Meet the 2022-23 Odyssean Scholar

Special Contributor(s): Shamim Chowdhury Sajid

Each year, UNC Charlotte awards one student the Odyssean Scholarship. Through generous donors, this scholarship is awarded to a student who has a demonstrably high financial need as determined by the Financial Aid office and who could not otherwise study abroad without the support offered by the scholarship. Each Odyssean Scholar blogs during their experience abroad to share their experience with the UNC Charlotte community. This year’s recipient, Shamim Chowdhury Sajid is studying abroad on the UNC Charlotte Exchange with the University of Mannheim in Mannheim, Germany. Follow along as he shares his experiences during his fall semester abroad.

Photo: Sajid in Mannheim with friends

When I first thought of studying abroad, I didn’t know which university or destination would be right for me. As a business student, I knew I wanted to end up somewhere in Europe because of its prominent start-up culture. Germany was definitely a key contender on my list as I started to explore my options, and the multitude of international students is the reason why I decided to attend the number one business school in Germany, Mannheim Business School.

My name is Sajid, a senior majoring in Finance and I am honored to be the recipient of the Odyssean Scholarship. Without it, studying abroad would have remained a dream.

Photo: Mannheim, Germany

Was the decision worth it? 100%. Living in a European town like Mannheim where the pace of life is so different from Charlotte, has given me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and explore a culture that is so radically different from what I’m used to.

Prior to my departure from the US, I reached out to a fellow 49ers alumni on Linkedin, who also did his exchange program at Mannheim Business School. We had a phone conversation and he was kind enough to give me some insights into Germany – his time at the university, what to expect once I arrive, and much more. Shout out to Christopher Breuer (UNC Charlotte class of 2019)!

Mannheim Business School, with its stellar reputation and international ties, has exchange students from all over the globe, which has allowed me to widen my perspectives and make some lifelong friends. I hope that you will share in my experiences as I embark on a journey here that I know will be one that I will remember for a long time to come.