Adam Miguest is a Chicago native and has a BA in International Studies and Linguistics from the University of Illinois. He speaks 9 languages, has been to 30+ countries, and continues to travel indefinitely with the goal of finding the coolest and most unique people, places, and events the world has to offer. 

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?
New languages and new cultures motivated me to study abroad. I've studied abroad in 3 places: Barcelona, Paris, and Copenhagen. I chose Barcelona to learn about Catalan culture, I chose France because I am of French descent and I wanted to learn about the motherland, and I chose Copenhagen because I didn't know anything about it and I wanted to start fresh.

What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?
I had amazing experiences each time. My favorite memory is being part of my friend's graduation ceremony in Denmark where they drive around on a giant truck drinking for 12 hours and end the day with skinny dipping in the Copenhagen canals. Learning Danish was one of the hardest languages to learn for me, but I got there eventually. 

What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad?
I learned conversational Danish, which only ~5 million people in the world speak. And yes, the experience changed my life and made me realize that I want to eventually own a summer house in Europe and go back there every year.

Has your experience helped you get to where you are today? 
Yes, I am now a full time Youtuber  and I am able to show all of my viewers the cool and hidden things I know about Europe, most of which I learned about while studying abroad.

What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?
I would advise students without a lot of money to just budget by making their own food and pregaming with alcohol from the market and avoiding buying the expensive drinks at bars clubs. 

How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity?
University in Europe is totally different. They don't really believe in giving daily homework; they trust students to read at home and follow along in the assigned readings. American universities just give a lot of busy work in my opinion - I wish it were more European, in that sense. 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
Studying abroad is the best thing I've ever decided to do.

#StudyAbroadBecause you'll never again have the chance to experience another culture firsthand and carefree

Find Adam online:
https://www.youtube.com/c/arcanetravels

https://www.instagram.com/arcane_adam/

https://www.facebook.com/arcanetravel/

All photos courtesy and copyright Adam Miguest