What is your hometown?
Alton, IL
What is your major(s)/minor(s)?
Business Admin major in college, now Multimedia Marketing
At this point in your life, what is important/meaningful to you?
Family, photos, and fulfillment!
What most intrigues and excites you about the Aotearoa/New Zealand study abroad?
For me, this is an amazing opportunity to combine two things I’ve loved so much in my experience so far. My own abroad to Japan as a student was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, and then traveling to New Zealand on my own for several months 12 years ago, similarly impacted me deeply. Now, getting the chance to combine the Prin abroad experience, which I feel strongly is not only one of the best things that Principia College has to offer, but is also one of the best abroad experiences anyone could ask for, with the country of New Zealand, is absolutely a dream come true. I can’t wait to go back and create new memories with new people in a place that has meant so much to me!
What is the most meaningful idea you’ve discovered or learned about Aotearoa/New Zealand so far?
I’ve loved learning more about the Maori culture and language. On my last trip, I didn’t get the opportunity to focus too much on culture or learning because my focus was on the outdoors, and more of the generic aspects of travel itself. But I feel strongly that deep learning about a place only serves to encourage a connection, so I can’t wait to learn all I can about the native people and the land of Aotearoa!
For me, the Aotearoa/New Zealand abroad is an opportunity to … I see this abroad as an opportunity for me to put my skills into practice in a way that I never haven’t been able to before and to continue my learning journey both as a professional, as an instructor, and as a world citizen. I’m so grateful for all of the learning opportunities that have been afforded me, both as a student as well as a staff member, but this will be a chance for me to learn and expand in ways that I hadn’t conceived of before. I love to travel, I love New Zealand, and I love getting the opportunity to both teach and to learn, so I can’t wait to have an amazing time abroad, and I hope that I’m able to add to the experience as much as I know I’ll be learning from the students and from this experience in general. Kia Ora!