Adam Lough is a senior Supply Chain Management major at the University of Pittsburgh. Aside from majoring in supply chain, Adam has also received a Certificate in West European Studies and concentrations in Spanish and German language. He has had several internships and jobs, including an internship at DHR International, working on a consulting project for the Sarah Heinz House, an internship with Bosch Automotive Steering, and has been working at the International Business Center since August 2013. He is currently pursuing full-time employment with a number of global organizations.

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
I had been abroad before so I knew the benefits of living in a completely different culture. I also knew that I needed practical internship experience. I found a program with Cultural Vistas that would allow me to not only complete an internship in supply chain management but would allow me to do this in a foreign country. I chose to go to Germany because of their strong manufacturing economy and my desire to increase my German fluency. 

What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
At first it was difficult getting used to living in a small town. It was hard to make friends at first. But once I did, I had a fantastic time. My favorite memories would probably be when my friends and I had BBQ’s on the weekends.

What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad? 
Aside from my German language skills becoming much stronger, I was able to gain specific knowledge about supply chain management that I was later able to talk about and use in future interviews. I feel that all my experiences abroad have changed me. From Plus 3 Germany as a freshman, to a semester in Sevilla, Spain my sophomore year, and even this past summer going directly from Pitt in Cyprus to my internship in Germany. Every experience has taught me how to adapt to change and function in a completely new environment. 

Has your experience helped you get to where you are today? 
Yes. Having an internship is important. But being able to say that my internship was completed abroad is certainly something that has allowed to stand out among my peers. 

What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?
If you want to go abroad, go. There are plenty of scholarships. Even if you receive no scholarships during the regular semesters, you will be eligible simply because you’ll be going abroad. I was able to receive a scholarship for every single program I went on apart from my internship abroad, which was paid. There is no better time in your life to go live in a foreign country. If you truly can’t afford to go during a summer, go during a semester. Most programs are the same price, if not cheaper, than a semester at Pitt. If you’re worried about missing out on things that will inevitably happen in Oakland, don’t. I have never once heard someone say “oh I wish I hadn’t gone abroad because…”. Once you’re there you can’t imagine being anywhere else, regardless of where you study.

How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity?
Traveling and studying abroad has expanded my horizons more than I could have possibly imagined. You really get a clearer picture of how the world works and you will make friends from all over the world. 

 #StudyAbroadBecause... it's the best thing you'll ever do 

Stasia Lopez is the Global Education Editor for Wandering Educators and is also a Career Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Western Michigan University and earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Robert Morris University. Stasia is passionate about international education, travel,  and loves working on a college campus. She’s lived in four different U.S. states (Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania) and also studied and lived abroad in Rome, Italy. Stasia lives in the Pittsburgh area with her husband, Fernando.

All photos courtesy and copyright Adam Lough