CAPA WORLD

In this week's post, Lorenzo asks fellow student Martyn about interning abroad in Sydney, developing professional skills internationally, and how this experience can serve as a gateway to reach your career goals. Martyn also shares advice on how to keep an open mind and get the most out of your international hands-on experience.

Meet Martyn, a senior student majoring in finance and marketing at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. He is originally from New Jersey and wants to pursue a career in the entertainment/movie industry in Los Angeles. He also blogs for CAPA from Sydney. Today's Q&A is centered on the topic of interning abroad and gaining international experience.

Lorenzo Corazzin: How did you decide to come to Sydney?
Martyn Megaloudis: A lot of the required credits left for my major were international, so I thought it would make sense to take them abroad. This was my first real opportunity to travel outside the country, and through CAPA it was easier because they set up housing and activities.

Get to know what it's like to blog for CAPA while studying abroad! Martyn interviews fellow Sydney blogger Lorenzo, who shares how immersing yourself in a new city and culture, as well as writing and taking photos actually contribute to your content creation skills and professional experience. See what advice these two bloggers have in store for future creators!

For this week’s blog post, I interviewed fellow CAPA blogger Lorenzo Corazzin. He’s the other half of the blogging force for this semester in Sydney. I thought it would be interesting to get our perspectives of the CAPA blogger experience and how that affects a semester abroad. There’s not much to say before the actual interview but I do want to preface that Lorenzo writes some amazing blog posts and you’d be denying yourself if you didn't check them out here.

Without further ado, enjoy our conversation!

Martyn opens up about his study abroad and cultural experience in Sydney in this conversation with Laurence Braude, Program Coordinator at CAPA Sydney. He also reflects on what it's like to adapt to living on the other side of the world, the insights and differences between the East Coast and Sydney, and how Sydney exemplifies friendliness and openness.

For this week’s blog post I had a conversation with Laurence Braude who is a Program Coordinator here at CAPA Sydney. I’ve transcribed most of our conversation (for everyone’s sake, I tried to remove all of the “likes” that I say), and it’s definitely a bit of a read so strap in! We touch on a few topics from adjusting to a new culture to the difference between the U.S and Sydney. I hope you enjoy reading this conversation as much as I did actually having it. Without further delay, let's jump in!

In this post, Lindsey answers 10 questions about her experience studying abroad in Florence and her time so far as a CAPA Ambassador!

In this week's post, Ellen is interviewed by Andrew Rose, an internship coordinator at CAPA London, and discusses the differences between London and the US, the convenience of the Tube, meeting locals in London, and even social cultures in the workplace.

A CAPA Study Abroad Alumna and Ambassador Interview with Sharon Sanchez

Meet Sharon Sanchez, a Riverside City College student studying to be a registered nurse. She studied abroad in Florence, an experience that helped her grow both personally and professionally. Below, she talked a bit more about her first impressions of the city, why she applied to be a CAPA Ambassador, and shares how this experience will impact her future career. 

An Interview with CAPA Institutional Relations Manager for Equity and Inclusion Initiatives: Darin Smith-Gaddis

Meet Darin Smith-Gaddis, CAPA's first Institutional Relations Manager for Equity and Inclusion Initiatives. Since his start with CAPA in 2014, Darin has focused on building relationships with institutional partners. Drawing from his experience in developing key programs for education and diversity and inclusion efforts, he is committed to helping others understand and expand access for underrepresented students to study abroad. Below, he shares what led to his current role at CAPA, why study abroad is important, and how educators and institutions can be more inclusive. 

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself and your work with CAPA.
DARIN SMITH-GADDIS: I work on Equity and Inclusion initiatives as an Institutional Relations Manager for CAPA. I’ve had the opportunity to travel most of my life, starting with many trips from my home, Anchorage, Alaska, to visit relatives and friends in other states and other countries. I participated in my first study abroad in high school, spending an academic year in Brasilia, Brazil. After that I guess I never stopped. I participated in two study abroad programs in undergrad to the Czech Republic and several former Yugoslav countries and just kept going. By 30 I’d flown over 1 million miles getting to know the diverse communities and cultures that make up our world. At CAPA my primary goal is to increase accessibility for students to study abroad. Working with faculty, administrators and students, I try to bring study abroad concepts to fruition, create connections that lead to programs, and develop solutions to challenges to break down barriers. This means making sure our partners are informed and supported as they pursue their respective institutional missions.

Claire Shrader is an official CAPA blogger for spring 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Pre-Occupational Therapy major at Mississippi College, she is studying abroad in Buenos Aires this semester.

In this week's post, Claire meets with local Argentinian friends, Andres and Fernanda, and introduces us to them in this interview.

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Hola! Today’s post is brought to you by two of my dear friends. Andres/Andy was my mentor in a church retreat here in Buenos Aires in 2012. I remember having conversations about the wonderful Fernanda he wanted to marry back then, and tonight I got to go to their home to enjoy some delicious empanadas and to hear the rest of their story. It was truly a delightful night, and we laughed so hard. I hope you enjoy this interview they were gracious enough to participate in! Mil gracias, Fer y Andy!!

Fernanda, me, and Andres/Andy.

CLAIRE SHRADER: Can you introduce yourselves?

FERNANDA: Okay, I’m Fernanda, I love to laugh *laughs* I’m a teacher, I work in an evangelical Christian school, and I teach art. I’m 28 years old and I live in Floresta with Andres, my husband, who’s here beside me.

ANDRES: Floresta, Buenos Aires, Argentina, that is. The people from [Claire's] university probably don’t know where Floresta is. I work in digital marketing advertisement, in a huge industry referral here in Argentina. I’m the digital coordinator for the ABInBev client.

An Interview with Award-Winning Author, Acclaimed Travel Writer, and CAPA Visiting Professor Michael Meyer

Meet Michael Meyer, an award-winning writer who has published a non-fiction trilogy set in China. With experiences abroad as a journalist and as an acclaimed travel writer, and having contributed to The New York Times,Time, the Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune among others; he is also an associate professor for the English writing program at the University of Pittsburgh. Below, he talks about how he got his start overseas, shares lessons from his writing and publishing experience, and reveals what students can expect from his Travel Writing course this summer in London.

CAPA WORLD: What sparked your interest in traveling?
MICHAEL MEYER: Both travel writing and China happened by accident. The Peace Corps sent me to the latter after I had rejected seven other countries, none of which spoke Spanish, my second language. China was their final offer. I was about to graduate, broke and without prospects. I majored in Education and worked as a journalist throughout college, but there was no job waiting for me. A plane ticket to China felt like a reprieve, even though I couldn't speak a word of Chinese, or even use chopsticks. I started writing travel stories after landing, an exercise in making sense of the newness around me.

A CAPA Staff Interview: Taylor Nolan

Meet CAPA admissions advisor Taylor Nolan. Below, she tells us more about her role, why her study abroad journey was the time of her life, and what her memorable experience is from working with students.

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? 
TAYLOR NOLAN: Hi I am Taylor! I am from Rhode Island, went to college in South Carolina, and now I'm back in the great white north. Ever since I was little and I took "vacations" to Boston, I knew I wanted to live here. I love the hustle and bustle of the city. My hobbies involve doing anything social. I love to meet new people and chat over coffee for hours. The coolest part about living in Boston is that there are endless possibilities of activities to do: going to museums, concerts, games, restaurants, views, tours, coffee shops, etc...