Student Spotlight on Kayla Trowbridge, Greenheart Travel Correspondent in Ireland

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing high school students to study abroad as part of our 2016 Travel Correspondent Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we are doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to study abroad.

Read on to meet 16-year-old, Kayla Trowbridge, our Greenheart Travel Correspondent from Zionsville, Indiana who’ll be traveling abroad to study in Ireland!

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

I really like to read, but I also enjoy cooking, singing, writing and acting.

Have you traveled abroad before?

No, this is my first time out of the U.S.

What got you interested in studying abroad?  

I started looking into studying abroad because I wanted something different from the traditional high school experience.  This seemed like the perfect choice for me.

What are you most excited about experiencing or seeing during your high school abroad program in Ireland?

I’m most excited about being immersed in my host community.

Excited to meet a new host family but enjoying spending time with family and friends before I leave.

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and experience a different culture?

I think that it is important to travel and experience different cultures because doing this can help you connect with people and places that you otherwise would not, and you can build you confidence and become more knowledgeable about the world. Traveling can also allow you to develop new ideas and passions.

What are you nervous about?

I’m nervous about starting school in my host community because school itself can be rather stressful and dealing with that, along with culture shock and homesickness, will most certainly be a challenge.

How have you prepared for your time living and studying abroad?

I have been preparing to study abroad by talking to my host family, researching Ireland’s culture and history, and reading the blogs of previous exchange students.

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

I don’t know how I will change, however, I am hoping to become more confident, independent and open minded.

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.