For me, translating Latin was like assembling a puzzle: frustrating when the pieces didn’t seem to fit, but very satisfying when the picture was complete.
Studying ancient languages and art inspired me to travel to Cyprus to learn more about past cultures. Cyprus is a small Mediterranean island dotted with sandy beaches, ancient cities, amazing bakeries, and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. There, I joined a team of archaeologists, or scientists who study past peoples through the objects they left behind. We found buried statues, masks, and other artifacts that taught us about Cypriot religion long ago. The next summer in Cyprus, I created a museum display of 3D prints (plastic copies) of objects from the site I’d helped excavate. My exhibit was special because students like you could actually touch the 3D prints, just as ancient Cypriots (people of Cyprus) once touched the original objects!
After graduating from college, I worked for three years as a college adviser at two high schools in the mountains of North Carolina. When I wasn’t hiking and playing roller derby in my free time, I helped students there apply to college, find scholarships, and visit colleges on fun-filled field trips. However, my favorite part of my job was sharing with students about the joys and challenges of studying in other countries. I hope all of my former students will have the chance to go abroad one day!
Deep down, I knew I wanted to go abroad again, too. Having spent two summers learning about ancient Cypriots, I was eager to return to get to know modern Cypriots.
