We’re constantly exploring how to live our best lives, and one of the things I’ve come to believe is that the quest cannot happen in a bubble. Yes, we have to know ourselves, but also others. And, in a world that has become global, it’s also so important to reach beyond the immediate confines of our friends, family, local community, and even country. There is a giant world out there, and so much richness to be discovered, so many insights, new ideas, cultures and experiences that can inform how we see ourselves and our place in the world, what we share with others, and this broader perspective can also have a profound effect on the work we devote ourselves to and the life and world we seek to create.
So, how do you get this global, culturally diverse perspective? One thing I’ve come to believe is that, the earlier in life we begin, the better. That can look like taking family trips to different countries, or student exchanges. But, another incredibly powerful path is study abroad programs for college and grad school. These extended explorations can be incredible ways to immerse yourself in a powerful, eye-opening, bridge-building educational experience.
We got really curious about what that might look like, you know, on a detailed level, on the ground level, And we decided to partner with the StudyUK campaign which is part of the UK Government’s wider Great campaign for Britain and Northern Ireland to bring you this special sponsored episode, with a focus on what it’s like to study in the UK, exploring everything from the myriad benefits to finances, application, how UK education differs from US approaches, and so much more.
But, we also wanted to learn from firsthand experience. So today, we’re sitting down with 10-year broadcast journalism veteran, Raquel Villanueva, who after spending years on network TV, is currently a commentator and video producer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is already just so cool. Thing is, she tracks so much of her choices and journey in work and life back to her experience a decade ago, studying in the UK during college, and then returning for her master’s degree. These experiences left an indelible imprint on her career and life that continues to this day. So, excited to share this conversation with you.
You can find more information on studying abroad in the UK at: British Council – StudyUK website
You can find Raquel at: Website | Instagram
If you LOVED this episode:
- You’ll also love the conversations we had with Pico Iyer about the power of travel as a tool for learning and connecting.
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