Alexis Zilen

Class Year: 2020

Hometown: Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania Alexis Zilen

Global Study Semesters: Spring 2019 & Spring 2020

Programs: IAU Aix-en-Provence & SIT Samoa

Major/Minor: Major: History and Anthropology & Minor: Public History

Activities on Campus: Captian of women's rugby, dance ensemble, member of tri-sigma

My Story from Global Study: My favorite story about abroad comes from my second semester in Samoa. The semester was spent with twelve students, of whom I was able to become really close to. The administrators would often take us on spontaneous trips all over the island. On one such occasion, they took us snorkeling to see giant clams, unsure of where exactly they were in the ocean, the professor just turned to us and said “Good luck and follow the giant clams.” This became our mantra for the semester, any time anything was confusing or overwhelming. We would say this for whatever reason and I still find myself say that now. 

My Advice for Future Students: Do not be afraid to explore, take every advantage of your time abroad. Your time will be short but you will love every moment in your new homes.