Denmark and Sweden: Joanna Soto
Program: DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia, Summer
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
A challenge I faced while abroad was knowing how to advocate for myself. It can be easy to shy away from meeting new people and undergoing new experiences in a new environment. I worked through it by being my authentic self and establishing a positive mentality to allow myself to meet others. By putting myself out there, I was able to create genuine connections and create even more memorable experiences.
You will make friendships that will last a lifetime. In my study abroad program, I made friends I am eager to visit during the school breaks of the year.
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it effect your future career or studies?
What I learned from myself was how I love to be curious. Having the opportunity to talk to actual professionals in my courses of human trafficking and prostitution and the sex trade opened my possibilities for what I can pursue in the future. It created this reassurance and confidence that I can accomplish what I set my mind to and potentially find the job that fulfills my passions.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
Any advice I would give to anyone considering the DIS or any other program is to just apply. It does not hurt to give yourself the opportunity to potentially be selected as a participant. Once abroad, I guarantee you will not regret it! The skies, cliffs, sunsets, and nightfalls you see will make it all worth it. Not only that but you will make friendships that will last a lifetime.