Abroad and Beyond
From Study Abroad to International Career: A Journey of Identity, Culture, and Purpose
Dominique Brigham’s story is a reflection on how international education can shape not only academic paths but personal identity, professional direction, and lifelong priorities. Raised in a multicultural family that valued global experiences, travel was a constant presence in her life. This early exposure naturally led her to pursue a study abroad year during her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University—an experience that would become a defining turning point.
Choosing Florence: The Transformative Power of Study Abroad
A Cultural Playground for Growth
Brigham chose to study at ISI Florence, drawn by Europe’s accessibility and Italy’s familiar yet inspiring environment. Unlike traditional university life, study abroad offered a sense of boundlessness—an intense, fast-paced immersion in new cultures, ideas, and friendships. Florence became a home base for exploring multiple countries, cuisines, and histories while forming deep connections with fellow students united by a shared desire to experience the world.
Responsibility and Representation
Beyond travel and academics, living abroad brought a new awareness: students act as cultural ambassadors for their home countries. This realization encouraged restraint, respect, and intentional engagement with local communities. For Brigham, the relatively flexible academic schedule allowed her to focus on cultural exploration, making the year less about academic pressure and more about personal development.
From Exploration to Specialization: Graduate Study in Amsterdam
A Shift in Purpose and Intensity
Her later move to the University of Amsterdam for a Research Master’s degree marked a stark contrast to the exploratory nature of study abroad. Graduate school demanded intellectual rigor, deep specialization, and sustained focus. Social life and travel took a back seat to research, theory, and the production of a thesis.
Redefining Academic Direction
During this period, Brigham transitioned from Literary Studies to Cultural Analysis, expanding her academic perspective and ultimately writing a thesis on cultural and linguistic translation between the United States and Japan using Pokémon as a case study. This shift highlights how international education environments foster interdisciplinary thinking and intellectual reinvention.
Life After Academia: A New Form of “Study Abroad”
Remaining in Amsterdam, Brigham entered the professional world through creative and digital innovation programs. She describes this phase as another kind of study abroad—moving from the familiar “culture” of academia into the foreign territory of the workplace. The experience continues to challenge her comfort zone while reshaping her goals and identity.
The Lasting Impact of International Education
Brigham concludes that studying abroad and international study share common outcomes: stepping outside one’s comfort zone, discovering new aspects of the self, and returning with changed priorities. These experiences are less about achieving specific goals and more about intentional growth, meaningful relationships, and a clearer sense of direction.
Her advice to future students is simple: define what you want from your time abroad. Even if plans change, the process of intentional exploration will leave a lasting mark.
