Biography
Name: Meghan Crowley, Class of 2021
Email: mcrowley@tulane.edu
Program: IES Metropolitan and Urban Studies, Berlin, Germany, Fall 2019
Fields of Study: International Relations, German, Music
How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?
I learned more German language skills and got to take courses on political science from a German perspective, which both are useful to my major. I also gained more interest in cultural exchange and am now interested in a career in exchange and cultural diplomacy.
How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?
I love music, so I took advantage of lots of community concerts and concerts at the Berlin Philharmonic. It was fun to see how similar people acted at concerts, and to interact with people at the community concerts.
Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?
I really liked how independent I was able to be in Berlin. The city is really easy to navigate and the public transportation is very reliable, so I got more comfortable with going out by myself, sometimes just to take a walk in a nearby park. I also loved how many parks there were, and it was easy to feel like I wasn’t in a major city.
What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?
I think something that really helped me to prepare was looking at the area around my classes and my homestay. I had a few weeks to look up the different grocery stores and public transportation routes online before I got there, so I was more comfortable once I arrived in Berlin.
Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.
Choosing to live with a host family really helped me have more cultural immersion experiences. I would occasionally have meals or tea with my hosts. I got to practice my German with them, as well as learning more about Berlin daily life. It also helped me learn more about what foods Germans eat and the different ways they prepare dishes from in the US.
