Kelsey Fredricks, CEA MOJO Blogger

Why did you choose to study/intern abroad?
I want to learn more about different cultures and gain a wider perspective on both the world and myself. The world is much larger than the United States, and I think that oftentimes people tend to forget that. I've heard from others that they have grown tremendously due to their study abroad challenges and experiences; therefore, as a lively and compassionate individual, I am eager to explore this vast and exciting world of ours.

Why did you choose your study/intern city?
I am from Irish heritage, if you couldn't already tell by my picture, so Ireland was definitely on my mind. I knew that I wanted to study abroad somewhere before I graduate next fall, but I just didn't know where. I went back and forth between other locations in England and Ireland for awhile, but I eventually discovered and fell in love with the bright and colorful location of Galway, Ireland. Galway looks absolutely beautiful and it falls right on the Atlantic Ocean, but it also has a lot of green scenery "like the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Mountains" and is a medieval micro-city. I really couldn't have chosen a better location for myself, and I can't wait to absorb in the music-filled streets, Irish friendliness and this wild adventure as a whole.

What are you most looking forward to during your abroad experience?
I am mostly looking forward to the memories and friendships that I will forever have to hold onto, as well as the connections that I will hopefully make for my careers in writing and journalism. I am also excited to encourage myself to try new things and experiences, since this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience (not to sound too cliché or anything). I am currently not the greatest cook, to tell the truth, so this cherished time abroad will force me to make actual meals for myself, and not just simply microwave frozen food. The university I am going to also has a great reputation, from what I have seen, and I am excited to immerse myself into more literature. I have stalked the location of Galway on Instagram a lot, and I believe this could possibly be the next thing to take my breath away since I met Taylor Swift (or at least close to it).

Fun Fact (hobbies, interests, accomplishment, etc.)?
As mentioned above, I absolutely love Taylor Swift, and she even invited me inside her Rhode Island mansion, which is now my usual icebreaker upon meeting people, and this is my favorite experience in this lifetime. Apart from my status as a diehard Swiftie, I am a writer, and I mostly use this talent of mine to expand and enhance my “poetic prose” and journalistic pieces and styles. I also love running, talking with both strangers and friends (for hours on end) about life stories and philosophical thoughts, the smell and sound of rain (which happens a lot in Ireland, or so I've heard), and wildly dancing even when everyone is watching, which I encourage everyone to do more. Make the moves up as you go, and the rest will fall into place. I am so excited for this journey to begin already, and I hope that you have or will become encouraged to apply to study abroad somewhere yourself as well. The world is out there, just waiting for you!