I was accepted into the Arcadia Abroad STEM program in Glasgow. The program was related to genetics, which I wanted to gain some experience in, as it is my major, and I want to go into research after I graduate. This program helped me learn that, yes, I could work in research in genetics or just in general in my future. This was very insightful and honestly something that I am glad I was able to learn at such a young age. I am a first-generation college student, so the overall experience was very eventful as I didn’t expect to be able to make it into the program.

I was able to do research on C. elegans while also seeing a different part of the world and having new experiences. I am very happy that I was accepted into the program, as it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I made many memories that I will always remember. I also made great new friends, one of whom was Scottish. It was nice to go around with them and go to things that they liked in their own country and understand what they thought about it, versus what I thought about it.

I had no prior understanding of study abroad or what to expect. I will say that my friends at Michigan State were hoping that I would fall in love, and my parents were hoping I wouldn’t, and I would come home with an experience, but no love story, so I will stay local when I graduate. I will say that I don’t have a love story because it ended, but I have a great memory of the Scottish culture while being around a person that I was very lucky to get to know for my six weeks, and I am excited to possibly go back to see them again.

On a personal level it taught me that I should work on myself to be more comfortable with being alone. Throughout my six weeks abroad I did work on myself, and I do think I have gotten better at feeling okay when alone. It did take time, and it was a process, but I think I did grow as a person. Maybe not in the same way I thought I would, but I did grow overall I learned that saying yes to things is okay and that sometimes the experience is worth it even if it didn’t sound all that fun when it was mentioned. I am very thankful for this experience and would not trade it for anything in the world, not the memories, people, research, or any other aspect of it.

• Name: Kiara Chance
• Status: Sophomore
• Major: Genetics
• Hometown: Verona, Missouri
• Program: Arcadia STEM Research in Glasgow