My time abroad significantly impacted on the way that I approach contemporary issues and my future career goals.

I was sort of tossed into the deep end, speaking French phrases from the moment I arrived in Brussels - probably horribly mispronouncing words - and learning how to navigate the bus and metro system, often comparing it to CATA at MSU. I enjoyed navigating a new city and cities as we travelled on the weekends, broadening my perspective and exposing myself to different ways of living and moving.

I most enjoyed our site visits to different European and international institutions like the European Parliament, NATO, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. It was so insightful to hear firsthand from government workers who interacted with prominent global actors daily. I was able to escape the American-centric perspective and view politics and simply how humans interact from a more global narrative.

I learned more about the topics I was interested in and the potential career paths that align with those interests, reinvigorating my motivation for applying for masters’ programs once I got back to the States. The whole experience undoubtedly broadened my scope of knowledge, exposing myself to global actors I didn’t even consider or attach importance to.

I enjoyed being taught, in part, by a non-American professor and someone with experience in international diplomacy and policy, hearing the realities of working in politics while inviting optimism for how we can contribute to the future. Being in a small classroom and being exposed to different places and settings quickly increased my confidence in speaking up in class and providing perhaps controversial solutions to contemporary issues, simply encouraging me to brainstorm in whatever capacity that meant.

Although ironic, I was able to learn more about opportunities at MSU while abroad such as a human rights lab led through James Madison that I will be joining this Fall. I learned from other students in the program about research opportunities and internships they’ve found as well as discovered how others will be applying their degrees post-grad.

Overall, the program gave me more direction and assurance of what I want to pursue after leaving MSU and into a professional career, increasing my self-confidence as well as my access to numerous sources for advice and guidance in the future. I think that is what makes a great study abroad: its ability to transcend the relevance, experience, and knowledge it provides during the program into campus life and beyond.

• Name: Riley Gailey
• Status: Senior
• Majors: International and Global Studies; Sociology
• Hometown: Williamston, Michigan
• Program: International Relations in Brussels