Over the past couple years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to study politics at Rollins with the help of faculty and peers, but now I find myself at the beginning of an even greater opportunity to experience American politics in action. Four days from now I will travel 850 miles north to our nation’s…
Pre Departure Thoughts
While preparing for New Zealand I find myself trying to research what I will actually need for cold weather. Being that I finished growing up in the Florida I have not had to deal with layers, wool socks, thermo-rain jackets etc. I am so nervous/excited to embark in this new adventure/chapter of my life and…
Episode 2: The One Where I’m Finally Settling In
G’day mate! It has already been a month since I first landed in Australia. Honestly, I do not want to return to the USA and I can see myself living here once I graduate. I’ll save more of these thoughts for my return blog so, for now, I’ll give y’all more juicy bits. Orientation was…
25% Complete
It’s strange to think that 25% feels like so much, yet I so little that I still have 3 months left here in New Zealand. This first quarter being in this country have been an absolute rollercoaster (as cliché as that is). First few weeks flew by – between orientation in Queenstown and arriving in…
Pre-Departure Post
In just a few short days, 15 to be exact; I will be embarking on my study abroad journey to Rome, Italy. For me, study abroad has always represented this time for independence and exploration. I have seen my friends come back from study abroad with more confidence in themselves and agency over their lives…
USA to Ireland in T-Minus 1 Month
As I prepare for my semester abroad in Maynooth, Ireland I am reflecting on my past experiences of visiting Europe and how I can fit into the environment. While I identify as American and female, my portrayal of my appearance can be abrasive to other countries (or even other states within the USA). From my…
Habló Espanol
I can’t believe that i’ve been abroad for a little over a month. I took a month long intensive Spanish class and I can honestly say that I can see major improvement in my ability to communicate. Before I came here I was a 2 on a scale from 0-10 and only knew how to…
Pre-Study Abroad Blog Post
Dear Rollins, It is with joy and anxiousness that I am writing my first blog post. As I sit in the airport in Amsterdam, waiting for my flight to Uganda, I can’t help but notice the days remaining until I arrive in Morocco for my study exchange program. As most of you don’t know, I…
Australia: First week of school
So, aside from the several other cultural differences you’d expect and experience anywhere in a different country from your own, one thing that has stood out among the rest is the respect that Australians pay to the aboriginal and indigenous peoples native to Australia. Without fail, before the beginning of each class lecture, or speech…
Final Reflections
It’s been sort of difficult trying to sum up my whole experience abroad in London. The first week coming back to the states had to be one of the toughest things. I know, it sounds like such a cliche, but my study abroad experience has really changed me. I can say that being in a…