MRC Student of the Month - February 2000

Cristal Brun

(Senior - Finance)

"Education Abroad - An Experience of a Lifetime"

As a minority student coming from Puerto Rico, I was very uncertain of what awaited me at Penn State. Now I look back at my college years and remark with a great smile on my face, "It was well worth it."

Ever since I came to Penn State, I dreamt of going abroad to some place in Europe. Last year, after much searching and evaluation of different education abroad opportunities, I decided to apply to the Temple University Rome Program. This program, I thought, would enhance my business studies, broaden my cultural horizons, expand my knowledge on international markets, and above all fulfill my dream of living in Europe. Happily, I was accepted.

So last semester, I excitedly arrived in Rome, and delightedly, I experienced one of the most memorable times of my college life. Wow, what an experience! Indeed I tell you, without hesitation, that it was the experience of a lifetime. I remember how apprehensive and scared I was when I first came to Rome. However, after only two weeks, I felt like that place was becoming my new home. Classes were awesome; professors were very understandable and helpful; Italian people were warm and friendly; and the city was breathtaking. I found Rome to be astonishingly beautiful and very overwhelming, as there was so much to see and do.

I believe every MRC student should take advantage of studying abroad. Not only will it give you an edge professionally, but educationally and intellectually as well. I saw things that I had studied about for years, such as Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and his David, and Raphael's School of Athens (if I were to recount everything, this article would take forever). I also had the opportunity to study about the European Market, experience the effects of the Eurodollar, and interacted with people in a culture that influenced the way I see things and conduct business.

I encourage every one of you to seize the opportunity to study abroad and take advantage of other opportunities that come your way at Penn State. Believe me, life moves fast. So, tomorrow, one week, or three years from today, I hope you look back at your college days and say, "Those were the best days of my life, and I made the best out of them." Because I certainly will!

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