Martha’s Vineyard is my home, and Duke University is my home away from home. I had the pleasure this semester of getting to call a third place home: Copenhagen, Denmark. This fall, I continued my studies in neuroscience at DIS Copenhagen, Danish Institute for Study Abroad.

I studied the cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, which was challenging but rewarding. With my lab group, we completed a research project on visual perceptual thresholds in visual masking, and sought to determine the effects of visual masking and stimuli type impact response time and accuracy on healthy individuals. We presented our poster and our findings for DIS students and faculty, which was very fulfilling after a semester of research and lab work.

Studying in Europe this semester has provided me with a learning far beyond academics. I made new lifelong friends from different universities, and grew to love a new city, despite its bone chilling temperatures in winter. I was also able to travel and see parts of Europe I had not seen before, such as Florence where my class had a week-long trip to continue studying neuroscience. All good things come to an end, but I am eager to return to campus in the new year and reunite with all my friends, continue with my studies of Neuroscience and Child Policy, work at the Center for Autism and Brain Development, and dance in Defining Movement, among other things.

While abroad I have reflected a lot on what the concept of home is. To me, home is where you feel loved, supported, and cared for. Thank you MVYouth for being part of what makes Martha’s Vineyard home to me, and your continuous support. I never take for granted the opportunities you are providing me, it inspires me daily to make the people at home proud!