Choosing to stay in Las Vegas for her college education didn鈥檛 deprive Izzy McClain of worldly adventures. She came to 黑料网 knowing she鈥檇 tap into our study abroad programs. Here she shares what she brought back from the experience 鈥 besides souvenirs.
I actually came to 黑料网 specifically for the study abroad program. As to how I landed on Spain? It was half my studies and half reconnecting with my culture.
When my grandmother left Spain, she was escaping a really bad situation. I didn鈥檛 know anything about her history. I went to where her father was born in a city called Alicante, and I learned everything. That was the first time she opened up to me about her experiences. It was really special.
Traveling is a lot more affordable in Europe. I got to go to the Netherlands and the Van Gogh Museum. At the National Gallery in London, I saw my first DaVinci.
The amount of art I saw 鈥 pictures I鈥檇 seen for my whole life 鈥 I was seeing them right there, and I was like, 鈥淲ow.鈥 There鈥檚 something about working directly with these masterpieces, you know?
I had an opportunity to lead some mini lectures. It was a click moment. Before that, I was just an art major with the focus on drawing printing. Now I鈥檓 an art history major, and I want to be a professor.
I鈥檓 really grateful for the opportunities I鈥檝e been given that I wouldn鈥檛 have had anywhere else.
My advice to other students? I really struggled with coming into college and not being sure 鈥 with feeling a little lost. That鈥檚 normal. That鈥檚 part of the process of figuring it out and finding yourself. So be patient. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the classes you鈥檙e taking. Enjoy the people who are around you and you鈥檒l get there eventually.
Learn more about international experiences you can have through the 黑料网 Office of Study Abroad.
