What is one word to describe your study abroad experience:
"I would tell my best friend to go for it! I was nervous to apply, but I’m so glad I did because I gained invaluable real-world experience, connected with amazing people, and saw iconic designs up close!"
MYRA G.
USA Field School participant
Duration of Field School: 2 weeks
Summer semester
Studying Applied Human Nutrition
- What did a typical day in this Field School look like?
A typical day on the USA Field School Trip would start with me waking up at around 8 a.m. with my roommate, getting ready, and meeting our friends for breakfast and coffee at a nearby café. Then, we would meet the rest of the group and professors at around 10 a.m. to discuss our day and talk about important topics and what to look for in our excursions. We would proceed to our excursions for the day, with a lunch break in between. We would typically end the day around 4 p.m., which gave us a lot of free time to roam around the city we were in with our friends, get dinner together, and rehash our day.
- What did you have to do for the course component of this Field School? How did it impact your degree?
For the course component, I analyzed architecture, design, and community health by observing urban layouts, food environments, and public spaces. Every day, we would meet in the lounge of our hotel, which we treated like a classroom where we would discuss course topics and their correlation to the excursions that we would be going on that day. We were graded on participation during the field school, one quiz on course concepts learned, and two assignments to apply. During the last week, we wrote a quiz at our hotel about some terms we learned. We had to submit a short video assignment, when we came home, exploring an aspect of one of the cities we visited. Our final creative assignment was to address one element of the landscapes and landscape histories we encountered. These assignments broadened my understanding of how urban design affects food access and lifestyle choices, which are crucial to nutrition and public health. This perspective will enrich my approach to creating sustainable, health-focused community interventions.
- How did your Field School Coordinator support your experience?
My field school coordinators provided guidance on learning new concepts, helped navigate the cities we were in by facilitating site visits, and ensured we had meaningful interactions with professionals in architecture and design.
- How many other U of G students did you travel with? And what did you think of travelling with other students?
I travelled with nine other U of G students. It was amazing sharing the experience. We collaborated, learned from each other, and formed strong bonds. I’m still pretty close with a few of them, and we have hung out numerous times since the trip.
- How did you interact with the local community during your Field School?
We engaged with architects, designers, and local guides, attended workshops, and explored cultural landmarks to understand local design approaches.
- What influenced your decision to participate in a Field School opportunity?
The chance to experience architecture and design firsthand in iconic cities and gain practical insights beyond the classroom truly influenced me. I wanted to explore architecture and art and design as opposed to my degree in nutrition, which lacks artistic aspects.
- What was the best thing that happened during your Field School? Explain.
The best thing to happen during my field school was attending a private tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright home, Hollyhock House. It was inspiring to see his design philosophy in action.
- Where was the coolest place you traveled to during your study abroad experience?
Palm Springs was a cool place to travel because of its incredible mid-century modern architecture and breathtaking desert landscapes.
- What was the biggest cultural adaptation you had to make?
Adjusting to the car-centric lifestyle in these cities and navigating sprawling urban layouts was the biggest cultural adaptation to make. We had to Uber to most destinations because they were not within walking distance.
- What was your best learning moment?
My best learning moment was during site visits to truly take in the architecture by observing details and spatial relationships I would have missed in photos.
- If you were to recommend this field school to your best friend, what would you say?
I would tell my best friend to go for it! I was nervous to apply, but I’m so glad I did because I gained invaluable real-world experience, connected with amazing people, and saw iconic designs up close.
- Would it be helpful to learn another language for this Field School?
It is not essential, but knowing some Spanish could be helpful for engaging with the local community in Los Angeles.
- How did you finance your study abroad experience?
My parents financed the majority of it, but I contributed some savings and a part-time job from the previous summer to cover the costs.
- What are your packing recommendations?
Do's - Make a packing list for essentials like clothes, toiletries, electronics, and travel documents. - Opt for mix-and-match pieces to create multiple outfits with fewer items, such as packing neutral-coloured tops, bottoms, and layers. - Roll your clothes to save space in your suitcase and minimize wrinkles. - Use packing cubes to keep items organized and make unpacking easier. - Ensure all liquids in your carry-on are in 100ml containers and fit into a quart-sized bag. - Pack comfortable shoes for walking and one for dressier occasions. - Pack light jackets or cardigans that can be layered for different climates. - Reserve room for items you may buy during the trip. - Bring a portable charger so that you don’t lose phone charge in the event of an emergency. - If you can afford it, get a phone plan for your destination in the event of an emergency to be able to make calls, send texts, and for navigation to avoid getting lost - Keep essential medications and copies of prescriptions in your carry-on. - Include a small detergent pack to wash clothes so you can wear more outfits. - Check the weather ahead and pack appropriate clothes based on the forecast. - If travelling internationally, ensure your electronics can charge by packing a universal charging adapter. - Put some essentials in your carry-on (clothes, toiletries, electronics) in case your checked luggage is delayed or lost. - Always carry valuables and important items with you. Don’ts - Don’t overpack. Avoid bringing items "just in case" unless they are essential. - Don’t forget travel documents: Ensure your passport, visa, and necessary paperwork are in order before you leave. - Don’t pack new shoes. Make sure your shoes are broken in to avoid uncomfortable blisters when walking. - Don’t bring too many pairs of shoes. I only suggest 2-3 pairs. - Don’t forget to check airline restrictions with products and weight and size limits for luggage. - Don’t pack full-size products. They take up too much space and might not comply with airline regulations. - Don’t overlook cultural considerations. Make sure to research appropriate attire for your destination. - Don’t ignore security guidelines. Avoid packing sharp objects or items restricted by airlines. - Don’t forget chargers or power banks.
- Is there any other helpful information you would like to share with future study abroad participants?
Be prepared to walk a lot, make sure your phone always has a charge, try to get a phone plan for the country you're in, always use the buddy system, and don't go anywhere alone.
