Liberal Arts Major: Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Other Major: Secondary Education in Social Sciences
Minor: History
Hometown: Holyoke, Colorado
What was the best part of your experience?
The best part of my experience on this program was the professors who ran it, Dr. Laura Marshall and Dr. Mathias Hanses. These professors made Roman history engaging, informative, and relatable. What makes them the best part of my experience is their passion and dedication for not only the content of the course but for each student's understanding. It is because of Dr. Marshall and Dr. Hanses that I was able to grow academically and personally on this trip. They pushed me to think more critically about the information and take my understanding to a new level.
"The knowledge I gained from this program is helping me prepare for future courses by providing me with an invaluable experience to see the objects firsthand that I will be studying later."
How did this experience impact you academically?
This program has helped me complete credits for my Classic and Ancient Mediterranean Studies major. Without this summer abroad course, I am not sure I would be able to pursue my double major in CAMS and Education. Beyond the credit requirements, this experience helped me build an understanding of Roman history and civilization. As I begin my junior year, I am taking more challenging courses. The knowledge I gained from this program is helping me prepare for future courses by providing me with an invaluable experience to see the objects firsthand that I will be studying later.
How will this experience impact your career goals?
In the future, I hope to use my double major in the Classics and Education to provide a quality education in the social sciences to high school students in underprivileged areas. This experience has provided me with firsthand knowledge on the Classics and given me valuable insight into the relevance of the Classics to modern-day issues. While in Rome, I was able to see how similar Ancient issues are to contemporary issues. Through this program, I have been inspired to use my Classics education in high schools as an avenue to discuss social justice in our society.
How has the Paterno Fellows Program had an impact on this experience?
The Paterno Fellows Program helped me immensely in my pursuit of this program. Without the funding I received from the Paterno Fellows Program donors, I would not have been able to afford this life-changing experience. The opportunities the Paterno Fellows Program gave me for funding and support during this study abroad program were beyond helpful.