A CAPA Alumna Interview: Matthew Leonard

Meet Matthew Leonard, a Marketing and Supply Chain Management major and Economics minor from the University of Pittsburgh who studied abroad in Sydney during spring 2017. Below, he talks about leaving the United States for the first time, how his internship has made him more confident in his career choice, and shares his top 3 tips for future CAPA Sydney students.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
MATTHEW LEONARD: I'm a Marketing and Supply Chain Management Major with an Economics Minor from the University of Pittsburgh. In the Spring of 2017, I studied abroad in Sydney, Australia. In my free time I enjoy listening to and playing music. I have been playing the saxophone for 10 years and the piano for 3, playing gigs in and around the Greater Philadelphia Area. I also enjoy bowling, weightlifting, and reading.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Anna Budny

Photo: Cliffs of Moher, Country Clare, Ireland

Meet Anna Budny, a Psychology major at Ursinus College who studied abroad in Dublin in the spring 2017. Below, she talks about why she chose to study in Dublin, what it's like to leave the United States for the first time, and how she made life-long international friends.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
ANNA BUDNY: I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland at Griffith College. I attend Ursinus College back in the States and I am a psychology major. At Ursinus, I play on the women’s soccer team. Some of my hobbies include drawing, painting, and hiking.

A CAPA Student Interview: Sarah Pressler

Photo: Me & Mauro. Meeting up with an old Twitter friend before the program started. I never thought we'd ever meet in real life, but here we are enjoying Italy! What a treat.

Meet Sara Pressler, a Public Administration major and Honors Studies minor from Texas State University who is studying abroad in Florence this semester, summer 2017. Below, she talks about being a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship, why she chose to study abroad, and ways you can look for more scholarship opportunities.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
SARAH PRESSLER: My study abroad program has brought me from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, to Florence, Italy. I'm finishing up my bachelor's degree in Public Administration and my minor in Honors Studies. In the fall I'll begin working on my Masters in Legal Studies with ABA Paralegal Certification. Texas State University is currently the only college in the state of Texas to offer a combination degree program where you earn your Masters AND certification as a Paralegal through an ABA (American Bar Association) program. It's an amazing opportunity for those of us who want to work in the legal field but do not want to, or cannot, attend law school. I'm looking forward to diving into the program! Other than academics, at the moment, my hobbies and interests are focused on my four children ages 20, 17, 15, and 13. Between home life and academic life, the only other interest I have is napping!

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Catherine Crevecoeur

Meet Catherine Crevecoeur, an Environmental Studies major from the University of Pittsburgh and former official blogger who studied abroad in Sydney in the spring of 2016. Below, she talks about her goal of improving her writing skills abroad, Sydney's fashion and art scenes, and gives her recommendations for places to eat in the food-centric city.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
CATHERINE CREVECOEUR: I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Sydney, Australia from the University of Pittsburgh. I am an Environmental Studies major and I plan to attend law school. Some of my hobbies and interests include ballet and modern dance as well as cooking new dishes and appreciating good food. I also love to write creatively in my free time.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Anna Van Veldhuizen

Meet Anna, a Graphic Design major from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities who studied abroad in Sydney during spring 2017. Below, she talks about why completing an internship abroad was important to her, how what she learned abroad will help her in her future career, and why study abroad made her more outgoing.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
ANNA VAN VELDHUIZEN: Hello! My name is Anna. I am originally from Iowa, but I am about to start my last year of school as a major in Graphic Design at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I ultimately chose to study abroad in Australia because the program allowed me to do an internship while taking classes. Missing the cold Minnesota winter didn’t hurt, either! When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with friends/family, reading, creating different arts and crafts, and binge watching Netflix. Studying abroad also hasn’t helped my travel bug.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Nicole Taylor

Meet Nicole Taylor, a Journalism major from Lasell College and former official blogger who studied abroad in Dublin during spring 2016. Below, she talks about how she learned cultural differences at her internship abroad, what she's up to since graduating this May, and gives her tips to future CAPA explorers.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
NICOLE TAYLOR: Hey everyone, my name is Nicole Taylor and I am 23 years old from Standish, Maine. I recently graduated from Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts with my BA in Journalism and decided to stay in the area to start the next chapter in my life. I studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland in the spring of 2016 and it was the best decision I have ever made. To no surprise, some of my interests include: TRAVELING, writing, sports, hanging out with friends, relaxing by the lake or pool, Crossfit, and cooking.

A CAPA Alumni Interview: Jonathan Gerhartz

Meet Jon Gerhartz, a Politics and Economics major at Ursinus College who studied abroad in Sydney during spring semester 2017. Below, he talks about his inspiration to study abroad, what it was like to live among and experience a different culture, and where he sees himself after graduation because of his experience abroad.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
JON GERHARTZ: This past semester, I studied abroad in Sydney Australia. I left behind my friends at Ursinus College for a semester of adventure away from my schools location in Collegeville PA (30 minutes outside of Philadelphia). At school I play on the football team and am a leader of political activist organization. I spend most of my time training, practicing and playing football and working on majors in economics and politics.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Sarah Morgan

Meet Sarah Morgan, a History major and Journalist and Fine Art minor from the University of Delaware who studied abroad in London during fall 2010. Below, she talks about how she got out of her comfort zone through study abroad, how the locals of London left an impression on her, and how study abroad led her to work abroad in international education.

CAPAWORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself.
SARAH MORGAN: Hi!  My name is Sarah Morgan, and I'm an alumna of the 2010 Fall CAPA London program!  Originally from New Jersey, I attended the University of Delaware for my undergrad degree, where I majored in History, and minored in Journalism and Fine Art.  During my time at UD, I studied abroad three times- in Puerto Rico, Greece, and my final experience was with CAPA in London!  I’m a bit of a bookworm, and also love photography and yoga.

A CAPA Alumna Interview: Carly Wickham

Meet Carly Wickham, a Journalism major and US History and Psychology minor from Emerson College and former CAPA official vlogger who studied abroad in London during Spring 2016. Below, she talks about how she fell in love with art in London, what it was like to be a Journalism major in a global city, and how to deal with culture shock- then the reverse.

CAPA WORLD: Tell us a bit about yourself. (ie - Where did you study abroad and from which home institution? What is your major? What are some of your hobbies and interests?)
CARLY WICKHAM: I’m originally from a suburb of Philadelphia, but relocated to Boston for college. I currently just wrapped up my junior year at Emerson College, majoring in Journalism. I’m also working towards two minors, one in US History, and the other in Psychology. I love arts & crafts, baking, and exploring/traveling! I studied abroad exactly one year ago, at the CAPA London center in the Spring of 2016!

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.