Hello! My name is Sofiia, and I’m a university student studying psychology in Michigan in the United States. I was born in Ukraine and moved to Michigan with my family when I was young, so experiencing different cultures has always been an important part of my life.
Currently, I attend Oakland University, where I study Psychology with a minor in Health Communication. I’m especially interested in child development, mental health wellness, and understanding how people think, communicate, and interact with the world around them. Throughout taking psychology courses in my degree and my experiences working with children and teens, I’ve discovered that I hope to build a career where I can support children and teenagers with their mental health and wellness as a mental health therapist.
This fall, I’m studying abroad at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England! I chose to study in England because I wanted to experience everyday life in another country, learn more about British culture, and to challenge myself to become more independent. While I’m here, I’m taking psychology courses and getting to know students from the UK and all around the world.
Outside of the classroom, I’m very excited to explore Norwich and travel around the United Kingdom and Europe. I love discovering new places, meeting new people, trying new foods, and most definitely, learning about the history and culture of the places I visit. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the small things that make study abroad magical, whether thats through experiencing the "typical british student experience" in student accomodation or through experiencing various cultural differences from back home in the U.S.
I can’t wait to share my adventures in England with you all and to have you tag along during my journey in the United Kingdom!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
