Former Featured Bloggers: Summer 2017
Kyra Bauske
Rollins College
London, England
I am a Student at Rollins College working on my BA in English. Fiction is my first love, but I also enjoy writing poetry, memoir, and journalistic pieces. I hope that my time abroad will give me a new perspective to write from – there is so much to learn in another country. I currently hold a position as a Writing Consultant, Grammar Tutor, and Latin Tutor at TJ’s Tutoring and Writing Center, Rollins College where I apply the skills I have acquired in my major. However, I hope to branch from the classroom conversations to the online conversations of blogging.
Tyler Carr
Tennessee Technological University
Prague, Czech Republic
I was born and raised in the beautiful State of Tennessee. After taking a mission trip to Ireland in 2014, I became addicted to travelling abroad. I have been to Ireland four times since then, as well as to London. I love learning about other cultures and immersing myself in local culture when I travel. I am also a lover of almost all kinds of music, great food, and a good cup of coffee.
Makenzie Carson
Bryan College of Health Sciences
San José, Costa Rica
I have grown up following the footsteps of an incredibly adventurous father. Always trailing two-steps behind, I never underestimated the power of the journey, and the hardships that come with. As I begin this journey with butterflies in my stomach, I am ready to take on the good & the bad – hoping to meet incredible people, dive head first into the culture, and make a difference with the skills that I, and my future peers in this program, will bring. Reminding myself to embrace the ambiguity, I will take each day as it comes, and always be ready to learn.
Sam Contreras
Edgewood College
Dublin, Ireland (ISA Internships)
Despite the obvious answer being that my exchange period is for both professional and academic development, my primary purpose in traveling abroad has been personal growth. I believe that taking advantage of opportunities during college is what aids a person in discovering themselves, where they belong, and where they are able to contribute in making the world a more just and compassionate place. As a creative writer and a volleyball player, I tend to subjectively experience things in raw and quite visceral ways. I live more for experiences and less for pictures or mementos.
Erica Coslop
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Sydney, Australia
I just finished my sophomore year at Ramapo, where I am a Communication Arts major with a concentration and writing and a minor in international studies. At Ramapo, I am the News and Managing Editor for our school newspaper. I have written over 30 articles for the paper and edited countless others, as well as been featured in the school’s literary magazine. Outside of writing, I’m a fan of all things yoga and running. While abroad, I hope to go on adventures and experience things that will make me into both a better person and a better writer.
Rebecca Dantuono
Arizona State University
Barcelona, Spain
Hi! My name is Rebecca and I am currently a junior at Arizona State University majoring in Sports Journalism with a minor in Business. While I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, I have enjoyed living in Tempe, Arizona for the past three years exploring a totally different part of the country. As this will be my first ever time in Europe, I am hoping to explore as much as possible and learn about other cultures. My ultimate career goal is to work in sports, so I am also looking forward to seeing the impact sports has in Europe.
Anna Dillon
The Ohio State University
Valparaíso, Chile
I’m Anna, a rising senior at THE Ohio State University. Both of my parents were Buckeyes, which makes me a “Baby Buckeye” and I have (Block) O positive blood. My talents include parallel parking (without a right side mirror!) and sprinting down 3 flights of stairs without falling. I plan on making friends with the locals who end up admitting they feel like they’ve known me their entire lives. I’m just a passionate girl from Ohio who has big eyes and even bigger dreams.
Amelia Evans
Saint Leo University
Seoul, South Korea
안녕! Study abroad student living life in South Korea, as I endure being millions of miles away from everything I once knew. Changing and growing is all just part of the experience. Join me on a journey as I follow my heart and find my own Seoul!
Ashley Fellers
University of South Carolina
Cusco, Peru (ISA Service-Learning)
I am a rising Sophomore at the University of South Carolina. I love playing tennis, reading, and working with my service sorority Omega Phi Alpha. I am interested in becoming a doctor and I love learning about new cultures. All of my early education was in Spanish so I enjoy getting to practice my speaking skills whenever I can! While serving in Cusco, I look forward to developing a deeper appreciation and better understanding of a new culture. I think it is important to positively impact the places you travel so I am very excited for this service-learning experience!
Holly Gregory
Central Michigan University
Meknes, Morocco
I was raised in a small farming town in mid-Michigan, where I spent much of my time doing things like fishing, pollinating corn for a local farm, and playing high school sports. Meanwhile, I fostered an intellectual curiosity I could only truly discover until I graduated (with my 53 fellow classmates) and began college at Central Michigan University. I began taking Arabic classes and I soon signed majors in Psychology and Cultural and Global Studies (with a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies). During my time abroad, I hope to continue this trend of personal growth and I am particularly looking forward to improving my Arabic skills!
Alexandra Higaki
College of Charleston
Florence, Italy
I like to describe myself as an arts omnivore. Concerts, art museums, fashion shows, glass blowing workshops–you name it, I want to be a part of it. I’m a double major in Arts Management and Marketing in sunny Charleston, SC. During my time abroad in Italy, I plan on immersing myself in my fashion design class and exploring all that Florence has to offer!
Marla Holland
Waynesburg University
Sydney, Australia
I am senior at Waynesburg University. I am very active in the University’s Psychology Club, Student Activities Board, Track and Field Program, and I am involved in several instrumental ensembles on campus. I work in the school cafeteria, and I also work as a Resident Assistant at a senior living center and a sales associate at a Reebok outlet store when I am home. I enjoy giving and being there for my friends and family. As I am busy at school, I hope to stay busy during my time abroad. I want to share my adventure with anyone and everyone!
Grace Holzer
University of Richmond
Heredia, Costa Rica (ISA Service-Learning)
Hailing from Paris … Illinois, I’m a rising junior at the University of Richmond. My hobbies include making friendship bracelets on my water bottle, tearing up the basketball court with my club basketball team and reading and writing insane amounts to keep up with my English and Leadership Studies double major. I’m heading to Costa Rica to hopefully make more friends to make bracelets for and spend some quality time with the abuelos at Hogar de Ancianos Aldredo y Delia.
Benjamin Hudrlik
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Prague, Czech Republic
I come from a small agricultural town in southern Wisconsin. I grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball while going hunting and fishing in my free time with friends. While I’m abroad I hope to get a sense of what the world is like outside of the Midwest, I have never left the country and have only ever lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I would say that I’m unique because of what my dreams are. I want to write historical films and documentaries, and I will be in a historical program in Prague this summer that I hope someday will develop a story for me to use in my future writings.
Mary Emma Johnson
Georgia College
Sevilla, Spain
Hey, I’m Mary Emma. If my double name didn’t give it away for you, I was born and raised in the south, specifically in a small town just north of Atlanta, Georgia. I’m fiercely independent and love reading, hula-hooping, and everything in between. Growing up, my family didn’t travel much, but from the first time I went abroad to Guatemala, I knew my passion was exploring new places. My favorite part about traveling is getting to know the people that make a place what it is. I’m excited to share a bit of my world with you!
Melonie Kotschwar
Concordia University Nebraska
London, England (ISA Internships)
Technically I have already been abroad, just not for school rather in the military and it was a pretty hard experience. It is this experience that I really want to take with me to help others in my internship abroad with Migrants Organise. It seems to be the place best suited for what I have already experienced in life. And I hope that I will be able to connect with immigrants and refugees as human beings who have been going through some pretty hard times. Mostly, I want to give them hope that they can have joy even in hardship.
Andie Parnell
Texas A&M University
Stirling, Scotland
I am a senior Texas A&M sociology major from Midland, Texas. I have a passion to make a change in the world but like to spend my free time doing Pilates, listening to podcasts, spending time outdoors or with my loved ones. I also love adventures and new experiences and that is exactly what I hope to get out of my time abroad. Stirling, Scotland stuck out to me, when searching for a place to call home abroad for the summer, because of its rich history, beautiful landscapes, lively culture and unique wildlife.
Alison Sabath
The Ohio State University
Valencia, Spain
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and currently attend The Ohio State University – so I am extremely eager to live outside of my comfort zone in a different country and culture! While in Valencia, I hope to perfect my Spanish speaking skills and gain a new cultural perspective on the world. I’ve always dreamed of traveling for work and leisure and to successfully communicate with locals along the way. This experience will be my first taste of what the future holds! I love music, exploring, trying new foods, and I’m currently training for a half marathon.
Serena Spence
Georgia College & State University
Lima, Peru (ISA Service-Learning)
Hello! I’m Serena, I’m a junior from Atlanta, Georgia. I go to a small liberal arts school in the middle-of-nowhere-Georgia where I study Mass Communications, Spanish, and Nonprofit Management. I love spending time with people and learning about different cultures. I’m obsessed with being outside and making things, recently I’ve taken up tapestry weaving. My favorite things include my cat, yellow peonies, my guitar, social enterprises and milk & cookies ice Cream. While in Peru, I hope to pretend to be a local for 2 months, sharpen my Español, hike as many things as possible and eat all of the Peruvian desserts.
Kate Suelter
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Galway, Ireland (ISA Service-Learning)
My name is Kate Suelter and I’m an athletic training major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I’m participating in a service learning+study abroad program in Galway, Ireland. I will be working with Special Heroes, a non-profit organization whose goal is to support children with special needs and those facing long term illnesses who spend extended periods of time in medical facilities. One of my primary responsibilities will be to organize SibShops, which support children who have siblings with special needs. My ultimate motivation for traveling abroad is my desire to immerse myself in another culture, and work one-on-one with its citizens. Through special heroes, I will be able to make a positive impact in the lives of those children who need all the love and support they can get.
Kadeem Thomas
University of South Florida
Florianopolis, Brazil
While traveling abroad I want to not only show and inspires others to stretch out their comfort zones but also as I continue on learning new languages and cultures I hope to learn a broader perspective on myself and the world around me. I was raised in Tampa Florida speaking English but ever since my first time traveling abroad in 2013 I have become poly-lingual and have travels all across south America and Europe. I hope to one day have a ted talk on defying destiny and forging your own fate.
Logan Tidstrom
University of Michigan
Meknes, Morocco and Granada, Spain
My name is Logan, and I’m an incoming sophomore at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I’m still deciding on my major, but I’m thinking either Applied Math or Computer Science, with a minor in Spanish. Studying abroad has been a dream of mine since I even started thinking about college. I love language, so I am so excited to learn Arabic in Morocco this summer and to develop my Spanish in Spain. My hobbies include all kinds of sports and reading. I also have been lucky enough to travel in the past, but this summer will definitely be my biggest adventure ever!
Kayla Timmins
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Galway, Ireland (ISA Service-Learning)
My name is Kayla Timmins, I am from a small town in Massachusetts, USA. I hope to receive new skills and to learn about the local Irish community that I will be interacting with. I am excited to be in Ireland because that is where a majority of my ancestors are from and I am excited to see the “homeland”. I would consider myself unique because I have a big personality and a goofy side, but I can be very quiet and intellectual. Some of my hobbies include; watching/playing sports, telling jokes, writing, taking sub-par instagram photos, and socializing.
Jennifer Wankmuller
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Santiago, Chile (ISA Internships)
I am constantly on the move. Whether I’m out for a run, hiking up mountains, or simply strolling through city streets I love finding new places with my camera strapped across my chest. I’ve found some of my favorite places by while going for a run or wandering while I get lost, and that’s often how I wind up with my great stories to tell.
Katherine Whitehead
University of Tennessee
London, England
My name is Katherine Whitehead and I am a senior at the University of Tennessee majoring in Journalism and Electronic Media with a minor in Information Studies and Technology. I love to write, travel and explore other countries and cultures. This summer I am studying multimedia journalism abroad at the University of Westminster in London, England. While I am there, I hope to explore more of Europe and learn more about myself and others through adventure and international journalism.
Lindsey Williams
University of Richmond
Heredia, Costa Rica (ISA Service-Learning)
I hope to expand my horizons and learn/understand cultures outside of my own. I have never been outside of the United States, so being able to build upon, not only the Spanish language that I have spent many years learning and practicing, but also my knowledge base for different traditions and medical practices would be amazing! My hobbies include playing soccer (I am on the team at the University of Richmond), reading, anything outdoors, listening to music, and exploring small unique food places in different cities!
Bryan Yalta
University of North Texas
Paris, France
I like to think the best places to find cultural elements are in non-tourist locations. I’m not a sightseeing guy, but I do enjoy seeing the interactions between people in relation to the setting they’re placed in. Capturing certain moments that may suggest a new perspective on the way people act is my main interest.