One-on-one with a World Traveler

Studying abroad, conducting research in other parts of the world, and working to complete two majors are just a few opportunities that fifth-year senior, Brandon Kilduff, took advantage of during his time at Penn State. The Chemistry and French major took time to apply what he’s learned in the classroom in other parts of the world. Here’s a glimpse into the international experiences that helped shape his future.

Kilduff started his worldly adventure in Besancon, France. The program was a three-month endeavor to learn French at the Centre Linquistique Appliqué. While staying with a French family in their home, Kilduff earned French credits to go towards his major, which he knew he wanted since high school.

“Living in a homestay in Besancon gave me the ability to cope with differences in family structure and culture,” he said. “I also got to backpack through Europe and hit countries like Germany, Holland, and Switzerland before I made my way back to Strasbourg in northern France.”

While in Strasbourg, Kilduff’s French-speaking skills were put to the test, as he was the only exchange student in the chemistry department.

“I was taking only chemistry classes, and they were all in French,” he said. “There was no way I would’ve been able to pass the courses if I weren’t fluent in French, so starting how I did in Besancon was a big plus.”

Kilduff loved the variation of class structure while he was in Strasbourg. He pointed out they don’t have the resources we do here in the United States, which forces students to become independent learners. The relationship between students and professors is also quite different. In fact, networking while abroad is what brought Kilduff an amazing opportunity.

“I actually had an internship while I was in France. It gave me a look into international science,” he said. “The way they work in a laboratory is much different, and it’s important to have the ability to learn in unfamiliar environments.”

The research Kilduff did at the University of Strasbourg through the University of Florida was extremely successful. It led to an all-expenses-paid trip to Florida to present his findings, not to mention letters of recommendation from prestigious people in the industry.

“The research was based around chemistry as it pertained to crystal networks,” Kilduff said. “It was a great experience in a multi-cultural lab, and it went really well.“

After France, Kilduff headed to England, where he furthered his researching skills at the University of Sussex. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as well as his previous endeavor.

“I learned how to write a report on research that doesn’t work,” Kilduff laughed. “It was a different type of research and an example of how it can’t always go as planned. I learned a lot and by the end of studying abroad, I had three letters of recommendation from three different countries.”

That won’t stop him from going back. He would possibly like to revisit the UK for graduate studies.

“International studies are so important because we are rather isolationist, especially when it comes to our news,” Kilduff said. “After living in another country, you can now see both sides of the story.”

As far as his future plans go, it’s would be an understatement to say Kilduff has a lot of experience under his belt.

“I’m ready,” he said. “Penn State has been great, but there are so many other places to see.”

For more about career and international opportunities for science students, visit scienceengagement.psu.edu