IN the United States of America, there is a right of passage for university students in their third year — the fantasised, long-awaited study abroad.
As the fall wound down, I became very eager for my journey and what was ahead. Syracuse University, located in Upstate New York, has one of the most famous programmes to go abroad, with locations all over the globe. I am currently studying journalism, and London was the one destination that offered classes of interest. Ranging from science to lessons on the British Broadcasting Corporation, London is the perfect place for me to study abroad.
Currently, I am a third-year student at Syracuse University. I began my passion when I was about 14 years old when I got into acting. Unfortunately, I knew that was not my career path and had to pivot. Early on, I got opportunities to start making small news clips and write for school papers – it got me hooked. When the time came to declare a career path and figure out where I wanted to attend university, Syracuse was not the obvious choice. Originally, I wanted to go far away from home, making California the destination. The cards were not in my favour, though, to head out west. I was granted admission to Syracuse, and when I stepped foot onto the snowy campus, I knew I wanted to join in on the ‘orange camaraderie’.
At university, I am heavily involved in student organisations. I started at the school paper, but quickly took a deeper dive into the student-run television station. These have allowed me to practice my passion before entering the real world.
Throughout my early career, I have covered American politics, a senior ukulele group, and breaking news – just to name a few. My interests are not limited, as I always take up the chance to talk to someone new. A professor from my first year told a class of mine to just sit, nod, and smile then you would get someone’s whole life story. Time after time, this has continuously held up.
I think this career path has made my time at university significantly different than my peers. In day-to-day work, I immerse myself in the city and get to know the people. I love feeling grounded, and this is the field that connects me with more than just a university.
After settling into London for almost two weeks now, I am ready to get to work. I hope to continue my love of journalism and experience the United Kingdom, more personally. I look forward to sitting down with new people from different backgrounds and getting to hear new stories each day. Whether it be politics, a new coffee shop, or a push for justice, I am ready to handle whatever comes my way.
