Meet Anastasia Ratti

Program and Location:

NC State European Center; Prague, Czech Republic

Why did you choose to study abroad?

It was required by my major.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learned my capabilities. I learned that I am capable of anything that I set my mind to. Whether it is navigating a new public transportation system in every city, making relationships with other, or being sure of myself. Studying Abroad gave me the confidence that I would never have had without it.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?

I loved having the ability to travel to a new city, a new country, every weekend and learn and immerse myself in the culture there.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

Budget your money and prioritize your purchases. Don’t let money be the reason why you miss out on once in a lifetime experiences.

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?

It taught me better communication skills and it has opened me up to so many new experiences and ways of thinking. It gave me a different perspective on the world which I can already tell is aiding in my thoughts of the next two college semesters, internship, and life afterward.

How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at NC State? Did you take any field trips or do anything outside of the traditional classroom?

My classes abroad gave me different perspectives on issues. The ideals of Americans are completely different from those of Czechs. This was clear when I took Contemporary Moral Issues and well as Czech Language and Culture. Both classes looked at perspectives of Americans as well as Europeans. Classes were also a lot smaller so I was able to build relationships with the professors. I could tell that they really cared about us, their students, which was awesome.

Would you do it again?

In a heartbeat.

This post was originally published in Study Abroad.