The Beginning of a Study Abroad Experience

 

My name is Lauren Davidheiser and I’m a junior this year, class of 2011! I’m from the suburbs of Philadelphia and I graduated from Spring-Ford Area High School in 2007. When I was deciding what college I wanted to attend, I decided to be daring and I spent my freshman year studying at the University of San Diego, only about 3,000 miles away from my hometown. When that didn’t work out how I had hoped, I chose to come home to the one place I knew I would fit in: New York City. I chose Pace mainly for the diversity I couldn’t find at my other school and the independence going to school in the city provides. Pace has given me amazing experiences and using the city as not only a place to live but as a tool for learning has only helped me grow to understand how many different people live in such a space. 

 

If you couldn’t tell, I might be a bit of a daredevil when it comes to running off to new places. Which is why I had already planned on studying abroad back in high school, long before I even knew what college I was going to. Because I transferred as a sophomore, I was ineligible to go anywhere until I had studied at Pace for a full year. Most students think that studying abroad is far too expensive and therefore don’t even consider the endless possibilities the experience could bring to them. I, of course was worried about the cost, but I was also insistent that I was going to find a way to make things work. Even if you aren’t ready to commit right away to a study abroad experience, please visit Pace’s Study Abroad Office anyway. An advisor is more than willing to go over budget options with you, how your financial aid works to cover your costs, and ways to pay for the program. After some deliberation, I finally settled on Rome for this Fall 2009 semester.  

 

While I spent the summer working two jobs, keeping up with an internship, and trying to fit in time to spend with my friends, I totally put off thinking that I was going away for three months. So much so that I didn’t even begin packing until two days before I left! I said goodbye to my friends and family and boarded a nonstop flight from Philly to Rome, only to be hit with that gnawing feeling in my stomach asking if I was really doing the right thing. Most students studying abroad will tell you these thoughts are inevitable, most likely because you are forcing yourself out of your comfort zone and into a crazy new culture. Yes, it’s true I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m only young once and its unlikely most of us will ever be able to travel like this again when we have “real jobs”.   So I got off the eight hour plane ride fatigued, hungry, in serious need of a shower, but determined to make the most out of meeting new people and seeing the world. 

 

Those interested in knowing more, keep checking back for more adventures and tips as I live them first hand. And please comment if you have any questions or advice for me on this journey!