Interview with Featured Study Abroadist ~ Genny Parshley!

(c) Moyan Brenn on Flickr
View his website at: http://earthincolors.wordpress.com

Hi everyone!  I’m so excited today because we have a really great post!  

I would like to introduce to you GENNY PARSHLEY, author of the blog “CHEERS” parshley.wordpress.com.

Have to admit, I’m pretty jealous of her right now; Scotland has always been a dream of mine. . . . purple heather,  dashing kilts, ivy-covered castles. . . Sorry, got carried away for a minute!  

Anyway, after reading the amazingly in-depth and inspirational posts she has shared about her trip on her blog, I asked if she would be willing to answer a few questions about her study abroad experience.  Because she is wonderful, awesome, and all things good, she agreed!  Not only that, she offered some really great insight into what goes on with the Study Abroad Process and the motives of those who make the decision to go for it.   So read on and see what you too can learn from her adventures!  

Also, please don’t forget to check out her blog “CHEERS” for more information about her trip abroad!  Definitely worth the read!

INTERVIEW

Where are you in Your Education? (Sophomore, Junior, Etc.–Highschool/College)

Genny: “I am a Junior or Third Year as they call it here!”

What have you decided to/are you interested in studying? 


Genny: “I am studying Public Relations—that’s my major—and Non-Profit Management is my minor! My major interest is studying Non-Profits and subjects related to social justice.”

Why did you decided to study abroad; what sort of things did you consider?


Genny: “I knew that I wanted to study abroad during college from the age of about 12. Traveling the world has always been a dream and a priority for me. I love the idea of going to a place where I know no one, where anything can happen. Though, I should say that that concept terrifies me as equally as it excites me! When considering when and where to study, a few things came to mind. I wanted to study in the spring so I didn’t have to miss my home university’s football season…nothing is better than college football season! Also, I didn’t particularly want to go abroad my senior year because I wanted to be able to spend my last year in the place I have to call home with my best friends. I also had to consider, of course, where I wanted to study but I’ll answer that question in #5 :)”

“Prioritizing Student Safety Abroad”

by Daily Editorial Board via “Minnesota Daily”

“Studying abroad is one of the best experiences a student can have during college. With the ability to earn credit while living in another country and learning about different cultures, college students in the U.S. are more frequently choosing to study abroad. According to the Institute for International Education, three times as many students are studying abroad than two decades ago. That amounts to about 270,000 students annually. However, while many students come home unscathed, incidents do happen.  .  .  .”

Just remember: Never Go Anywhere Alone, Especially at Night. And if someone asks you, regardless if it’s a lie, tell them you are rooming with some other people who you are best friends with.  It suggests that people will come looking if something happens.  The worst thing to do is to let strangers know that it might take a while for people to notice you missing.

Also, avoid places where wars are going on unless you are studying warfare. It’s just simple logic.  You can always learn what you need to know someplace safer than a country under attack from within or without.