All Things ASE

A Career Perspective On My Study Abroad.

Logan Johnson (Summer '24, Indiana University, Indianapolis)

Logan Johnson is an unusual student for us. He is majoring in Applied Data Science, a discipline quite different from our usual round of creative writers and historians, and studying at Indiana University, Indianapolis, a college from which we have never had a student before.

Here’s his take on his summer with ASE.

This summer I had the privilege of participating in the wonderful Advanced Studies In England study abroad program! Since the program is liberal arts/humanities-focused, I was able to engage with my academic journey in a way that was refreshing and different from my tech-heavy course-load at Indiana University Indianapolis.

Logan and some of the friends at Final Tea.

While I knew I would learn a lot from the courses I was taking, I found the most meaningful learning came from the conversations I was able to have with my fellow students and the program staff and faculty -- amazing people with deep knowledge in anything from political science, the performing arts, education, and everywhere between. We were able to share differing perspectives on both academic and social topics facing our generation and to form relationships that, through the wonderful alumni network the program maintains (shoutout Rob Jones!), will last a lifetime.

At Tintagel, on the study trip for his course 'Legends of the Round Table'.

I was reminded how valuable the power of human connection is, and how as you move up in higher education and especially tech, it is easy to find yourself caught in an echo chamber of people with similar interests, ideas, and academic experiences. Taking a step out and hearing from upcoming experts in other fields renewed my understanding of how much of your career and beyond is a shared journey, and about how all of our work is interconnected. It was an opportunity whose experiences and lessons I can carry far into my future.

Logan is a great photographer, and spent much of his summer behind the lens.