About our Bloggers

Mandi - Queensland, Australia

Twenty-one year old Mandi Maricque, a St. Norbert College junior, loves to read, take pictures, scrapbooking, and travel. After much planning throughout her college career, Mandi is studying abroad in Queensland, Australia at the University of the Sunshine Coast. This Wisconsin girl looks forward to warm weather, sand, sun, and is excited to see new places. Before leaving for her semester, she said, "I plan on taking every free second of my day and making it worth while. I want to experience as much as possible."

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!

Jhonni - Valencia, Spain

Born and raised in San Diego, Jhonni Carr will be completing her last semester of Cal State San Marcos abroad. She is extremely excited to be going to Valencia, Spain and is also planning on traveling Europe afterwards. This spunky Spanish major has also studied French, Italian, and linguistics and will be pursuing graduate school next year. Along with her passion for travel, she enjoys photography, community service, and being fully engaged in all of her activities. She looks forward to sharpening her linguistic edge and is excited to make new friends and help teach English.

Megan - Quito, Ecuador

As a junior at Saint Louis University, Megan is very excited to do an internship in Quito, Ecuador this summer! Through the Association of International Development and Exchange (AIDE), Megan will live with a host family for a month in Quito and work with lawyers and other officials to set up cases against domestic abuse and bring awareness of the issue to women in Quito. An international studies and political science major also attaining a minor in Spanish, Megan's growing interest in Latin America and the legal profession will be cultivated further through her hands-on experience. While in Quito, Megan plans to explore the city and engage with the locals, taking as many pictures as possible of the places she visits and sights she sees, and having fun at every opportunity!

Elizabeth - Tokyo, Japan

The Central Washington University junior arrived in Tokyo, Japan in March to participate in an intensive Japanese language program at Asia University. With a love for J-rock, 23 year-old Elizabeth is planning to attend various concerts and events in the area to get a real taste of the Japanese music scene. Currently she is working on writing a fantasy novel that she hopes to have published in the future, and she is planning on incorporating various elements of what she learns from her experience in Japan, including language, culture, and traditions.