I chose to study away in Abu Dhabi for my sophomore spring semester because many upperclassmen highly recommended the experience. Having previously visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a child, I wanted to immerse myself in a cultural environment again. This semester abroad was transformative, allowing me to:
Engage in unique experiences: Go-karting at the F1 track, desert safari, visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Dubai Miracle Garden, camel riding, and exploring cultural hotspots.
Live like a local: Study alongside local students, experience their cultural celebrations, and fully integrate into the Abu Dhabi lifestyle.
Social Growth
Cultural Growth
Academic Growth
Campus LIfe
Social Growth
Stepped out of my comfort zone to meet new people, tracking where I met them and our conversations.
Initially struggled to find a fitting social circle as groups often formed based on religion, race, or major.
Eventually found a close-knit group of international students, bonding over shared yet diverse experiences.
The campus environment fostered a stronger sense of community compared to NYU New York, making it easier to maintain a large friend group.
Cultural Growth
Experienced the UAE’s warm hospitality and deepened my appreciation for its culture.
Visiting the Grand Mosque – Inspired a renewed dedication to my own faith and participation in Bible studies.
Wearing an abaya – Adopted the modest, elegant attire commonly worn by students.
Experiencing Ramadan – Engaged in campus events, enjoyed traditional cuisine, respected fasting customs, and even participated in cooking local food.
Academic Growth + Recreational Activities
Faced the most academically challenging semester with Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra.
Developed resilience through self-study, tutoring, and reaching out to professors & TAs for help.
Attended career fair, which was personable, had shorter lines, and more opportunities to speak with recruiters.
Hosted Thrift Store Sustainability Event as part of my entrepreneurship class project in the school.
Discovered productive study spaces across campus, including:
The library’s bright, modern design. It was almost like a space instillation.
The library café, which resembled a co-working space at Google.
The marketplace cafeteria, with its relaxed, jazz-infused atmosphere.
Balanced academics with recreational activities:
Took contemporary dance PE, women’s Pilates, boxing classes, and regularly worked out at the gym.
Participated in performing in one of their home football games in the Campus Falcon Field.
Connection to UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4: Quality Education – Smaller class sizes fostered personalized learning and close professor-student interactions. I also engaged with students who studied a lot in the library and attended their research showcases.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Gained insights into the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and economic growth strategies.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Witnessed government partnerships with NYU Abu Dhabi, offering scholarships and educational opportunities to their local students. Many receive full-ride or partial-aid. NYUAD Students are also required to take J-terms abroad, which speaks to how much the government values different cultural immersions and integration.
I chose to study abroad in Paris to immerse myself in a city where history, culture, and modern life intersect so seamlessly. Having previously spent time in global cities, I wanted an experience that would challenge me intellectually while allowing me to live within a deeply rooted cultural environment. This semester in Paris was formative, allowing me to:
Engage in culturally immersive experiences: Exploring world-class museums and exhibitions, attending fashion and design events, discovering historic neighborhoods, and experiencing Paris through its food, architecture, and daily rituals.
Live like a local: Studying alongside local and international students, navigating the city independently, learning French and its culture, adopting Parisian routines, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the pace, values, and social dynamics of life in Paris.
Social Growth
Cultural Growth
Academic Growth
Campus LIfe
Social Growth
Adapted to living and communicating in a new language and cultural environment, becoming more confident in unfamiliar social settings
Built meaningful friendships through shared travel experiences and daily life abroad
Strengthened communication skills by navigating language barriers and cultural differences
Learned to balance time and emotional energy between friends abroad, family back home, and my partner
Developed more independence, self-awareness, and emotional maturity
Cultural Growth
Regularly visited museums and historical landmarks, deepening my appreciation for European history and art
Engaged with local culture through food, trying traditional French dishes and regional cuisine
Practiced French daily through greetings, ordering food, and interacting with locals
Studied the linguistic landscape of Europe and how history shapes language and culture
Traveled across multiple European countries, gaining a comparative cultural perspective (Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Lyon, Versailles, Marseilles, Florence, Rome, Portugal, London)
Academic Growth + Recreational Activities
Completed coursework in French language, the Language of Paris seminar, and Data Management & Analysis
Improved language proficiency and confidence in academic discussions conducted in a non-native language
Connected French with Spanish and Indonesian, identifying shared vocabulary and linguistic structures
Explored how language reflects cultural exchange, history, and global influence
Founded En Lumière Film Club and Club Très Chic, creating student-led creative communities
Designed promotional materials and organized events, screenings, and meetings
Managed club budgets, logistics, and event planning responsibilities
Proactively sought volunteering opportunities during fashion week
Attended fashion shows and networking events to engage with the creative industry
Participated in yoga classes to maintain physical and mental well-being
Connection to UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4: Quality Education – Small, discussion-based classes in Paris fostered close professor-student interaction and experiential learning that extended beyond the classroom into museums, language practice, and the city itself. Real-world application of French alongside interdisciplinary coursework deepened both academic engagement and cultural understanding.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Exposure to Paris’s creative economy (through fashion week, cultural industries, and local businesses) highlighted how culture-driven sectors contribute to sustainable economic growth. Networking, volunteering, and independent outreach provided firsthand insight into professional norms within an international labor market.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The study-abroad program reflected strong international academic partnerships that prioritize cultural exchange and global mobility. Collaboration between universities, cultural institutions, and students from diverse backgrounds reinforced the value of cross-border cooperation in education.
SWE'23
SWE'24
Attended the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference with organization-sponsored funding.
First experience at a large-scale professional conference, gaining valuable industry exposure.
Engaged with recruiters and explored opportunities at various companies.
Attended insightful panels on resume building and interview strategies, enhancing my professional development.
Attending my first SWE Conference was a pivotal step in my professional development. Being immersed in a large-scale engineering setting helped me build confidence in networking, speak with recruiters, and understand how different companies approach technical innovation. The resume and interview panels gave me practical tools to refine my professional presence, and the experience overall expanded my perspective on the range of roles women engineers can pursue.
Attended SWE’24 in Chicago, supported by the GLASS Honors Program, marking my second SWE conference after last year’s in LA.
Gained insights into real-world engineering applications, including:
3D modeling for capacity forecasting and predictive solutions in facility planning.
COVID’s impact on client travel requirements and business operations.
Engaged in discussions with engineers, consultants, and product managers, seeing how technical expertise converges across business functions.
Connected with professionals from companies like Accenture, Bose Technology, S&C Electric, Eaton, Caterpillar, Volvo, Fortune Brands, Walmart, Yamaha Marine, and Rockwell Automation.
Notable connections included Kelly McConnell (Industry X Consultant, Accenture) and Jana Chalak (Program Manager, Bose Technology).
Returning to SWE for a second year allowed me to approach the conference with greater clarity and purpose. Engaging with engineers, consultants, and product managers deepened my understanding of how technical skills translate into real-world impact across industries. Conversations about 3D modeling, capacity forecasting, and post-COVID operations broadened my view of engineering’s connection to strategy and business. Building meaningful connections with professionals reinforced my growing confidence in navigating industry environments and strengthened my motivation to pursue interdisciplinary, innovation-driven career paths.
Connection to UN Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4: Quality Education – Expanded my understanding of engineering applications in predictive modeling, facility planning, and business operations, bridging classroom concepts with industry practices.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure – Explored emerging technologies and their role in optimizing systems, sustainability, and global supply chains.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Built connections with professionals from Accenture, Bose, Caterpillar, Volvo, and Walmart, exchanging insights on cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.