Takeoff

Written by: Teddi Pickens

Major: Criminal Justice

Location: Netherlands 

As I am getting ready to leave for The Netherlands this upcoming Thursday, I am absolutely amazed at how fast time went by. It feels like it was just yesterday that I timidly brought up the topic of study abroad to my family. I've always had the wishes of doing study abroad since freshman year. That was the first time that I learned that you could do Advanced Criminology in the Netherlands. I am a Criminal Justice major, so it caught my eye quick. I've been plotting on this opportunity for a couple years now. My friends told me about this opportunity in class and began to look more into it immediately.  

When I first told my family, they were puzzled a little. They didn’t want me to go at all because last summer on the news there was a story about a student who got kidnapped while abroad and ironically it happened in the Netherlands. So just imagine their faces when I told them that I want to study abroad in the Netherlands. At first, they thought I was just all talk, but they were in for a surprise. They noticed that my drive and determination was different this go around. Me knowing that my friends were going and already accepted pushed me and my urgency. I finished the entire process in one day. It wasn’t much that my parents could say or do because my mind was made up that I am going on this study abroad trip with or without your liking of it. I meant that in the sincerest, and respectful way because I am at that awkward stage in life where I’m telling my parents what I'm doing instead of seeking approval because this is my life and my happiness at the end of the day. As time passed on and I told them about the interview, and how I got accepted they were and are extremely proud and happy. I have to look at it from their perspective too. They want the best for me and me being the youngest going so far was fearful for them. My mom realized that she was holding me back after she realized all the benefits from study abroad, such as the social media internship and learning about the world. Everyone can’t say they’ve been to the Netherlands, but I can, and that will make the world of difference for me and what my future has in store.  

Categories: Criminal Justice, Netherlands, New Adventures