Blogger
Clarissa
Clarissa's Bio
Clarissa, an LA resident and 19-year-old junior at the University of California-Irvine, is double majoring in film and media studies as well as criminology, law and society. She is studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and her main goal for the semester is, "to become fluent in Spanish and immerse myself totally in the culture. I'd love to be able to pass as a local."
She's very excited about sharing her experiences with all of you. When asked about being chosen to blog for BlogAbroad.com, she said, "I'm going to sound like a huge nerd, but I kept on checking the website to see when the winners would be posted. I remember reading somewhere on the site that the winners would be contacted via mail or phone if they won and since I received neither I was worried that I wasn't chosen. I'm glad that I was wrong. I am so excited! I'm already having the time of my life here and I can't wait to start documenting it for people to read."
We also asked Clarissa some personal questions and have pasted them below to help you learn more about the person behind the blog:
What is the aspect of your upcoming semester that makes you most excited?
What makes me most excited about my upcoming semester abroad is just that. I'm going abroad! I've traveled much within the "Americas", but I've never been to Europe. I could not ask for a better first trip to Europe than this. Living four months in my own apartment in Barcelona with everything at my disposal. I am so excited to be fully immersed in the country and culture. I cannot wait to be fluent and walking down Las Ramblas holding my own, as if I were truly a citizen of such a beautiful country.
What are you looking forward to the least in your upcoming semester?
The one thing that I am looking forward to the least is when the wheels of the airplane are no longer touching the ground. It will be a bittersweet moment because there is no turning back, yet so many opportunities will be awaiting me. I'm kind of hesitant leaving home. I have a feeling it will feel similar to how I felt when I first moved away to college, however this time an ocean will be separating me from my family and it will be one difficult phone call away from home. So all in all I'd have to say homesickness is something I am least looking forward to.
What made you want to study abroad?
I always thought about studying abroad, but never really got too excited about it because I thought my parents would never let me go. The beginning of my second year in college my best friend told me that she was going to study abroad that spring. At first I was a bit shocked because who was I suppose to hang out with my whole spring quarter, if my best friend was leaving me? So, I convinced her to wait until the following fall so I could convince my parents to let me go as well. I figured that if I were leaving the country my parents would at least take comfort in knowing that I wasn't alone. After my parents gave me the final ok, the trip became more than just following a friend around the world. If I didn't go abroad now, then when would I? When else in your life can you totally pick up and move across an entire continent and land on another? It's now or never.
Why did you choose this destination/program?
I chose Barcelona because I figured that if I were ever to go abroad, the one thing I'd want to achieve is to be fluent in a foreign language. Considering I have experience with Spanish, I thought it would be perfect to take my skill to a whole other level. Instead of being a fish out of water in a new country, I'd just be a fish in a bowl that needs to be cleaned. Also, Barcelona fit into two categories perfectly. A. I can speak Spanish and B. it's in Europe! I can easily travel wherever my heart desires.
What are your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies range from being really creative to being really lazy. To list a few, I enjoy sewing and making various items from purses to pillows. I use to sew everything by hand until I begged my parents for a sewing machine. I got one for Christmas, but got too excited that I broke all the needles, so now I need to get replacements. I also enjoy painting. I like trying to replicate cute posters I've seen in coffee shops and other various artsy places. My lazy hobbies include indulging myself by watching the food network and the trashy reality shows on VH1, they're sooo entertaining! Other than that, I enjoy having random adventures and singing in my car.
What are your favorite books and magazines?
My all time favorite book is Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh. However, I also enjoy Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, George Orwell's 1984, Octavia Butler's Kindred and Sir William Golding's Lord of The Flies. My favorite magazines include Cosmopolitan and US Weekly.
What type of music do you listen to?
I listen to all types. I enjoy Classic rock, Indie, Electronica, Pop Punk, Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, Country and my guilty pleasure Pop.
What are you favorite TV shows and movies?
My favorite TV shows include trashy reality shows on VH1 such as Mo'Niques Charm School, Rock of Love, Fabulous Life of ____, Scott Baio is 40 and Single. I also enjoy many of the shows featured on the Food Network, The Simpsons and Family Guy. My favorite Movies include: Trainspotting, The Godfather I & II, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, The Zodiac, Marie Antoinette, Pans Labyrinth, Never Been Kissed, Hocus Pocus, the list could go on forever.
If you could have dinner with one famous person - alive or dead, historical or celebrity - who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with one famous person it would have to be Michael Schoeffling, the actor who played Jake Ryan in Sixteen Candles. The reason I choose him is kinda-ok very- superficial. Jake Ryan is the epitome of 80's movies heart throbs. What girl wouldn't want to have a date with Jake Ryan?
If you think she could make better conversation than Jake Ryan, check out her blog.
