OSU Summer Study Abroad in Rome, Italy

sophia marrs Start Date: Mar 24, 2024 - End Date: Jul 23, 2024
  • Missionary Service
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Professional Development
  • Rome, Italy

My Travel Story

by: sophia marrs Start Date: Mar 24, 2024 - End Date: Jul 23, 2024
  • Missionary Service
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Professional Development
Hi everybody, this is the first time I am making a post like this, but I wanted to say thank you for the birthday wishes (both past and present) I really appreciate the effort, I feel very loved and supported!

I have been hesitant to make this post to be completely transparent but nonetheless, I have some exciting/important news to share:

This past year I have devoted more time/effort to my spiritual journey and it has been life-changing. The more time I spend devoting myself to the Lord my outlook on everything has completely changed. While my faith has grown stronger it has allowed my body/mind to follow. The healthy habits, waiting for God’s timing rather than my own, and being more aware of the blessings in my life has turned my life towards the path I have always wanted to be on.

With all of that being said, I have an incredible blessing being given to me by Oklahoma State University. This summer I am getting the opportunity to spend 8 weeks in Rome, Italy to study two courses that are extremely significant to my future. Let me explain a little more before we get to that:

Throughout my time at OSU my academic journey has been switched around many times. In 2020, I was a freshman at OSU entering with as an international business major. With COVID-19 still being prevalent during my first year, I switched my international business major for fear of not knowing what that industry would look like after the pandemic. Now, as a senior who is graduating Fall of 2024, my majors are marketing and management with minors in entrepreneurship, psychology, and international business. This combination of my education has blessed me immensely by really feeding into my love for history, art, music, and people. As for my career, I have found a passion for wanting to work in the music industry, specifically helping to plan music festivals. The prospect of studying abroad in Europe, a place with immense history, such as the city of Rome, is an essential opportunity I have wanted to take since I was a kid reading about Roman mythology. Being able to immerse myself in a completely new culture is not only a longing for self-enrichment across the world, but I think this would be a pivotal point in my professional path by getting a full understanding of the artistic expressions that have shaped the modern world.

Another extremely compelling reason I would love to get this opportunity is The American University in Rome, provides two classes that would change my life. The first is called COM 314 which I think is so important to learn the music industry that would also jumpstart my future. This class, also called "Live Music and Festival Management", describes this as an opportunity for "...hands-on skills for future music managers, concert and festival promoters, and tour managers. Moreover, the course explores the process of signing artists, planning, budgeting, booking, and advancing concerts."(this is a quote from the university website). While I love OSU and have even had the opportunity to take an Intro to Music Business class at the Greenwood School of Music, I truly think it is an essential class that will help me learn so much, but it also combines my love for music with traveling.

Words cannot describe how history and the arts have held such a special place in my heart since I can remember, but I hope this can provide some explanation that receiving financial aid for this trip is not just a means to an end, it is the gateway to a lifelong dream that would provide a deeper appreciation for the past as well as provide invaluable inspiration for my job in the Music Industry.

Another important aspect of my life is my religion. This semester, after a year of consideration, I am taking RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) which is a weekly class for becoming Catholic. While I am officially getting baptized in the Fall semester, being able to take "Sacred Spaces: Religious Architecture" would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to grow with my faith and be in the center of where Catholicism started. Being in Rome would allow me to visit iconic sites such as the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums (and Vatican City), St. Peter's Basilica, and many other sacred spaces that hold great spiritual importance. Many Catholics dream of being able to see these historic sites; therefore, if I could visit these places it would hold such a significant meaning to me. Attending Mass at renowned churches and being able to engage with the local Catholic community would not only enrich my faith but also give me an overall deeper appreciation for the beauty of Christianity.

Thank you for reading this - with that being said, do not feel pressured at all to donate. A prayer helps just as much. If you feel compelled to though, I cannot thank you enough for supporting my journey!
  • Rome, Italy

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