Emma Stolinas' Spotlight
Emma Stolinas
(she/her/hers)
About Emma
Emma is a fourth-year student at Penn State University Park majoring in Geosciences. During the fall 2022 semester, Emma studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland through our Dublin: University College Dublin program.
Continue reading to learn more about how Emma chose a program, her accomplishments abroad, how her experience abroad grew her as a person, the highlights of her time in Ireland in her own words, and her advice for students interested in studying abroad!
Emma posing at Loch Ness in Scotland, November 2022
Emma posing in the Burren in western Ireland
Photo taken by Emma at Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
Skyline photo taken by Emma in Ireland on her way to a train station
Photo taken by Emma of the Dame Street in Dublin, Ireland
Photo taken by Emma of the Howth Cliff Walk northeast of Dublin, Ireland
Emma's Education Abroad Experience
"This program was originally recommended to me by another student. I chose the program that I did because it allowed me to take major-specific courses that would count towards my degree requirements. I also wanted to go to a predominantly English-speaking country, since English is the only language I know.
While studying abroad, I was able to meet people from around the globe, explore different countries, learn about new cultures, and take courses that aren't available at Penn State. Some of my favorite memories include visiting the Cliffs of Moher, seeing the Eiffel Tower, and doing a day tour of the Scottish Highlands.
The thing that surprised me most was how much I was able to accomplish and how much I grew as a person. Before leaving for my semester abroad, I had never flown on an airplane before, let alone left the country. The whole experience allowed me to become much more independent and mature.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! Whether you're planning your study abroad experience or you're trying to find your way around an airport, people are always willing to help.
While abroad, I was able to take some really interesting classes that helped prepare me for my future in graduate school and my career. This experience also made me realize that I really like traveling, and I would like to incorporate that into my future career.
If you are interested in studying abroad, don't be afraid to ask around for information, even if you think it might not be in the cards for you. When I started at Penn State, I knew that I really wanted to study abroad, but I didn't think that I'd be able to because I didn't have the money for it. After asking around, I found scholarships to apply to, and I found the right program for me."