Study Abroad Bloggers

Rachel Guthro

Summer 2013

Major: French
Minor: Women's Studies

Age: 20

Career Goal: I want to be a high school French teacher and I've been considering the idea of teaching English abroad.

City, Country, School: Studying in Aix-en-Provence, France with Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA)

Why did you choose this location? As a French Major I am required to study abroad in a French speaking country. I've dreamed of going to France for years, so I'm very excited to be able to go. I'm taking an intensive language course and I've heard that it's not as easy to slip back into English in smaller cities, like Aix, as opposed to Paris. My goal is one day be fluent in French.

What are you most excited to do while abroad?  I most excited to be able to expand my language skills and immerse myself in the culture. I can't wait to try the food, meet new people, and see as much as I can of France.

What is your favorite item from home that you are bringing? My camera so I can document my trip.

Read Rachel's blog: http://postcardsfromaixenprovence.tumblr.com/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kelsey Werner

Major: Sociology

Age: 19

City, Country, School: I am studying in Cuenca, Ecuador at the CEDEI Center

Why did you choose this location? I specifically chose this country and program because I wanted to do something different than the typical study abroad experience. I did not want to go to a European dominated location where I would find myself in a similiar country to the place I was raised. I want to become immersed in the culture, learn the issues and problems the people there face and find out how they attempt to solve them.

Career Goal: One day I would love to work for a non-profit that I am passionate about.

What are you most excited to do while abroad? I hope to learn more about the culture of Ecuador, to improve my Spanish conversation skills, to have an amazing adventure, to meet new friends, to make memories for life, to learn from and bond with my host family, to enjoy a slower pace of life and discover more about myself.

What is your favorite item from home that you are bringing? My favorite item that I am bringing from home is a 'love bag' that my friends made for me with little notes of encouragement that I get to read when I am having a rough day.

 

Read Kelsey's blog:  http://kelcmckenna.wordpress.com/

---

Sean McAtee

Major: Bio-Chemistry w/ Pre-Med

Age: 20 long years

City, Country, School: I am studying at Mahidol University in Bankok, Thailand through the Knowledge Exchange Institute (KEI)

Why did you choose this study abroad location? Thailand, and all of South East Asia (SEA) for that matter, is a land that is entirely different than the states. I want to experience cultures and ecosystems that are strange and new. I also like the idea of living in an underdeveloped country where there are still unmarked areas on the map, and simply traveling from town to town is an adventure in itself.

Career Goal: Rural or back-country physician

What are you most excited to do while abroad? I am most excited to talk to Thai people on the street. I want to know what it is like to live in SEA and I want to learn about Thai customs and the many cultural practices.

What is your favorite item from home that you are bringing? My camera

 

Read Sean's blog: http://southeastdirtbag.tumblr.com/

---

Shannon Barr

Major: Journalism

Age: 19

City, Country, School: I am studying at the University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria though IGE Abroad.

Why did you choose this location? I chose this location because I have taken German 1 and wanted to continue learning the language in its own environment; I am definitely an active learner! Additionally, the IGE program was flexible and worked well with getting the classes I needed.

Career Goal: I would love to be an independent film documentarist; traveling the world, connecting with people of diverse cultures and ultimately being a tool to help those in need.

What are you most excited to do while abroad? I am really looking forward to meeting people of different backgrounds and exploring such a historically and artistically rich city. I am also looking forward to traveling to other neighboring countries; I am going to take advantage of the relatively close proximity of European countries to one another.

What is your favorite item from home that you are bringing? My camera because I am able to document and share the memories I experience!

 

Read Shannon's blog: http://shanninaustria.blogspot.com/