- Hometown/State/Country: Custer, South Dakota, USA
- Major/Minor: Prospective Global Studies Major
Why Slovenia?
In all honesty, I did not know Slovenia even existed before I applied for this abroad. That’s why it piqued my interest. Upon a little research, I discovered its location in central Europe and its communist history. I love history and Slovenia seemed like a country with a fascinating story of shifting borders and diverse people. Also, I’ve never been to Europe before, so I figured why not visit a country less traveled? However, that is quickly changing as Slovenia transforms into a popular tourist destination due to its gorgeous lakes, tall mountains, intricate caverns, and quaint towns.
What Slovenian landscape feature are you most excited to see, and why?
The Rocky Mountains in Colorado have always served as my second home, so unsurprisingly I am thrilled to get a taste of the Julian Alps. Also, the classic picture of the Alps looming over Lake Bled is so picturesque and I can’t wait to witness it with my own eyes.
If you had your own shield/coat of arms, what four qualities would you choose to represent you?
The four qualities that are most central to my character are: humility, respect, love, and creativity. I think getting outside of yourself is one of the most important things you can do in your life. You can’t understand others or form relationships without putting others’ needs in front of your own. This also means you must respect others and yourself. I think everyone deserves respect. Respecting all people promotes a more peaceful world and this is something I try to work on daily. I think the most important quality is love. Loving God and your neighbor is the key to happiness and equality. I’m a very loving person and I strive each day to understand how to love most fully. Lastly, I love to be creative. Every person has a creative side, we just all express it differently. For me, I love to express creativity through singing, writing, and drawing.
For me, the Slovenia Abroad is an opportunity to …
For me, the Slovenia Abroad is an opportunity to go outside my comfort zone. My goal in life is to be the best global citizen possible. Our class defined global citizenship as “taking responsibility to value and work towards justice through selflessness and love. A global citizen understands interconnectedness by embracing diversity.” I think I will have to try things I’m not comfortable with such as speaking Slovenian and writing poems in order to become a better global citizen. This won’t be easy, but I love traveling and challenging myself so I’m more than ready to embark on this journey.