Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Tamara Botteri '21

Major/minor: IGS and Politics with minors in Economics and Legal Studies

Year abroad: Spring 2020

Study Abroad Program: SIT Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Reason you chose this program: I wanted to go to Geneva to be surrounded by many of the headquarters to international organizations and humanitarian institutions as well as be able to practice my French and complete an independent study project.

Favorite classes: I really enjoyed the lectures that came with the International Peace, Stability and Security course. We had different lecturers for each class and different topics that included a wide variety of topics.

How did you incorporate your Brandeis areas of study into your abroad experience? I used a lot of my background knowledge from IGS and Politics courses to help set me up for the abroad courses.

Housing situation: I was placed with a host mom for my study abroad experience with another student also living with me.

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad that other students may want to talk to you about? I come from a multicultural background.

Best memory: I met up with some friends to go see a museum on a day off, and as I was waiting, me and one other student sat in a plaza and just people-watched.

Greatest challenge: Making time for myself while also trying to make friends and explore the city.

What you know now that you didn’t know before: There are so many options for study abroad that there are bound to be things that you've never heard of or haven't considered, but in the end the experience you chose will be what you make it.

Fact about Switzerland that you think people would be surprised to learn: They have four national languages, and students have to learn one additional language that isn't the main language at school.