The Preparations Begin

Hello!

My name is Madeline Scully and I am a sophomore at Pacific Lutheran University. I am an English and Global Studies double major with a French minor, so most of my life is consumed with school work. It sounds thrilling, I know. When I’m not trying to cram 4 hours of reading into a night, I am usually attending one of the on campus events, participating in band, or bumming food off of my friends.

I am from Palmer Alaska, a relatively small town in the south central region of the state. In high school I was part of the IB Program, whose mission statement can be shortened to: the production of global citizens. As a result of the importance put on being part of a global community, I became interested in studying away in college. This wasn’t my only motivation for studying away though. My great-grandmother, and grandmother, were born in Germany. As a little kid I was obsessed with hearing anything that my grandmothers would tell about Europe. I think that the realization that you didn’t have to be born in the United States sparked my interest in studying, and living in another country.

I recently applied (and got accepted) to a study away program through my university.

In January I will be heading to Manchester with a small group of students and two professors. We will be in England for the entire month exploring Manchester and learning about the Industrial Revolution. From what I understand, most of the program is walking tours and museums, which happen to be two of my favorite things.

This class is a Literature/Communications/Political Science credit; however, I don't need any of those credits for my general education requirements.  Instead, I am adapting this study away opportunity to fit the requirements for my Global Studies major. According to my advisor, as long as I complete all of my assignments with an International Affairs focus this program will count for study away credit to Global Studies. I think that this is an amazing trade off to go to England!

Not only am I going to Manchester in January; I will be studying away in Oxford for six months in 2018! I still can’t believe that I get to go on two amazing trips in just two years. One of the things I am most excited about is experiencing the same culture from two different places. I am fascinated by the difference location plays in culture, especially living part time in both Washington and Alaska.

I cannot wait to share my adventures in England, and I though the best way to start was to begin this narrative at the beginning of my experience.

Here is to waiting out the next 3 months until I get to Manchester!

Madeline