Carol Gattis on her Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo.
I must confess….this is my first time to blog, so be gentle! It’s 3:30 on the day before thanksgiving. When thinking about what I am thankful for, you’d think I’d say “family” or “friends” or “my fun job,” and all of those things are true. But what came to mind first was…..I am so thankful that I have those Honors College Study Abroad Grant award decisions out the door! Relaxation can now be mine this holiday weekend, and I’d love to get at least one more Harley ride in before winter weather sets in.
I’ve spent some time dreaming of all the fantastic places that students receiving our Honors College Study Abroad Grants will be traveling. Evan S. is receiving a $12,000 grant for studying at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan for two semesters. He will be perfecting his Japanese language skills while also learning about international business and trade. Wow. Wonder if I can fit in his suitcase?? (I’ve never been to Japan.)
Lauren R.’s proposal made me dream about going back to Florence. A psyc major and Italian student, Lauren will be studying at ISA’s Florence program with a $7,000 study abroad grant. She will be studying about cross-cultural psychology and culture shock (and apply it to her own experience!), taking Italian language courses and a course on travel writing. What a unique experience!
I wonder if K.D. ever thought about studying in the Czech Republic when she landed here as a freshmen. As an International Relations and European Studies junior, she is headed to the CIEE Prague program less than 2 months from now, with an $8,100 grant! Among history and psychology courses, she will be studying theory vs. reality of gender in the post-Communist era. Hey – the city of Prague can serve as her lab! An especially cool part of her study abroad is that she will be staying with a Czech host family instead of in a dorm. What a way to really immerse yourself in the life and culture of a country. I wish I could have done that when I was a student.
I hope that these students and others will blog their adventures abroad (with pics!) for us so that we can live vicariously through them.
That’s it for now. Time to head out for the holiday. I’m looking forward to spending tomorrow with my family, and I hope that you have a wonderful thanksgiving break. Wish warm Harley weather for me!