Send Brielle to Florence, Italy - Fall '14!

Brielle Mears Start Date: Apr 15, 2014 - End Date: Aug 12, 2014
  • Florence, Italy

My Travel Story

by: Brielle Mears Start Date: Apr 15, 2014 - End Date: Aug 12, 2014
As a true South Dakotan, born and raised, I have never really had the opportunity to branch out of the midwest. Most of this was due to a fairly sheltered childhood and my family’s finances. Now, as a college student, I am broadening my horizons and experiencing so many new opportunities. I always knew it was an option for me to study abroad, but I never knew it would be an opportunity within reach.

The study abroad program at SDSU offers something for everyone, and for me, that something is my desire to study in Florence, Italy for the 2014 Fall semester. I came upon this decision during a meeting with an advisor and after much discussion with my mother. At first she was hesitant, but deep down, she knew that it would be the best thing for me. I’ve always been “too big” for South Dakota. Small town girl with big city dreams. I am interested in this study abroad program because I am ready to discover my full potential and I feel as though the only place I can achieve this is abroad.

I am and always have been a very outgoing and “Go-getting” individual. During my first semester of college, I experienced some challenges with my academics as I was also battling some health issues and had an unfortunate roommate situation. My first semester GPA does not reflect my work ethic and I have been working incredibly hard this semester to prove myself. My role in the Honors program at SDSU is one that I am very proud of and is something I do not foresee losing site of. This study abroad opportunity would allow me to enhance my academic development in that it would challenge me. During my first semester, I felt bored and unstimulated with the courses I was taking. This could have been due to the fact that I was studying economics, which was my major prior to apparel merchandising. With my new course of study, I am so much happier with my course work. However, I am always looking for a new challenge and I feel as though the study abroad program is just what I need.

I hope to gain a lot of new experiences. People have been telling me for years that college is the time to try new things, and what better way to fulfill that than by experiencing a new country and culture. As a newly declared apparel merchandising major, I know I am in the right discipline now and I know Europe would be an ideal place to broaden my knowledge of the fashion industry.
  • Florence, Italy

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