is just making this program even more special.
I have communicated with my work; my employer is extremely understanding and more than willing to give me the three months off to be able to study abroad through this program. They have acknowledged that opportunities like this do not come around often so it’s important that I make every effort to go if I can. I have talked to the financial aid office and we have discussed how I can get additional aid and apply for scholarships to help me fund this program.
I understand that this purpose of this program is to provide the students with the opportunity to connect to historical events and ideas related to present-day issues. The program emphasizes on racism, discrimination against minorities, religious tolerance, ethnic and national identities, and diversities, and on the struggle for equal rights. I don’t see this trip as just a vacation but as a unique chance to study these topics in the countries that they apply most to.
I love learning about different cultures, diversity, history, and identities which are all topics offered in the three courses. Lastly, I know this program will be the most beneficial experience I could possibly have for my education.
What challenges did I face in choosing to study abroad? How did I overcome them?
The biggest challenge I faced when choosing to study abroad was financing my study abroad. I chose to study abroad for the winter quarter of 2020 and committed to the program because of the two grants I received. I was given enough grants to cover my study abroad program completely but due to miscommunication, I was informed that I will no longer be receiving the money from the grants for this school year. I overcame my financial challenge by submitting a request to the financial aid office for student loans to fund my study abroad fees. I also applied and received a UWB study abroad scholarship.
Catch my next blog for more!
Lauren Michael, Winter 2020
