12/18/2008 - Students receive scholarships, discover dreams
Hello my name is Francia (Frances) De Jesus. I had the pleasure of being able to study abroad in Italy during the summer before my senior year of high school through AFS. My experiences abroad with AFS led me to apply for admission to the University of the Pacific’s School of International Studies (SIS) where I am now a Freshman majoring in International Relations. My AFS experience helped me to discover my passions, interests and career goals.
I chose the country of Italy for my AFS study abroad and with anxiety and excitement I boarded a plane and headed for Rome. When I first arrived in Italy, I was in complete and utter disbelief of my surroundings. People of all shapes and sizes surrounded me, Italy AFS met the American students at the terminal and one volunteer waved enthusiastically “Ciao Regazzi!” AFS Italy volunteers escorted me to my host family. A small town in the southern region of Italy, Metaponto would be my home for the next two months. I bonded with my host sisters, host mother, and father. They treated me like one of their own and when no one was looking, my host sister would sneak me away and drive me to her favorite café. My host family taught me many things about their culture, when to speak, what to eat, and the cultural differences between Italian, Hispanic, and American cultures. I learned to adapt and assimilate myself into Italian society. At the end of my excursion, my sister took me to the village ruins and they reminded me to never forget what I had learned from their family, who was so willing to let me into their home.
When I arrived back in the U.S I found myself motivated to learn about the world and the different countries and what it takes to make the world function. After my experience with AFS, I knew I wanted to study International Relations, I just didn’t know where. The University of the Pacific’s School of International Studies (SIS), which is affiliated with AFS, sent me a package of information and I knew it was the school for me! Pacific’s School of International Studies offers courses in globalization, economics, cultural anthropology, and much more. I was also attracted to this program because it requires all students to study abroad, something I can’t wait to do again.
If you are thinking about college and a major in international affairs than you should definitely consider applying to University of the Pacific’s School of International Studies www.pacific.edu/sis I would be happy to answer any questions that you have about AFS and SIS, see me on Facebook.
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