Introducing Lauren Shotkoski

What is/are your major(s)?

Marketing

What is/are your minor(s)?

Management 

What is the name of your study abroad program?

Maynooth 

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

Maynooth, Ireland

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

I am most anticipating the connections I make with locals and learning to collaborate with different cultures. I am curious to see how they approach the work-life balance, and how challenging it will be to adapt. 

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

I decided to study abroad in order to expand my knowledge of not only the business world, but the interests and actions of people outside the United States on a day-to-day basis. I want to see how the structure of their day compares to mine and how their practices change my own. 

First excursion I took in Ireland to the Cliffs of Moher.
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Introducing Kasia Ostrowski

What is/are your major(s)?

Communication and Psychology

What is/are your minor(s)?

Spanish

What is the name of your study abroad program?

ISA Veritas University

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

San Jose, Costa Rica

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

I anticipate feeling completely thrust out of my comfort zone. I don’t have much international travel experience, and I can be self-conscious. One of my main goals while abroad is to develop my Spanish fluency, and I know I will have a hard time feeling comfortable speaking with locals because my Spanish skills are not “perfect”. Though this and other new experiences I encounter might feel uncomfortable for me, I know they are opportunities to grow and to learn more about myself and that is what I look forward to most.

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

Our accessible study abroad program was a main reason I chose to attend DU. I have known since high school that I want to become fluent in Spanish, and that traveling to Spanish-speaking countries to further immerse myself in the language would be a huge factor in doing so. Additionally, I believe I live in a comfortable bubble in the United States; one that has likely created biases and opinions that going abroad will challenge. I want to meet people and see places that are new to me to expand my view of the world and learn from sources outside of my bubble.

picture is my boyfriend and I hiking with my family, something I love to do.