Meet the CAPA Staff: Anne McDonnell

Meet Anne McDonnell, Director of Pre-Departure Services, who has been turning the wheels behind the scenes at CAPA for more than 10 years. That makes for a lot of students who have been advised by Anne and her team, who have read the pre-departure materials that were meticulously written and revised by her and her team over time and who have spoken to Anne themselves before traveling. And anyone who has encountered Anne will know she has an infectious enthusiasm for travel, a great curiosity about the world we live and work in and always an entertaining story or two from her latest adventure to share. Her belief in the importance of study abroad runs deep, as you'll read below. She also shares some excellent recommendations for students about to embark on their journey and gives us a glimpse into her colorful office.

Photo: Buenos Aires, Argentina 2016
CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself and some of your hobbies and interests. What’s the coolest thing about calling Boston home?
ANNE MCDONNELL: I have worked for CAPA for 10 years as of June 2016. I studied Spanish Language and Literature at UMASS Amherst and spent a semester in Seville, Spain. I love art and music – especially jazz, Latin jazz, Motown, and classics from the '40s – '70s. I try to seek out all of the above performed live in and around Boston. I love to travel and have a reputation for finding pretty good deals on airfare. Having lived in the Boston area since I was 11-years-old, you’d think the novelty of calling Boston home would have worn off, but it is still an incredible city. The presence of so many universities creates fantastic opportunities for cultural experiences – like the free film series at UMASS Boston. Its proximity to the ocean, however, may be my favorite aspect of living in Boston. I can easily take the Blue Line out to Revere Beach throughout the year and walk along the coast. It’s very calming.
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