Pursuing an MBA abroad has been my dream; now that I am living it, I am thrilled. Studying in the U.S., a country where my native language is not spoken, is both an exciting and challenging experience. Although my primary education and undergraduate degree in Turkey were completed in English, studying for an MBA in the U.S. is entirely different. In my own country, I could easily switch to Turkish when chatting with friends outside of class, but here I constantly need to think and communicate in English. At first, my brain was still thinking in Turkish; over time, however, I have noticed that I’ve started thinking in English without realizing it, which makes me feel like I am making progress every day.
I wasn’t a very social student during my undergraduate years, but after graduating, I decided to overcome this by working in the insurance field. Over the three years of work experience in an insurance agency, frequently interacting with clients and attending corporate events helped me build self-confidence and social skills. Now, I feel more comfortable socializing in my native language, and I aim to be able to transition this skill to English. In this process, the support of the professors and my classmates has been incredibly important. Everyone is so supportive!
It’s not just about overcoming the language barrier; I’m also trying to adapt to the cultural differences in America. Learning something new every day, experiencing different cultures, and attending Wisconsin Welcome Events have been wonderful. There are nearly a thousand student organizations at UW-Madison that are suited to everyone’s interests. Joining these student organizations is a great opportunity to socialize more. I chose to get out of my comfort zone and improve myself, and I can see how this experience is helping me develop both academically and personally.