Study abroad students to blog about spring travels

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Nine Bucknell students are chronicling their spring study abroad adventures in a new edition of the study abroad blog. || Video || Video2

The students, now just arriving at their spring study destination around the globe, have already started to post about their world travel expectations and experiences at http://blogs.bucknell.edu/studyabroad/.

The spring study abroad blog launch follows on the heels of the popular fall study abroad blog. That inaugural study abroad blog had nearly 10,000 pageviews over the course of the semester.

Diverse destinations
The new bloggers represent a diverse group of majors -- from civil engineering and management to anthropology and creative writing. Spring study destinations include Egypt, Australia, Greece, Italy, Ireland, France, Denmark, England, and Spain.

Robert Midkiff, associate dean for academic affairs, said the study abroad experience is an experience the students will never forget. "These experiences are part of Bucknell's commitment to building bridges between the Bucknell campus and world, and enhancing our students' abilities to participate in the global community," said Midkiff.

Margaret Graham '09, a creative writing and art history major, will be in Italy.

'Buon giorno!'
"Buon giorno!" wrote Graham in her first online post. "I am excited just to see and explore the city of Rome, wander the streets, get lost on purpose, try new things, and go to every museum I can possibly find. I mean, one of my classes will be taught by a master conservator at the Vatican Museum! If that isn't a once-in-a-lifetime deal, I don't know what is."

Another junior, management major Evan Unger, is packing to study in Spain.

"I have been taking Spanish classes since sixth grade and I am finally ready to use and to expand my language skills. I am a bit nervous since I have not taken a Spanish course since last spring," said Unger. "I hope my Spanish is a bit better than that of the Taco Bell dog."

Student images
Each of the student explorers is carrying a digital camera and will supplement their posts with photographs of their adventures. Some will add short video clips to their posts to share with classmates, friends, and family.

More than 40 percent of Bucknell students spend a portion of their undergraduate careers studying abroad.

Last fall, blogger Cara Cambardella visited Vietnam as part of her Semester at Sea program.