Class Year: 2023
Program: DIS Copenhagen, Denmark
Email: royab01@gettysburg.edu
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
Major/Minor: Biology major, Neuroscience minor
Campus Activities: I am a tour guide, member of the hip hop dance team "BOMB Squad", leader of House Cape Town for the Gettysburg College Legion (which is a newly created academic society), past-participant in Gettysburg College X-SIG (genetics research with Dr. Hiraizumi), volunteer for Support Circles, Peer-learning associate for intro biology classes
Favorite Experience: My favorite experience for sure was going to Tivoli and Bakken (two amusement parks in Denmark) with the close friends I've made while studying abroad. We started the semester as complete strangers, then they eventually became some of my favorite people I've ever met. Most of my friends were also in homestays, and it was so fun to share interesting stories. I made a trip to Tivoli during the beginning of the semester as well as during Halloween and Christmas. Going to the Christmas markets and ice-skating with friends was also a magical experience. A couple of my closest friends also go to Gettysburg, and I’m so excited to be able to reunite with them this semester.
New/Exciting Course Abroad: One of my favorite courses while studying abroad was biology of marine mammals. It was a very niche topic, but I learned so much about marine mammal adaptations and current climate threats to these populations. We learned the in-depth mechanism for echolocation in whales, took a trip to an aquatic facility to see porpoise and seal-training, and even went on a whale-safari! The teacher, Katja Petersen, was so down-to-earth and extremely passionate about her work.