Emily Gladu's Spotlight
Emily Gladu
About Emily
Emily is a fourth-year student at Penn State University Park majoring in PR/Advertising and is pursuing a Business Certificate from Smeal College of Business. In May 2023, Emily studied abroad in Brno, Czech Republic through our Brno, Czech Republic: CzechMates program.
Continue reading to learn more about Emily's highlights of her time in Brno in her own words, how her experience abroad broadened her perspectives, the lessons she took away, and her advice for students interested in studying abroad!
Emily posing at Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest, Hungary
Scenic view of Prague Emily captured after climbing the St. Vitus Cathedral
Photo of a church in Prague taken by Emily
Scenic view of Budapest from a Prosecco boat tour Emily took at night
Photo Emily captured walking around the main square of Brno
Photo of the Hungary Parliament building Emily took while in BudapestÂ
Emily's Education Abroad Experience
"The Czechmates program allowed me to expand my mindset and step outside of my comfort zone inside and outside of the classroom. My two biggest passions are traveling and learning. Enrolling in a Mass Communications class like COMM 499 and studying globalization and the media helped prepare me for my future professional goals, including working internationally with others using different communication systems and practices. The cultural and language differences, class administration, lessons, content, and different traveling accommodations were just some aspects that helped me reach both my academic and personal goals. This program allowed me to grow in a multitude of ways, especially with the help of the program's administrator, Michael Elavsky.
Through this program, I have made lifelong relationships with my classmates as well as my professor, program leaders, and student aids. I participated in a Global Perspective course where our thinking was challenged by discussions regarding the various economic, political, cultural, & social layers amongst countries. With the information we were analyzing within the classroom, we had the opportunity to connect that knowledge through visits to countries like Krakow, Poland; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria. This program afforded visits to the Auschwitz concentration camps in Poland, the Hungarian Parliament Building in Hungary, & the United Nations Embassy in Austria.
The culture shock was my biggest surprise when studying abroad. Adapting to how others live in such different ways was something I needed time to adjust to. Coming home, I was surprised at how much I missed my time abroad and how I wanted to incorporate cultural differences into my daily life.
The most important lesson I learned is to be grateful for what I have and the opportunities I am faced with. During the entirety of my time abroad, I felt so grateful to be there and wanted others to experience the same amazing things I was seeing every day.
It is a scary jump, but it is worth it! It was the best decision I ever made.."