This is going to sound like some cheesy university sponsored post. But, cross my heart, it's just my honest opinion. So, without further adieu, let's jump into it.
I'm a fourth year student at Northeastern, and no, that does not mean I'm a senior. I'm a 4th year business student with a dual concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship. This school has given me unparalleled opportunities. It's given me experiences I didn't even know could exist. I'm going to break down my experience so far to better explain what I mean.
Study Abroad
I am so incredibly lucky to have studied abroad twice. My freshman year I was a part of the NUin program. This is basically a freshman study abroad program. I spent my very first semester of college in Dublin, Ireland. Sure, it was absolutely terrifying going from a small suburban town to a whole new country, but I would not have it any other way. Dublin has a place in my heart forever, and I'm trying to go back in the near future. I was able to travel around Ireland via school-sponsored trips. We went to:
- Galway
- Aran Islands
- Northern Ireland
- Belfast
- Derry/Londonderry
- Cork
- Kilkenny
And on top of all that, I was able to travel around Europe with some of my closest friends. We went to a bunch of places on our own, including:
- London
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Prague
- Munich
After a year in Boston, I decided it was time to try a new destination. This time, I would be traveling to Singapore for another study abroad. I went during the fall semester of my third year. Singapore was a whole different experience. Asia is it's own world. I learned to deal with different people, I traveled to places with language barriers, and I saw the world, but differently this time. In addition to exploring Singapore, my friends and I went to these places:
- Thailand
- Koh Phi Phi
- Chiang Mai
- Bangkok
- Bali
- The Gili Islands
- Shanghai
- Hong Kong
- Myanmar
And there are still so many places I need to go back and visit! Cambodia, Vietnam, and Japan are at the top of my list.
Studying abroad isn't just about the amazing trips you get to take, it's also about the people you meet. I've met some of my best friends abroad. And I have connections around the world. There's always someone to reach out to. You meet the most peculiar characters abroad. And you meet those who you learn to deal with along the way. If I did not study abroad, I would not be the person I am today.
Co-op
Every single Northeastern Student has a co-op. It's probably the only reason people go here, if I'm being honest. Co-op, short for cooperative education, is a 6 month internship that every student must do to graduate. For business majors, most students complete 2 or 3 by the time they graduate. I'm doing 3 co-ops and graduating in 5 years. Co-op gives you that advantage over others when applying to jobs. It also helps you learn what you love doing, and what you hate doing. It's a good way to try out your intended career path before it's too late and you are stuck there.
Co-op for me has been an opportunity to live in different places and try different things. I did social media marketing in Boston. Turns out the insurance industry is not for me. I worked on a 5-person tech startup team in NYC. Not sure if that was for me either, but I absolutely LOVE living and working in NYC. And this January, I am moving to Palo Alto to work at a software company. I'm so excited for this new chapter!
The Environment
I think Boston is the perfect place to go to college. The whole city is comprised of college students. Everyone here is here for the same goal - academics. It gives a nice backdrop to your experience. Boston itself is a great city and there's always something to do. It's not too large and overwhelming, but it is also never boring.
Northeastern is also extremely motivating. The people who go here want to accomplish something. Everyone is driven, passionate, and here with a goal. You come here to work hard, get the career you want, and have some fun along the way. Surrounding yourself with other motivated people makes you a better person.
I really don't have much else to add other than that. Sometimes I crave that traditional college experience - football games, huge frat parties, and long summers off. But at the end of the day, the opportunities I've had are far more spectacular than a tailgate party. I wouldn't give this experience up for anything.