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I love school. Currently, I’m a double major with a double minor because I just keep taking classes ‘for fun.’ I’m certainly getting my money's worth. Studying - While Studying Abroad When I tell people that I’m studying abroad, one of the first questions they ask me is: “What are you studying?” Now, if you’ve read my first couple of posts you’ll know the answer is more or less, “Um, is world travels the correct answer…?” But since answering a question with another question isn’t generally considered polite, I usually respond with, “Sea sailing.” Because, basically, I’m not really planning on ‘studying’ anything while in Greece. Classes Can Be FUN! I fully intend to have fun while abroad, both through meeting new people, trying new foods, traveling to historical places and crawling through museums all across Europe. I also plan to have a grand old time while earning my education (not that I actually expect any of the credits to count. But whatever, like #Europe). While I’m in Greece I will be taking 12 credits: communication research methods, history of Ancient Greece, photography and intro to sea sailing. I’ve thrilled about each and every credit. Sea Sailing I’m a Nebraska girl. If you don’t know where Nebraska is, look at a map of the US and stick your thumb on the very center. That’s Nebraska. If you’ll also notice, it’s completely landlocked.  So, where else is a Nebraska girl going to learn how to sail a sea boat other than on the Mediterranean? Side note: I’m left handed and the last time I drove a speed boat the propeller had to be replaced … so I’ll keep you all updated on how this whole sailing thing goes. Photography I love taking pictures. I have an entire section of my website dedicated to my love of photography. {Shameless advertising} Click here to check out some of my photos!I thought that a photography class would be a nice way to visually highlight my study abroad experience; I have a nice camera that I saved up for a few summers back before a trip to Mexico that will be my trusted companion. Since I’m also blogging my adventure, I thought a photography class would be able to teach me how to actually use said expensive camera beyond pointing and shooting. History of Ancient Greece As part of my college curriculum, I’ve electively taken several history classes. In fact, I’ve taken so many that I’m now earning a history minor. Because that is what you do in college, electively choose to take ‘fun’ classes like Ancient Mediterranean History and History of the Colonization of Latin America, right? I’ve always love history. Since I was super little I dressed up as a Medieval lady, a princess and even a Greek goddess one Halloween. My toys reflected my adoration for past eras. I especially loved American girl dolls because the stories of the girls throughout American history. I’ve also always been an avid reader. History books, mythology books and just books in general completed my childhood. (If you’ve ever taken a history class then you know that they’re basically made up of three parts: lecture, papers and endless books that you’re required to read during your ‘free’ time.) Fortunately, I enjoy history, reading and writing papers. Therefore, history of Ancient Greece is one of the classes I’m most excited to attend. Communication Research Methods I’m also taking communication research methods. I discovered last fall during the required public relations research class at Iowa State that I actually enjoy research. Then, this fall, I took the required research methods class for my psychology minor. Low and behold, still really like research. I also love meeting people from other cultures and backgrounds as well as understanding how those people think based on different upbringings. I plan to attend graduate school directly after graduation from Iowa State next spring. A possible field I’m considering specializing in is international public relations research. I’m hoping that my communication research class will further expose me to international communication styles and research. Greece, Here I Come If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a giant nerd and very proud of it. I can’t wait to take my nerd-dom on the road and fulfill my desire to learn from new sources and perspectives while in Greece. Coming up next week: Shopping for a Study Abroad Program |