Welcome, Lovely Readers

Hello everyone!  This blog will be the chronicle of my participation in the Fulbright Summer Institute at Nottingham Trent University this summer.  Since the institute hasn't actually started yet, this post will outline some basic information about me, the program, and this blog.

Who am I?
I'm an Honors student at Washington State University, where I study creative writing, Spanish, and editing and publishing.  Words and stories are my passion, so when I'm not studying or writing my own stories, I'm reading anything within arm's reach.  Someday I hope to work in the publishing industry as an agent, editor, or (ideally) author - something that allows me to help present the world with stories that deserve to be told.
Beyond academics and words, I love spending time with my friends, consuming copious amounts of coffee, and browsing Pinterest.  I also work as a tutor at the Undergraduate Writing Center on campus and am actively involved in my church at school.

Why am I studying abroad?
I believe that writers - even those who, like me, prefer to write fiction - should seek out new experiences in order to more fully understand and therefore better represent the world in which we live.  The more I see of life, the better I will be able to convey it through the lens of my stories.  Plus, I've just always wanted to go to Europe, especially the UK.  The history draws me.  I love the idea of standing in a place - building, farmland, ruined palace - that has stood for centuries, its physical reality through the ages a kind of time travel that connects visitors to the past in a way even my beloved words cannot.  The US is a relatively young country, so I want to experience the physical history that only European nations possess.

What is the Summer Institute?
I haven't received a specific schedule yet, but the title of the program (or programme, if I'm going to learn to use British spelling) is "Creativity, Culture, History and Heritage."  Judging from the general outlines available on the Fulbright website, the institute will make use of the local architecture, culture, and history of Nottingham (yes, that's the place Robin Hood purportedly lived!).

Why am I blogging about it?
I don't want to forget anything!

What will this blog cover?
Once I'm actually at Nottingham Trent University, I'll probably have a better idea of my posting schedule, but my goal is to give a general record of pretty much every day's activities.  This may be a bit ambitious.  But I want this blog to serve as 1) a communication tool for all my friends, family, and peers at home who want to know what I'm up to, and 2) a reminder to myself of all the cool things I got to do!  I'm sure I won't be able to cover everything, but I'll do my best.

That's it for now!  I'll update this if I receive any new and fascinating information, but if not, I'll probably be posting next from the UK!

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this blog is in no way affiliated with the Fulbright Commission, the US State Department, or any other official website or communications network.  It is simply my personal record of an experience.