Where are you from? (Hometown)
Bloomington, IL
Major/Minor
Major: Digital Media and Journalism
Minors: Dance, Spanish language, and Business
What has been the most meaningful idea you’ve discovered or learned so far in preparation for your study abroad to Finland?
Experiencing something different and unfamiliar isn’t a bad thing, it is an opportunity to grow. This is very different for me and the classes as well and it has been an adjustment. I am out of my comfort zone,but I am excited to see how much I develop. One of the biggest takeaways is to view everything from an outside perspective and see how it changes your view on the world.
For me, the Finland Study Abroad is an opportunity to…
Explore my inner self and learn things about myself I did not know, but most importantly to grow as an individual and learn meaningful lessons,while exploring all possibilities this trip has to offer. It is also an opportunity to become and nurture friendships with people I do not talk to as much or ever thought I would be friends with. I also believe I will get the opportunity to do things that are uncomfortable, which I am excited to see how I develop and grow from that.
What do you want to be better at?
I want to be better at speaking up for myself,talking in class and in general. The biggest thing I want to be better at is getting out of my shell and be my authentic self without making myself feel small
How does learning about Finnish education, sustainability, and culture shape the way you view, and want to engage with, the world?
It gives me the opportunity to understand why things are the way they are, while having a better understanding of how different other countries are from the U.S. It gives a different perspective and lens on what I thought culture, education, and sustainability is. It makes me view the world in a different aspect and realize there is so much more to the world than just the land, but rather its the people who choose to make use of resources that make the world a better place, as well as other factors.