Liberal Arts Major(s): Criminology, Psychology
Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania

What was the best part of your experience?

The friendships and connections I made throughout the trip, both with the other Penn State students and with the Dutch people I got to meet through class excursions, were the best part of my experience. Finding other Penn State students with the same passions and drive to see the world was so awesome and has translated back to my time at University Park. Meeting and connecting with Dutch people was so amazing because, despite cultural differences, we had so much in common.

This experience has given my career goals more focus

How did this experience impact you academically?

This experience has invigorated a new passion for change. After seeing how differently the Dutch handle criminal justice and run their prisons, I want to bring that back to the United States in criminal justice reform. To be able to do that, I have to work very hard so that I'll be able to continue my education after undergrad and be capable of working on change.

How will this experience impact your career goals?

This experience has given my career goals more focus. I know I want a career where I can effect change in the criminal justice system. I want to bring back some the more progressive aspects of the Dutch criminal justice system, specifically prison reform to lower recidivism rates here at home.