Beyond the classroom: perspectives on long-term study abroad

Once in Thailand, Draginoff was struck by how welcoming and accessible the city was, despite his initial nervousness about language and navigation.

“The biggest surprise was how much easier it was to get around than I initially thought,” he said. English-speaking locals, the support of the USAC cohort and a Thai student organization at Chiang Mai University helped him quickly adapt and connect with the local community.

Draginoff marveled at the cultural contrasts between Thailand and home: the city’s relaxed pace, the “go-with-the-flow” attitude and the local cost of living, which allowed him to enjoy amazing dishes for only a few dollars. For Draginoff, long-term study abroad allowed him to move past being a tourist and delve deeper into the Thai culture and lifestyle. With diverse professors, he learned firsthand how international perspectives could enrich his outlook on global business.

Draginoff’s time abroad extended far beyond academics. He developed close friendships with other USAC students, leading to post-study reunions and trips to the U.S., while forging a deep connection to Thai culture and values. Back home, this global exposure and newfound confidence influenced his path to a full-time position at Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia, where his passion for travel and cultural curiosity now fuels his career.

Reflecting on his time in Chiang Mai, Draginoff said that long-term study abroad gives students a fuller, more balanced experience, allowing them the time to settle in, face the initial discomfort and grow beyond it. His time in Thailand, he said, expanded his worldview and gave him “a new sense of independence and a global community.” These two qualities will now shape his professional path and inspire future travel plans.

“It showed me I can do anything I put my mind to,” he said, as he adapted to being on the other side of the globe from family and friends, all while adjusting to cultural differences and building new routines. 

“I heard about the ICP, I was sort of interested, and then I read a little bit more about it and really fell in love with the idea of being able to go over to Germany and be able to work, engage in the culture and have an experience that’s unlike anything else that you can get here in the U.S.,” Boller said.

Each day brought a new rhythm. Boller’s morning began with a 20-minute walk to the train, followed by a short commute to the office. Once there, his workday consisted of a blend of technical tasks and creative problem-solving, ranging from prototyping to testing different designs to programming day and night cycles for a microgravity plant growing experiment.

This setup was complemented by a unique and friendly team culture, where each week, one employee would cook a meal for everyone. That weekly get-together gave Boller to chance to introduce his mother’s cheeseburger casserole (adjusted to a cheesy potato casserole for vegetarian colleagues) and French toast, which was a big hit.

“It was a really nice thing, even though we were all super busy, we found an hour out of the day to all share a meal together once a week,” Boller said. “My team brought international values as well as familial values.”

Working abroad gave Boller not only practical engineering experience but also a rare chance to deeply engage with German engineering, which is renowned for its meticulous standards. Boller’s colleague, a young, knowledgeable design engineer, shared valuable insights, making Boller’s experience a well-rounded one, technically and culturally.

“It’s just a matter of engaging with a different culture and understanding something that’s outside of what we are taught in the classroom,” Boller said.

Outside of his co-op, Boller took full advantage of Europe’s easy and affordable travel options. Over his six months in Germany, Boller visited 13 countries, from Italy and Spain to Slovenia and Hungary to many more. During his final two weeks on the continent, Boller backpacked through Europe, mingling in hostels with travelers from all over the world.

When asked about the lasting impact of his co-op, Boller reflected on how living and working in Germany had expanded his adaptability and cultural awareness. He hopes to carry these insights forward, either in international roles or within globally minded teams, believing that his journey abroad has laid the foundation for a career that connects cultural and technical boundaries.

“This experience has developed a skill set where I’m much more culturally versed than I was prior to the experience,” Boller said. “It’s also opened my eyes to different places, I got to sample places that I might want to go back to in terms of living or traveling.” 

Saki Nakamura and Sophia Hassel, both fifth-year interior design students, took separate paths for their exchange programs, Nakamura to Milan, Italy, and Hassel to Delft, Netherlands. Although they were geographically separated, their shared experiences, mutual support and reunions in different European cities strengthened their bond, keeping their friendship flourishing.

Nakamura’s decision to study in Milan came from a desire to immerse herself in a unique, design-centered city, one that differed from her DAAP classmates’ popular choice of Florence.

“I enjoy being different from my classmates and trying something different than other people. Going to Milan alone was a whole different experience. I met so many cool international designers and engaged with other international perspectives,” Nakamura said.

Hassel’s choice of Delft connected to her background in architecture and her close ties to the Netherlands, as her boyfriend is from there.

“I knew I wanted that one spot,” Hassel said, who had to compete for very limited spots in her Netherlands exchange program. 

Nakamura recalls how they both embraced spontaneous, low-pressure plans. A joint trip to Norway, complete with memorable salmon dishes and snowy landscapes, become one of their favorite memories.

“The memories we made together are something I’ll cherish forever,” Nakamura said. “We experienced new places, food and cultures with the same excitement and that strengthened our friendship.”

From vying for limited spots in their respective exchange programs to offering constructive critiques of each other’s work, the pair has thrived on healthy competition and mutual encouragement. Living together before and after their study abroad experiences has also deepened this bond, providing a supportive environment where each can openly express their passion for design and life.

“Study abroad made our friendship even better,” Hassel said. "We were already close but after sharing this experience, I felt an even stronger bond, knowing she understood my journey.”