Ann Nguyen
UF in Vicenza - Architecture"Growing up, I never had the privilege of traveling outside the country. It wasn’t until my last semester of college that I finally achieved my dream of international travel.
In Spring 2022, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study abroad in Italy through UF’s satellite program at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture. Within this four-month excursion, I traveled to eight different European countries including Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, and Greece. I experienced snow for the first time and learned how to ski on the Alps — my friends even awarded me the title of “Best Beginner Skier”. I indulged myself in the Therme Vals, a famous thermal bath house with enchanting views of neighboring snow-capped mountains. I relished local cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurants and sampled countless new dishes — Spaghetti Alla Norma being one of my favorites. I visited several world-renowned landmarks including the Colosseum in Rome, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and the Cliffs of Moher in Munster. I learned how to navigate conversations in Italian, how to rely on public transportation systems, and how to settle into a new life in a foreign country on my own. To say the least, this experience was much more than I could have ever imagined. Every moment, no matter how mundane, felt bright and new. Studying abroad has allowed me to become more adaptable to new environments. As a result, I have gained a new sense of self-confidence in approaching any situation head-on. I am proud of my personal and intellectual growth throughout the semester, and I look forward to further applying this new mindset when I venture into the business world. Receiving the Daniel Sinclair Bredahl Scholarship enabled me to fully delve into my study abroad experience with no limits, and I am deeply honored to have been selected from such an accomplished and deserving applicant pool. I hope the contributions of the foundation will continue to open doors to life-changing opportunities for future students, as they did for me. There are simply not enough words to express how extremely grateful I am to Carl Bredahl, Susan Sinclair, and the benefactors of this award for making this entire experience possible." - June 2022 |