Global studies grad now prepares for real world

Oh, the places you’ll go!

More than just words of encouragement from that famous riddler of words, Dr. Seuss, it’s a reality for ASU student David Berger. The graduating senior says that thanks to his experiences at ASU the question isn’t where can he find a job in this economy – it’s where does he want to go?

Berger, a global studies major, was initially drawn to ASU because of Barrett, the Honors College. He was also excited by the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary degree that could prepare him for the real world.

“Barrett was a key point because of the opportunity and challenge it represented,” Berger says. “Besides Barrett, the interdisciplinary program through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the reputation and information I had received on the formation of the new global studies program, caught my academic interest. For me, global studies represented a perfect mixture of sociology, finance, economics, political science and urban planning.”

The importance of travel and global education is something that had been instilled in Berger since childhood. Thanks to his parents, he was already a world traveler before coming to ASU – and his college education only helped expand those horizons.

In 2007 he spent over seven weeks in Britain with the Barrett college, learning about Victorian poetry and history. Then, in 2009, he had the opportunity to work in Milan as a political and economical intern for the U.S. Consulate. Following the four months he spent there, Berger independently arranged and financed an additional four-month backpacking trip throughout Europe.

In all, Berger has visited 34 countries. He now uses those experiences to help others interested in traveling, by contributing to a blog created by his brother called The Ultimate Packing List.

“My brother Alex and I have worked hard to discover ways to continue traveling on a very limited budget. In doing so, we've discovered a ton of little tricks and what now seems like common sense know how, which can make traveling on a tight budget possible,” Berger says.

“Through video submission, and constant updating of content from our travel experiences and those of the international community, we put together what we feel is a clear, simple, and free tool for travelers interested in hosteling or backpacking for the first time outside the U.S.”

Berger says the education he has received at ASU has prepared him as well as any Ivy League school. The only thing left now is deciding where to go.