Jacey Abney

Year: Senior
Major: Human Services
Hometown: Goshen, IN
E-mail: abneyj@purdue.edu

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

By studying abroad, I learned the Dutch way of life and visited many tourist attractions. However, being abroad with an amazing friend that I met as a freshman, the most important part of my trip was discovering the value of friendship. I realized that the people you meet are unforgettable and make four years fly by faster than you thought they could.

Stacy Baker

Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Services
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
E-mail: slbaker@purdue.edu

What advice do you have for a first year student?

My advice is to start off your college career right by being organized. Each professor has a different schedule, but most leave it up to you to remember when homework is due and when quizzes and exams will be given. In my experience, college is a lot less overwhelming if you just keep everything in order.

Susan Choe

Year: Senior
Major: General Health Sciences: Pre-Optometry
Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL
E-mail: choes@purdue.edu 

What is your dream job?

One of my dream jobs would be to fly overseas and provide vision care to those who can't afford it or who are in need.

Christina Citta

Year: Senior
Major: Early Childhood Education and Exceptional Needs
Hometown: Bartlett, IL
E-mail: ccitta@purdue.edu 

What is your dream job?

If I could do anything after graduation it would be to open up a family resource center. The center would include a high quality child care center, parenting resources, a therapy center for children and families to use among other resources that may be helpful to a community full of families. The child care facility would offer inclusive and one-on-one services for children with special needs.

Blake Connolly

Year: Senior
Major: General Health Sciences: Public Health
Hometown: Rushville, IN
E-mail: baconnol@purdue.edu  

Why did you choose to attend Purdue?

After visiting several other college campuses, I chose Purdue because it has much to offer in my career interest within the area of Health Sciences. It also has many extracurricular activities and organizations that are very appealing. I have found that my Purdue experience has lived up to my very high expectations!

Ariel Demoret

Year: Junior
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Hometown: Crawfordsville, IN
E-mail: ademoret@purdue.edu

What is your dream job?

Working with children has always been my passion!  My dream job would be to work in a children's hospital as a Speech Pathologist!

Linda Ding

Year: Senior
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Hometown: Pendleton, IN
E-mail: yding@purdue.edu 

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a Human Resource Manager for a hotel corporation. With this position, I can put the right person in the right position, thus creating opportunities and efficiency.”

Jessica Dogert

Year: Senior
Major: Dietetics/Nutrition, Fitness, and Health
Hometown: Orland Park, IL
E-mail: jdogert@purdue.edu

What is your dream job?

After I become a Registered Dietitian, my dream job is to be a Sports Dietitian for a major league sports team, as well as write consumer friendly nutrition articles from newly found scientific research for popular magazines such as Prevention or American Fitness.

Laurel Donaldson

Year: Junior
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Hometown: Geneseo, IL
E-mail: donaldsl@purdue.edu  

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

After spending my summer in Madrid, I learned about perspectives. Every part of the everyday life there seemed different - taking the public transportation, conversing with locals, taking classes, seeing ancient history right before my eyes - it brought my own culture into a completely different light. Our classroom was the city, and it was our homework to explore life in Madrid. It was such a great learning experience to be immersed in another culture like that. I would highly recommend a study abroad experience - it'll change the way you look at the world!

Ciana Fahnbulleh

Year: Junior
Major: Brain and Behavioral Sciences
Hometown: Avon, IN
E-mail: cfahnbu@purdue.edu 

Why did you choose to attend Purdue?

I chose to attend Purdue because I fell in love with the campus when I was a young girl. I started coming to Purdue when I was in middle school for summer camps. At summer camp I learned a lot about Purdue's traditions, customs, and the campus. When it came time to apply to college, Purdue was at the top of my list and I am glad to be a Boilermaker.

Ciatu Fahnbulleh

Year: Junior
Major: Brain & Behavioral Sciences
Hometown: Avon, IN
E-mail: cfahnbul@purdue.edu 

What should a prospective student know about Purdue?

A prospective student should know that Purdue provides students with numerous amounts of resources. The university gives students access to a variety of research opportunities. The school libraries have different specialties that cater to every major on campus. Also, Purdue has many extracurricular activities and clubs that students can use as resources to help them around campus.

Megan Finger

Year: Junior
Major: Hospitality Tourism Management
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
E-mail: finger@purdue.edu

What did you find beneficial about your internship?

What I found beneficial about internships is that they build relationships. Internships give you the opportunity to network with professionals on a deeper level. This can give you the opportunity for possible references and mentors that will help develop your future.

Maggie Flynn

Year: Junior
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Hometown: Zionsville, IN
E-mail: mflynn@purdue.edu  

What is the most fun activity you've done at Purdue?

Let's go Purdue Basketball— Whooosshhh!! Here at Purdue we are blessed to have a phenomenal Basketball program and student section; and being a part of The Paint Crew is an absolute blast. There is nothing quite like the roar of Mackey Arena in the final minutes of a big game and I would encourage every student to join and be a part of it.

Bridget Gehlhausen

Year: Senior
Major: Family & Consumer Science Education
Hometown: Jasper, IN
E-mail: blgehlha@purdue.edu 

What will you miss about Purdue when you graduate?

When I graduate from Purdue this Spring, I am definitely going to miss being able to see my friends almost everyday.  Having lived with or close to them the last four years, has made us a very close family.  Graduating, going to different grad schools or getting jobs and places of our own will be a very big change for us.

Carmen Huffman

Year: Junior
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Hometown: Muncie, IN
E-mail: chuffma@purdue.edu 

What is the most fun activity you've done at Purdue?

Over the past two years I have found that there are several fun activities to participate in on Purdue’s campus. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I decided to attend PUDM (Purdue University Dance Marathon). I had mainly heard about this amazing event through the Boiler Gold Rush Program. I signed up to be a dancer with other BGR volunteers and to help raise money for Riley’s Children Hospital. Even though the event lasts several hours, I had so much fun! I got to meet some of the kids, hear their amazing stories, listen to the bands, and hang out with friends. The best part was that all of this was for a great cause! I definitely encourage others to participate and help raise money for the kids at Riley!

Mary Jacobs

Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Crown Point, IN
E-mail: jacobs10@purdue.edu

What is your favorite class?

Maya Koehler

Year: Senior
Major: General Health Sciences: Pre-Med
Hometown: Springfield, OH
E-mail: mikoehle@purdue.edu  

What did you find beneficial about your internship?

During my internship I learned a lot about communication.learned how to communicate my results in layman’s terms that would not distort the data I was presenting or offend those listening by over simplifying the data. I alsothe importance of making sure the necessary information is known before theis initiated. I realized that when receiving instructions, I must verify that I not only understand the directions, but that I also am aware ofbig picture.

Kelsey Leliaert

Year: Junior
Major: Apparel Design & Technology
Hometown: Schereville, IN
E-mail: kleliaer@purdue.edu  

What is your dream job?

Learning about fashion production from a designer entrepreneur helped me to see the industry in a whole new way.  I will be able to build upon the skills and techniques I learned in my future academic and professional endeavors.

Elise Leung

Year: Senior
Major: Movement & Sport Sciences
Hometown: Logansport, IN
E-mail: eleung@purdue.edu  

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

My study abroad trip to Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, China was an extraordinary experience where I gained valuable knowledge of my field of study, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories. It was a rewarding adventure to Beijing Sport University to interact and learn from world renowned professors, staff, athletes, and students. We learned everything from tai chi to table manners!

Alyssa Major

Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychological Sciences
Hometown: Kokomo, IN
E-mail: majora@purdue.edu

What advice do you have for a first year student?

Erica McDowell

Year: Junior
Major: Human Services
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
E-mail: emcdowel@purdue.edu 

What is your favorite class?

My favorite class this past semester was Music 250 (Music Appreciation). I enjoyed the class because I absolutely love music, and it was exciting for me to study different genres, musical techniques, and instruments from a professional. I learned so much about how music is created and why it's important. The class made me start listening to music and learning about its background in a more technical and educated way. In addition, going to music lecture was a nice break during the week from my other difficult and stressful classes. I looked forward to each lecture. The professor was enthusiastic about what she was teaching, so it was easy to pay attention and try my best in the class.

Dan Mills

Year: Senior
Major: Financial Counseling & Planning
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
E-mail: dbmills@purdue.edu 

What did you find beneficial about your internship?

The internship I had this summer was beneficial in so many ways. I got to network with a lot of current employees and I received real world experience. I worked with an international company and it will look very good on my resume.

Sikhanyisiwe Nkala

Year: Senior
Major: Selling & Sales Management
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
E-mail: snkala@purdue.edu 

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

I learned that to truly learn about a culture one has to immerse themselves by interacting with locals and going out of ones comfort box.  Take advantage of any opportunities that pop up such as sightseeing, meeting new people, shopping and learning about the culture, as time goes by without you even realizing.

Kaitlyn O'Shea

Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
E-mail: osheak@purdue.edu 

What advice do you have for a first year student?

Students should know that even though Purdue is a very large university it’s really easy to get plugged in. Everybody is in the same boat as you; hardly knowing anyone and very willing to make friends. The people you meet here will become your family faster than you can imagine!

Hillary Perez

Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Fishers, IN
E-mail: perezh@purdue.edu 

What is your dream job?

Working with children and helping them feel better has always been a passion of mine. I would love to be a Nurse Practitioner for a children's hospital, especially Riley, where I have already had the opportunity to work with many wonderful families. The School of Nursing has given me an outstanding education that will ultimately lead me to achieving my dream.

Jacqueline Reiter

Year: Senior
Major: Public Health Promotion
Hometown: Naperville, IL
E-mail: jreiter@purdue.edu 

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be working in a hospital as a counseling psychologist. I specifically would like to work with patients adjusting to newly diagnosed health ailments. I hope that in the future my job is making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Lauren Rosswurm

Year: Junior
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
E-mail: lrosswur@purdue.edu 

What is your favorite class?

My favorite class was Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism. That was one of my hardest classes I've taken at Purdue but I ended up liking it the most because I could relate almost everything we learned to something that happened in real life.

Geoff Ryan

Why did you choose to attend Purdue?

Purdue University has a campus atmosphere like no other school I visited. Students and faculty operate as a family and everyone is held to the highest of standards. Whether you are majoring in Biology, Engineering, or History we are all Boilermakers and that unity is what makes Purdue such a special place.

Teryn Sapper

Year: Senior
Major: Dietetics
Hometown: New Harmony, IL
E-mail: memery@purdue.edu

What will you miss about Purdue when you graduate?

I will miss all of the amazing people that I have met during my time at Purdue.  From the dorms, my classes, extracurricular activities to the research labs that I have worked in, I have made some great, long-lasting friendships.  These friendships and connections are part of what have made my experience at Purdue so enjoyable!

Andrew P. Savitsky

Year: Sophomore
Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management
Hometown: Sheridan, IN
E-mail: asavitsk@purdue.edu

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

Laura Schmidt

Year: Sophomore
Major: Dietetics/Nutrition, Fitness & Health
Hometown: Wausau, WI
E-mail: schmidl@purdue.edu 

What should a prospective student know about Purdue?

Purdue’s orientation program is awesome, providing incoming students an easy and stress-free transition to University life. New students meet so many people and experience the campus before the school year even begins. I didn’t know any incoming students when I arrived as a nervous freshman from Wisconsin and this program put me at ease and made Purdue feel like home.

Alyssa Schnaus

Year: Senior
Major: Psychological Sciences
Hometown: Jasper, IN
E-mail: aschnaus@purdue.edu

What is your dream job?

Sam Shaner

Year: Junior
Major: Selling and Sales Management
Hometown: Munster, IN
E-mail: sshaner@purdue.edu  

What advice do you have for a first year student?

My advice for a first year student would be to be organized and to use good time management.  Time management and organization are the keys to having a smooth and successful time at Purdue.  Also, if you have any problems, feel free to ask your professors.  Professors are always willing to take the time to help out their students if asked.

Kathryn Stwalley

Year: Senior
Major: Brain and Behavioral Sciences
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
E-mail: kstwalle@purdue.edu

What is your favorite class?

I would have to say that Anatomy and Physiology (BIO203/204) has been my favorite class. I've always been really drawn to the human body and it was so neat to see how our bodies are affected by such a molecular level. The lab also allowed me to have a better physical understanding of the material. Once we even conducted experiments on frog muscles! I liked this class so much that I will be a TA for it in the fall.

Leigha Thompson

Year: Junior
Major: Movement & Sport Sciences
Hometown: Crawfordsville, IN
E-mail: lthomps@purdue.edu

What is your favorite class?

My favorite class so far would have to be Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 203-204) with Dr. Bridges. I learned so much in this class that will really be useful to me when I continue on to professional school. He is by far the best professor I've had and makes the class enjoyable and very interesting. I liked the class so much I applied to be a TA for the course and will start that in the Fall.

Colleen Troke

Year: Junior
Major: Public Health Promotion
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
E-mail: ctroke@purdue.edu 

What will you miss about Purdue when you graduate?

When I was little, my family took me to a Purdue game starring Drew Brees. I had never realized significance at the time, but ever since then I've been a Purdue fan at heart. It's an amazing school on a beautiful, safe campus and I truly believe Purdue will be the reason I get to where I want to be in life.

Alan Walker

Year: Senior
Major: Retail Management
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
E-mail: walkerab@purdue.edu  

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a sportscaster on ESPN's daily sports television show “Sports Center”.  It combines my favorite interests, sports & entertainment, as well as business.  It is a job that I would love doing and a job that would make me come in with a smile on my face each and every day.

Kaylie Waltz

Year: Senior
Major: General Health Sciences: Pre-Med
Hometown: Cicero, IL
E-mail: kwaltz@purdue.edu  

What will you miss about Purdue when you graduate?

I am going to miss the incredible opportunities Purdue has provided as well as the freedom to be involved in so many amazing organizations. It is also going to be hard not living just minutes away from all of my friends when I graduate. But what I’ll miss most is walking around our beautiful campus; it feels like home to me now.

Stephanie Westfall

Year: Junior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Muncie, IN
E-mail: swestfal@purdue.edu  

Why did you choose to attend Purdue?

I chose Purdue because of direct admission into the School of Nursing. Since the Nursing program is so competitive, direct admission takes off a lot of the pressure.

Hailey Wilson

Year: Senior
Major: Dietetics/Nutrition, Fitness & Health
Hometown: Rockford, IL
E-mail: hkwilson@purdue.edu  

What did you find beneficial about your internship?

My internship challenged me to apply what I learn in the classroom to a real career on a daily basis and to explore a new aspect of dietetics.  At the same time it allowed me to really connect with this community outside of the typical university setting and to discover how my education and skills can address its concerns.

Andrew Wiseman

Year: Sophomore
Major: General Health Sciences: Pre-Physical Therapy
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
E-mail: awiseman@purdue.edu

What advice do you have for a first year student?

Kyle Wittgren

Year: Senior
Major: Movement & Sport Sciences
Hometown: Lafayette, IN
E-mail: kwittgre@purdue.edu

What is your favorite class?

My favorite class has been my HK 368 Exercise Physiology class. The material in lecture relates anatomy and physiology with how it relates to exercise and therapy of the body. In another perspective, it presents the opposite relationship of how exercise relates to physiology of the body and its systems. The labs in the class are very hands on and are used to show how different exercises and experiments are done and measured to uncover results about how the body systems were affected. This class has been interesting, active, hands-on, and overall very entertaining and educational.

Lindsey Yarde

Year: Junior
Major: Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Hometown: Garrett, IN
E-mail: lyarde@purdue.edu 

What advice do you have for a first year student?

Get involved. Purdue University has something to offer for every personality that steps foot on our campus. The opportunities you take and the friendships you make are what will make for a great college experience!

Kim Ziarko

Year: Senior
Major: Foods & Nutrition in Business
Hometown: New Buffalo, MI
E-mail: kziarko@purdue.edu 

What did you learn from your study abroad adventure?

Studying abroad taught me that you should not be afraid to try something new even if that means going out of your comfort zone. it is a great way to get a hands-on experience and reflect on the irreplaceable memories made.