Study Abroad

     A large opportunity when coming to college is the chance to study abroad.  Studying abroad is a great opportunity for every college student because it is a cost effective way to experience a different culture somewhere outside their college campus, while maintaining their studies.  The study abroad program allows students to continue working towards their major in the country or city of their choice.  On top of the opportunity to be able to study outside the United States, students are also given the option to study nationally.  The National Student Exchange (NSE) allows students to study at a different university within the United States and surrounding territories which include Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  This is a great opportunity for students who may not necessarily want to study outside the counrty, but expand their horizons to a different part of the country.  For me I think it would be great to study nationally or internationally.  Either opportunity appeals to me because it would allow me to move away from the southeast for a little while and experience a different culture, may it be in the northwest or another country. 
     If I were to study nationally I would like to study in Washington or Alaska because both states are uniquely different from South Carolina.  Each offers its own qualities that I cannot experience here at South Carolina and would really help me expand beyond my comfort zone and what I know. 
     If I were to study internationally I would choose to study in Italy or Greece.  Looking pictures from both countries really makes me excited and experience a strong urge to go there and really experience the culture.  My grandmother was Italian and my grandfather was Greek, so I think it would be great to get to really understand their culture and the type of environment they grew up in.  Also, studying in either country would fulfill my dream of going to the Mediterranean and enjoying all its natural beauty.
     On another note, I would like to give you an update on mentoring at Hand Middle School.  Currently I am beginning to really start to help mentee with her schoolwork and other day-to-day tasks.  We have made tremendous progress on her organizations skills which I think have really helped her improve her grades.  Currently she has made all A's on her tests and quizzes which is phenomenal!  The highlight of mentoring so far has got to be when I went to mentor earlier this week and she told me she made 100's on both of her tests last week, one of which being in Science which is a subject she tends to struggle in.  Hopefully maintaining the organization of her notes and her hard work will continue to show great progress in the future!