College is a place where one can have new and exciting experiences. It is a place for exploring diverse and modern ideas. What better way to grow in these experiences than to travel to a foreign country to learn about their perspectives, ideas, history, and culture?

I believe that by studying the differences between the British physical therapy program and that of the United States would benefit me a great deal in broadening my knowledge base to encompass that of a completely different continent. Also it would allow me the opportunity to learn by shadowing a British physical therapist, and compare that experience to the clinical exposure I expect to have in the United States. By participating in this program I hope to combine my experiences of the best of both worlds into my graduate studies and eventually in my PT practice. I plan to learn and develop valuable skills that will one day make me a better physical therapist. This is why I chose the University of Essex, in England due to the fact it offers a wide range of academically challenging classes related to my field of study. It’s a fairly new program receiving a lot of attention. This peeked my interest and guided my decision to chose Essex. Academics have always been extremely important to me and my family. Both my parents have always encouraged me and my sister to pursue a higher education. A college education is essentially the key to success in the future. It opens many doors of opportunity and will allow me to explore many options available. A good education can be my way into a prosperous career. Attending classes in a different culture will not only expand my capacity as a student to learn but also help me interpret new information. So by participating in a study abroad program I hope to learn about the differences the kinesiology classes offered in Essex are from ones offered at Chico State. I have taken rigorous classes and maintained a 3.0 grade point average. I know classes will be challenging and thought provoking at Essex motivating me to do my very best so that I might reach my goals that much sooner. Dedicating my life to improving lives of others is very appealing to me. I aspire to be a physical therapist one day. Therefore it is important for me to learn everything there is to learn about physiotherapy from a European point of view. I'll also be able to complete classes for my exercise physiology major, as well as my nutrition minor. Furthermore I will be taking classes I already took here in the United States to help improve my overall GPA in order to help me when I apply to graduate school.

On a more personal athletic level as to why I want to participate in the England abroad program is soccer. I am a huge soccer fan! Soccer is the sport I grew up playing and I absolutely love it! Here in the United States it is not a sport that is widely followed. So it would be a dream come true to see a live match and learn about the different rivalries. I want to see the world and go to a country where the language spoken is familiar. Although English is my primary language I also speak Spanish fluently and can rely upon it when traveling to other countries like Spain. Since Europe has an amazing U-rail system I plan on utilizing it to my benefit in exploring it's countries. I’ve always wanted to study and travel Europe; it’s something that has been my dream. It would be amazing to see what England and Europe has to offer.

Without a doubt I believe studying abroad will impact my life tremendously. I will have been exposed to different thought processes, discover new methods of study and research. I will also come to appreciate other countries in the world from a different point of view. I will be able to apply my new found knowledge to my entire life and the way I look at the world around me. It is something that every college bound student should do to help avoid unilateral thinking, to spread their wings, and to appreciate everything the world has to offer.