Kenneth was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2015 term. He is a current student at the University of Missouri studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Spring 2015 term.

Tell us why you chose to study abroad. 
For starters, my name is Kenny Cygeirt. Just a simple, 21 year-old small-town (1,640 people) guy here searching for my next great adventure. I knew from a very young age my life was meant to be spent exploring unknown crevices of this beautiful place we call home. And it was that knowledge that drove me to explore, early on, the various languages and cultures of the world. All of this was in hopes that someday I would find myself soaring across the skies of the Indian deserts in a hot air balloon and diving deep into the waters off the coasts of Italy. Now that I have reached an age where my obligations (financial and academic) have come to a steady slow, it’s time to embrace my wanderlust and jump into my life of adventure! It’s time to leave my nest and embark on my journey throughout Europe.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell). 
I am currently attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in International Studies (emphasis in Italian Area Studies) and Finance with a minor in Service and Public Leadership. When I’m not working within the Business Career Services office advising students on professional development, I spend all of my time focusing on community service and positive social impact related activities. The two organizations that I hold most near and dear to my heart are Mizzou Wishmakers and Mizzou Alternative Breaks. Mizzou Wishmakers was an organization that a friend and I started on my college campus that works side-by-side with the Make-A-Wish foundation to raise funds and awareness for children with life-threatening illnesses. Mizzou Alternative Breaks has allowed me to broaden my knowledge within various service issues (children, health, environment, etc.) all the while allowing me to see various parts of the United States as well as the world! But of course, no one spends all of their time doing these activities, so of course I utilize the time I have at the end of my days to binge watch shows on Netflix. :)

What are you most excited about re. studying abroad? 
I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to develop/perfect my language skills as well as diving head-first into the italian culture. Also, I am so very excited to be able to travel throughout Europe.

What are you most nervous about re. studying abroad? 
I suppose I am most nervous about flying over to Italy by myself. Also, I’m worried that I will not be able to catch on to the language as quickly as I am hoping to.

What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad? 
I would like to participate within community service work while I am abroad (service work is my greatest passion), I want to release my inner adventurer spirit and explore the coasts/mountains/caves/unknown territory, and I want to return to the US fluent in the italian language.