Amy Cagulada, ‘07
Litchfield, CT

Amy Cagulada is a senior Chemistry major and Economics minor who spent a semester abroad with the Denmark International Study Program in the capital city, Copenhagen.

I hadn't even been outside of New England before I went to Denmark for study abroad! This might sound dramatic, but life did really change once I saw myself in another cultural, geographic, national environment. I love what I was doing at Mount Holyoke, but it was so rewarding to see that I could use the same skills set in a new environment and still manage my life effectively.

Where did you study abroad: Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of the Denmark International Study Program.

When was this: Spring semester of my junior year (Spring 2006).

Why did you choose to study abroad: To experience living and studying abroad, neither of which I had ever done before. It was a decision that I’m very glad to have taken.

What did you speak: Although the courses were taught in English, my fellow course mates and I did manage to learn a bit of Danish from the locals!

What did you study: My courses covered issues such as the political, social, economic and moral issues involved in different health care models, and the clinical working methods of Danish physicians.

What next: Working on a senior thesis in Chemistry, among other things! Being away from actual full-time research made me realize that it was a true calling. I appreciated MHC even more once I was in Denmark, despite the fact that I missed my lab work, and I don’t think I’ve been this eager to come back and start working again!