Journaling and Self-Reflection

I am graduating in 2021 with a degree in Communications and a minor in psychology. While at UCSD, I have gotten involved in leadership in on-campus organizations and within greek life, as well as working during the year as a nanny and over the summer in an administrative and social media managing position at a talent acquisition firm in Tustin, California. I enjoy working with people, especially kids, and planning events. I have years of experience working in administrative positions, at both a dance studio and a corporate office building, and planned a fundraising event last year that raised over $15,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association, as the philanthropy chair for my sorority. I am passionate about learning and experiencing different cultures and just returned from a semester abroad in Milan, Italy where I took courses comparing the United States’ and Italy’s media usage, health care systems, and judicial processes. I found the different language, culture, and way of life exciting and plan to do more traveling after graduation. I like to be outside whenever I can and am interested in hiking and camping as well as just being at the beach for a sunset. I’ve always been active, and spent my first year at UCSD on the dance team, which taught me valuable time management and communication skills that are needed to balance sports, work, greek life, and school.

I found studying abroad to be one of the most enriching experiences of my life. If I could narrow it down to top 5 things you must do here they are:

1. Budget your money! During the week cook at home and plan your trips early so you know exactly how much you’ll have to spend
2. Get to know people! It’s scary being alone in another country but if you’re respectful to others they will return the favor. Friends in your program are great travel buddies!
3. Travel! Go to as many places as you can and do the most!
4. Take pictures, videos, keep a journal! These are once in a lifetime memories that you want to have your whole life!
5. Do well in school! Prioritize your academics and plan for things so that you are able to do the fun trips you came to do instead of being stressed out the whole time.

While doing a semester abroad in Milan, Italy I tried to keep a photo/ video journal of my travels as well as create a video journal utilizing the (very beginner) Italian that I learned while living and studying there. View those here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y1_vJE4txy8pO0KgO8NwIUPk81kAjvYW/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqUaAAY1U8hjO-nD3WTR5NSjiFi92cJc/view?usp=sharing

Florence and Milan’s cathedrals. Living in Milan, I was partial to the Milan cathedral (on the right) but both were stunning!