Alumni Spotlight: Michael Alessi

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Give us an intro!

Hello! My name is Michael but I like to be called Mike. I am from Buffalo, New York, USA. I am a first year college student who has moved to Madrid, Spain to study International Relations at Schiller International University.

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

The most important thing that I had learned abroad is that things aren't always as they seem. We have stereotypes of all ethnicities from what we see on the news or from what we hear but to truly understand a culture you have to go. It will change your perspective of how you think of the world greatly.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

I tell my friends to take any opportunity they have to go abroad. It will make you a truly international person. You will meet people not only from the country that you are in but also from all over the world.

The world is so globalized now with our technology that we can speak with people all over the world, via Twitter, Facebook, etc. but to truly understand why those people act a certain way you have to go. It's very self rewarding and mind opening.

What was hardest part about going abroad?

The hardest part of living abroad is the feeling of missing out on things back home. Since the world is becoming smaller and smaller through technology you can see everything your friends are doing from thousands of miles away. You will feel as though you're missing out and want to go home. Don't. Technology also helps you stay in contact with them, so you don't feel as alone.

What made this experience unique and special?

This experience has truly changed my life. Not only did I just move to Madrid, Spain but I have also spend some time in Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium. Once you travel once, you have the urge to keep traveling and it will only open your eyes more.

I have also met people that will be my friends for life because they also know exactly what it feels to be in a foreign land and we rely on each other to help out when we aren't feeling up to par which makes a world of a difference.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

For people who want to attend Schiller in a different country other than America, be ready for a different lifestyle. There are different lifestyles all throughout Europe.

Even though the countries are so close to each other they are very different. Be ready for the unexpected and don't plan little things, make sure you have enough money for basic necessities but other than that go where the wind takes you, it will make your experience 100x better!

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions, future path?

This move didn't make my future path change but strengthened my love for my future career. It changed my life because I truly know how life is on the other side of the ocean. It is an amazing feeling to be international because not only do you have friends from everywhere and adapt to the lifestyle but you also have the opportunity to obtain a new language (depending on where you go).

As I said before this trip showed me to never assume and it also showed me to expect the unexpected. This made me grow as an individual.