Kelsey was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at Gustavus Adolphus College studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Fall 2015 term.

GET TO KNOW KELSEY

Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
I chose to study abroad because my sense of adventure was pulling me to get out of my comfort zone and have the opportunity to experience a different part of the world. My sister recently studied abroad and her life-changing experience influenced me to participate in a study abroad program.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell).
I will be a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College, which is a small liberal arts school located in St. Peter, Minnesota. I am an Elementary Education major with a math concentration. At Gustavus I am a coordinator and volunteer for “Study Buddies,” a program that provides over a thousand hours of volunteer support to local schools each semester. Additionally, I participate in the “Big Partner, Little Partner” program, where I spend time each week with a child from the local community. I am also a member of the Student Educators Association and the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. Finally, I work in the Gustavus admission office where I interact with prospective students and families.

What are you most excited about re. studying abroad?
I am most excited about experiencing different cultures, encountering a variety of world perspectives, and forming relationships with people from all over the world. I am very excited to travel around Rome, Italy, and Europe as a whole.

What are you most nervous about re. studying abroad?
I am most nervous about transportation around the city and Italy in general. I hope to improve my navigation skills while studying abroad, however I know I will need some assistance.

What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad? 
While in Rome I hope to immerse myself in the culture, history, and spend time getting to know the city. Not only do I plan to get to know the city of Rome, but also the diverse culture of Italy as a whole. I am also taking an Italian course so will gain some communication skills in the Italian language.