Meet Atiyya Muhammad (she/her/hers)

Program and Location:

Spring, University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen, Denmark

Major/Minor:

Genetics with a minor in Microbiology

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I chose to study abroad to see more of the world. I wanted to meet people from different backgrounds and see how life is different at other parts of the globe. I also wanted to gain a lot of the skills that develop when someone studies abroad such as adaptability, problem-solving, and increased cultural awareness. Studying abroad offered an incredible opportunity to do all of this.

What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that I am much more capable than I had previously thought. Whether it was planning a trip, dealing with bureaucracy, or having to think on my feet when something inevitably went wrong, I was able to be calm and handle the situation. This experience really showed me that I am capable of being very independent and that taking risks in life is necessary for growth and improvement.

What was one of your favorite parts of your program?

One of my favorite parts of my program was getting to meet all of the other international students who were also studying at the University of Copenhagen. I met people from Canada to South Korea and everywhere in between, all gathered for the same reasons as me. It was amazing getting to know people who I otherwise likely would have never gotten the opportunity to interact with.

How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at NC State? Did you take any field trips or do anything outside of the traditional classroom?

My classes abroad were very different from my typical NC State class. My courses were much longer, sometimes lasting 3-4 hours per lecture but I also did not have anywhere near as much homework. This was definitely an interesting change but I ended up liking it. One thing that was really interesting is the number of excursions built into classes. I had multiple courses where we would take a field trip to learn more about the practical aspects of a subject. Transportation, however, was not provided so you had to figure out how to get to the site of the excursion yourself which could sometimes be an hour away. This was thankfully not too difficult though given the incredible public transportation system in Denmark.

What advice do you have to future study abroad students?

My advice is to take the time to explore. Even just exploring the city you are in and visiting local spots can give you so much insight into how people there live their day to day lives. It makes it easier to understand cultural differences if you have a better grasp of what cultural norms and a day in the life of a citizen of wherever you are visiting looks like.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely