Major: Geosciences, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, and Anthropology
Minor: International Studies, History, Jewish Studies
Hometown: Perkasie, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I found out about this particular embedded trip, as well as its corresponding course, directly through one of the professors within the CAMS department. It is always a good idea to contact professors who you've worked with previously and whose classes or projects you enjoyed in order to get a good feel for study abroad or research opportunities within your particular areas of interest.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

This was a wonderful experience which I was able to use in order to build upon the foundation I had established when I studied abroad in Greece with the Athens Program (a semester-long program also through Penn State) previously. Not only did we have the opportunity to visit many of my favorite sites, but we also visited several which were new to me. Having the opportunity to hear the faculty leaders give their own perspective into the histories of the places and objects we were viewing made this program extremely worthwhile. I absolutely cannot wait to go back and study once again in a place so close to my heart and academic interests.

How did this experience impact you academically?

This experience has only helped to further solidify my love of Greece and Greek history and archaeology. I am extremely grateful and lucky that I have been able to take part in such programs throughout my time here at Penn State, and I know I will carry that with me into my graduate studies.

Nothing can quite parallel having the opportunity to learn about these places and objects as you're visiting them and they're standing before you.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

After I graduate from Penn State this spring, I will be heading to graduate school to work towards my MPhil in Archaeology with a concentration in Archaeological Science. Being a part of this program and being able to experience more perspectives of the region of the world I hope to focus on archaeologically has helped me immensely in knowing which direction I wanted to move after graduating from Penn State and into my graduate studies in archaeology.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

I would absolutely recommend this experience to any other Liberal Arts students who are interested in the ancient or modern histories so prevalent throughout Greece as a whole. Nothing can quite parallel having the opportunity to learn about these places and objects as you're visiting them and they're standing before you. Learning in such a hands on manner is something which is difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom setting. Not only do you have the rich historical and cultural background of the ancient world to draw upon, but you also have the wonders and cultural experiences modern Greece has to offer. Besides, running on the original Olympic track is pretty cool!

How has the Paterno Fellows Program had an impact on this experience?

The Paterno Fellows has been instrumental in helping me secure funding and aid in order to attend this program, and for that I am extremely grateful!