Had you ever participated on a study abroad program or sleep away camp before?
This was my first time studying abroad. I had done a sleep away camp for five years and I did a bike trip last summer, but this program was the most different thing I had ever done.

What prompted you to want to study abroad in France and then choose Abbey Road?
I take French in school and really like it. I also went to France on a family vacation two years ago and I wanted to go back with a group of students my age…I did look at a couple of other programs, but Abbey Road seemed the most legitimate and had the most to offer that I was interested in.

You participated in Abbey Road’s residential immersion program in Aix-en-Provence, what made you decide to apply to a residential program rather than a homestay?
I didn’t choose the [the homestay program] because I wasn’t ready for a home stay. I would like to participate in one eventually, but not quite yet….I saw [other company’s] programs that offered Paris, but I think the city is too big. I thought Aix would be a good fit. It was like a mini Paris, without all the tourists. I thought it was perfect.

Do you think the residential living experience helped prepare you for that upcoming transition?
Yes. It was the first time I had lived with a roommate and the first time I had had to buy things for myself and do my own laundry and be more independent.

How was the location and quality of the residence?
We stayed in really nice apartments. I was with two other people and I shared a room with one of them. My roommate ended up becoming one of my best friends and it was really nice having a kitchen in the room. I thought it was just going to be dorms with a bathroom at the end of the hall, but every room had its own bathroom. Everyone also knew where everybody lived so you could go to your friend’s room and hang out. One of my friends had a balcony in her room so we would go and hang and sit outside. My closest friends and I from the trip still keep in touch! I thought the location of the apartments was perfect. It was only a three-minute walk to the center of town and we were close to anything we would ever need. I felt very safe living there.

Living in the center of the city is one of the best parts of studying abroad, were you able to interact with the people of Aix? What were they like?
The people [of Aix] definitely knew we weren’t French, but they really were nice and would speak to us in French. [At] the bakery my friends and I went to every morning the lady who owned it got to know us and everyday she would ask us what we were doing and where we were going that day and we would respond to her in French. It was really good practice. I had an overall really good experience with them.

“Academic Summer Program” can mean a lot of different things. In your opinion, what does it mean to say Abbey Road has a structured academic or learning aspect to their programs?
Unlike the other summer programs, you do learn, but not in a school fashion. You are learning and you are having fun and sometimes you don’t even realize you are learning until you are talking about something and realize that you actually know a lot about it. You get so much out of the program, but you don’t spend the whole time in a classroom.

Did your French improve during the course of the program? Did you enjoy working with your Abbey Road instructors?
Yes, definitely. I am in my fourth year of French at school and I would consider myself pretty proficient. The French program isn’t as strong as the Spanish program at my school, but I can get by all the same. Back home now my listening skills have especially improved. I can understand my French teacher and I know what she is saying and not many kids do. Also, my ability to speak French improved and my grammar got a lot better because of the activities we did in class….I am going to take the SAT II and listening for French; this program I think is really going to help. I thought they [the Abbey Road Instructors] all worked really well together. [Our coordinator] who lived in Marseille, really knew what to do and where to go. The other teachers spoke French really well. All the staff was very helpful and they really helped us improve our French and get around the city. They were all just really nice!

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road Student?
I would say be open-minded and have fun. Really take advantage of the program and the city while you are there. Definitely use all the time you have to be in France and take advantage of the fact that you are there!

Your trip to Barcelona with Abbey Road was your first study abroad experience, what made you decide you wanted to study abroad? Why Barcelona?
I had been looking into it and talking about it with my family for about a year and we decided that I was old enough to go this year. Also, I’m talking Spanish and learning the language and thought it would be a great opportunity to improve my language skills. I was a bit nervous because I had never been away from home for so long and I was going to be in a different country than my family. I felt really reassured though that it was going to be a good experience. I had a lot of information about the program from the staff and the website. It was more of an excited nervous and not a bad kind of nervous!

You chose the residential program to interact with and meet new people; did the living situation help you accomplish this goal?
It was perfect! You had your own space, but you also have a roommate connected by the kitchen. It was really nice if you needed time to be by yourself and work on something or if you wanted to hang out with other kids. Also, I thought the apartment was a lot nicer than I expected. There was air conditioning and it was just really functional which I hadn’t quite expected. I thought the location was really good too. It was in walking distance of a lot the main areas. Or, there was a metro stop really close by if where you wanted to go wasn’t within walking distance. I felt completely safe during my stay. They had a security guard watching the door at all times and they had cameras set up as well.

Over the course of the program you took Spanish Language daily and Digital Photography three times a week, did you enjoy the classes?
How did they compare to your classes back home? I loved the [Abbey Road experiential] classroom environment. We got to go out into the city and weren’t stuck in the classroom all day long. I also liked that classroom learning incorporated site seeing. The program wasn’t study, study, study all day long. We got to go out into the city and see the different monuments and sites, which we learned a lot from. Spanish [class] was very different [from my class in school.] It was much more conversational than I was used to which I liked because for me a lot of times I can write well in Spanish and get my ideas out on paper, but then when I have to talk it’s a lot harder. I also liked that we got to go out into the city and do surveys and talk with native speakers. I really enjoyed photography as well because we had specific assignments, but we had a lot of freedom to be creative. I had never taken a photography class before and I thought the class was a good starting point for me. I thought the professors were all really knowledgeable and helpful.

Did your Spanish improve during the program?
Yes. I definitely think it did. This year in Spanish class I’m already noticing that I’m more confident and am more able to speak up in class. I am more sure of what I’m saying than I have been in previous years.

Are you glad you chose a program that incorporated daily learning over a purely travel program? What were the benefits for you?
Well there is definitely a lot of learning involved on the program. We had one or two classes’ everyday, which for me made it an academic program and not just a tourist program. I had heard of people who had gone on previous programs [through other companies] where they had just gone to site see and they weren’t there to specifically learn a new language or new skill like photography. You get so much more out of a program like this! Also, outside the classroom we learned so much about the different aspects of Spanish culture that also contribute to making it an academic program.

You have mentioned the great group dynamic in Barcelona and that you made a lot of new friends. How would you describe a “typical student” on the program?
I thought that most of the students were enthusiastic about going to different sites and seeing new things. I found that everyone on the program was really nice and easy to get along with and fun to hang out with. There were definitely more girls than boys on the trip. I thought there was a good mix. We all hung out together and there wasn’t a separation or anything like that. There wasn’t anyone that I felt like I couldn’t hang out with if I wanted to.

Do you think it’s important for teenagers your age to study abroad? How did this experience impact you?
I think it’s important to have cultural awareness and to be aware of other cultures and not just what you are used to. I think that studying abroad is the most effective way to gain that kind of awareness and to see how other people live and their values in life. It’s just such a great way to learn about others and yourself. I had an unforgettable experience and I made amazing friends that I’m still in touch with and plan on keeping in touch with them for a long time. It was such an amazing experience and it changed me so much as a person; [it] made me more aware and improved my Spanish.

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road student?
I would tell them to take every opportunity that they can. If they have the opportunity to do something cool and interesting to take it and just try to immerse yourself as much as possible. This program is so amazing and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

You went on the Western Civilization program through Abbey Road in 2010, what made you decide to travel abroad a second time with Abbey Road?
It is just such an incredible program! I have heard of other students my age participating in different programs and I felt they didn't get the same experience that I did [with Abbey Road.] The first yearÉI had never gone away from home before, but they made me love it. I knew I wanted to travel again because I had such a great experience with Abbey Road. I love the freedom that Abbey Road gives you and I knew that this was the program that I wanted to do for a second year in a row. The [Abbey Road] staff is also great. They know exactly what they are doing every day. This past summer, [before] I went on the Barcelona program I received an excel sheet of our schedule planned out with what activities we would be doing about twenty days before I even left home!

Initially you were interested in participation on another traveling program through Abbey Road, what made you decide to sign up for the residential program in Barcelona?
Well, I take Spanish in school and I have been taking it for five years and I wanted to experience the Spanish culture. I have heard that Barcelona is an amazing city. When I went on Western Civ. there were about 25 students on the program and I thought that was the perfect number because I was able to bond with everyone and I still talk with them. I chose the Barcelona program because even though there were more students and you stayed in one city it, seemed to match up with Western Civ. the most. Looking back, I had just as good of an experience in Barcelona as I did on Western Civ., if not better.

In Barcelona you lived in a student residence. How were the accommodations?
I was beyond happy with it [the residence]. There was full ac/heater. I had a room with a desk, my own bathroom and shower. There was a sliding door that led to the kitchen with a full sink and table and then another sliding door that led to my roommate's room. It was way nicer than I was expecting. There was a pool on our roof and there was also a technology room. The set up was beyond incredible!

You were one of the few students who did not take Spanish Language as your daily major. What classes did you take?
I took digital photography [as my daily major] because I love photography and thought Barcelona would be an amazing place to take photos. I also took [Art History and] Architecture because Barcelona is world renowned for its architecture.

By now you are an expert student of the Abbey Road Experiential Learning Method, what did you enjoy most about this learning style the instructors use?
The classes were incredible. We would wake up at a reasonable time and during photography instead of staying in the classroom the whole time and talking about the lens and the photo process, our teacher would take just a few minutes to tell us what she was expecting us to do that day and what we should be looking for and then send us out into the city. She would always encourage us if we saw something that wasn't exactly what was assigned that day to still just go for it. Then we would meet back up a couple hours later and upload our photos and start the editing process, which was also really fun. The freedom that she gave us allowed us to be more creative, we were rarely in the classroom. Also, with architecture instead of learning about the place before we went there, our instructor would tell us where we were going and we would learn about it onsite as we were looking at it or even while we were taking a tour inside. The amount of time we put into the classes was the perfect. The classes put us more into the culture and we could explore more. I have never taken a photography class before. I take a lot of photos at home, but the teacher was really able to show me that you can have fun while learning. [She] showed me she really had a passion for learning and teaching which I had never really experienced in my classes back home. It made me want to learn more.

So, I guess it is safe to say that you liked the Abbey Road staff?
Yes, they were incredible and all of them were so knowledgeable about what they were teaching. They knew about the architecture, the history, and the culture. They didn't take us to American touristy places, but to little shops and local restaurants and instead of getting the main things on the menu they would order us different things that we wouldn't necessarily try on our own. Also, my photography teacher knew everything there was to know about photography.

Even though you didn't take Spanish, did your Spanish improve?
Yes. I wasn't that confident speaking Spanish the first week or so, but even if you don't want to speak it you are forced into learning and without even knowing, you become near fluent in a month. I wasn't even taking Spanish, but just by being there and going into the local cafes and beaches and asking people for directions and questions and just forcing yourself to learn with a bunch of people that want to learn too. The other students on the program who were fluent in Spanish really helped too. I could ask them how to conjugate certain verbs or how to ask someone a certain question; they were always willing to help. The local vendors were also really nice and willing to talk with you. They loved American tourists. I never had a bad interaction with any of the locals. Even if you bumped into someone on the street, they were really nice about it.

How did the staff handle organization and the daily schedule? What about student "free time"?
I thought it [the program] was incredibly organized. The staff always knew what they were doing. There was never a time when they were wondering what our next activity should be, it was always planned. The staff had incredible communication. They were also always happy and really positive. They just had really good attitudes. The amount of free time differed from day to day depending on how many classes we had. We had plenty of time to rest, shop and explore. The days where we had almost no free time were some of the best days I had! I think our guides did a really good job of allowing us to have a lot of free time. They also asked for our advice and feedback. They would ask us how we thought the program was going and how they were doing and about what we wanted. They weren't just set on one plan. They really wanted our input.

Do you have a favorite memory from the trip?
Yes I do. It was the last week of the program and we were all by the beach and someone on our trip had been researching bullfights. There was actually no plan to go to a bullfight during the program. We started talking about it and we asked one of our counselors if we could go and we ended up going later that day. There were 13 of us that went and just by asking, the staff found one that was close by and got the tickets. Just being at an actual bullfight, in Spain, is a memory I will have forever.

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road Student?
Definitely be open to try all new things. Also, don't be scared to ask a stranger for directions or try the duck at a random hole in the wall restaurant (it ended up being the best food I had ever had)!

Initially you were considering a study abroad/volunteering program in Latin America, what made you decide to travel to Spain with Abbey Road instead?
Initially I looked at the program [program name removed] because this was about Volunteering in Latin America. But I was attracted to Abbey Road’s program in Cadiz because of its safety and security. I [wanted] a program where I could increase my ability to speak Spanish and understand the Spanish family life. I was also looking forward to making new friends and meeting new people on the program.

Who would you say is the "typical" teenager on this program?
I think the typical teenager that traveled on this program is dedicated and hard working. Everyone seemed to be focused in class even when there were outside distractions. We all wanted to have fun after class. Everyone was very easy to get along with!

What surprised you the most about your new friends?
I was so surprised how quickly we became very good friends. Since I never went to sleep away camp, I was worried about that, but by the end of the program it was so hard to say goodbye. I tried my best not to cry at JFK [airport].

You mentioned that your main goal was to improve your Spanish. How did the daily Spanish class help you improve?
The first part of the morning Spanish class was comparable to my Spanish class in Tucson. The second half of the class, however, was really unique. We would go outside and see the sights of what we had just learned about in class and we would speak to the locals. We really took advantage of being in the city. [In the afternoons] I had Spanish Conversation and Culture where I learned so much about Cadiz’s traditions. I learned about the Latin Church and we visited the cathedral. The class was conducted all in Spanish. We would ask locals questions. Even if I used strange vocabulary words in my conversations with the locals, they were always patient and willing to help.

Did anything change significantly about you during the month in Cadiz?
Yes, I changed. I have a greater appreciation for the Spanish culture and my own culture. I have more confidence in myself as a learner and I am more adventurous now than I ever thought possible. I feel I can travel with no problem now. In my Spanish Class at school, my teacher has noticed that I speak Spanish with more confidence and I have retained the accent from Cadiz. I am going to college next year and my main interests are Spanish, other languages and Biology. I definitely want to study for a semester abroad and that is due to my month in Cadiz.

Tell me something you know now after doing this program, about the Spanish Culture, City of Cadiz or people of Cadiz that the typical traveler would not know.
I now know about the people of Cadiz and their accent. They take out the “S” altogether and they don’t pronounce the letter “D”. Like if you say the word: helado (ice cream), they will pronounce it: helaō. Another thing is that everything in Cadiz starts so late. Dinner is late and curfew is at a later time. Even little kids run around the city at midnight!

What drew you to the Cadiz Homestay program? What were you looking for?
I wanted to really soak up the culture of Spain, so I believed that actually living in Spain and with a homestay family was the best option. I also wanted to meet other kids and Abbey Road was a great tool in helping me achieve that. I [also] really wanted to immerse myself in another culture and truly learn about their different way of life. By going on Abbey Road I did just that. I had a few expectations going into [the program], but by the end… they were completely exceeded. I loved my homestay and am actually planning on visiting them next summer with my roommate from Abbey Road! I also left the program with amazing friends that I talk to almost everyday.

What was the most unexpected thing you enjoyed about the Cadiz program? Did it live up to your expectations?
I really enjoyed the housing. I heard that Cadiz was hot and the houses very small, but I went with an open mind. The house I lived in was adorable and there were nights that we were freezing if the windows were left open. I told my mom that I would love to do another Abbey Road Program next summer. Before the summer, I was so immersed in my school year that I couldn’t wait for school to be over. When I got to Spain, I fell in love immediately with my roommate, my host family, and the other kids on the program, and of course Cadiz. …I loved every aspect of the program.

Tell me something you know now after doing this program, about the Spanish Culture, the city of Cadiz or the people of Cadiz that the typical traveler would not know.
Everyone in Cadiz is extremely friendly. Anyone would be pleased to answer your questions or open a door for you. They are a very hospitable people and are extremely affectionate. Their customary greeting involves two besos (kisses) on your cheeks; far different from our American handshake. The people native to Spain are also very liberal and do not get so stressed as easily. They do not work as much and have breaks in the middle of every workday called siesta. They do no make as much money, however they are content with their lives and are very happy.

Who would you say is the "typical" teenager on this program?
The teens in Cadiz were all people I could be friends with. There was such a wide variety. Everyone had something interesting about them and we all wanted to learn and explore the city of Cadiz. They were good people. We were all different and yet we were all the same.

How valuable was your free time? How did your time management change from the first week to the end of the program?
I loved my free time! We would go to the beach during siesta even if it was just for 1 or 2 hours. We would get paella and go shopping or we would stay home with our host families and talk. In the beginning my roommate and I went home during siesta and spent a lot of time resting and talking with our homestay family. As we got closer to the end of our trip we wanted to explore the city more and do as much as we could before out time was up in Cadiz.

How was it as a teenager to travel with professional teachers/instructors? Were they personable?
The staff was really nice and so much fun. They had their rules, but they gave us free time and reminded us to be cautious. One of my favorite places was the Teteria (Arab tea house) where we would go and have tea and great conversation with our teachers and friends. They were all so great and were able to explain and answer any questions that we had involving the Spanish culture. We were all able to connect with them on a friendship level as well as a teacher-student relationship.

Describe your Spanish class. How was it different than or similar to studying in school?
The Spanish class in Cadiz was unlike no other Spanish class that I have ever taken. In my Spanish class in New Jersey we learned about the history of Spanish cultures and the geography of the countries. I was not so intrigued in this course because I wanted to learn information that was applicable to my everyday colloquial Spanish. However, in Spain we learned vocabulary that benefited us for a normal day in Cadiz. We also learned about the culture, however we were not sitting in a hot, stuffy classroom learning from textbooks. When we talked about culture and vocabulary, we would actually venture into the streets of Cadiz and speak with the local Spaniards about their everyday lives. The rest of class would be held outside on the Cathedral steps. It was a great learning environment and everyone was extremely intrigued because we did not feel forced to be there.

What was your elective class?
My elective was Digital Photography and it was great. We went to plazas and photographed flowers and people where we utilized the many techniques that we just learned. Most students in the class had the big professional Nikon cameras while three other students and I had small canon point and shoots. Of course our cameras were not able to perform as many functions as the professional cameras, however our teacher made us feel very welcomed and took time to teach us the different aspects of our particular cameras. I got a great feel for photography.

Did anything change significantly about you during the month in Cadiz?
Boy did I change. At first, when I came home, I was speaking in Spanish and thinking in Spanish. I know my Spanish is a lot stronger now because I had to speak Spanish to my homestay family and I did most of the talking because my roommate was shy. I also feel that I became more independent. I never traveled without my parents to a foreign country. I had butterflies before I left and once I got to Spain I wanted to stay there forever. My host family provided me with a whole different view of the culture. I feel like Cadiz is my second home.

Do you feel the program met your expectations? Would you participate on another Abbey Road program or recommend it to a friend?
I loved every aspect of the program. I told my mom that I would love to do another Abbey Road Program next summer. Before the summer, I was so immersed in my school year that I couldn’t wait for school to be over. When I got to Spain, I fell in love immediately with my roommate, my host family, and the other kids on the program, and of course Cadiz. Yes, I would recommend this program.

What advice would you give to someone about to participate in this program?
I would tell kids to go with an open mind and do not go with a friend or family member. This experience is about finding yourself and becoming independent. If you have a security blanket such as a friend or sibling you won’t test yourself as much and you won’t learn as much about yourself and the culture. It is your time to go and make your own friends and your own experiences.

What drew you to Abbey Road’s homestay program in St-Laurent-du-Var, France?
Well, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in France. I had been studying French for four years and it was the end of my senior year. I wanted an experience that would help me become more independent and that would help me exercise what I had been practicing for the past four years. I also wanted to throw myself out there, into a totally different environment that would help me be more prepared as I step out into future. I really wanted a diverse, yet enriching experience.

You were awarded the full tuition Chris Meyer Memorial Scholarship for your outstanding achievements in the French Language, what advice would you offer to students seeking similar opportunities?
I think everything starts in classroom. It’s in the classroom where you discover passion and what you want to pursue. So be proactive, be motivated and get out there and look for resources. You won’t find anything if you aren’t looking! I was lucky enough to have counselor who knew about this opportunity. I had looked online at other programs and saw some that didn’t have any scholarships or that they only had partial scholarships. You should never give up and always keep an open mind because anything can happen. Going into things, you just have to be prepared for the best and worst. Also, have a willingness to explore an area out of your comfort zone.

Did participation on this program impact your future life plans and goals?
Coming back home, this trip makes me want to do it all over again it and to be more involved in programs like this and encouraging people to do the same. I have a better understanding of the people I met and I have a more open view of the world now. Also, this program has really helped me want to discover more parts of the world. I’m wondering what my next adventure in life is going to be. There is so much more to be discovered and I want to learn as much as possible. For starters, it definitely made me want to take a job that is not specifically in the US. I’m really interested in the international arena. France is a great place to go abroad. I felt like a native when I was in St. Laurent. Coming back I want and need to improve more and explore new fields. I’m familiarizing myself with things I didn’t know before. I want to make myself a more well rounded person. I’m going to study either international relations or international business. I also took a French placement test at school and I tested into French 230, which is the level a lot of upper classmen are in. I have a full scholarship to Salem College. It’s an all girls’ school in North Carolina. Actually my type of scholarship is the only one that includes study abroad opportunities. I would like to study abroad in France, but maybe northern France or Switzerland (the French speaking part).

How significantly did your French improve as a result of the program?
My French did improve. I talked a lot with my home stay family and their niece and they would ask me about my life back in the US. We would have dinner and talk (in French) about the differences between the US and France. I loved our conversations and they made me want to go for it further, to really try as hard as I could to practice my French. In school we learn out of the book French and here I was able to apply it to real situations and real life talk compared to a practiced conversation. The [experiential] French in the classroom helped me get away and experience something new away from home. Walking around and interacting with the locals is how I improved my French the most. The first few days of class we interviewed French natives, which I really enjoyed. I did learn a lot about French culture in class and from my host family. This program helps improve your conversational skills and makes you more culturally aware. I was able to notice the difference and similarities between French and American culture.

The homestay experience is obviously a very significant aspect of the program. What was it like living with a French family for four weeks? How would you describe your hosts?
I stayed with the Cassar family. They were a couple, but they had a very friendly little dog. We lived in small residence. My family was very attentive to all my needs and wanted to know things about me. They were always willing to help me. I think participating in a homestay makes a big difference. We were very busy during the program, but my family was always willing to talk with me and our conversations were very engaging. They didn’t just take care of me, they wanted to get to know me. I felt like a native when I was with my host family. It was all the little things like setting the table and helping wash the dishes or watching the television (in French). Towards the end [of the program] I felt so comfortable walking around St-Laurent, like I was used to it and I knew the area. I got accustomed to it. I even attended a mass in French. We were on an excursion and we had free time and I went to mass. I walked into a church when they were doing the rosary. I found I was actually able to follow along.

Being away from home and in a new place, did you feel safe on the program?
I always felt very safe every time we went anywhere. When walking to our destinations every time we had to cross the street the staff would make sure someone was always in the front and back. They also didn’t take us to anywhere that felt “sketchy.”

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road student?
I would tell them to keep an open mind and remember you are not in America. The people are not the same and the food is not the same. When you experience something different don’t shut it down and be willing to learn. Try to become a part of that life, and try to do what they do. If you come into the program with an open mind you will learn so much more.

Everyone has different reasons for pursuing study abroad in Florence. Some come for art, others history, others culture and some just to live away from home. What were you looking for when you researched summer options?
I was looking for something that incorporated hobbies that I love to do, especially something that included art. I was also looking to have a really good experience and delve into another culture. I wanted to go outside my comfort zone and get an idea of what college might be like. So my reasons were a mixture of wanting to have fun and trying to get ready for the next big step in my life. The Florence program incorporated more of the activities I wanted to do and I have always wanted to go to Florence. In school we learn how it’s the birthplace of the Renaissance and it’s filled with amazing art so for me it sounded like the most interesting place to go to.

You have never been abroad or done sleep-away camp before. How was it to travel without knowing anyone before hand? What were the other students like? Did you have any hesitations?
I think some of my major fears were normal ones like would I get along with my roommate, would I get along with the teachers? [On departure day] when I got to the airport, I started talking with other students and realized that we had a lot in common and I started to feel more comfortable. Then as time goes on you feel like you have known them for a really long time and it feels like you have made a few best friends in a just few days. I made a few really good friends on the trip and we still talk. We even have a few inside jokes from the trip. The [other students] were all pretty peppy and upbeat. Most of the students really did want to improve their skills. Everyone wanted to hang out with other people and go into town and explore the world. I think that everyone there wanted to be independent and learn how to be more independent and take care of himself or herself.

Florence is a pre-college program where you live in an historic apartment in the heart of the city. How was the living situation in your opinion? Did the program meet its pre-college expectations?
I liked the location of the apartments. They were in a really good area I felt safe there, but also it was in the heart of Florence so I only had to walk a few blocks to get to the Duomo or to get to the market. There was this little cafe on the corner and every morning we would go in and get a croissant and the guy would be so nice to you. The apartments I thought were really nice and very spacious. In my apartment we had a big kitchen and two rooms and we had a balcony; that was really great because we would take our cooking group up there and eat dinner. I thought it was very manageable for four girls who didn’t know each other to live and get along in for a month. I definitely think [the program] helped me in getting the vibe of college in the way of having a roommate and living with people who at first you don’t know and making your way in your own apartment and having that responsibility. I also think it helped because in college I’m told that you only have a few classes each day and then there’s a lot of free time to do your work and we had that kind of schedule. We would have class for a few hours and then have free time and I think that the staff gave us a lot of responsibility and independence so that we could act as young adults trying to make our way in the world. We had limits on the city, but they didn’t say that after class we had to stay in the building so I thought that was good. I thought the staff really helped us be more independent in that way.

You took Drawing as your morning major class. Can you describe the class and the instructors?
I loved my drawing teachers. I thought William and Lindsay were so amazing and talented. What was different from my classes here was that each lesson they did blended in with the next one. You were able to see what they were teaching you go into your pieces. For example, one day we would draw without looking at the paper and that gave us a sense of distance and shape. The next day would focus on gestural and the day after that would incorporate both of those so you could get a whole picture of both. They taught the class in a way that each piece that they gave you to do eventually helped you to create one full piece, which was really cool.

Do you consider yourself a serious artist?
I do. I don’t know if it’s going to be a life career, but I do take it seriously and I definitely have a passion for it.

Did you develop any new artistic techniques?
I did. My drawing style is mostly Japanese cartoons. Just being on the program, it’s kind of amazing, I’ve been able to draw more realistic stuff. In just one month, I was able to really get an eye for shading and an eye for shape. It’s amazing how proficient I became at drawing realistic stuff. I pretty much gained an entirely new artistic genre that I could delve into.

Would you recommend the class to other serious art students? What about beginners?
I would recommend it to serious artists, but I would also recommend it to people who maybe just want to do something fun or learn a new art style because the classes challenge you, but they really help even a beginner gain experience and their own style. I could not draw realistic stuff when I got there and I came back pretty good at it. I would definitely recommend it to high levels, but also to beginners. People were able to do the criteria needed for assignments, but they were able to do it in their own style, which made it so that everyone advanced at the same pace. They were able to do their own thing, but still incorporate what we were learning in that day’s lesson.

Was there anything about the trip that surprised you or that was unexpected?
Yes, but in a good way. For drawing I thought we were going to be in an art studio, but instead we would walk around the city and literally sit on the street and draw. I thought that was a lot more interesting than if we had just been sitting in an art studio because not only did we get to explore the city, but also I felt like we got to interact more with the culture and the people of Florence. People would come up to us and tell us that we were amazing artists and that was fun and surprising in a good way too. The people of Florence were so nice, that surprised me too. Whenever I have gone overseas in the past the people have been nice, but they weren’t as great as the people in Italy. They would come up to you and smile and talk and I just thought that was really cool.

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road student going on the program?
I would say its okay to be nervous and to be a bit scared because it is a big thing and for some people it can be a completely different experience, but they should embrace it. It’s a way to see a different side of life and to make new memories and have new experiences that you may never be able to do again. It’s a once in a lifetime thing and you really want to take that opportunity. Just be yourself and have fun with it. I feel like I’d probably say it’s a way for them to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.

Have you participated in study abroad programs or camps before in previous summers?
Yes. I have been on two summer abroad trips before. The first was going into sophomore year I went to Spain for four weeks on a language immersion program through [program name removed]. I have been taking Spanish since the seventh grade and am currently taking AP Spanish. The trip consisted of a 2-week stay in a town taking classes and then a week alone in a Spanish home stay. The summer going into my junior year I went to Israel on a four week Jewish confirmation trip. It was more of a religious trip.

Why did you choose to go with Abbey Road Florence this summer?
I was looking for a program in a country where I didn't speak the language and that was stationed mainly in one location. I came across the Abbey Road website and I thought it looked interesting. Then, I was on facebook and I saw my cousin’s pictures from when she was in Italy and she went on the Abbey Road Florence program. When I asked her about it she told me that it was an amazing experience!

How was it to travel on a summer program without knowing anyone beforehand?
On my Spain trip I went without knowing anybody and on my Israel trip I went with friends. I believe the best way to do teen travel is to do to it alone because you do not rely on a friend and that way you become much more inclusive to meeting new people.

Was there anything that was unexpected or surprised you about the program?
Everything the program said would happen actually happened! Also, all of the counselors were great. There wasn’t one favorite or one that nobody liked. They were all very welcoming even if they weren't my cooking group leader or academic teacher. They always made me feel safe. One aspect I really liked about the program that neither one of the other programs I had been on had before was the suggestion box. Students could put ideas in for activities. One of the activities we ended up doing was a trip to the ballet, which I put in the suggestion box. My Abbey Road trip to Florence has been my favorite of summer excursions because of the people, location and organization of the program. I liked Spain as a country the best because I study Spanish and was able to greatly improve on my language skills. On this trip though, I gained a lot of knowledge about the Italian culture. By the end of the trip, you are transformed from a tourist to a citizen of Firenze.

Describe the apartment residence. What did you enjoy about living with other students? What about the location?
My apartment was great and I liked that the roommate situation because it was a very pre-college experience. I loved the dorm like atmosphere because it taught all of us to be more responsible in taking care of a home because you share with your roommates the responsibilities of taking out the trash, doing the laundry and going grocery shopping. Also, being able to knock on my good friend's door across the hall at any time and asking if she wants to go out was very easy and accessible. My roommate was very nice and every night we would stay up late talking, but we didn't really hang out outside the apartment. My other two roommates in our apartment were really nice as well. The location of the apartment was great. Everything was a 10 minute walk away and one of the advantages of Florence is you never get lost because you walk straight on Via San Gallo to get anywhere.

In what way did the dorm-like atmosphere you mentioned directly help prepare you for college?
I thought the dorm life situation was very realistic. You are living with people you don’t know and you have to be more of an adult. My personal area can be messy, but I like to keep the common areas clean. Whether it’s grocery shopping or calling the first shower, by interacting with roommates you learn how to communicate effectively.

The program provides daily optional activities along with free time. Because free time is an opportunity to explore the city within the safety guidelines, it provides the opportunity to gain independence. How did you feel about Abbey Road’s approach to free time? I thought there was a great balance of free time [and activities]. I thought the amount of free time was good and was about what we were told we would have. I used my free time to walk around and explore. I would go and get a gelato, go to Brandy Melville or take a nap. Overall, I thought the free time was the perfect amount. I liked that we had the option of free time in or out as a nighttime activity and of course I always went out because why stay inside when you only have four weeks in Florence?

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road Student?
Take art history because Daniele is awesome! Take out the recycling before it stacks up too high. Take advantage of all the activities and use the suggestion box. Also, rent a cell phone. I was one of the few that did not have a cell phone and I think it was a mistake. I used calling cards to call back home, which worked well, but next time I would get a phone. A lot of the students had rented the Italian cell phones and they could get a hold of one another very easily. It would have been nice to have one so that I could text and call my friends.

You participated on the optional travel extension to Rome and the end of the program. What did you enjoy about that added experience in Italy?
One of the benefits of going on the extension trip to Rome was that at the end of the Florence trip, you are not ready to leave because Florence feels like home. On the Rome extension, the group trickles down and everybody is really close and you still have a wonderful time but, at the end you feel you are ready to go home back to the US. In this way Rome slowly transitions you out of the trip.

You have been studying Spanish for a number of years, what made you decide that you wanted to go abroad this summer?
Well, I have been outside the country before but I had never “studied abroad.” I loved the idea of living in another country and having the experience to see and live inside another culture for a period of time and then be able to come back and compare both of those experiences to how I live. I was looking at [program name removed] for a little bit and I also looked at [program name removed] and doing an actual year abroad, but I felt like Abbey Road had everything I was looking for in a program. The amount of time was long enough to be able to see and be part of another country and still be able to enjoy my summer. Also, the curriculum seemed really appealing versus some of the other programs I was looking at. I picked Cádiz specifically because I needed a homestay.

What kind of green/community service activities are you involved in that qualified you to apply to the Green Ticket Community Service Scholarship?
Well right now I am at boarding school. I just started my junior year. I go to the White Mountain school and every year we have orientation trips where we go off and we do things like rafting, climbing, rock climbing and this year we are going backpacking and we live in the mountains. The trips are always based on just living in the environment and being really conscious about it. One of the things I was doing last year I was part of the Citizens of the world team. We brought awareness to other students and the outside community about events that are going on in the world which isn’t necessarily environmental, but it has a lot to do with the way we are taking care of our home, people and where we live. Also, this year I am part of the sustainability club. Just being environmentally conscious and helping people has been a big part of my high school experience. Last year, I also went to Bioneers by the Bay, a weekend convention in New Bedford, MA where the talked about the environment. Greg Mortenson actually came and spoke at the conventions last year about how important and necessary these changes for the environment are.

What do think students should do to provide themselves with opportunities like this?
I think they should be very aware. There are a bunch of opportunities out there already and it’s a matter of taking time out of your schedule to go looking for them. Also, not being afraid and don’t put things off! Be proactive. If you want to do something, figure out how you can accomplish it. Don’t be afraid to get out there!

Do you think it’s important for students your age to study abroad?
Very much so. I remember when I came back from the summer I didn’t feel like it had a huge impact on my life, but there hasn’t been someone who hasn’t said, “Bianca you have become so mature.” I have heard that from so many people. Being out of the country and having that experience gives you a whole new perspective and that’s important when you are still in high school because you are still trying to figure things out and being able to go abroad gives you another perspective and I think that experience grounds you more.

As a fluent Spanish speaker you were in the advanced Spanish class. How did you like the conversation-based nature of the class?
I am fluent in Spanish and my Spanish class was largely based upon conversation and culture, which I loved. Being fluent in Spanish, it was really nice to live in Spain because you got the chance to practice Spanish all the time. My class was entirely in Spanish and it really pushed us to speak. Our class also gave us a really interesting reference to the things we were seeing outside in the community. One class I can remember that really stood out to me was when we were talking about the politics in Spain and the economical situation. It was really interesting to learn what was actually going on and how each party was this way and why a certain party was that way and why no one really liked the parliament right now. It was so enlightening because I had no idea. I went home that day and told my home stay family about the class and we continued to talk about it. It really opened my eyes to the idea that instead of just focusing on class and what your grade looks like you should focus on more on things, like what’s going on in the mews. It’s really important to have both perspectives. When I got back my parents really noticed that my grammar was a lot better. I loved my teacher and she was actually from Cadiz and had a really strong essence to her work. She was able to keep control in class while still being an impeccable teacher.

You mentioned how much you liked your Spanish teacher, what is your overall opinion about the Abbey Road Spain staff?
The Abbey Road staff was really good about feeling out our group and figuring out how much time was too much and when we suggested things to them they were really accommodating. They always went back to the idea that this was our trip and so we got to make it our trip. [Also,] I thought they [the staff] all worked really well together, but like the students they were really different, which was fun. They had done these trips so many times before and they had so many stories to tell you about previous trips and it was so funny to hear all the different stories.

One of your main priorities was a rewarding homestay experience, did you think you were matched well with your Spanish hosts? Describe the homestay experience.
I loved my home stay family. They were just wonderful and they still keep in touch. They actually just sent me a card the other day. They didn’t have a child, but I really got close with the mother and the father was so funny. He was quite at first, but then he would start telling all these stories and start showing you newspaper articles and want to talk with you about them. They really added so much to my experience. The people of Cadiz were super friendly too. One of the things that was really great about Cadiz was that I felt super safe. We would be walking around at 11 at night and I was so calm. I was glad to have that sense of security and just that feeling of safety was so nice.

You are still in contact with your homestay family, what about the other students you met on the trip?
I have a pen pal relationship with one of the closest friends that I made. We write in Spanish to each other. It’s a great way to practice our Spanish and keep in touch. I need more help with my writing in Spanish and she wanted to keep in touch because she also goes to boarding school. One of the things about being away is that you love getting mail because you don’t get a bunch of it, so we became pen pals.

What type of student would you recommend this program to?
Students who aren’t afraid to just go out there and do it and look a little silly sometimes. You have to be open to going up to someone and start talking to them in Spanish, even if you don’t know all the words. You have to realize that you are in a foreign country and you can appreciate the language aspect, but you should also appreciate the culture aspect and have fun with it.

What advice would you give to a future Abbey Road student?
I would tell them to realize that you are only there for a month. At first it feels like a long time, but it’s only a month. You should get to know all the abbey roaders. They are all really nice and there for the same reason you are. And the host families are essential to the entire trip. They are incredible people and you should try to spend as much time with them. They are a blast. They are someone you are going to stay in touch with. My host family is coming next year to New York and we are going to meet up!

You spent a summer at Oxford taking classes prior to this trip, what made you want to participate on a travel program through Abbey Road rather than a campus based program?
I knew I wanted to go abroad because I knew that next summer I would have to get a summer job. I thought that this Program specifically (Western Civ.) sounded really appealing. The fact that we got to travel to different cities and learn about a lot of cultures and not just one specifically and I felt that these specific cultures related to what I was learning during my semester. I was working on the farm with tools and using my own hands to produce my own food to make my meals and that’s exactly what people in these ancient societies had to do. They didn’t have advanced tools and I thought it would be interesting to learn how they survived without technology the way I had kind of done for four months.

What drew you to Abbey Road?
I had a friend that went on the summer program in Florence the previous summer. She had come back and told me how amazing the program was and that she met so many great new people and that the leaders were really cool and so when I was deciding on what to do during the summer the name Abbey Road was already in my mind. I had done some Internet research and a couple names popped up. I was mostly researching travel programs that focused on the classics like Latin or Greek. Abbey Road was really the only name I remembered. The size of the program was really attractive too. It was the smallest program I had ever been on. My Oxford program had like 200 people on it!

You were awarded a Green Ticket partial scholarship, what kind of green activities are you involved in?
For four months in the fall of my junior year I went to school on a farm in a small town in Vermont. For half of the day we went to school, but we would spend the other half of the day working on the farm and learning about sustainability and living off the land. We learned about the environment and the woods around us and did a lot of environmental research in the classroom and the surrounding areas. It was a huge learning experience and when I came back to school I was able to use the knowledge that I learned to promote being environmental friendly and help out with the Environmental Action Committee at my school. I had always been a member of the committee at school, but more of an off-hand member. I had always gone to the meetings, but didn’t do that much other than that. After I came back I was more devoted to it and started showing up more regularly and became a lot more interested and involved.

What did it mean to you to win this scholarship?
I really had no idea of whether I would get it or not and the fact that I did was just really amazing. It inspired me to keep doing what I am doing for the environment because the fact that someone thought that what I was doing was so great. [Also, to] be acknowledge for things that I have done and worked so hard on is a great feeling. I’m thinking of studying engineering in college and environmental engineering sounds really appealing because I could be looking out for the environment while making advancements at the same time.

You mentioned wanting to really learn about other cultures through this program, can you describe your instructors and how the learning process was handled?
Well we had two incredibly smart teachers who would rotate back and forth teaching us the art history aspect and the historical aspect of where we were [each day]. Occasionally we would pull out [program] readers and read an excerpt from it and relate what we were reading to where we were standing. Through the lectures and readings we tried to get a better understanding as to the significance of what we were seeing in front of us.

Did you think it was beneficial to have this "academic" component to the trip?
Yes. I feel if I had just been standing in the middle of a museum by myself I really would have had no idea what I was looking at. I would have known what I was seeing was important, but it wouldn’t have any meaning to me. I took away so much more because we were learning about what we were seeing at the same time. I could really understand why these things were being put in a museum, say, in the first place or why people revered the art as much as they did. If I were alone I wouldn’t have understood what I was seeing at all.

Did you have a favorite day on the trip?
I really liked the day trips. One of my favorite days was the visit to Pompeii. I had read stories about Pompeii in Latin class and the fact that a volcano had destroyed Pompeii had never really made sense until I was there. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen and standing in the middle of the city and being able to see the volcano above us was awesome.

What was your favorite city on the program?
I really liked Athens only because I felt like I had never been anywhere like it and it felt the most different to me compared to New York. Paris I felt was pretty similar to New York and Florence was really fun. It was a lot smaller than the other cities so it felt more intimate. There was a lot time to hang out as a group, which I really liked. I felt like it came at a good time too. It was the third week and everyone was comfortable with each other and after that week, we were all really close.

How would you describe the average student on this program? I would say someone who is enthusiastic and who is really excited about learning and experiencing new cultures whether that is different types of people, different types of food or clothing. Also, a student on this program is really interested in learning, but having fun at the same time.

A traveling program like this involves a lot of coordination and flexibility. Did you think the program was well organized by the staff?
I thought this was the most organized programs I had ever been on. I thought there were always activities to do. I really liked having the syllabus in the beginning at the beginning of the program. Everything was planned out and I always knew what to expect. There were always optional activities that were surprising and new. I was never bored. The staff dynamic seemed great. Chris and John [the instructors] worked really well together they had a really good balance of taking turns teaching. They were always interesting and in terms of Emily [Program Director] and Kathy [Residential Advisor] they were also really great. I never felt like I couldn’t talk to one of them or that they weren’t approachable. They were all really nice.

The program involves daily learning, activities and events as well as sampling local cuisine. Were you given free time as well? Do you think there was a good balance between planned activities and student free time?
I thought the amount of free time was a perfect amount. I never felt like I was running out of things to do. I really appreciated the free time we were given. Just hanging out or wandering around the city with my friends was great, but it was also nice to have that organized time and we didn’t have to worry about creating our own agenda.

Being a senior in high school, do you think the program help prepare you for college in anyway?
I definitely think the small group discussions are a lot like what I can expect in a seminar type class in college and the whole experience of being put into a group of people that I don’t know that come from all different backgrounds is also a lot like college. The teachers on this program were so knowledgeable they seemed more like specialists. They knew what they were talking about and they felt like college professors or what I hope my college professors will be like.

Do you think it’s important for students your age to study abroad?
Yes absolutely. Especially coming back to school and the US I am a more cultured person. I know that’s kind of cliché, but I have seen how different cultures work and how they survive and I feel like it makes learning and school so much more interesting. Right now I am taking art history and learning about the statues of ancient Greece and the fact that I have been there makes it so much more interesting and the fact that I’ve seen some of the art in my textbook is really exciting. I feel like it’s given me a leg up on my classmates. I even point things out when I see them in class!

Would you recommend Abbey Road to a friend?
Absolutely. I’ve already been telling people about it!

What made you go looking for a summer program like Leadership Academy?
Well I am really interested in politics and different people’s views and opinions. I figured this program would give me the perfect opportunity to express my opinions and to hear other people’s. I also love Stanford and I figured it would be awesome to go there and spend time on the campus.

Leadership Academy was your first experience with a leadership oriented summer program, were your satisfied with the material that was covered? Were the daily lessons interesting?
Yes I thought that overall they were. The language seminar was really interesting to hear. I think overall we covered a wide range of material. I know the international relations and politics class was really engaging and then with environmental studies, I loved everything about that. I really loved it when we had group discussions because everyone would get fired up about their own opinion and it was fun. Also, the college essay and resume course was really helpful.

Did you think there were enough workshops available? Do you feel they covered a diverse amount of topics?
Yeah I do. It seemed like we covered a ton of material! I thought it was perfect for what I thought it would be.

How did the seminar and workshops compare to your classes back home?
They were very different. My classes back home are textbook based. Some of my high school teachers are better than others, but I really thought the seminars were more engaging and I learned a lot of new information. The seminars were more like college classes than high school. The staff usually used power point during the seminars. Dr. Leonce [Core Curriculum Director] was always really well prepared. We had some guest speakers [as well], but the [Abbey Road] staff was great. We [also] had a presenter who was a graduate student at Stanford come and talk with us during environmental studies about water issues and I really enjoyed that.

How beneficial do you think this program was for you in both your academic goals and your life?
As far as the college essay and resume workshop, that was extremely helpful. I have started that and I’m almost done with it. Dr. Leonce really helped me with that. The International Relations and Politics course was a good way to get involved and become more knowledgeable. I am familiar with the issues, but I still have a lot of learning to do. The environmental studies class really opened my eyes about international water issues and now I’m doing that in my school. So I thought the program was really beneficial overall and just being in California was great.

Did you like the schedule of the program? Was there a good balance of academic work and breaks and activities?
The classes did take up a lot of time, but in the early evenings we had free time for activities. On the weekends, the group went to Berkley and San Francisco, but both of those weekends I stayed with my friend who lives in San Francisco because I never get to see her and that was really fun.

What type of student do you think would benefit from this type of program?
I think that a student who is interested in liberal arts type classes would benefit. Back home, my school is very conservative and I am never really able to voice my opinion so this was really helpful because I could relate to other students. Also, I think someone who is open-minded and who wants to get out of their comfort zone. However, I really do think all types of students would benefit from this program.

How did you find out about the International Studies Scholarship? What were your reasons for applying?
When I applied to Abbey Road, the International Studies Scholarship for an outstanding student of history sounded perfect for me. History is one of my favorite classes and I love participating in class discussions so I asked my History teacher to write me a recommendation. I was thrilled when I found out that I had been selected! I also applied [to be a Student Ambassador] because I love to write. I started the Communications Club at my school and I am also Features Editor for the school newspaper. Becoming a web blogger seemed like a great opportunity for me to write about all the new experiences I would be having on the trip and to be able to share them with others.

Was this your first time traveling abroad?
It was my first time traveling overseas. I wanted to study abroad because I had studied Western Civilization in my history class this year and I was eager to see the historical sites that I had read about and to experience European culture firsthand.

Why did you choose to go with Abbey Road and then the Western Civ. program?
Well, I told my mom I wanted to travel abroad so she looked online at different study abroad programs. My mom found Abbey Road’s Western Civilization Program and it was exactly what I was looking for. Visiting Athens, Rome, Florence and Paris sounded like the perfect combination of learning and exploration. Also, the students on the website looked like they were having a blast!

You did not travel abroad with a friend, how was it to travel on a summer program without knowing anyone beforehand? I was little nervous, but I was excited and thought that it would be a good preview of what college life would be like because you don’t know most of the people beforehand and you have to make new friends. Also, looking back I am happy that I didn’t know anyone. I feel like if I had known someone it wouldn’t have been a whole new experience and this way I felt I could truly be myself. I made some amazing friends on this trip and we still are in contact. I hope to visit with them sometime soon.

What was a typical day like for you on the program?
We would wake up and get dressed for the day. Then we would have breakfast in the hotel and the group leaders would tell us the plan for the day. In the morning, the entire group would visit a museum or a historical site and learn about what we were seeing. Then we would go to lunch in smaller groups and after that have some free time to shop or relax and to explore the area. The larger group would then come together and we would have another group activity. There were also optional activities that I would usually participate in, but it was nice knowing that if I was really tired I could stay behind and relax. After our afternoon activities, we would go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. I particularly loved the group dinners because the group leaders would always choose a fun and interesting restaurant. After dinner, we would have more time to explore, get gelato, or participate in a planned event such as going on a photo scavenger hunt.

How were classes handled – how did they differ from your classes back home?
Instead of sitting in a classroom, we would go to a historical site and learn about the site, its significance and why it was built. For example, when visiting the Palace of Versailles, I could imagine what it must have felt like to be a part of King Louis the XIV’s great empire. Being there and seeing a structure I learned about in school helped me understand its relevance to that society. After the lecture, we had more time to explore the site or museum and we could always ask the instructors more questions. I had taken Western Civilization my sophomore year and am presently taking European/American history. I was surprised during the trip that there was so much that I had not learned in school, but I guess you can only cover so much in class. I also take Latin and I was pleased by how much of what we saw related to things we had learned about in Latin class.

Were you satisfied with the caliber of your instructors? Did the staff work well together?
I was extremely satisfied with the Instructors. Both Chris and John also knew a great deal about the places we visited. John focused more on art history and architecture, while Chris focused more on artifacts and their significance and what they were used for. They each had their own area of expertise and complemented each other well. Emily, the program director, and Kathy, the resident advisor, did a fabulous job leading the group and keeping us under control. I felt they could easily relate to us. It was obvious that they really cared about us and I felt very comfortable talking with any of the staff and asking them questions.

What does it mean to say this is an "academic" summer program?
It means that instead of just going to a site and touring it, you were able to really learn about it. The program was academic but emphasized the fun of learning. The places you are able to visit are awesome, but because it’s an academic program you truly learn about the historical significance of the sites and are able to enjoy it even more. We would also have group discussions with the counselors after visiting the sites. This type of learning is completely different from the classroom style where you are just told something while looking at a picture in a book or copying notes from a board. It was engaged academics. Also, it was not a stressful environment like it can be in a classroom because everyone was relaxed and friendly.

Do you think this trip helped prepare you for college in any way?
Definitely. It gave me the chance to meet other students and interact with them. I was able to learn about others and myself. I feel like I became more independent on this trip, especially in Florence where we had to shop for and prepare our own meals and pack our own lunches. I also had more responsibility because I had to make sure I got up on time and pack my clothes as we moved from one location to another. Being in a new country with new people and new responsibilities gave me an insight into what college life would be like.

How would you describe a typical student on the program?
I would say the typical student on this program is friendly, funny, enthusiastic, always excited and looking forward to the day, honest and smart.

How valuable was your free time? Were you satisfied with the amount? Did you think there was a good balance?
I thought my free time was very valuable. It was nice to be able to take a step back and walk through the streets of the place you were visiting. I could buy gifts and shop around a little bit. It was also really nice because sometimes I just needed to rest or to have some down time with my friends. As much as I loved the time spent with the entire group, it was nice to have some time to chill. I thought the amount wasn’t too much or too little. A few hours everyday was great.

What advice would you give a future Abbey Road Student?
I would tell them to go into the trip ready for anything and to go for it, even if you’re nervous. Take advantage of all the opportunities because you will learn so much about others and yourself, and don’t be worried because the teachers and staff are there to support you.

Do you think it’s important for students your age to study abroad?
I think it is very important to study abroad when you are my age because by going to another place and studying there, you can see and learn about different customs, religions and societies and get a clearer picture of other peoples’ perspectives about the world. Now that I’m back at school, I have a better understanding of people and their different beliefs.