Lenna Kouzoujian

Class Year: 2025 Lenna Kouzoujian

Major/Minor: Art History major/ History minor

Program: IES Rome, Italy

Identities I can speak to students about:

Mental health; Women abroad

Program specific experiences I can speak about:

Homestay

Favorite experience:

My favorite experience in Rome was being able to travel within Rome and Italy, and all over Europe. Experiencing a different culture is something I believe that every person should have this opportunity because it makes you a well-rounded individual. Seeing how another culture lives and views life offered a lot of insight for me and the way that I live. 

What course/internship experience during your global study semester allowed you to learn something new and exciting?

A course that allowed me to learn something new was my classics class called The Splendor of Roman Art. In this course, we would discuss monuments, statues, paintings, etc. in Rome and it was truly eye-opening to learn about a piece of art and then be able to see it in person and learn about it even more. For example, learning about the Roman Forum in the classroom was boring but learning about it while walking in it was groundbreaking.

How have your global studies related to one of the 7 Enduring Skills?

While abroad I was able to navigate new challenges. The initial excitement of exploring a different country quickly gave way to the reality of navigating unfamiliar systems, from academic norms to daily life logistics. I found myself in situations where I had to step up, whether it was coordinating group projects with classmates from various backgrounds or taking the initiative to organize events that brought together students from different cultures. The challenges and uncertainties I faced abroad contributed to a significant growth in my confidence and resilience as a leader. Each obstacle was an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate leadership under pressure. As I move forward, the skills and insights gained from this experience will continue to inform and enhance my approach to leadership, both in professional and personal settings.