What is/are your major(s)?

International Relations

What is/are your minor(s)?

Psychology

What is the name of your study abroad program?

DU in Florence: Lorenzo de Medici

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

Florence, Italy

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

I live by my mantra of “MAKE it a great day” (opposed to “have a great day”), putting in effort to make things happen, not just sitting idly by.

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

I am most anticipating meeting new people! Being from the Midwest, I have been told that I embody the stereotype of “Midwest Nice”. I can’t help but want to meet everyone around me and get know more about them. From Florentine locals to other travelers I am thrilled to gain new perspectives of the world and learn how similar we are even though we may come from vastly different environments.

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

I decided to study abroad because my parents instilled a sense of adventure in me from a young age. For Christmas or birthdays, my parents would gift my sister and I experiences. These ranged from getting to know Miguel & Tatiana in Colombia to the appreciating intricate patterns in the architecture in Roopangarh, India to indulging in pasteis de nata in Sintra, Portugal. I have truly come to see experiences as a gift and want to encounter as many different people, cultures, and types of food as I can throughout my lifetime.