As I reach closer to the end of my time in Munich, I find myself reflecting on how different my experiences here have been from those back home. The culture of Munich, and perhaps Germany as a whole, is similar in many ways to what I am familiar with, but there are certainly a few…
Tag: Fall 2025
A Semester in London
Ahead of my semester in London, I held nothing but excitement in my heart. As I packed my bags, I looked forward to a semester full of travel and new friendships. More than that, I was excited to experience a country with a different government. I fantasized about strong public transportation systems and social welfare….
Final Thoughts for Florence
While I studied abroad in Italy, some of the biggest learning moments I experienced were outside the classroom. For the first time in my academic journey, I balanced an internship where I worked 20 hours a week with a full course load. On top of that, I also maintained a social life, visited museums, and…
Presenting for the 25th Annual ACRI
On the morning of December 4th, we embarked on our flight to Washington D.C. to attend the 25th annual Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI). The following morning, we would present our finalized research project to a very different audience than the one in Connellsville. The audience consisted of over a hundred students and staff from…
Connellsville Presentation Day
On November 14th, we returned to Connellsville to present our research to the Fayette County Cultural Trust and community stakeholders. Our presentation, titled Building a Stronger Future: Economic Growth in Fayette County, highlighted our collective vision for Connellsville: “Embrace economic development while staying rooted in tradition.” Overall, the experience went well. It was a unique…
From Fayette County to Washington D.C.
Going to the Washington D.C. conference hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to present our project alongside thirteen other schools from across Appalachia was a remarkable experience, both personally and academically. The event brought together students united by a shared commitment to improving the economic and social well-being of the Appalachian region. For me,…
Slán, Ireland!
Hi everyone, it’s Rachael with my last check-in from Queen’s University Belfast, where I’ve been studying abroad this semester. I can’t believe the semester has already come to an end and that I fly back to Philly this week! It’s been a jam-packed semester, and I think it’ll take a while for me to fully…
Free Time in France
I am a lover of routine. Some people are significantly more adventurous than me, but I enjoy stability and always being in the swing of things. As I settle into my routines here, in Paris, I find myself with seemingly more and more free time. If I were in the US, I might just rot…
Looking for Locals
Even though I have been here in Italy since September, and it’s been nearly three months, I still struggle to adapt to the amount of free time that seems typical in Italian culture. Growing up in the United States and being involved in many clubs, activities, and rigorous coursework, I always knew there was something…
Being in the Shoes of the Uniontown Residents
The presentation our team delivered in mid-November was an insightful and truly rewarding experience that significantly deepened our understanding of Uniontown’s evolving needs and aspirations. Reflecting on this event, the most meaningful takeaway was the genuine engagement and curiosity displayed by the audience throughout our session. Their thoughtful questions allowed each of us to elaborate…