Former Photo Bloggers: Fall 2017
Ethan Bell
Pacific University
London, England
I’m a typical computer geek: I’ve been coding since age six and have made a job of it; in my spare time, I play video games with my friends. In order to learn about topics not offered at my home university and gain better cultural awareness (not to mention trying new food and getting some opportunity for affordable travel), I decided to apply for ISA’s Queen Mary University of London program. In order both to give back and to engage my creative side, I decided to submit some of my photos for ISA’s use.
Elisha Earley
Michigan Technological University
Stirling, Scotland
I am currently Junior at Michigan Technological University majoring in Biological Sciences with a biochemistry focus. I have traveled many places in the U.S. but I have never been to another country (with the exception of Canada). I love exploring and hiking, coffee shops, any type of bakery, and what I love most is capturing every fascinating detail through photography.
Erin Hopkins
Southern Nazarene University
Florence, Italy
Since I was young, I have loved capturing the world in art and photography and I can hardly believe that I get the chance to do so in a place as beautiful as Florence. I have lived in small towns most of my life so I made it a priority in college to travel whenever possible. Making long drives with my friends for spontaneous weekend trips is something I have made a typical part of my life. I hope to use this experience of living abroad to further my love travel and bring my adventures to the next level, exploring Europe.
Erin Rose Husmann
UNL
Granada, Spain
As a young woman raised in the landlocked, flat Midwest who is consistently searching for her next adventure, my time studying abroad in Granada, Spain is my next influential experience. Currently a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Communications and Global Studies, I am excited to begin putting my skills and knowledge to use. You can find me taking photographs, hiking, writing, rock climbing, painting, and playing my instruments, always with a smile on my face. Never will I turn down an adventure, for my soul craves all the new and exciting experiences that this world has to offer!
Christopher Janiszewski
UNC Charlotte
Galway, Ireland
Hi my name is Chris Janiszewski and I am a junior at UNCC in computer science. I have a background in Photography/Video production and editing. I believe independent travel is one of the most informative experience one can have alone. Traveling alone can really help find ones self and purpose in life. I plan to use this experience to help find myself and what I really want to do with my life. I plan to document my growth along the whole semester and would love to share my experience with people!
Nicole Jones
University of South Florida
Berlin, Germany
My name is Nicky and I have a passion for traveling and being outdoors. I am fortunate enough to have grown up in a family that took me on trips across the world from a young age. Germany, however, will be the first time I have ever traveled alone to a foreign country. Germany is special because it is no longer defined by their past, but rather by what they have learned from their past. More than anything, I hope to learn from the people in Germany. I hope to learn about their outlook on the past, the present, and the future.
Vanessa Klopmeyer
University of Colorado Boulder
Barcelona, Spain
I am about to be a junior at the University of Colorado Boulder, and I am a Strategic Communication major with an emphasis in Public Relations, minoring in Communication. I am studying to become a an entertainment publicist and currently interning at Sony Pictures Studios in the Media and Talent Relations department. I am hoping to learn as much as I can about the Spanish Culture, Art, Photography, and International Business while in Spain. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and taking photos.
Cassidy LaSalle
University of San Diego
Sydney, Australia
Originally from Palm Springs, California, I am currently studying Psychology at the University of San Diego. In my free time I enjoy exploring new places by myself or with friends. After studying abroad in Italy for three weeks, I knew that I needed to travel again. While studying in Australia, I hope to explore the country as much as possible, as well as travel to neighboring countries. Photography and film are two of my passions, so I will definitely be documenting my experiences throughout the program with my camera. I hope to immerse myself in the Australian culture and connect with different people through my photography.
Mica Magtoto
Iowa State University
Florianópolis, Brazil
I hope to learn as much about the local and regional cultures of Brazil. The country’s vastness is an interesting patchwork of identities and ways of thought which I am eager to get to know. Our family emigrated from the Philippines when I was a child. In college, I decided to study nutrition with a focus on international food production in South America. Along the way, I’ve learned how culture and food are shaped by one another. I look for stories in the food we eat and the people who grow it. To capture and share these stories, I photograph.
Samantha Matta
Arizona State University
Lima, Peru
After my first visit to Peru my freshman year of college, my life changed from solely career focused to personal growth and future goals focused. I fell in love with the Peruvian values of community and leisure. My strictly Lebanese upbringing, while beautiful in its own way, certainly was not like this. I began exploring my passions, like climbing (I’ll be conducting my honors thesis on climbing in Peru!), running, hiking, photography, and hammocking. During my time abroad, I want to learn surfing, run another half marathon, climb many mountains, perfect Spanish, meet many locals, and EAT!
Jessica Muscella
University of South Carolina
Auckland, New Zealand
Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and ever since I applied to college, I knew that I was going to study abroad. I would love to have the opportunity to showcase my adventures with the ISA blog. Photography and blogging has also held a strong interest for me. When I was fifteen, I started a food blog (which I no longer pursue currently). I love to read and write. In addition, environmental issues are very important to me, and I was chair of an environmental education club in my residence hall last year.
Megan Parham
Salve Regina University
Paris, France
Hey, my name is Megan, but my friends call me Meg. I’m a junior at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, but I’m originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. What can I say? I’m a southerner who’s completely in love with New England. People say they always see me with a camera—but it’s never the same one. I love to play extremely competitive tennis matches with my friends, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, eat lavender macarons, and be outside as much as possible. I’m a woman who can’t help but fall in love with every place she goes!
Krystal Patel
Regis University
Thessaloniki, Greece
When I applied to study abroad, it was not an easy decision, not just to pick where to study abroad, but to study abroad in general. I am a Biology Major with a Visual Arts Minor, and combining two of my passions in my education requires a lot of time, therefore, to study abroad would make it difficult to graduate on time. However, I did not want to miss out on the wonderful adventures and to experience a whole new world outside of what I am used to and to be studying in such a beautiful place, Greece, I did not want to miss out on sharing it with others as well.
Meenal Paul
Rutgers University
Geneva, Switzerland (EuroScholars)
I was very young when someone called me a ‘Globe Trotter’. It has since become my identity, probably the biggest part of my personality. I was born in Punjab, India, after which I continued on to live in South Africa, Botswana, England, and the US. By age 9, I had visited four out of the seven continents. I speak five languages. I am now older, and more travelled. As a scientist and a traveller, I wish to reach to new scientific, cultural and emotional heights. This trip is a necessary and non-substitutable piece to the puzzle of my experience.
Thuy Pham
Texas Woman’s University
Glasgow, Scotland
As a child who grew up in a developing country, I have witnessed many people suffered from illnesses and left untreated. I believe anyone who is suffering from illnesses deserves to be treated and have access to healthcare. My ultimate goal is to give back to our society by by dedicating myself to under-served communities. I have always wanted to establish a non-profit organization for global medical missions to provide medical care for the poor, orphaned children, and people in need. Therefore, it has always been my dream to study abroad to learn about other cultures and global health perspectives.
Shelbi Poehlein
Transylvania University
Townsville, Australia
I am a rising junior from Shelbyville, Ky, and the youngest of three children. I am majoring in biology and minoring in psychology with a plan to pursue shark behavior after achieving a marine biology degree. Through my University I am involved in many clubs as well as being a part of the Varsity softball team. I am so excited for my time abroad, as I know the memories and experiences I gain will undoubtedly change my life for the better, and I can’t wait to document all of the special moments!
Kelsey Roche
Le Moyne College
Rome, Italy
While I am abroad I hope to learn more about myself and my relation to the world around me. I hope to challenge myself in new and unthinkable ways that would not have been possible without studying abroad. I decided to study abroad in Rome for its remarkable history..I am a bit of a history nerd! I can’t wait to immerse myself in the stories Rome has seen unfold.
Kiersten Sabolik
College of St. Scholstica
Brisbane, Australia
I am what you might consider a “baby granola.” While I love rock climbing, hiking, outdoors, camping, adventures, road trips, and the good old outdoors, I am also a huge fan of freshly washed sheets, piping hot cups of coffee, and wifi. I grew up in rural MN and go to college at the College of St. Scholstica in Duluth, MN. I am pursuing becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, so I love to run and play sports. I also love to read, play piano, and binge watch the Bachelor. While abroad I plan to see all the things that makes Australia unique and soak in all the culture and new friendships that I can.
Victoria Saint Martin
Illinois State University
Wellington, New Zealand
I am a world traveler that has an eye for beauty and a heart for adventure. I have been to many countries photographing their vast landscapes, bustling cities, and people. While in New Zealand I hope to learn as much as I can about both kiwi and Maori cultures and adapt some into my own. While also being a photographer I am a mixed media artist using ceramics, embroidery, paint, and video.
Catherine Smith
College of Saint Mary
Valencia, Spain
My name Is Catherine Smith! I am a lover of outdoors, traveling, and life itself. I have lived in small-ish towns in Nebraska my whole life, and as boring as that may sound it has taught me to embrace any and all beautiful new experiences given to me whether it be in my home state or across the globe. I hope to experience a whole new world way out of my comfort zone, and to expand my horizons way beyond what I think is possible.
Ashley Summerfield
University of Findlay
Prague, Czech Republic
I’m Ashley and I’m a political science student at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio! Throughout my experience abroad, I hope to become a more well-rounded global citizen. I hope to gain an even greater appreciation for other cultures and customs, while specifically learning the way of life in Prague. I plan to spend my time immersing myself in the culture and taking part in local events, while also being active on my campus. I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies and I’m never afraid to try something new (especially food!).
Aubrey Tran
Grand Valley State University
Dublin, Ireland (ISA Internships)
Hi! My name is Aubrey and I am finishing up my degree in Advertising and Public Relations with this internship abroad in Dublin! I have always had a passion for trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. If you know me, you know I always have a smile on my face and am ready for a good laugh. Photography is one of my passions because I love to capture moments in time that can last forever. I am so excited to take on this adventure and I will for sure be taking every opportunity to try new things, make new friends, and learn about myself along the way.
Minting Xu
University of Florida
Seoul, South Korea
My main objective in studying abroad is immersing myself in a different culture and understanding the differences and similarities between my own culture and the Korean culture. I want to expand my perspective and to always keep an open mind.
Moses Yasin
The College of New Jersey
Valparaiso, Chile
My name is Moses and I am from New Jersey. I ski raced for much of my life, ultimately leading to my involvement in the US Olympic developmental ski team. Because of this exposure to mountains, I have really gained an interest in hiking/ mountaineering. My brothers and I hike big mountains around the USA every year, some are: Garnett Peak (tallest mountain/ glacier in Wyoming) and Mt. Washington (tallest mt in New Hampshire). I hope to practice my Spanish while abroad so that I may better communicate with my family members who are from Colombia. I plan to explore as much as possible and go on a few excursiones so that I may fully immerse myself in Chilean culture.