Kiara Walker (They/Them), Global Studies, Minors: Race & Ethnicity, Migration Studies 
Instagram: @Naturally_Kiara
Study Abroad
Project Description
During the spring 2023 semester I participated in a direct exchange with the University of Amsterdam at the honors college, Amsterdam University College.
What Form will your Final Project Take?
Study Abroad
Who was supporting you in with work?
Chris McElderry, Student Success Advisor
How has this project has been impactful or transformative — for you personally or for those this work has impacted:
Having the opportunity to be educated outside of the United States has really helped me enhance my perspective on global injustices, diasporas and histories. Thanks to my time at this university I was able to learn how to apply better intersectional and decolonial practices to my future research and how to further challenge hegemonic western philosophies. Additionally, having the chance to live in Amsterdam for six months truly allowed me to further explore the implications of being black in the Netherlands while also gaining a critical understanding of Dutch history and its connections to colonialism, slavery and more personally New York City.
What would you do differently? How would you advise a student who is going to do something similar?
Remember that this is YOUR exchange, which means that it is unique to you so whether you decide to go on trips each weekend or explore neighboring cities in the country every once in a while this is entirely fine because exchange is what you make of it.
Short summary
I spent six months in the Netherlands doing a direct exchange at the University of Amsterdam where I took five courses related to my major in Global studies.