An opportunity you'll never forget
So, what’s the importance of studying abroad, you might ask? Studying abroad exposes you to an entirely different world of opportunities. You are able to engage in new cultural activities and broaden your perspectives on how people live, work, and study around the world. Students who study abroad come back with new found independence, career interests, and valuable leadership skills.
Student Spotlight: Zakiyah Dillard
Major: Communication
Career Goal: Attorney
Zakiyah Dillard studied abroad at the University of Birmingham in England. She learned about this opportunity from one of her peers and her advisor at the time. Utilizing the resources around her helped her find a place that she was interested in and wanted to explore. Zakiyah says there was “an apparent cultural difference that (she) wanted to learn more about.” She felt she would be comfortable in England to dive into learning more about the rich culture she was going to be exposed to.
Zakiyah knew while studying abroad she needed to have an open mind and step outside of her comfort zone. When traveling to a different country there are many things that you have not tried yet, so being open to tasting new foods, going on new adventures, and even visiting new places will make your adventure worthwhile. She also said you will want to take risks, because it will help you grow. You never know, you might end up liking something you never thought you would have.
Zakiyah said this opportunity has impacted her both professionally and personally. It gives her an opportunity to show “employers and graduate schools that (she) can communicate with different demographics.” When experiencing new countries, you can discover you have more in common with others than you may have initially realized. Having cultural awareness makes you more aware of the people around you and see what they believe and value in life. Zakiyah wants to “continue to see the world and all it has to offer” because of this opportunity.
Because every country has a different schooling system, I asked Zakiyah about the differences in classes over in London. She said the “courses were graded on a different scale, there was no homework, and all of the lectures were recorded.” So if you wanted to go back and watch something or if you missed class that day, you could go back and catch up. She mentioned a possible cultural difference is the fact that “the professors did not seem as available as professors at Illinois.” The professors there really challenge you to figure it out on your own first and think critically about the work you were assigned.
Most of the experiences that Zakiyah enjoyed while at the University of Birmingham in England were traveling and befriending local UK students. She was able to do a lot of traveling throughout Europe because of her location. It was really important that she attended different events, so she could immerse herself in the culture and learn about the cultural differences in the UK.
Some advice she would give to someone who is trying to study abroad is to avoid any “preconceived notions” about the country. You should “go in with an open mind, explore what the world has to offer, and learn from the locals in the community. It will be an experience that one will never forget.”
Application deadline for the summer, fall, and academic year study abroad opportunities is Saturday, Feb. 15.
Learn more about study, research, and internship abroad opportunities by taking advantage of LAS International Programs walk-in advising from 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Life + Career Design Lab in 2040 Lincoln Hall. Or make an appointment to speak with an advisor about your study abroad plans.
LAS students applying to study abroad are encouraged to apply for the LAS Abroad Scholarship and the Illinois for Illinois (I4I) Scholarship. The deadline to apply is Saturday, Feb. 15. More information about funding and scholarships for study abroad can be found on the website.