What is/are your major(s)?

Anthropology

What is/are your minor(s)?

International Studies, Human Health Systems & Sciences, Leadership Studies, Urban Studies

What is the name of your study abroad program(s)?

MSID: International Development in Senegal

In what city & country is your study abroad program located?

Dakar, Senegal

What is something you would like the blog readers to know about you that they wouldn’t know by just looking at you?

I love trivia games! I was on competitive quiz bowl teams throughout middle and high school, and once auditioned for Teen Jeopardy!

What is one thing that you are most anticipating about your study abroad experience?

Since I will be abroad for the entire academic year, and do not plan to return to the United States during programs, I anticipate dealing with a wide range of emotions during my time abroad. Right now, I am experiencing the excitement and many other positive feelings associated with studying abroad, but it is inevitable that I will feel homesickness and other negative emotions throughout the year that I am abroad. However, I am also excited to lean into the resilience and problem-solving skills that I will develop as a result of dealing with this gamut of emotions.

Why did you decide to study abroad? or What inspired you to study abroad?

Both of my parents were fortunate to study abroad in complete language immersion while in college, and as a child, our family hosted many foreign exchange students as my parents’ commitment to paying it forward to other students wanting to study abroad. Thus, studying abroad has always been a goal of mine in college and was one of the major reasons I chose to attend DU. As I’ve progressed in my academic journey at DU, the importance of understanding diverse world views has only become more crystallized, and further inspired me to pursue an entire year of study abroad.