Jacob Haider

Jacob Haider is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Cork, Ireland.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.

The definitively most lasting impressions I have from my experience come from my backpacking trip across Europe. I visited major cities like Paris, Bern, Munich, Athens, Vienna, and Bergen.  Late night philosophical discussions in Paris, day-long hikes in Norway, and night-life fun and abandoned resort exploration in Athens. I met fantastic people and experienced the local sides of these mighty European cities, learning and experiencing so very much more than I could possibly have just being a tourist. The things I learned about people and perspective will stay with me forever, and companions I met along the way I will keep with me as well. I received a powerful introduction to life.  I couldn’t have asked for a better educational opportunity.            

Why did you choose the program in which you participated? 

I chose the Cork program because it was unique among the programs offered. With no faculty advisor it was the “independent program”, more like an exchange program than an extension of SJU to another country, where the setting was different but the people and dynamics were the same. I wanted a chance to get away from it all, a chance to stand alone and see where I was at as a person. Ireland was also a country I had always wanted to visit, and with its proximity to Europe the perfect place for adventures and experiences.

How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?

The trip affected me on multiple levels, but the degree to which it has changed me is hard to discern. I know for sure that I have developed a new perspective on life, shaped largely by my experience. I see things through different eyes, and I examine everything from multiple perspectives. Above all I realized how much I take for granted in life, especially amazing people, and I realized that I should be much more grateful for all that I have and make sure not only that I take advantage of it but most importantly that I give back- recognizing the amazing people in my life and trying to help others have better lives. That is my driving passion in life, and it was stoked into a fire abroad, as I had ample time for reflection and contemplation of all things in this life. I also met great people along the way, especially backpacking across Europe for 33 days. Wow what a trip. The conversations I had with strangers taught me so much about the goodness of people in this world and the power of perspective. You see what you are expecting to see- See the good. I am a more open person, a more thoughtful person, and a more dedicated person because of my experience.