Goal Setting

I have known that I wanted to study abroad since high school. In fact, I came to college as an International Affairs major because I was so passionate about travelling and experiencing other cultures. Getting to Lima has actually been quite a journey. I originally was interested in going to Tel Aviv, but when that fell through I turned to Istanbul, Bangkok, and Vina del Mar. These too fell though due to strict course requirements. Finally, I found ASA’s program in Lima, Peru, where I could take my required Economics courses. I exclusively looked to countries outside of Europe because I thought that Europe might be too comfortable and easy to navigate. I really want to challenge myself, in uncomfortable situations so that I can learn and grow.

My primary goals for this trip are to improve my Spanish to professional proficiency, to increase my confidence in living abroad and confronting and conquering challenging situations, and to travel to other South American countries. I am excited to be living in a homestay where I know I will practice my Spanish. I am also eager to improve my Spanish so that I can read one of my favorite books, Travesuras de la Niña Mala, by Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, in Spanish.

My only major concerns while abroad are getting sick (got Lyme disease 1 week before my flight #strugs), and being restricted in my travels due to my sex and nationality.