Belal Baroud
Belal Baroud
Colorado College
Participant in the 2012 ACM Student Symposium on Off-Campus Study
- Hometown: Palestine, the Gaza Strip
- Major: Biology
- Graduation: Fall 2012
- Program: Aberystwyth University Exchange, United Kingdom - Spring 2011
The Welsh Experience
As a Palestinian student studying in Colorado, I have learned that it is often our preconceptions of other beliefs and cultures that can lead to misunderstanding and acrimonious debates. Although opinionated, I believe myself to be open minded and very keen to learn from cultures and the traditions and creeds associated with them. My exchange program with Aberystwyth in Wales allowed me to further assimilate the new cultures that I came across, not only of the Welsh, but also of their international colleagues.
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At left: Video of Belal Baroud's presentation at the Symposium.
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During my time in the United Kingdom, I also took the opportunity to travel around other countries promoting Colorado College to young students in Wales and Holland, through our admissions department. Perhaps one of the most memorable experiences during my trip was a cycling trip with a Finnish student I met during my studies there. We began in Manchester, in northern England, and cycled across four different countries before unexpectedly having to return from Germany to England.
It is easy to become stuck in a rut during one’s time at university, but taking ourselves out of our routine into an entirely new scenario can open doors to new adventures which one must learn to take.
Profile:
Post graduation plans: Research in biology then attend medical school.
The best thing that I did while on an off-campus program was … cycling in Europe, starting from Manchester, UK, to Hamburg, Germany, passing through France and the Netherlands.
What is one word or phrase that best describes your experience off-campus? Dynamic and fabulous.
Top 3 reasons why you chose to go off-campus:
1. To experience college life in the UK.
2. To visit different places in the UK and in Europe.
3. To meet new people and grow my social network around the world.
If you woke up tomorrow as an animal, what would you be and why? A dolphin because they are very intelligent, very entertaining, easily learn new skills, and they are great looking.
If you could travel anywhere where would you go? Australia
If you could learn to speak any language what would it be? Spanish
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