The phrase “study abroad” often conjures images of students exploring art history in Florence, dissecting English literature at Cambridge or participating in full-immersion language programs in Tokyo or Tanzania. Princeton, however, believes students majoring in math, the sciences and engineering should have the same opportunities, and Justin Huynh ’07 agrees.

The molecular biology major from New York City always knew he wanted to go abroad. Because Princeton’'s molecular biology department has partnerships with universities in England and Sweden, Huynh was able to take part in an international program without falling behind on required courses.

Huynh spent the spring semester of his junior year at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden — one of Europe’s largest medical universities. “All of the programs are related to either medicine or biological research,” he says.

“I wanted to go someplace most people don’t already go. I wanted to do something new,” says Huynh, who was only the second student from Princeton to attend the program. “It was better than I could have ever imagined. I still keep in touch with friends I made over there.”

Huynh’s first exposure to Princeton was during a high school debate tournament. He was impressed at how well-rounded and social Princeton students seemed. “Everybody here has such a nice balance,” he says. “They’re smart, sharp, but also easy to talk to.”

When he was applying to colleges, Huynh had his eyes set on all the top-tier schools, but Princeton was the only one that offered a financial aid package with no student loans. “It’s so perfect that Princeton has such a wonderful program,” says Huynh. “It was a very natural choice for me.”

Huynh also chose Princeton specifically for its celebrated molecular biology program, and he wasn’t disappointed. As early as first semester junior year, Huynh says, he was doing the work of an experimental scientist. “Two years in, you’re reading and analyzing papers with a post-doc,” says Huynh. “That’s something that other programs might not give you until you’re a graduate student.”

Huynh also worked for the business department of Princeton’s student newspaper, recruited for the Whig-Clio debate society and helped manage the Pre-Business Society.

Huynh says graduate school is definitely in his future, but he’s in no rush. Since graduating, he’s already landed a pharmaceutical consulting job in New York City.