Meet Tyler Arnold (He/Him)

Program and Location:

Summer, NC State European Center in Prague (FYI); Prague, Czech Republic

Major/Minor:

Aerospace engineering

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I’ve always enjoyed traveling, but had never really gotten the chance to experience cultures outside of the US. While I did come from a diverse community, I felt like the only way to really experience other cultures was to travel and experience them for yourself. Because of this, when the FYI in Prague program allowed me to have this experience before my freshman year even started, I knew I couldn’t turn it down.

What did you learn about yourself?

Of all the lessons I learned, the biggest one was definitely that I can adapt to rapidly changing and stressful situations. Our original flights were canceled, and while our program directors did a very good job of keeping everything under control, there was still a lot of stress associated with not knowing what would happen. Even though the situation was stressful, I still made the most of it and have good memories from before even leaving the US.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?

The Česky Krumlov excursion was definitely the highlight of the program. While Prague was an unforgettable city, being in Česky Krumlov felt like walking through a real life fairy tale. From stargazing at the top of the castle to rafting on the Vltava River through the city and everything in between, it still doesn’t quite feel real.

How did your study abroad experience prepare you for your future career?

Because of the length of the FYI program, everybody really had to get to know each other quickly, since the program only lasted two weeks. Within 72 hours of learning everybody’s names, I was wandering the streets of Paris with three new people that I already considered friends. This will prepare me for my future career because I now understand how to quickly build relationships, which can be invaluable when starting a new job.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

Go into the program with an open mind, ready to find enjoyment in whatever happens. Travel is unpredictable by nature, and you have to be ready to adapt to the changes and make a good time out of it. I was one of the students that had to sit in Hartsfield-Jackson for 12 hours waiting for the next flight, and I still have good memories from that day. There’s fun to be found in almost everything as long as you have the right mindset. Plus, there’s always that chance that the rescheduled flight will lead you to Paris for a day.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely!