Getting ready for my virtual adventure!!

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Tagira Alvarenga

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Tagira Alvarenga

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Hello <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> Mills College <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2022 <i>Destination city & country:</i> Edinburgh, Scotland <i>Program provider:</i> Arcadia University <i>Major/minor:</i> Psychology <i>Demographics:</i> First-Generation, Latina <i>Future career aspirations:</i> To continue into graduate school in the UK. <i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> 1. Learn more about Scotland and it’s rich history. 2.Getting to immerse myself in the field of Museum Studies. 3. Gain valuable skills that will help in my future studies and profession.

My study abroad adventure will begin and end at home, but I am still bursting with excitement! My study abroad program will start with two classes: Building Museum Exhibitions: A Scottish Perspective and Scottish History to Present Day. I have never had a chance to study Scottish history in a formal classroom setting and the anticipation is killing me. I have only been in Edinburgh as a tourist and what information I gather has been from visiting museums and some personal research on things I found interesting, but I know that there is still a lot that I might not even know I am missing. So taking these classes will be a great resource for me.

This study abroad program seems to be made for me. I fell in love in Scotland a few years back when I was able to visit there for the first time. And my travels led me to the field of museum studies. What a better way to interact with history than to preserve it and make it available to the public in a place that I absolutely love? And bringing both aspects of my interest seemed like a no brainer, I had to join.

After 6 weeks of classes, I will start my 4 week internship and I cannot wait. I am currently in the process of interviewing for my internship and will meet with my prospective employer this Friday. The details of the internship will be made clear on that day and hope to make a good impression. The time difference of eight hours seems like it is going to be a bit of a challenge, but nothing that will hinder my enthusiasm.

Although I regret not being able to be there physically I am excited to dive into a world that I find most intriguing and hope to pursue in graduate school. I would have loved to be able to spend some time in Edinburgh and be more than just a tourist, but during these trying times I am just grateful that I will be a part of it (even if it is at home).

I hope that my work now will better prepare me for my dream of studying in the UK one day, and most importantly to better understand museum studies that I am eager to pursue. My desk will be the gateway to what I hope will be dreams that will flourish in time and can’t wait to start the process!