Shevan Abdulla is from Kirkuk, Iraq. He has been in the U.S. for almost a year now. He studies Political Science, and has just graduated from University of Pittsburgh in April. He plans to go back to Iraq in August. 

What motivated your decision to come to the U.S.?

My favorite book genre is YA (young adult) - it perfectly captures that magical time of life when anything is possible, while also discussing the very real problems of life, growing up, and finding yourself. It's the ultimate genre of hope, possibility, and growth. 

Jonelle Krise is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Urban Studies with a certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. She studied abroad in May-June 2014 in Greece! She participated in a travel-based program through Pitt, which focused on sociology, economics, tourism, and history. Jonelle visited and lived in several cities while in Greece, including Thessaloniki, Nafplio, Delphi, Meteora, Olympia, Athens, and Pigadia (Karpathos).

I thought about writing a poem on my graduation day, but I procrastinated. Here, though, I am finally able to galvanize all my attention and emotion to this farewell letter the night before I leave Pittsburgh. 

Traveling has always been a passion of Laura Victorelli’s, a senior political science major at the University of Pittsburgh. She credits that traveling has guided many aspects of her life. Originally born in Roanoke, Virginia but moved to Pittsburgh when she was four years old, Laura has always known that she wanted to learn about the world around her as much as possible. She’s traveled to southern Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Lichtenstein, and Jordan. In addition, she studied abroad in Cyprus, Greece.

My name is Emily Johnson and I've been living abroad for the past ten years. I started my journey in Poland where I studied for my M.A. in Eastern and Central European Studies at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Being passionate about culture and the study of societies, after the completion of my degree I moved south, to Istanbul, Turkey, where I still reside and teach at university.

Hello! My name is Danielle Weber and I am currently a student at Grand Valley State University through the University Center in Traverse City, Michigan. I am 25 years old and I feel I am finally discovering my passions. I had always dreamed of traveling abroad, but never thought I would have the chance due to my financial situation. My life was changed by attending an event at Grand Valley and one of the many discussions was studying abroad.

It must be known by all and sundry by now – I’m in love with Turkey. A recent trip highlighted to me what many of my friends and family already know – that Turkey is an amazing country to explore, and that Istanbul is just as magical as one can imagine. 

Linda Moore lives in Philadelphia and writes fiction. Six months a year she travels the world. She writes about her experiences in a blog: www.lovearttravel.com

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?