Feaven studied abroad on CGIS's Summer Study in Copenhagen and Denmark program in Spring/Summer 2022. She also applied for and received the Mark and Myra Sorensen International Travel Scholarship to support herself abroad. This content has been reposted from the International Center with permission.
The Mark and Myra Sorensen International Travel Scholarship provided me with the opportunity to travel abroad and live and learn in both Stockholm, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark! I spent my summer taking 3 different classes - Public Mental Health, African American Expats, and Public Health Policy in Practice.
I always knew that I wanted to broaden my horizons in college and studying abroad provided me with the opportunity to do just that! The experience was something new and amazing, and a time that I’ll never forget. The atmosphere was welcoming and caring; I found myself exploring new parts of these cities each and every day, which took my learning to the next level. The lessons in the classroom were centered around what the students wanted to learn. This allowed me to truly find my passion for Public Health, especially centered around mental health advocacy and working with immigrant and refugee populations. Each week, we took trips to places such as castles, museums, healthcare facilities, immigrant and refugee centers, cafes, and restaurants, to not only apply our learning in a real life context, but also to immerse ourselves into the culture and history of the countries we were living in.
This was a summer in which I not only learned things in the classroom, but also built skills and learned lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life. I've grown a new appreciation for independence, and built confidence to go to new places all on my own, and enjoy the time by myself. I've started to take more walks to clear my head, and write journals and blogs to help get my feelings out of my system. I'm also now a lover of discovering new places and appreciating the beauty of nature. As I was leaving Sweden, I realized how I had overcome many obstacles, how I did so many things this summer all on my own, and how much I admire the person I've become. This opportunity has impacted my life in the best way possible, and I hope to travel the world even more in the future!
