A study abroad experience can open up a world of possibilities and opportunities for John Jay students; they’re immersing themselves in different cultures, meeting new people, engaging in exciting experiences, and expanding their educational horizons. To gain an understanding of the enriching study abroad programs available through the College's Office of International Studies & Programs (OISP), we’re talking with students and learning more about their study abroad experiences, courses, and memorable moments. Each of their journeys was unique, but they all learned about themselves. Our next student is Brian Bikram ’20, a double major in Culture and Deviance Studies, and Humanities and Justice, who saw his trip to Australia as a stepping-stone toward pursuing his doctorate dreams in Anthropology.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. My family is from Guyana and education is number one to them, so I was always enrolled in academically-driven programs. I took an art history class in high school that changed my life. It introduced me to the Oceania region, which includes Australia. That experience led to my interest in Anthropology because I love seeing how different societies develop not only their culture but their education system. My goal is to get my doctorate in Anthropology and help reform the education system here in the United States, not only content-wise but equity-wise as well.  

What was it about John Jay College that made you want to come here?
It’s going to sound really cheesy, but it just felt right. I remember talking to my history teacher in high school and telling her how I was going through a law phase—I was obsessed with Criminal Minds and law enforcement procedures. So, she recommended I apply to John Jay. I attended an open house and it felt like a perfect fit, plus the College offered Anthropology courses, so that was definitely a plus.

How did you learn about the study abroad program?
I saw the Study Abroad program promoted on the media wall in Haaren Hall. When I met with Kenneth Yanes, Director of the Office of International Studies & Programs, he mentioned a trip to Australia was in the works and he helped me plan for it. The main concern was academic planning, since I am a double major and double minor and Australia would require I be abroad for a full semester. My major advisors were super encouraging since they know how educational a study abroad experience can be. Once that was settled, I had to figure out how to finance the trip. Luckily, I was able to secure financial aid from FASFA, and the Gilman Scholarship, which is a scholarship available to study abroad students.

While in Australia, what college did you go to and how did the educational experience align with your career goals?
I was at the University of the Sunshine Coast, which is in the northeastern part of the country. I took the internship component where I had a cybercrime internship, and I took a criminology class. The internship was worth six credits, and then I took two classes on campus, each worth three credits. The internship was with IDCARE which is a national center for identity theft for Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The Center has a very unique approach on how to deal with identity theft through a counseling perspective. They have counselors on the phone with victims, talking them through how to combat theft after they’ve been victimized and what preventative measures they can take to ensure it doesn’t happen again. It was also interesting to see how they calmed callers down and offered support. The class aspect allowed me to do my own research; I’d select a topic and then do a literature review on it. Because the University is a Flora and Fauna reserve and a member of Land for Wildlife, its home to a lot of animals, including koalas and kangaroos. So, when it came time to select my research, I did it on wildlife crime in the age of the internet. The study abroad experience in Australia really expanded my research skillset, it bettered my writing abilities, and it changed how I approached academia.

What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself through this experience?
The thing that surprised me the most during study abroad was how independent and self-sufficient I became. Don’t get me wrong, I missed my parents, especially during that first month, but it was awesome to see that I could live on my own, cook my own dinners, do my own food shopping, and my own laundry. Being away from home, you have no choice but to grow up and come into your own, and it surprised me to see how incredibly self-sufficient I can be.

What was your most memorable experience?
What stands out to me was all the beauty I was able to take in during my travels within Australia. It’s a beautiful country, with such amazing sites, the beaches are stunning, the waters are crystal clear, the air was fresh, the food was delicious, and the people are incredibly friendly. Meeting new friends and seeing the Sydney Opera House was my absolute favorite experience; pictures of the Opera House don’t do it justice, it's breathtaking in person.

For a student curious about study abroad, what advice would you offer them?
Do not let anyone define your study abroad experience. It’s your time, so you alone decide what it should be. And, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make the experience truly yours, explore and learn as much as you can.

In an ideal world, 10 years from now, where do you see yourself?
I see myself as a professor of Anthropology on a tenure-track, hopefully at a big university in New York City. My dream is to work in higher education, at a college level, and help improve the course development and college transition process for students. That’s one of the things I loved about Australia and being at the University of the Sunshine Coast, I was able to see how different they approach not only life, but education. Students in Australia go to college to pursue their passions. They’re getting degrees in what they like and are interested in, not in what they believe will earn them the biggest paycheck. My ideal academic world would be passion driven, not career driven, so my goal is to help bring that kind of energy and focus to colleges here.