Jasmyn was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2015 term. She is a current student at St. Norbert College studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Spring 2015 term.

Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
I chose to study abroad because I am fascinated by cultures which are different than my own.  I believe life is about new experiences and broadening one’s horizons.

Tell us about your school, major, interests, clubs (you in a nutshell).
I am a Junior at St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI.  I am a Religious Studies Major with an emphasis in Youth Ministry and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.  I am the manager of our college cheerleading team, I teach catechism at our on campus parish, help with Youth Ministry at a local parish and intern at a local jail in the jail ministry department.  I have a passion for ministry of all different kinds.  I am also very passionate about social justice and our responsibility to make the world a better place.

What are you most excited about re. studying abroad?
I am so excited to meet new people and gain knowledge about different cultures and the life experiences of people within those cultures.  Of course, I am also excited to eat genuine Italian food!

What are you most nervous about re. studying abroad?
I am not very nervous about going abroad.  I come from a family with 9 children and many of my older siblings studied abroad so I am blessed to have great mentors.  Our study abroad director at St. Norbert and SAI have been so helpful that I feel very at ease. TSA and getting in trouble for traveling after my visa expires is probably the only thing that I am worried about.

1. What are three goals that you would like to achieve/accomplish while abroad?
   The first goal I would like to achieve while I am abroad is being able to communicate in Italian.
2. The second goal I would like to achieve is seeing my family who live in Southern Italy since I have never met them in person.
3. And my final goal would be to simply learn things both in and out of the classroom that will shape who I become in the future.  Of course, I would love to meet Pope Francis, but that may be a stretch!