Introducing Avery Wright

What is/are your major(s)?

Mathematics

What is/are your minor(s)?

Spanish, Geographic Information Science

What is the name of your study abroad program?

WorldStrides (ISA): Universidad de Sevilla: Hispanic Studies & Electives

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

Seville, Spain

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

While I am outgoing, especially around people I’m comfortable with, I am naturally an introvert, and am a bit nervous to study abroad. Even then, I know this experience is something that is truly going to help me step outside of my comfort zone and grow in ways I never could at home.

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

I am most excited to immerse myself in the Spanish language. Growing up, I was in a dual-language Spanish program, so I have been studying Spanish for a long time. Even then, I’ve never had the opportunity to truly practice my Spanish skills outside of a classroom. Although I am technically bilingual, I am not the most confident speaker, so I look forward to building that confidence and incorporating Spanish into my daily life.

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

When I was a junior in high school, my brother studied abroad in London through DU. Over that Thanksgiving, my family visited for the week. It was my first time in Europe, and it was incredible. I loved everything about my experience, from the transportation system to seeing a different culture from my own. Before that trip, I had doubts about studying abroad. The idea of being in an environment so different from my own made me anxious. But after that visit, I knew I wanted to study abroad for myself.

Introducing Alex Winn

What is/are your major(s)?

Journalism

What is/are your minor(s)?

International Studies & Marketing

What is the name of your study abroad program?

WorldStrides (ISA): Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: Business, Communications, & Italian Culture

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

Milan, Italy

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

Something I would like the blog readers to know is that I am someone who prioritizes experiences over things. My money is purely spent on historical site tours or flights to destinations as this truly means more to me than the clothing along the way. Do I buy clothing? Absolutely, but at first glance I can seem materialistic but that is farthest from the truth.

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

I am most anticipating the new friendships I will be making along the way. There is a whole new world of people, literally, that I have yet to meet and who can influence and teach me in many new ways.

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

I decided to study abroad because my parents are from Australia and New Zealand. They have always encouraged me to experience the uncomfortable and living in a foreign country is most certainly that. Being international, my parents are my biggest inspiration and support in making me want to learn and live in a completely new culture.

Me with completely new friends that I met from being abroad just a few days!