Develop a more holistic understanding of another culture by participating in the everyday practices that define it. See how people in other societies live and make meaning in our increasingly global world. See how people in other cultures translate local history and shape their current world. Take your anthropology studies abroad and you can study the socio-economic impact of tourism on indigenous communities in Chile, hone your ethnographic skills in remote regions of the Solomon Islands, and discover the symbolic meanings of artifacts held in museum collections around the world.
I can confidently say that this experience was invaluable for helping me realize my career goals in ways I could not have imagined. As someone pursuing a career as a museum professional, I knew that London and Paris would have a lot to offer. What I did not expect was the sheer volume and diversity of museums in either city. Of course I looked forward to the British Museum and the Louvre, but exploring lesser known museums allowed me to consider all the different purposes museums serve and how their presentation, content, and visitor engagement can reflect those purposes. My definition of what museums can or should be has dramatically expanded in a way that I am eager to explore.
Beyond the technical skills I developed and the insights I gained, the clarity I found through my internship experience has been invaluable and indescribably impactful.
UCEAP gave me the opportunity to broaden my mind in a way that could only be achieved by living abroad. My time in Germany reinforced my intention of attending graduate school in Germany. I have a good understanding of Germany culture, language, and the education system. Additionally, I have gained new perspectives from being amongst locals in Berlin and international students in my program. I will bring these new understandings back to my home university and apply them in my classes.
