GET TO KNOW ALLISON

Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
I’ve always wanted to travel, so studying abroad seemed like a great opportunity to take advantage of. When I started college the idea of going abroad was mostly a fun, gutsy idea. I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life let alone what country I’d like to visit. Instead, I imagined sipping tea with Big Ben on the horizon or spending hours in Victoria and Albert’s Museum for fun. It wasn’t until later in my junior year that I seriously looked at my chances of going. My college was very helpful in organizing everything around my tight schedule and two majors while allowing me to graduate within four years. It was a tight fit, but I couldn’t be more thrilled now that everything is wrapping up! I’ve never had the chance to go overseas and I’ve only been to a handful of states in the US. Travelling abroad still feels like a dream.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell).
I attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and I’ll be a senior in the fall double majoring in art and English with an emphasis in creative writing. I hope to work in illustration and/or editing, graphic design, or maybe even become a concept artist for characters or products. Art and literature have taken up large portions of my life and doodling has to be one of my favorite pastimes. I have no idea what I’d do if I couldn’t draw, paint, or sculpt. I’ve been the president of my college’s art club for the past two years and I recently joined the Sigma Tau Delta chapter, an English honor society for colleges and universities throughout the US and abroad, where I was elected historian for the upcoming year.

What are you most excited about re. studying abroad?
Off of the long list of things I’m excited for I can’t wait to visit and experience all of the art and architecture Rome has to offer. After studying art history this past semester I can’t believe I’ll have the chance to see it all in person in a city that has such a long history! I’m even anxious for my photography, Shakespeare, and figure drawing classes to begin.

What are you most nervous about re. studying abroad?
I’m most nervous about becoming homesick or facing the culture shock I might encounter. I don’t want to miss out on the things going on at home or school and I’m really close with my family, so being in a foreign country will take some getting used to. I’m trying to prepare myself for the unexpected and the big adventures ahead, so we’ll see how this goes. Wish me luck!

What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad?
I hope to feel at home in Rome, not just as a visitor or tourist, feel comfortable in my surroundings while picking up some of the language, and enjoy the many new experiences while they last that I wouldn’t have been able to try if I hadn’t gone abroad.