My academic pursuits have allowed me to fulfill this dream, and through Schreiner, I have had the chance to see countries like Guatemala and Italy and to return to my birth country. Last semester, I took my journey a step further and was accepted to study for four months in Geneva, Switzerland. Unfortunately, due to COVID, my work there was cut short, but I still had almost three months studying, traveling, and making memories in another country!
To say I was nervous when I first started my study abroad journey is an understatement. I had flown often before, but it was always with people that I knew, so my first solo trip filled me with apprehension. I was nervous that, being the introvert that I am, I wouldn't make friends. I was also scared about living with a host family and worried about my language classes. Being in a new place means facing unknown obstacles, being adaptable, and accepting change. Knowing that I had faced these challenges before, both in coming to America and when traveling back to Haiti, I knew that I could face them again. This realization helped ease my nervousness.
Despite my concerns, I was excited to go to Switzerland and knew that I would have a great time. It turns out I was right! I quickly made friends, settled into my classes nicely, and began exploring Nyon and Geneva (the towns I lived and studied in, respectively). I became especially close with two girls Kim and Andrea. Kim was a Zimbabwean student, while Andrea was originally from Mexico, so we all had many cross-cultural experiences to share. We had fun exploring Nyon's castles, finding the best places to eat in Geneva, and taking weekend trips to towns like Interlaken, Zurich, and Vevay.
