#StudyAbroadBecause... The World Becomes Your Classroom
Clara Dorfman is a senior majoring in philosophy and Italian at the University of Pittsburgh. She spent the summer of 2014 interning at Vatican Radio in Rome, and then the following school year studying at the University of Bologna. Before coming back to Pittsburgh this year for her final year of college, she returned to Rome for another internship, this time at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See. After graduation, Clara’s hoping to pursue a career in international journalism, with a focus on the roles of religion and civil rights in society.
Clara (right) in Venice with her sister
What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
I chose to go abroad because I was eager to experience life in a different part of the world; I chose Italy because I had long been drawn to the country and its culture. I first went to Rome as an au pair for the summer – which allowed me to live with a local family, in a relatively authentic and economical way. I chose to return to Rome, and later study in Bologna during my junior year in college, because during that first summer I quickly grew to love the Italian lifestyle and language, and I couldn’t wait to get back.
What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
My experience was challenging and fun and scary and exhilarating, all in one, as I learned to embrace and find a place for myself in another part of the world. One of my favorite memories is of the first solo trip I took – to Siena, where I stayed with pilgrims at a hostel along Italy’s thousand-year-old Via Francigena. Challenges during the school year included navigating a new educational system (where exams are almost all oral, not written) and learning to care for myself outside of my native culture, and without the safety net of my family nearby.
Along the Via Francigena, an Italian pilgrimage route, with a friend.
What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad?
I developed a love of independence and a confidence in my own abilities. I feel changed by my experiences abroad, yes; I don’t know quite how to answer this sort of question, though, because I feel certain that I would have grown and changed during another year in Pittsburgh, too. Nevertheless, what I probably value most from my year abroad is what I gained in knowledge of a foreign culture, and my ability to adapt in it.
Has your experience helped you get to where you are today?
Without that first summer in Rome, I don’t believe my interests would have headed in the direction they did throughout college. That is, I’m now interested in journalism, religion, and international affairs – three areas I had little knowledge of or dedicated interest in before I spent time in Italy.
What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?
I suggest learning (at least a bit of) the language of the country you’re interested in, before you go. This will allow you to immerse yourself better in the culture, in ways that are not always obvious. Being able to walk into a grocery store and address the clerk in Italian, for example, enabled me to connect with locals on a deeper level. Even when it was obvious that I was an American or I stumbled across my words, locals genuinely appreciated the effort – and would often teach me a little grammar or vocabulary on the spot! Additionally, if your interest is in the culture of a nation itself, then I strongly suggest going through a study abroad program – such as Indiana University’s Bologna Consortial Studies Program, which I used – that provides instruction in the native tongue, in local universities, with native speakers as your classmates. Speaking and hearing the language in the classroom can be invaluable to learning about the country.
Inside the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy
How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity?
I’ve both developed a greater appreciation for other cultures and grown proud of my heritage as an American throughout my experiences abroad. I like that I’ve learned to feel at ease, even at home, in a culture other than my native one – but at the same time I’ll be the first to admit that my home country will always be the most ‘comfortable’ place for me to live, in its own way!
#StudyAbroadBecause... You Deserve To See The World
Katarina Klett is a third-year chemical engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. At school, she works as a calculus tutor in the Math Assistance Center (MAC) and as a Peer Advisor for the Swanson School of Engineering. When not at the MAC or in the engineering building, she can be found in the Adipose Stem Cell Center, where Katarina worked as a Student Researcher since the summer following her freshman year. Outside of academics, she’s actively involved in Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians for Service (SEMFS) and EXCEL—a club that focuses on developing underrepresented students into leaders in the STEM fields. Read on about her study abroad experience in Germany!
What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
I have always loved to travel and have an innate drive to learn. Surrounding yourself with an entirely new environment places you in a position with no choice but to learn.
I chose to study abroad in Germany for two reasons. I had studied in Bavaria briefly after my first year in college and was in complete awe of the country. Never had I been to a place that was so well organized and breathtakingly beautiful. Secondly, I love research. Knowing that for even just one moment, I am the only person in the world that knows a piece of information is fascinating to me. Being able to conduct research in a country that continues to be a global leader in research was a dream that I had to make happen.
What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
My experience was nothing short of amazing. I worked with an incredible team of researchers to help develop a bioreactor that will mimic the environment of the human body to promote cardiomyocyte growth from stem cells. During my experience, I was also invited to attend a conference in Heidelberg, where I was able to network with hundreds of students also conducting research. I traveled every opportunity I had, exploring a new destination almost every weekend.
My favorite memory is the weekend that my close friends and I road-tripped to Amsterdam.Never have I found the saying “Life is about the journey, not the destination” so true.
I would say that my biggest challenge was diving head first into the world of cardiovascular tissue regeneration research. With a background in chemical engineering, the only exposure that I had to bioengineering was through my research at Pitt. While the research that I had already conducted provided a strong foundation, learning about an entirely new research project is always a challenge to conquer.
What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad?
Within the laboratory, I learned a plethora of new skills, ranging from technical skill sets to expanding my knowledge of the biology behind developing stem cells into cardiovascular tissue. I also developed strong personal skills, including adaptability and confidence.
My experience abroad has absolutely changed me. I am more adaptable and independent as a result of the vulnerability of a new place.
Has your experience helped you get to where you are today?
I strongly believe so. During my last few weeks abroad, I applied for an opportunity to work as a Process Engineering Co-op for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. After connecting with the recruiter about her experience living in Frankfurt, she kindly told me to expect an offer. I am happy to report that I did in fact receive the offer and have been employed since late September. The time that we both spent in Germany served as common ground for us to connect on and certainly removed the ‘edge’ of the interview process.
What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?
Plan in advance. I was fortunate to secure a scholarship from the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) to fund my study abroad experience, but I am confident that this was due significantly to how far in advance I began my application. If you spend the time researching abroad options beforehand, you will be impressed by the number of scholarship opportunities available to help make your experience happen. Many deadlines are months before you will ever set foot in another country, and a thorough application will take dedication as well. I can promise that the time investment will be well worth it in the end for both your wallet and your peace of mind.
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