Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Laurel Davidoff '25

Major/minor: Education and Psychology Majors

Study abroad program: Advanced Studies in England Summer Program, Summer 2023, and American College of Thessaloniki Summer Program, Summer 2024

Reason you chose this program: I chose the program in Bath, England because I wanted to work with kids in a classroom setting over the summer. Due to how different the school year is in the US and UK, I was able to join them for the two months I was abroad. For the Greece program I wanted to explore more places around the world, I also still had to fulfill an HWL credit so sailing in Greece seamed like the best option since I love being on the water!

Favorite classes: My favorite class in England was my year 3 internship. My favorite class in Greece was the Ancient Greek Art and Architecture class I added for fun last minute!

How did you incorporate your Brandeis areas of study into your study abroad experience? My education major was incorporated into my summer in England. I fulfilled two course requirements while abroad and had completed the major by my spring semester junior year.

Housing situation: In Bath I lived in a shared flat with three other abroad students, where we had our own kitchen and two bathrooms. The flat had the most amazing view, I could wake up in the morning and look out across the river and see the hills of Bath while eating breakfast! In Greece I shared a room with another study abroad student. We had a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a small balcony where we could hang out.

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad that other students may want to talk to you about? As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I made sure to do research about the laws in each of the countries I went to. England was generally similar to the US but Greece had just legalized same sex marriage, and it was still a hot topic in some of the large cities. While I felt safe in both locations it was something I had to think a lot about while traveling.

Favorite memory: In England my favorite memory was having a picnic with my friends outside the Royal Crescent. We brought snacks and drinks and enjoyed the weather and people watching! In Greece my favorite memory was the many times I watched the sunset on the boardwalk. There was always live music and food being sold by vendors so it was one of my favorite experiences, and I made sure to watch the sun set as much as possible!

Greatest challenge: My greatest challenge was creating a support system while abroad. At home you have your family there only a phone call away and your friends that you have known for a while, but abroad, while there are video calls, the time differences makes it more difficult to contact them. But I enjoyed the programs I was on because it was a group of students in a similar position, and eventually I was able to meet some of my best friends that I am still in contact with!

Fact about Greece that you think people would be surprised to learn: What surprised me the most about Greece was how laid back and kind everyone is! Even if there was a language barrier everyone did their best to help me figure out where I was going or trying to do when I got a little lost