Tips for Maximizing Your International Experience with Princeton Travel Programs
Haider Abbas, a Princeton University alumnus, was recently featured in the "Summer 2019 Cheat Sheet" and "Research Abroad" publication, discussing strategies for creating an impactful senior thesis. During his interview, Abbas shared his experiences from his travels abroad, offering valuable insights for students preparing for their own senior projects.
Abbas, who traveled to Denmark as part of a class called "Making the Viking Age," emphasised the importance of documenting experiences through photography. He explained that this practice not only serves as a personal memento but also provides material for research.
While abroad, Abbas's professor suggested writing a paragraph to a page of reflection at the end of each day of the trip. However, the author found it intimidating to come up with a research project during the short time abroad. To overcome this, Abbas advises letting the assignment and peers help guide the process.
The interview did not provide specific advice on how to write a daily reflection while abroad, but Abbas suggests using this practice as a starting point for a research project upon returning home.
Abbas's travels also included a trip to Rome last fall, where he enjoyed intricate architectural design, particularly a cathedral with ornamental elements during his independent exploration. He recommends keeping an eye out for courses that include travel, as they have been academically enriching.
Best practices for research project development during short-term international academic travel include conducting thorough risk assessments, understanding local legal and ethical research environments, ensuring compliance with institutional and government travel policies, and planning for intellectual property protection. Researchers should register their travel with their home institution, obtain necessary approvals, and prepare for cybersecurity and export control concerns. Engaging in pre-travel briefings on research security and maintaining transparency with collaborators are also important.
The interview did not mention a pre-departure plan for studying abroad, nor was it related to funding for study abroad or human or animal subject research.
In summary, Abbas's experiences and advice underscore the value of international academic travel in fostering academic growth and research project development. By carefully planning, adhering to best practices, and maintaining open communication, students can make the most of their travel experiences and create impactful senior theses.
[1] Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK) Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice [2] U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html [4] Northeastern University Research Security Program: https://www.northeastern.edu/researchsecurity/ [5] U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security: https://www.bis.doc.gov/
- Haider Abbas, during his interview, highlighted the value of travel for education-and-self-development, suggesting students look for academic courses that include travel, as these can provide enriching experiences.
- While discussing strategies for crafting an impactful senior thesis, Abbas recommended using daily reflections from travels as a starting point, emphasizing the potential of these reflections to evolve into comprehensive research projects upon returning home.
