Major: Biological Anthropology
Minor: Sexuality and Gender Studies
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
How did you learn about these opportunities?
I looked at programs after attending the Education Abroad fair during the fall of my sophomore year. With the help of the Education Abroad staff, I chose the CIEE: Prague program and started preparing. I learned about the Alumni Mentor Program through former LAUC president, Lauren Perrotti, who stressed the program’s benefits. I applied and was paired with my mentor during my semester abroad. My mentor was kind enough to wait while I was away and we began our sessions the week I returned to the U.S.
"Being a senior can be very stressful, and my mentor gives me the advice and encouragement that I need."
Tell us a little bit about your experiences.
Studying abroad was definitely the best experience of my life, as I traveled to nine countries including Croatia, Malta, and Spain. My favorite parts of studying abroad were learning the history of each city and enjoying regional food such as fried cheese in Prague, cupcakes from Aida in Vienna, and four course meals in Rome. Since forming a relationship with my mentor, we hold hour-long meetings every two weeks to discuss job searches, career goals, résumés, and my personal questions. She even mailed me two networking and job guide books that we read together and discussed chapter by chapter. Also, there are meetings where we just talk about life. We have a good balance that allows us to complete the goals we set without putting too much pressure on either of us.
How did these experiences impact you academically?
My most challenging class was about women’s rights in Europe. I had to write research papers and read articles that were translated to English from another language. They were not the easiest reads, but it reminded me to take my abroad classes seriously.
What are your career goals and plans? How did these experiences impact them?
I would like to work as a type of foreign ambassador, human rights activist or researcher. While abroad, I interned with a nonprofit organization, an experience I found challenging because I worked with people who spoke very little or no English. I now believe one of my most impressive professional skills is the ability to communicate in different situations.
"I now believe one of my most impressive professional skills is the ability to communicate in different situations."
Would you recommend these experiences to other Liberal Arts students?
As an EA Peer Advisor, I tell everyone to study or travel abroad when the opportunity arises. Also, the mentorship program has helped in so many ways; I honestly look at my mentor as a friend. Being a senior can be very stressful, and my mentor gives me the advice and encouragement that I need.