Alessia Riley

Alessia's Education Abroad Experience

"I selected my education abroad program because of the location mainly. I have never been to Ireland before, so I knew this would be the best opportunity for me to go. I like traveling to places I have never been to for unforgettable experiences. I received the best experience by going with my Penn State Brandywine. Overall, the relatively low cost of this experience also made it attractive to me.

My favorite parts of the program were going to the Giant's Causeway, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and seeing all the green farmland while traveling. In addition, the animals were spectacular to see, and the food was delicious. I loved meeting new people, hearing the Irish accents, and learning about the different currencies. It was memorable to be surrounded by my other amazing fellow travelers and try so many new things in this country. Learning what kinds of food were offered and discovering some differences and similarities to the U.S. were great learning experiences. I loved hearing the music and how people gather with each other to have a wonderful time at night. Walking from place to place was great exercise during the day. The level of exploration I found in Ireland was unforgettable and I would go back to this amazing place if I had the opportunity again.

The most important lessons I took from my education abroad experience were: to never stop learning by retaining all new information that you hear. Go out and explore what you are curious about because you will discover something amazing. Take as many wonderful opportunities as possible. Always make sure you are staying with the people in your group.

My experience abroad might help me achieve my future goals and aspirations based on what I want to do in the future for my occupation. Even if it doesn't directly impact my future career, I will continue traveling to different places to have the best possible experiences. For me, I learn something new by going to a different place, and this allows me to think about ways I could possibly help people back at home.

Some advice I would share with other Penn State students who might consider education abroad is to think about all you have never seen before and have been wanting to see for a long time. If an opportunity presents itself to go to your dream country, then go for it. Though it may seem overwhelming to visit a distant place, once you set foot on the land, you will enjoy every minute of it. By exploring and making discoveries, you will open your mind to new possibilities or desires. Going to another country can be a rare experience for some, so I definitely recommend taking the chance. You will have such a great experience witnessing different foods, cultures, languages, music, etc. If you feel scared or apprehensive about travel abroad, talk to people you trust will support you through the whole process. Encouragement can lead to success, so having a great support system will aid in your decision to study abroad. If it's on your bucket list, I definitely suggest checking that location off your list!"