MICHAEL PHAN
Major: Finance & Economics
Host: Berlin School of Economics & Law
Location: Berlin, Germany
Program Type: Winter
Why do you think other students should consider studying abroad?
I think that other students should consider studying abroad because it gave me new experiences that cannot be learned inside of a classroom. It is one thing to learn about cultural differences or life in another country at school, but it is completely different to actually experience interacting with people from across the world and navigating through a foreign country. Throughout my two weeks abroad, I learned not only so much about myself, but also about different cultures and beliefs.
Why did you choose to study abroad in Germany?
The primary reason that I chose to study abroad in Germany was because it was the only program at a WSU partner institution related to my major that had a winter session going on. I considered other programs through AIFS or World Strides, but they were generally more expensive and would likely feature larger class sizes. I also became interested in the BSEL program after reading more about it on their website, and I liked how the program not only featured classroom learning, but also cultural learning and visits to landmarks in Berlin. Additionally, Germany, and in particular Berlin, was an attractive destination to travel to because of how many residents there speak English and how diverse the city is.
How do you think the program will benefit you in your future career?
I think that the program will benefit me in my future career, as it gave me not only knowledge that can relate to my degree, but also experience completely outside of my comfort zone. Putting myself in an environment where I am totally uncomfortable will help me face unpredictability in the future. Additionally, being able to network with people of my age from across the globe will help me vastly in the future. I think that wherever I travel in the future, there will always be someone close by that I met at this study abroad that I can reconnect to.