Coming back from winter break means a new semester, filled with new classes, new faces, and new activities. Yet not all Harvard students choose to return to campus, after winter or summer break—often opting out of on campus classes to fulfill their concentrations, secondaries, or for more personal reasons. Keep reading to meet some students who chose to leave Cambridge this spring and venture out on their own New Beginnings.
Caroline Allen ’24
Allen has chosen to spend her Spring semester in Tanzania at an International field study program for undergraduate students. She is taking part in a focused program for wildlife conservation to fulfill her Integrative Biology concentration. “Tanzania has some of the best wildlife in the entire world. Once I discovered the opportunity, there was no way I could turn it down,” Allen stated.
Allen chose to study abroad because she enjoys traveling and loves to live in and explore the outdoors. “I took a gap year before coming to Harvard, so I knew I wanted to get back out traveling as soon as I could,” she explained. “Finding the Tanzania program was great because it felt like I was going to go on another gap year excursion.”
To those considering studying abroad, Allen’s advice is to take advantage of any opportunity to do so. “Harvard has so many cool abroad opportunities. Why wouldn’t you take four months to go live anywhere in the world when it counts for school?” Allen, who explained that the tuition is cheaper than at Harvard, also believes that it is an easy way to get credits and stay on track. “There is literally no downside. I can already tell I’ll remember these next few months for the rest of my life, whereas I feel like the months in Cambridge all blur together.”
Kate Downey ’24
Downey will be spending her semester in Stockholm, Sweden, to fulfill her Energy and Environment Secondary. However, unlike most study abroad programs, Downey is not guaranteed to receive credits for her courses. That will be determined by the work she produces and shows to the Harvard deans upon her return.
“Sweden is a great place to study sustainability. The program sounded interesting,” Downey said, disregarding the risks associated with failing to fulfill her credits.
To future study abroad participants, Downey suggests to start looking early through resources, such as Harvard’s Office of International Education, in order to keep options open.
Aurelia Balkanski ’24
Balkanski is studying in Paris, France to improve her French for classes and for fun. Balkanski, who took French in high school and who has family in France, wanted to be “where the action was.”
“I thought about clubbing, the culture, and the museums. I decided on Paris to be in the middle of everything,” she said.
While Balkanski understands those who say that they only have four years at Harvard, her ultimate advice is to venture outside your comfort zone and to go for the studying abroad experience. “Taking a step back can be a good thing, especially if you feel trapped in the Harvard bubble,” she said.“When in your life are you going to get the chance to spend a few months with basically no responsibilities, living in a completely new place?”
Balkanski recognizes that studying abroad can be hard, as you are in a completely different country, but she always remembers that it was something she chose to do. “All of your energy is spent spending hours and hours exploring a new place with new people. It’s supposed to be hard. But, you made this decision because you wanted to be pushed out of your comfort zone, so go for it.”
Lulu Patterson ’24
Patterson is studying abroad in Barcelona, initially deciding to go because she took Spanish growing up. Interested in a Spanish citation and already having taken a gap year during which she visited Barcelona, Patterson thought she would appreciate a semester abroad. “I didn’t want another Boston winter.”
So far in Barcelona, she has experienced tours of famous sites, such as Montjuïc and The Cathedral, as well as bike tours and cooking classes. “I’d visited Barcelona before, and I really fell in love with the city. I’d like to move to South America for work after school, but I think the ease of traveling within Europe as a college student is also really special.”
Patterson’s advice for anyone considering to study abroad is to take a chance and soak in the experience. “Harvard isn’t going anywhere. I love Harvard but I know being abroad is only adding to my college experience, not taking anything away. At the end of the day, you never, ever meet someone who says ‘I regret going abroad,’ you just don’t.”
“Harvard is such a special place and I know spending this time away will only make me more appreciative of all I have there and in addition to what I will gain from being abroad. Loving who and what is right in front of you feels easier when you’re reminded of impermanence. For now, if you’re looking for your sign to go abroad, this is it, Harvard will be waiting for you when you get back.”
Uzo Ngwu ’23
Ngwu, whose original study abroad plans were disrupted by COVID-19, has decided to spend the entirety of her senior year in Paris, France. “I didn’t originally plan to be abroad the full year. I decided mid-way through my semester abroad in the fall. I really enjoyed the change of pace being abroad,” Ngwu explained.
Ngwu, who has always had a desire to study abroad, chose Paris for fun, and ended up loving it. As she has already completed all of her requirements at Harvard, she decided to embrace a culture which stands in stark contrast to the busy mentality which often pervades campus life.“I enjoyed not being in constant motion and not constantly having something to do or worry about. There is a slowness to French culture that I really appreciate.”
In Paris, Ngwu has had the opportunity to explore hobbies, such as making art, and deepen her relationships with herself and others.
For those worried about the expenses that come with studying abroad, Ngwu offered advice catered toward Harvard students on financial aid, stating, “I would also strongly urge people on financial aid to consider term time study abroad because the aid carries over.” However, she thinks venturing abroad could be a great opportunity for any student, especially those who feel stuck in the “Harvard bubble.”
“At the end of the day, your study abroad experience is what you make of it! You have to be willing to put yourself out there, try new things, and be okay stepping out of your comfort zone.”
Layla Chaaraoui ’26 (laylachaaraoui@college.harvard.edu) could definitely see herself taking the semester abroad.