Anthony Norat 

How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before? 

During this Ep you’ll be exploring Appalachia and learning about the people there from first hand experience. Their daily lives and struggles they’ve faced because of economic problems, and some environmental issues that happened years ago that still affect them today.

What is a typical day like during your EP? 

We wake up early with the music from the guitar of our counselor (really hope they do this next time since it was such a great way to wake up) eat cereal, and then get ready for the day by getting dressed. Then we get snacks and lunch packed and go out to a nearby town and meet some locals there, typically people who was apart of the cultural, historical, or political parts of the area. They would talk to us about the issues they had their, and their positives as well, and after we’d usually have lunch, possibly meet with another person there, do a fun activity, go home, talk, just relax a bit before preparing dinner, and then after

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

Definitely the phone policy (you aren't allowed to have your phone during this EP). At first because I just felt stressed since I needed my phone to complete some assignments, and I also missed just not being able to talk to my family.

What was the biggest reward of your EP? 

In general just the sense of accomplishment I felt after doing something, and the feeling of knowing more than I did before, and i was definitely proud of how I wrote in my journal everyday

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

That when we’re supposed to get our phones back we’re given someone else's phone used to make calls, and that I was able to use a laptop to check and finish any school work.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

If you talk to the counselors they will do their best to work with you, and to DEFINITELY write down all phone numbers of people you know. And to learn some recipes since they’ll help you learn how to make them.