Morgan Brodsky, DMSB'24, is taking over our Instagram account this week. Follow along for an inside look at her experience in the N.U.in Program in Germany! Brodsky was asked to reflect on her time in Germany including sightseeing, classroom experiences, and time spent with friends. Be sure to follow her takeover beginning Dec. 16 on @damoremckim.
Q: What is your major and what year are you graduating?
I am a business administration major with concentrations in accounting and data science, graduating in 2024.
Q: Why did you decide to pursue an accounting and data science concentrations?
I decided to pursue accounting and data science concentrations after taking a statistics course in high school. I realized I really like working with numbers and data. Upon taking other business classes, I decided that I was extremely interested in studying this facet of business further.
This past spring, I had an internship with Professor Charlie Bame-Aldred at the Hub of Analytics Education. During this time, I learned how to use Tableau and I worked with fellow Northeastern students to create educational programs focused on teaching business analytics to City of Boston high school students. This experience exposed me to more analytics-based learning and solidified my decision to focus on these concentrations.
Q: What was your first reaction when you were accepted into the N.U.in Program?
I had just gotten out of swim practice and was in the car when I got the email. I was in the middle of midterms and was pretty stressed, so receiving my acceptance was very exciting! The opportunity to study abroad during my first semester is a once in a life time opportunity, and I was honored to be given a chance to do so.
My mom and dad are graduates of the D'Amore-McKim class of '93 and met while they were students. I'm very proud to be able to attend the same school as my parents.
Q: What is Berlin like? What has been your favorite aspect of living there so far?
Berlin is very different than I thought it would be, but in a good way. It's a city with such a rich and somewhat controversial history, especially within the last 100 years, and it's been a great opportunity to experience somewhere so unique.
I love how accessible everything is. I have everything that I could need within a 10-minute radius, and with a quick walk to the U-Bahn (subway), I can travel anywhere in the city that I want. I love how although Berlin is a city, there are many different areas to explore that feel like entirely new places. I love getting off at a new stop on the U-Bahn and seeing how it differs from where I've been before.
Q: Do you have any upcoming plans you're looking forward to?
As I am currently writing this, I am about to leave for my fall break to Rome, Barcelona, and Lisbon. I am also meeting my family in Prague in a few weeks which I am very excited about.
Q: What are the classes like?
Our classes at the CIEE Global Institute in Berlin are similar to the classes other first-year students take at the Northeastern Boston campus, such as microeconomics, English, business calculus, etc. One difference in learning abroad was our ability to go on excursions throughout the country to supplement our learning during the class “History of Berlin.”
For our microeconomics class, we went to the Ministry of Finance to hear a speaker talk about finance in Germany and the European Union. During the history of Berlin class we received an in-depth tour of the Reichstag.
Q: What has your service-learning experience been like? What have you been doing?
During my time in Berlin, I participated in several community service projects. Every Monday morning four classmates and I would travel to Berliner Tafel, a food distribution center for our service-learning project. Berliner Tafel sorts through donations to salvage food products that can still can be consumed. The distribution center focuses on sustainable processes through recycling and composting with a keen focus on environmentally friendly operations. Seeing how simple it can be to care for the environment has given me an incentive to continue these practices once I return to the Boston campus.
Germany has many memorials for the victims of the Holocaust. The Stumbling Stones Memorial, Stolpersteine, places gold stones in front of the homes or businesses of those who were persecuted. Following the 30th Anniversary of the falling of the Berlin wall, and the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht, a few classmates and I identified various stones throughout Berlin and polished them.
Q: Where have you had the opportunity to travel while abroad?
In addition to my fall break travels mentioned above, I have also been to Vienna, Amsterdam, Munich, and Dresden.
Q: What is your experience like at CIEE?
At the CIEE, we live and study in the Kreuzberg area of Berlin. It is a self-contained area that can be compared to the South End in Boston or Greenwich Village in New York. There's a U-Bahn stop right outside of my building, so the opportunities to explore the city are endless.
We have a strong community here at N.U.in Berlin, and since we don't have a dining hall at CIEE, we are responsible for cooking and preparing our own meals. Food shopping in Berlin is quite an experience. Every Friday my friends and I explore Berlin looking for different breakfast places in search of the best shakshuka in town. If you are lucky enough to ever visit, you must stop at Kanaan for the best shakshuka and Mediterranean food.
Q: How did Northeastern staff prepare you for this trip?
We had a great orientation on the Boston campus prior to leaving. It was nice being on campus and being able to meet some of the students who are in my Berlin program.
Q: How do you stay in touch with the Northeastern Boston campus while you are abroad?
Several members of the Northeastern faculty came over to visit with us and help us select classes for the spring semester. I also emailed people I knew on campus and had a FaceTime session with my academic advisor.
Q: What advice would you give to your fellow Northeastern students attending the N.U.in program next fall?
I would tell fellow students to take full advantage of every opportunity given to you. Its good to step out of your comfort zone and take some risks!
Q: Do you have plans to go abroad again?
I would love to go abroad again. While I love Europe, I think the next time I go abroad I would want to travel somewhere in Asia because I have never been there.
Q: What are you most looking forward to when coming to the Boston campus this spring?
I am looking forward to getting involved on campus. I hope to join a few clubs and possibly join an intramural sports team as well.
Q: What will you be showing our community during your takeover?
I will be showing the community some highlights of my time in Berlin and some of the places that I was able to travel to throughout the semester. I'd highly recommend the N.U.in Program for a prospective student. It's a unique way to start your college career and see the world!