Dobrý den (Good day)! My name is Krystal, and I am 21 years old and from Houston, Texas. At home, I loved spending time with friends, exploring downtown Houston, and taking trips to Galveston to walk along the beach and enjoy the ocean.
For college, I traded the Texas heat for Minnesota's much colder winters to study Psychology and Neuroscience at Carleton College. I am interested in understanding how our brains and emotions respond to difficult or stressful experiences. I currently work in a Health Psychology Research Lab where we study intrusive memories (unwanted memories that can suddenly pop into someone's mind after a stressful or traumatic experience) and ways to better understand or prevent them.
I have always wanted to learn more about psychology while also experiencing a culture different from my own, but for a long time I wasn't sure whether studying abroad would be financially possible. With support from my college and the Gilman International Scholarship Program, I was able to make that dream a reality and study in the Czech Republic.
While I am here, I will be learning about psychopathology (the study of mental health conditions) from a new perspective. I am also excited to explore Czech art and architecture, learn more about the country's history and culture, and challenge myself to try new things like hiking, exploring caves, and new foods. I can't wait to share what I learn, the places I visit, and all of the unexpected moments that come with living in a new country with you!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
