Fernand Kasusa, a construction management major, is contemplating the series of events that brought him to Barcelona this summer.
“Coming to college, I always knew I wanted to study abroad," Kasusa said. "I've been trying to make it happen since my freshman year, and I've always just run into scheduling issues. This summer, going into my senior year, I finally found the right opportunity. Looking back, I think it was the perfect time for this experience.”
Kasusa is participating in the College of Business’ study abroad program to Barcelona this summer, and as he wraps up the experience, Kasusa is grateful he waited until the timing was right. Though he always craved a study experience that would allow him to soak up new cultures, adding a minor in the College of Business helped him find an opportunity that fit into his busy academic schedule.
This summer, Kasusa and his College of Business classmates are taking courses at the Institute for American Universities, learning about international business practices, cultures and more.
“I'm enrolled in two courses here: a business management class and a finance class,” he said. “Although classes are taught in English, our professors are local, so we get to learn about business and finance from the perspectives of people who aren’t in the states and might have different approaches.”
Learning about differences in the classroom is one thing, but living in an apartment in the middle of Barcelona has proven to be a whole other cultural education. "
“What I've experienced so far has been so much more than I expected, especially taking in the way of living here," he said. The way locals live their daily life is a lot different from back home, even just in terms of walking more and using the metro. Plus, people here seem to not sleep.”
From days off at the beach to exploring the city late into the night — and exploring five other European countries — Kasusa isn’t minding the unique hustle and bustle of being abroad and is grateful he finally took the leap.
“It's one of the best decisions I've ever made," he said. "If you feel like you want to do it, just do it. Just go for it. In the long term, you're going to look back and be glad you did it.”
