A CAPA Study Abroad Alumna Interview: Rikki Li

Meet Rikki Li, an English Writing and Psychology major from the University of Pittsburgh and former CAPA official blogger who studied abroad in London during Spring 2016. Below, she talks about how being a writer and literature fan shaped her perception of the city, how she explored her own identity in London's diversity, and what the word "home" really means.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
RIKKI LI: I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor’s in English Writing and Psychology. When I decided to study abroad in London my junior year, I remember telling myself, “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” I’m still not exactly sure what I hoped to find, or what I believed I had lost—maybe a sense of direction, or an enthusiasm for the present—but I do know that I wanted something “more.” Something different.

While I spend a good portion of my time writing (or thinking about writing), I also enjoy cooking/baking, reading Marvel comics, browsing Tumblr, and learning my way through Adobe Creative Cloud. 

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Marte Eggleston

Meet Marte Eggleston, a Journalism major from Indiana University and former CAPA official blogger who studied abroad in Florence during Spring 2016. Below, she debunks some study abroad myths, talks about some of her favorite foods she misses, and tells us how she prepared financially for her semester abroad before her journey.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
MARTE EGGLESTON: I studied abroad in Florence in spring 2016, and I went to Indiana University. I have since graduated- just this year! I was a Journalism major. I love to cook and eat so Florence was really perfect for those activities. I also enjoy running and podcasts.

Elizabeth Withers is an official CAPA blogger for spring 2017, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A double major in English literature and history & philosophy of science at the University of Pittsburgh, she is studying abroad in Buenos Aires this semester.

In this week's post, Elizabeth interviews professor Erwin Luchtenberg, who teaches a class about ways to conduct sociological research.

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This week I interviewed Erwin Luchtenberg, one of my favorite professors here at Austral University in Buenos Aires.  The interview is below, but I’ll first give some background information about the University and the nature of the course Erwin teaches together with Paola Salgado.

The course is called Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research Methodology, and it provides an overview of the different ways of thinking about and conducting sociological research.  The class has been really informative, and also one of the most fun classes I’ve ever taken!  Our coursework involves a research project about tango, and so Erwin and Paola have taken students on trips to Milongas for fieldwork.

Photo: here's one of the Milonga's we attended as a part of my sociology class.  It was in a community center far away from the downtown are where I live, and it was nice to see one of the city's quieter, less bustling neighborhoods. 

Austral University is a private university, with a large main campus in Pilar, 45 minutes outside of Buenos Aires.  I attend a small branch campus in the city center, where many classes are taught in English, and most of the students are international.  With that said, below is a condensed version of my interview with Erwin. 

A CAPA Staff Interview: Terese Wahler

Meet Terese Wahler, Manager of Student Admissions at CAPA The Global Education Network. Below, she talks about how to overcome challenges abroad, how to choose the best country or program, and shares her best piece of travel and study abroad advice.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself and some of your hobbies and interests and where you’re from originally. What’s the coolest thing about living in Boston?
TERESE WAHLER: I love anything outdoors and am a big fan of hiking, camping and swimming. When I am not outside I like to read, any subject that interests me in the moment and to always keep learning. I am originally from California, but I have lived in Boston for the past 10 years. The coolest thing about living here is all of the history that surrounds you, wherever you go and there are always new things to try from food, music, festivals, etc.

A CAPA Staff Interview: Emily Kearns

Meet CAPA Florence alumna and admissions advisor Emily Kearns. Below, she tells us what it's like to go from studying abroad with CAPA to working for the company, how studying abroad made her more independent, and the three most common questions she helps study abroad students navigate.

A CAPA Staff Interview: Mary Brown, Admissions Advisor

Meet Mary Brown, an admissions advisor at CAPA. Below, she talks about why she chose to study abroad, how that led her to her current role at CAPA, and what she loves most about helping students achieve their dream of studying abroad!

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself and some of your hobbies and interests and where you’re from originally. What’s the coolest thing about living in Boston?
MARY BROWN: I am originally from Saco, Maine and essentially grew up in the woods which I loved. I think because of my upbringing I have always been a bit more keen to do outdoorsy activities like hiking, swimming, and running. Since those are all generic hobbies I spice things up with some knitting, experimental cooking, my new love for the ukulele, and of course, traveling!

I would say the coolest thing about living in Boston is how many different events happen at any given time. Just this past weekend I accidentally walked into the Japan Festival of Boston which was amazing. I love that there is always something to do for everyone.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Megan Twohig

Meet Megan Twohig, a psychology major who studied abroad in Shanghai in the winter of 2017. Below, she talks about traveling outside of the US for the first time, how traditional Chinese food differs from American Chinese food, and explains some differences between Eastern and Western medicines.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself. 
MEGAN TWOHIG: My name is Megan, I’m currently a sophomore at Mount Saint Mary College and I am majoring in psychology. Although I have a passion for any type of adventurous, outdoor activity such as hiking and mountain climbing, I also enjoy less physically exerting activities and showing off my creative side with origami and scrapbooking. In addition, I am a huge animal lover and of course my love for travel is a big part of my life. I had the amazing and unforgettable experience studying abroad in Shanghai, China at East China Normal University; we also visited other cities such as Beijing, Wuzhen, and Hangzhou. This was also my first time traveling outside the United States and my first time on a plane, which I didn't love because the flight was sixteen hours. Overall, I enjoyed my time abroad and I hope to travel to many other places in the future.

A CAPA Alumni Interview: Edgar Trujillo

Meet Edgar Trujillo, a Sociology major from US Davis who studied abroad in London during spring 2016. Below, he talks about how his internship led him to his current job in higher education, how he stayed active abroad, and how his experience led to positive changes in his confidence and ability to be independent.

CW: Tell us a bit about yourself.
EDGAR TRUJILLO: I grew up in the Monterey Bay of California and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UC Davis in 2016. Currently, I work for UC Davis as a Program Coordinator for the UC Davis Center for Human Services. I strive every day to provide human service professionals the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to best serve their communities by coordinating the administration of our skill-building workshops. Besides my work, I love to take long drives and hike the breathtaking wonders of California’s National Parks.

In my senior year of college, I came to the realization that if I ever wanted to travel across the globe, I would have to do it with haste. As a young person, I enjoy pursuing situations that provide me a more cohesive understanding of the world, and living for three months in the UK sounded like the perfect opportunity for me.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Victoria Ruggiero

Meet Victoria Ruggiero, a communication and international business major who studied abroad in London in the summer of 2016. Below, she talks about her love of staying active outdoors, how her internship experience led her to want a job in the international sector, and why she loved living in Camden Town and thinks you would, too.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
VICTORIA RUGGIERO: My name is Victoria Ruggiero; I am from Long Island, New York. I am graduating in May of this year from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego with a degree in Communication and International Business. At school, I am a part of the Ski and Snowboarding Club, as well as the Outdoor Club. I really enjoy anything outdoors; I love to hike, bike, swim, snowboard, and soak in the sun. I have an intense passion for traveling to various destinations and exploring new places. This past summer, I had the privilege of studying abroad in London with the CAPA program. Studying and interning in London was the best experience of my entire life. I was able to experience an entirely new culture which allowed me to learn so much about myself, and the world around me.

Sarah Kaplan is an official CAPA vlogger for spring 2017, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A screen studies major with a concentration in film/media production at Clark University, she is studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

In this week's video, Sarah gives her best interview tips to make landing any job easier.

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Thanks Sarah!

Sarah's journey continues every Wednesday so stay tuned!