Study Abroad as an Introvert

Written by: Belinda Lee

I am a self-proclaimed introvert who enjoys traveling internationally. My strong personal preference for peace and solitude helped me understand myself more when I study abroad in Alnwick, England. One misconception about studying abroad is that only extroverted students participate. Or that studying abroad is for white students from financially supported backgrounds. It is not always the case. When you go abroad, you will meet other international students and connect with domestic students. You will engage in community events, talk about yourself during ice breakers (shivers), and participate in group discussions (double shivers). This is all part of the study abroad experience (Yay, me!).

Students who study abroad are not split between extroverts and introverts. They move between the extroverted/introverted spectrum throughout the course of their study abroad program. Some students may pace themselves on one side, while others might move from one side of the spectrum to the other. On the Alnwick-England program, we all built different relationships with one another. By the third week in, we fell into a routine and surrounded ourselves with individuals whose company we enjoy. When we go out as a group, I knew when I have had enough time socializing and want to return back to the castle. It is about creating and establishing a balanced social and self-care network.

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Engineering Internship in China

By: Casey Sanders

My name is Casey Sanders and I spent this summer in Shanghai, China as an application engineer intern at Emerson (Branson Ultrasonics) as a part of the COSE Internship SCSU offers. This experience was life changing for me, both personally and professionally. I am writing this blog post to share how I prepared beforehand and how I was able to make the most of my experience!

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1 – Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China
中国,上海,上海中心大厦

Professional Experience

We live in an international economy, there is no escaping this fact! If you know how to effectively collaborate across time zones you are a greater asset anywhere you go.

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