To read about past contributors, view the featured blogger archive.
Summer 2012 Bloggers
The summer 2012 bloggers will be featured from May through August.
Chyna Bardarson
Video Blogger
Florence, Italy
Summer 2012
Hey Everyone! My name is Chyna Bardarson and I want you to come alongside me in this journey throughout Europe. Take a look at my first hand experience of studying abroad with ISA! I will let you guys know all of the traveling and cultural tips, local hot spots, and things to keep in mind before your departure! Every entry will include a “must see”, “must taste”, and “must do” suggestion for the city.
Spring 2012 Bloggers
The spring 2012 bloggers will be featured from January through May.
Valerie Zawada
Prague, Czech Republic
Spring 2012
I am from Geneva, IL and am currently a Junior at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA. I am double majoring in Theatre and International Business. In my free time, I enjoy reading, biking, and singing. I am normally always involved in a show, be it through acting, directing or working on the set. I chose Prague mainly because of it’s location. I wanted to study in Central/Eastern Europe somewhere, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about Prague, and the Czech Republic in General- so Praha it is!
Janelle Bitker
Brussels, Belgium
Academic Year 2011-2012
My name is Janelle Bitker. I’m a technocultural studies major at UC Davis, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m an unabashed foodie looking forward to sampling the fabulous chocolate, frites, moules and beer that Brussels has to offer. I chose the ISA program in Brussels so that I could practice my French day-to-day but still study in English, as well as take in the international energy that is second to none. Apart from gastronomy, my passions are for journalism, film, new media, and of course, travel. Follow my only slightly censored adventures this year at www.janellebitker.com.
Martin Drafton
Barcelona, Spain
Spring 2012
I am a 20-year-old Junior at Arizona State University majoring in Global Studies and double-minoring in Sustainability and Spanish. My spring 2012 semester will be spent taking part in ISA’s International Studies Program in Barcelona, Spain at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. When I’m not engaged with school, I enjoy working, being involved with my fraternity, reading a good novel, listening to music, practicing yoga, and spending time with my friends. My decision to study abroad in Barcelona was influenced by friends who have studied abroad in Spain in the past (and had unforgettable experiences), the rich history and culture, and the excellent opportunity to improve my Spanish that life there will provide. I plan to have the time of my life while I am in Spain and post about all of my great experiences, so hopefully my blog will prove to be entertaining and somewhat inspirational to my readers.
Katie Gillespie
Meknes, Morocco
Spring 2012
I am a sophomore from Washington State University studying journalism and French. This semester, I am studying abroad through ISA at the Université Moulay Ismail in Meknes, Morocco. This is the first time I’ve been outside the U.S. or Canada. When I’m not busy being a rookie globetrotter, I write for WSU’s student newspaper, The Daily Evergreen, and I also love reading, writing creatively, photography and baking way more than necessary. Eventually, I hope to be a foreign correspondent in the Middle East, covering humanitarian issues. Happy travels.
Xochitl Cruz
Sevilla, Spain
Spring 2012
My name is Xochitl (pronounced so-chee, to make it easy) Cruz and I am from Los Angeles, CA. I am currently studying Political Science and Global Studies with a Spanish minor at California Lutheran University. On my free time I like to read, go on hikes, and play with my dogs. I chose Sevilla, Spain because it offered me the opportunity to better my Spanish and due to the affluences the city has.
Emily Pena
Sevilla, Spain
Spring 2012
Hola! My name is Emily Pena and I am from Fishers, Indiana. I am a junior at the University of Kentucky double majoring in Kinesiology and Spanish. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, meeting new people, volunteering, and trying new things! Words cannot express how excited I am to immerse myself in the Spanish culture and develop international friendships, learn the flamenco dance, travel, and take advantage of every opportunity Seville has to offer!
Elika Roohi
Amman, Jordan
Spring 2012
Hi, my name is Elika Roohi and I am from Anchorage, Alaska. I study journalism at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (the coldest college in the US!). I decided to study abroad in Jordan to try to understand the Middle East better, to learn Arabic, and to challenge myself with an environment unfamiliar to anything I’d ever experienced. When I’m at home, I spend my time writing for the student newspaper at UAF and playing intramural broomball.
Gianna Weller
Salamanca, Spain
Spring 2012
My name is Gianna Weller and Im from Fort Myers, Florida. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Florida, GO GATORS. I am a Telecommunications major and double minoring in Spanish and Education. I am a people person that loves spending time with my family, friends, and my Sigma Kappa sorority sisters. I grew up in the South Jersey, where I always at the beach every opportunity I had. When I was younger I had many opportunities to travel the world with my family, which I am so thankful for to this day. I always knew that I would eventually study abroad in Spain, and the day has finally come. Studying in Spain will motivate me to learn the language the best way: immersion. I am so excited for the studying abroad experience, and all of the memories that are to come.
