Owen Russell

Name: Owen Russell '24 (he/him)

Email: opruss19@stlawu.edu

Hometown: Nahant, Massachusetts

Major: Government

Minor: European Studies

Off-Campus Study Program: Vienna, Austria Spring 2022

What was your favorite course you took off campus? The History and Politics of European Integration

Tell us more about your off-campus study experience! Studying abroad was the best the decision that I've made at St. Lawrence. It gave me the opportunity to experience life in one of Europe's most beautiful, historic, and consequential cities. I learned so much about European governments, the foundations of modern psychological perspectives, and the evolution of European art and architecture from the Renaissance to the post modern-era. As a group, we traveled to Czechia, Poland, Germany. Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. We explored the unique history of each country and the roles that they played in shaping global developments. For example, in Italy we visited the Miramere palace in Trieste. We learned that the construction of this breathtaking cliffside castle was charted by emperor Maximillian of Mexico (appointed by the Spanish crown) and in my Caribbean studies class the following fall semester, I learned about the context of Emperor Maximillian's rule. I love making connections in and out of the classroom to topics that I studied while abroad.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone studying off-campus or thinking about studying off-campus? Go. Not only will you will never regret traveling if you have the opportunity, but study abroad opened up so many doors for me and will continue to do so throughout my career. It shows people that you are willing to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself in so, so many different ways.

Ask me about! 

• maintaining mental/physical health
• homesickness
• first time traveler
• navigating COVID
• culture shock/adaptation
• interested but hesitant about studying off-campus