The Start.

So, this blog has several purposes. The first is to document this amazing trip for future reference. I want to be able to look back and have this archive for reference when ever I want. I also want to share this experience with as many people as possible. The second purpose is to fulfill a scholarship requirement in the form of a follow on project. I received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for this trip and I suggest that anyone interested in going abroad apply for it. The award is quite prestigious and is funded through the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000 and is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. I am both honored and grateful that I received this award for my trip abroad.

This trip to Italy is made possible through the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. The trip is headed up by Dr. Weigold who does a trip like this every year. I chose this program because Italy was the number one international destination that I wanted to visit and it fit in perfectly with my schedule. I am interning in June so this month I had free fits perfectly into my plans.