Hello all!
My name is Alessandra Painter and I just completed my second year at The Ohio State University. I am majoring in English with a minor in Legal Foundations. I am from the small town of Piqua, Ohio. I usually just say I’m thirty minutes north of Dayton because no one ever knows where or what Piqua is. I have never left the country, and probably would never have the opportunity to if it were not for this program. So, I am extremely excited to be able to explore Europe with this amazing group of students.
I have wanted to study abroad since I learned that it existed. I had been searching through the numerous programs Ohio State offers since my first year to find the one I really wanted to do. Of course, I ended up wanting to go on all of the trips. But during the first month of my second year, I saw the World War II program on the list and it immediately caught my interest. After I attended an information session, I knew I had to do everything I could to be accepted on this trip. I am beyond excited to go to all four of these countries to experience their culture, their language, and obviously all of the history they have to offer.
I will be giving my site report at Bletchley Park in England. Visiting Bletchley Park is actually what I am most excited for on this trip. I loved studying about the Enigma machine, ULTRA and Alan Turing. I cannot imagine what it will feel like to stand in the very spot where some of the most intellectual mathematicians cracked the German code. I am very, for lack of a better word, giddy about being there.
I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to go on this trip and cannot wait to fly out in just four short days!
See you in London,
Alessandra