Undergraduate institution: Hollins University 
Undergraduate major and minor: Mathematics and Studio Art
What have you been up to since attending Umbra?
I attended Umbra in the fall semester of my junior year. Currently, I am finishing my undergraduates as a senior.
How has studying abroad impacted your life both personally and professionally?
Studying abroad helped me grow as an individual. Being able to live in a different country, learning a new language, while adapting to its culture taught me to have an open mind and make connections with people from many backgrounds.
I got opportunities to be involved with the community outside of campus in Perugia. With my internship at a local museum, I was able to research, handle artifacts and put up an exhibition with the help of my professor and peers. Additionally, I was also enrolled in a class that was structured around community involvement. I was able to be a part of the project that was making tangible changes in Perugia through placemaking projects. These projects aided me in my professional development and helped me choose a lane for graduate studies.
What are you doing now?
I am in my senior year and looking forward to graduating in May 2017.
Are you still in touch with the friends you made in Perugia?
Yes, very much. Our friendship has only ripened with time.
What is one piece of advice you would give to prospective students thinking of studying abroad?
Studying abroad is a challenge but it is a challenge that you will come to love. It teaches you to become a more aware individual. It enlarges your friend circle and you’ll have friends from everywhere. Your outlook on life and lifestyle will change and help you appreciate differences in people as well as help you make connections with people no matter what your background is.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students studying abroad (during or after their experience)?
Having an open mind is key. Say yes to new experiences. Give yourself time to adjust. Participate and make an effort to be a part of the community you are living in. When you study abroad, make that place your home for the time you have. When you leave,what you did will prove to be so rewarding. You’ll miss it but your experiences and your friendships with stay with you for a long time.