We packed and planned. We navigated airport security. We boarded our flights. We made it through months of anticipation and several days of jetlag. Finally, we're here.
This semester, several members of the Observer staff will be studying abroad around the globe. We will spend four months sampling international cuisine, collecting stamps on the pages of our passports, complaining about the exchange rates for the dollar and seeing the world. While we travel, eat, learn and live abroad, we want to share our experiences with those back at our home under the Dome. Observer Passport is a window to the world for our friends and family back home, and we hope you travel with us often.
Below are this year's foreign correspondents from The Observer. Stay tuned for posts about their adventures abroad:
AnkurChawla is a junior from O'Neill Hall majoring in Finance and Mathematics. He is studying in Fremantle, Australia for the semester and is most excited to befriend kangaroos and work on his already impressive tan. This semester, he also plans on visiting New Zealand to destroy the ring of power at Mount Doom and live with the hobbits in the Shire. You can follow his adventures "Down Under" on Twitter @canigetanankur.
Claire Stephens is a junior from Pangborn, majoring in Film and Television with a minor in Journalism. She is studying in London, England for the semester and hopes to explore the colorful array of arts London has to offer. She is excited to burst the cultural bubble by exploring the country, including its quirky sense of humor and many wonderful accents. She also plans to see Paris, Dublin, and check out Spain before her internship at the Cannes Film Festival in May. To follow her European adventures, go to wordswithlondon.wordpress.com.
Cory Bernard is a junior from Keough Hall majoring in American Studies. He is studying in Fremantle, Australia for the semester and is most excited to explore Australia's beautiful and untamed natural environments, as well as Fremantle's local nightlife. Before returning to the U.S., he plans on traveling to Bali, Singapore, Sydney and New Zealand.
Emily Schrank is a junior from Pasquerilla West Hall majoring in Political Science. She is studying in London, England, for the semester. Emily is hoping to meet Prince Harry during her time in the UK and become the next commoner to marry into the royal family. If you want to learn more about Emily's European adventures, check out her blog at eschrank.blogspot.com.
John Cameron is a junior finance and political science double major studying in London, England. He is most excited to become acquainted with as many pub owners as possible and to begin perfecting his fake British accent. When the rain and fog become too much, he plans to escape to Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Dublin, among others.
Megan Doyle is a junior English major and Journalism minor studying in London, England. This spring, she will consume mass quantities of tea, scones and chips (not the Lay's variety). Megan also plans to befriend the Queen and spend much of her free time casually hanging out in Buckingham Palace with the royals.
Mel Flanagan is a junior from Cavanaugh Hall majoring in Sociology. She is studying in Rome, Italy for the semester and has been hanging around the Trevi Fountain waiting for an Italian pop star to appear. This semester, Mel hopes to perfect her Italian by discussing the best pizza, pasta and gelato places with the natives. She cannot wait to travel to Venice for Carnevale and to spend spring break in Spain.
Scott Frano is a junior from O'Neill Family Hall majoring in English. He is studying in London for the semester and is excited to see some of London's famous landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and of course Abbey Road. He also plans to visit Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, Athens, and Madrid,( if he can find enough money) and is excited to have his 21st birthday fall over spring break. As an English major, he's excited to walk the same streets as Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did.
Suzanna Pratt is a junior from Pangborn Hall majoring in Anthropology and Peace Studies. She is studying in Perth, Australia this semester. Her study abroad bucket list includes making friends with koalas, playing a didgeridoo, wine tasting, visiting the Lord of the Rings hobbit holes in New Zealand, and laying on a beach as much as possible.
Troy Mathew is a junior English major living in Athens, Greece for the semester. He is most looking forward to doing some Greek island hopping and enjoying the non-South Bend weather. He plans to do his part to support the struggling Greek economy by buying alarming amounts of baklava and souvlaki.
