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Meet Caleb Watson

A student, Caleb, in a park with Prague's rooftops in the background

Program and Location:A group of students in front of St. Vitus Cathedral

Summer, FYI in Prague; Prague, Czech Republic

Major/Minor:

Major in Biomedical Engineering with a Double Minor in Tissue Engineering and Genetics

Why did you choose to study abroad? A flower with a church in the background

I chose to study abroad because I had never been out of the United States prior to this trip. Additionally, I wanted to meet new people and start my freshman year of college with a strong group of friends.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that I can handle myself well in new and pressing situations, which is why I was able to navigate Prague easily and without fear. I also learned that I can interact well with strangers, which is why I was able to work together with my classmates and communicate with the locals.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?Český Krumlov

One of my favorite parts of the FYI in Prague program was being able to tour Prague, explore its castles, and learn more about its history. Being exposed to a completely different culture was life-changing, and it opened my eyes to new people and ideas.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

DO IT! Studying abroad is an amazing experience, and it’s so much fun! You will meet so many new people, make lifelong friends, and learn awesome things both in and out of the classroom.

 

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?Chimney cake with ice-cream in it

Since the FYI in Prague program is only 2 weeks, I took one 3-credit hour class (Intro to International Studies). I went to this class for 3 to 6 hours each day, which is much longer than my classes here at NC State. However, we took several field trips / excursions during times when we would normally have class, and these trips helped me to understand more of what we were learning during regular class time.

Would you do it again?

Definitely! I can’t wait to study abroad again!

This post was originally published in Study Abroad.