About our Bloggers

John - Beijing

As a junior at Boston College, John Howie is majoring in Economics and Mandarin Chinese, and has always been fascinated with doing business in China. Abroad in Beijing, he is both attending classes at Peking University and interning as a market research analyst at an environmental consulting company specializing in carbon trading. Born and raised north of Boston in Marblehead, MA, John is an outgoing twenty-one year old, who is always looking for a new adventure. With only two years of experience with Mandarin, he is hoping to improve his language skills, learn more about the dynamic Chinese culture, and acquire some good stories along the way.

Amanda - Granada, Spain

As a sophomore at Winona State University, Amanda is ecstatic to have the opportunity to study at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas in Granada, Spain this semester. A 19 year-old Spanish and Mass Communications double major, she is excited to write a ton and learn as much as she can about the Spanish culture, especially with the music and dancing! She is also an avid amateur astronomer (try saying that one 10 times fast!) and finds few things more inspiring than a clear night sky full of stars. In her spare time in Spain, she will probably be taking pictures, another passion of hers; exploring Europe as much as her bank account allows; or conversing with her friends and family back home she knows she will miss like crazy! Above all, she hopes to make the best of every moment abroad and experience as much as possible!