Description

Summer of 2018 I will be studying abroad through the Siena Italian Studies Program. The program runs from June 8^, 2018 to July 22, 2018.  I will be taking one intensive Italian language course and two courses on Italian history and culture as well as participating in community service. I will be living with a host family and hopefully taking some cooking classes while I am there as well.

Process

I have always wanted to study abroad. Going to Italy has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid so I knew that I wanted to find something that would let me go there. I was a part of STEP, so that really helped me get my project idea down earlier. Through STEP I completed financial meetings, co-curricular activities, and meetings with my study abroad advisor. This year I’ve also had to keep studying Italian on my own as I am no longer taking Italian classes. I’ve had to research he culture, their ideals, and what happening politically in Italy to make sure I’m prepared to experience everything Italy has to offer.

Results

My project still has a long way to go. It’s getting closer and closer and I couldn’t be more excited. I feel that after this trip I will feel more confident in my Italian language skills as well as my knowledge about the culture. I also feel that I will gain the confidence and skills I need to live and travel alone.

Reflection

This project will not only gain me college credit, it will also give me life skills that I can take with me in the future. I feel that I can become a more well-rounded person after this project and I also believe I can become more open to new experiences. Part of the things I’ve learned about being a humanities scholar is that you have to be open to new ideas and experiences. Planning for this project helped me realize how much curiosity for others I’ve gained while being a Humanities Scholar. In the future I want to work in Higher Education Student Affairs so a project like this will help give me the worldview I need to thrive in that field. Even having a small sense of what it’s like to study abroad will help me understand international students even better in my field.

College is amazing! I was so scared I was going to be overwhelmed by how much work but I was wrong.  I have a lot of work, but I know how to handle everything now.  The fact that I have made so many great friends on campus is amazing.  It’s always scary in the beginning to consider whether or not you’re actually going to make friends. Humanities scholars has actually led to me making all of my friends, as we all live next to each other.  I’m so happy that I chose this program and would absolutely do it again. My goal is to keep going to events in the coming years, and hopefully one day be a mentor.

I want to sleep more, but I always have something to do.

I want to work out, but I never seem to find the time.

I want to see my family more, but they seem so far away.

I want to eat healthier, but I always seem to eat junk on the run.

I’d like to study more, but I always procrastinate.

I want to sleep more, and I always have something to do. So I need to pace myself and know when to stop going.

I want to work out, and I never seem to find the time. So I need to map out time specifically to go.

I want to see my family more, and they seem so far away. So I need to facetime them more and make time in my schedule.

I want to eat healthier, and I always seem to eat junk on the run.  So I need to plan out meal blocks so I can eat a proper meal.

I’d like to study more, and I always procrastinate. So I need to put away distractions and work.

I need to work on time management and figure out what in my life matters the most to keep me healthy.

“Well, I live at this desk.  No seriously I am always here. I’ve lived in Baker for going on three years, and I plan to live here next year as well. It’s cool because I’ve had the same room for about two years now… My favorite story from the desk is about a man who claimed to be maintenance trying to get into the dorm.  He had no ID and claimed he was headed for a room that didn’t exist. I sent him away and the next day it comes out that two dorms had been robbed by guys claiming to be maintenance! So yeah, I’m kinda proud that me living at the desk actually worked in my favor for once.”

My first week was amazing! I started early with the O.W.L program and honestly I couldn’t have loved it more.  Moving in early and experiencing the campus with people who’ve never lived there before is amazing.  I made some amazing friends and discovered my passions in a new place.  It was terrifying trying to live on my own for the first time, so I was surprised how quickly I got used to it.  Classes are more work than I expected, but extremely fun.  Going in undecided I took a leap and took an Archaeology class simply to see if I liked it.  I’m now in the second week of classes and I’ve fallen in love.  I can’t believe how quickly I’ve steered my life in one direction.

The  Humanities Scholars program is more than I could’ve even hoped for. My first choice of program, it encompasses my love for reading with a friendly atmosphere and amazing events.  Honestly the people I’ve met so far couldn’t be more amazing.  Everyone has been friendly and open with the mindset that everyone is important.   The shared similar interests between members helps drive that bond together, proving that this scholars program links people deeper than just the outside branch of humanities.

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