As myself and many of my peers on this study abroad were from Lyman Briggs, it was interesting. Most students were pre-health of some kind (myself pre dental) and not necessarily studying math or its history. I have a math minor, but it was generally not an interest of mine to explore math history. That being said, I really enjoyed the program. I learned a lot of history I would have never learned elsewhere, and it improved my communication skills exponentially. I learned how to small talk with people in Italy and in London, the preferences of conversation, and other little quirks of the cultures.

For example, I had only been to Europe once before when I went to Paris. In Paris (at least in my experience), Americans are nothing more than tolerated. They are considered loud and rude and aren’t enjoyed by the locals. I assumed incorrectly that this would be the case in Italy and London. In Italy people had many questions about where I was coming from and what I was learning, and in London even more. People asked what I was studying, how I was enjoying the place, what I had learned, etcetera.

I am so thankful for the scholarship I received. I have the alumni distinguished scholarship that covers my tuition during the fall and spring semesters which is the reason I am able to get my degree. It was very iffy if I would be able to study abroad but I applied anyway because I enjoyed Dr Edwards’ classes and I had hoped I would find a way to pay. Finding out I was just short of enough to pay; I was incredibly upset and heartbroken. However, finding out I would have help from this scholarship sealed the deal and allowed me this experience. I would have never gone to Italy or London had I not had this opportunity, and I am so thankful for it.

Name: Iris Macaulay
Status: Junior
Major: Genomics and Molecular Genetics
Hometown: Oak Park, Michigan
Program: Engineering the Modern World: How Mathematics Shaped History