Studying Aboard in Nicosia, Cyprus

Jake Bolton Start Date: Nov 6, 2016 - End Date: Jun 3, 2017
  • Cyprus
  • Italy
  • Greece

My Travel Story

by: Jake Bolton Start Date: Nov 6, 2016 - End Date: Jun 3, 2017
I have always had a curiosity to explore the world and meet new people. Seeing the vast number of places in the world that I could one day visit were the driving factors for my curiosity. I want to experience these atmospheres and cultures for myself and not just through the visuals of movies or short vacations. This previous May, I traveled to Europe for my first time with my family. While exploring the countries of England and France for 10 days, I fell in love with the history and diversity of cultures in England and France and knew that one day I could see myself spending a good portion of my life traveling and exploring other countries that also have a great history to learn. The driving force for this desire is to be able to say that I have been to these countries or cities firsthand and experienced their culture and lifestyle as a local and not just as a passing tourist. Being able to have these adventures as a young adult would provide me opportunities many can only dream about. I think the idea of having a passport full of stamps from different countries could be a great place to start up conversations with the new friends I would meet.

When I learned Illinois State University offered study aboard programs as an avenue for students to continue their studies in other countries, I felt as if I had available to me the opportunity of a lifetime. If I could continue my education and combine my travel journeys, it would be like winning the lottery. I would be able to live in another country and call it home as well as interact with the local community and learn their culture. To live with people in another country is very appealing to me, because there is so much to learn about these countries and the way other people do things is intriguing and fascinating to me. This would allow me to experience the culture of another country and develop a new perspective for the one we have in the United States compared to theirs. Being able to experience other cultures for such a time period would allow me to obtain a greater understanding in how their economy plays into the international business world. This knowledge and firsthand experiences would be invaluable for someone like me who is striving for a career in the business world of marketing. The job which I envision myself working is one where I would either be located in the United States or afforded the opportunity to work in another country creating and designing visuals reaching all demographics of people and cultures worldwide. 

I am looking forward to building new bonds and lifelong friendships with students from Illinois State University and other universities who will be attending Nicosia University along with, the students who attend the university locally. Meeting students from different places is important to me because not only am I creating friendships with new people but am creating a worldwide network of people where I could receive new opportunities and I might be able to provide opportunities to them here in the US.

Studying aboard in Nicosia, Cyprus will be a life changing experience like no other and I have much excitement for what journeys lie ahead.
  • Cyprus
  • Italy
  • Greece

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • Savings from jobs and family

    $ 500

  • GoPro 4 + Silver

    $ 500