1. Why is this Program a Good Fit?

(*)
Write a statement describing your background and reasons for choosing this program or exchange,
and the projected benefits of this experience to your course of study and long-term plans. Include
any other information that you feel is relevant to your application. (500-750 words)

I became interested in Honors Study Abroad after hearing about it in my Honors 100
class. I had known before starting my freshman year that I wanted to study abroad somewhere
in Europe. I didn’t know what I wanted to study, but I adored the idea of travelling somewhere I
had never been and observing the culture of a different country. However, after starting college
as a computer science major, I felt a lot of pressure to conform to the computer science
stereotype. Part of this involved doing internships every summer, even though it’s not necessary
for one’s success in the industry. I realized then, that if I wanted to be able to have an
interdisciplinary education, I had to do so with conscious intention. While I could see myself
getting an internship in a few years, I want to take advantage of my first summer in college to do
something unique. Thus, my goal has become to study specifically not Computer Science in
Europe.
I was drawn to the Swedish program for several reasons. First, in addition to Computer
Science, I am also majoring in Cinema and Media Studies. One of the prerequisite film classes
I’m currently taking is on Northern perspectives of cinema, part of which involves Scandinavian
film. Part of the coursework in this program involves studying Swedish film and its impact on
activism, which will be a unique way for me to build on what I will learn in this class and explore
my second major. Secondly, I was drawn to this program for the relevance of the topics
discussed. After attending the Global Challenges event, which was easily the most interesting
night of my fall quarter, I was really inspired by the speakers’ passion and drive for human
rights. Before, I had always known that human rights was an important problem for the world to
address, but it always seemed too complex and hopeless for me to fight individually. Once I
heard about the ways the speakers contributed to the fight for global human rights, I realized
that there was so much that I could do. Even though it’s not necessary for me to leave the
country to get involved in the discussion of human rights, this program is a way for me to learn
and experience the human rights discussion in a brand new setting.
In addition to my particular interests in the topics of this program, being able to get
involved would help me accomplish a lot of my personal and academic goals. Not only will I be
able to study abroad in Europe like I’ve always wanted to, but I’d be able to take a step back
from the high paced computer science environment and study something different that also
overlaps with my second major. Also, since I’m double degreeing, I’ve been concerned that I
won’t be able to complete my Honors requirements in addition to my majors. With this program,
however, I would be able to earn Honors credit and complete an Experiential Learning Activity
over the summer. Lastly, one of my goals when I moved into the Honors Living Learning
Community was to meet new people with different backgrounds to form a new community. I’ve
spoken to several of my peers who live on my floor and are in my Honors 100 class, and many
of them have also expressed interest in studying abroad. This program is not only an
opportunity for me to expand my own learning and experiences, but for me to get to know other
Honors or non-Honors students who are also interested in human rights. I know that the people
who will end up studying abroad together in this program will become a close community, and
that is one of the biggest takeaways from this program that I could potentially have.
 I became interested in Honors Study Abroad after hearing about it in my Honors 100
class. I had known before starting my freshman year that I wanted to study abroad somewhere
in Europe. I didn’t know what I wanted to study, but I adored the idea of travelling somewhere I
had never been and observing the culture of a different country. However, after starting college
as a computer science major, I felt a lot of pressure to conform to the computer science
stereotype. Part of this involved doing internships every summer, even though it’s not necessary
for one’s success in the industry. I realized then, that if I wanted to be able to have an
interdisciplinary education, I had to do so with conscious intention. While I can see myself
getting an internship in a few years, I want to take advantage of my first summer in college to do
something unique. Thus, my goal has become to study specifically not Computer Science in
Europe.
I took an Honors Computer Science Seminar in the fall, and one thing we discussed was
the often subconscious relationship between technology and culture, diversity, and human
rights. This idea was incredibly interesting to me, and while this program focuses on the
innovation in museums and libraries, I think it still encompasses the focus on how people and
technology must evolve to keep up with each other. For me, this is the side of innovation that I
haven’t been able to experience in my technical classes at UW. The other topic in this program
is homelessness, something I admittedly don’t know much about. However, I notice this problem
more now that I live in Seattle, where there is a housing crisis. Conceptually, this also relates to
something else I’ve discussed in and out of my Honors Computer Science Seminar; How can
we use data and/or technology to understand and solve common problems in society? As we
discover more about ourselves and the people around us, the potential for problem solving
grows. While I may only be familiar with the idea of homelessness and the discussion of data
and culture, this program would provide me with a great opportunity to explore and learn about
both.
In addition to my particular interests in the topics of this program, being able to get
involved would help me accomplish a lot of my personal and academic goals. Not only will I be
able to study abroad in Europe like I’ve always wanted to, but I’d be able to take a step back
from the high paced computer science environment and study something different in a whole
new setting. Also, since I’m double degreeing, I’ve been concerned that I won’t be able to
complete my Honors requirements in addition to my majors. With this program, however, I would
be able to earn Honors credit and complete an Experiential Learning Activity over the summer.
Lastly, one of my goals when I moved into the Honors Living Learning Community was to meet
new people with different backgrounds to form a new community. I’ve spoken to several of my
peers who live on my floor and are in my Honors 100 class, and many of them have also
expressed interest in studying abroad. This program is not only an opportunity for me to expand
my own learning and experiences, but for me to get to know other Honors or non-Honors
students who are also passionate about the topics of this program. I know that the people who
will end up studying abroad together will become a close community, and that is one of the
biggest takeaways from this program that I could potentially have.
2. Adaptability (*)
Describe a time when you had to adapt to a new environment and/or interact with people who were
different from you (here in the U.S. or abroad). How has this experience prepared you for studying
abroad? (maximum 250 words)

I was fortunate this August to have the opportunity to participate in an Early Fall Start
class with other freshman majoring in computer science. Initially, I struggled with Impostor
Syndrome and being one of the few students who wasn’t from the Puget Sound area. While we
were all in the major, I felt out of place with my lack of experience and difference in interests. In
computer science, there is often a strong pressure to adhere to a narrow path stereotypically
associated with success, but that didn’t line up with what I wanted at all. I was forced to
consciously come to terms with what I valued and wanted out of my college experience. I
realized that I wanted to study STEM and Arts equally, and not be swept up in the pressures of
the department. After I established this for myself, not only was I able to articulate and plan for
my own goals with more confidence, but I was also better able to understand other people’s
goals and motivations as well. When it comes to this study abroad program, I’ve really paid
attention to my motivation and goals for applying. It’s not just another box checked on my to do
list, or some easy credits I can add on my transcript. I will be studying abroad with the intention
to grow, learn, and meet new people. I won’t be sitting there and waiting for growth to happen to
me, I will be seeking it with a mindful purpose.

3. Group Dynamics (*)

The success of the program can depend on the ability of the group to live and study with one
another in harmony. Describe a prior experience with a group situation and how you navigated the
social dynamics. (maximum 250 words)

Much of what I know now about navigating social dynamics comes from my experience
as a drum major for my high school’s band. This was one of the most rewarding experiences I
had prior to college. As a drum major, I had to be firm in direction the band, but not so bossy as
to come off as unapproachable. To accomplish this, I developed priorities for how I interacted
with different people. For example, my highest priority was always to have a smoothly
functioning program where everybody felt included. One thing I did to support this priority was
promoting the interaction of musicians between ensembles. Since we were separated by
different rehearsal times, by promoting interaction between them, we were building a stronger
community outside of rehearsal. Another example is the idea that people come before musical
skill. It didn’t matter if the person had just started learning music, they had every right to learn
and grow in the same environment that an experienced musician did. Keeping this in mind, I
tried to break down the precedent of musicians being split up socially by skill. The priorities I
had taught me maturity in my attitude and responsibility in my words. Without these priorities, I
would’ve likely failed not only as a leader, but as a friend. Keeping the importance of these
priorities in mind, I’ve been able to adjust and apply them to different situations to help me
maintain my best self within a community.