Greetings!
My name is Elizabeth DiSalvatore. I am a senior at the University of Oklahoma studying Medical Sciences, International Studies, and Health Social Sciences. I enjoy the health field, as well as the global community and would love to find a field where I can incorporate both! My ultimate goal is to go to Physician's Assistant school and eventually lead medical and spiritual mission trips around the globe.
My wanderlust is encompassing - I have studied abroad 3 times! After my freshman year I studied abroad in Italy with President Community Scholars. We completed a community service project where we painted murals along the walls of the train station in Arezzo, Italy to make the space more inviting.
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| Part of our Community Service Project Source: My picture |
Afterwards, we traveled around northern Italy learning and
blogging about art history and the impact it has made on the culture. After my sophomore year I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain for 3 months. I lived with a host mother that did not speak any english. I learned so much while I was there! My Spanish flourished, I was challenged to navigate the public transport system, and discovered many elements of the Spanish culture. The immersion program was life changing and I am so glad I did it.
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| The Bull Fights in Sevilla Source: Me |
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| Rhonda, Spain Source: Me |
This past summer I studied in Sicily and Southern Italy. The curriculum of this class was by far my favorite. We met with immigration groups and anti-mafia organizations. I learned so much in those 3 weeks and heard some incredible stories from people who have experienced many trials. I would encourage everyone to study abroad! I visited several other countries while over there and I truly believe that being introduced so many different cultures has shaped me into who I am today.
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| Mount Etna, Sicily Source: Me |
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| Modica, Sicily Source: Me |
I love the University of Oklahoma. I have been a tour guide at OU the last 3 years. It is so much fun to help other students fall in love with OU like I have. Working for Admissions and Recruitment is only one of my jobs! I also have worked at a church in OKC for the past three and a half years. I work with youth 7th to 12th grade, and let me tell you they are a blast!
When I am not working, studying, or traveling I enjoy volunteering. I have two sisters with disabilities. About a year ago, mother and I started a non-profit for adults with disabilities called The Sparrow Project. The Sparrow Project creates events for adults with disabilities to engage in social activities as well as continue their education. It is pure joy working with them.
Hi Elizabeth! I really loved reading about all of your traveling adventures. My family and I travel quite a bit but Europe is somewhere that we haven't made it to quite yet that I hope to soon! What would you say is your favorite place that you have been? My major program has a trip to Arezzo that they do in the summers and I think that would be such a fun experience. I also loved reading about The Sparrow Project that you and your mother started.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth! Travel is awesome! I so wished I could have afforded to go and study somewhere cool but it just was not in the cards for me. I will get over there some day! I bet you saw all the cool museums. The Sparrow project sounds really fulfilling. My boyfriend's nephew has down-syndrome and he 2 and a half years old, but he is just a little doll. I'll have to look it up and see what is going on!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that is so cool about the murals in Arezzo, Elizabeth: I did not know about that; thank you for sharing that picture. Oklahoma in Arezzo! And you have even been to Sicily: that is one of the great cultural centers of the Mediterranean, with such an amazing history of different peoples and cultures that have flourished there. Maybe you will want to do an Italian project for class this semester. And if there is ever an announcement I can share about your Sparrow Project, let me know; that sounds really wonderful, and I would be glad to include that in the announcements any time. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteYou have had quite the international experience! I have always wanted to study abroad during my undergraduate years. Unfortunately, this was a bit out of reach as a biology major. I would have had to delay graduating to study abroad. I think it is really awesome that you have interest in so many different fields. I am also wanting to pursue a career within the health field. I just recently applied to dental school for the Summer 2018 class. I know how stressful applying to professional school can be, so I wish you the best! I am sure you will achieve your goals. You sound like a very passionate and hard working person!
Hi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteWow! You've done so much with your life already! I'm so jealous! All of your adventures sound amazing and I hope you have many more in your future! That's really cool that you created such an inspiring and helpful program with your mom! I wish I had your drive and wanderlust for adventure! I have a couple friends that are or were tour guides for OU and I hear the experience is amazing! Good luck in all your future endeavors!
Hi Elizabeth, First off I really like your blog theme! I am amazed that you have 3 majors! I can barely handle 1 so I am very impressed! I have also studied abroad in Arezzo, Italy and I absolutely loved it. I really liked how the town made me feel as if I was in a small town in Italy versus feeling like I was a tourist. I am very jealous that you stayed with a host family in Spain! I used to be somewhat fluent in Spanish so I am not sure if I could go back now without studying up a bit before going.
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteCrazy to think we were in PCS 3 years ago! I had no idea that you had 3 majors -- power to you! I love all the traveling that you have done - those must have been unforgettable experiences. I have never studied abroad before, but I have traveled with my family around the globe. I wonder how different it must be to study abroad! It's so awesome that you have such a big heart for volunteerism and continue to do it in your free time. I am looking forward to reading more of your stories this semester. Nice to see you again!
Hi Elizabeth, I really like the font you have chosen for your blog. That is so amazing that you have travelled abroad 3 times already, all of your trips sound so fun! I also love that you have so much passion and a great dream in mind. You seem like such a down to earth and sweet person, I hope everything works out for you!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth! One of the first things I noticed about your introduction was your picture and the caption “The Bull Fight…” I’ve always wanted to see one in reality because it just seems like you can learn so much about the culture their from just being in that environment. I love how passionate you are about your future career. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHello Elizabeth. It looks like you have had the time of your life while here at OU. I wish I could study abroad but being an older student with a family I have a lot of responsibilities. I have traveled to Spain in my younger years though and almost made the choice to move to Barcelona. The culture, the food, the atmosphere is so enjoyable. My dream is to get me and my son to Japan at some point, he is 14 now so if not I really only have 4 more years until he moves out (hopefully haha).
ReplyDeleteHello, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see a fellow Presidential Community Scholar Alumni in this course! I was in the program in 2014 and it was such a great time! Anyways I am so jealous of all of your travels. It seems like you have really enjoyed yourself and I hope that I someday get to travel abroad! Best of luck this semester!
Hey Elizabeth. I think that it is cool you were in PCS because I was in PLC and it was a great experience for me. I can't imagine having 3 majors because I struggle enough with just one. I also love how much fun it seems you're having at OU because I'm loving my college experience as well. I also think it is awesome that you have gotten to go abroad.
ReplyDeleteHey, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThat’s so awesome that you are pursuing a career as a PA. I have several friends that have been doing interviews for PA schools this semester. Are you applying this year? And do you have any idea where you would like to go to school?
I’m also jealous that you’ve gotten to study abroad as much as you have! I was able to go to Italy the summer after my freshman year, and we also spent time in Arezzo. Afterwards, we spent time traveling around Europe, so I was also able to go to Spain. So glad that you have had those opportunities!
Hi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteWay to go for following your passions and finding yourself a way to incorporate that into your career later on. I find it amazing that you have such a clear vision of what you want to do following PA school. I hope that all of those dreams come true for you!
Also, that is amazing that you studied abroad 3 times! I have gone once and only wish to go back. There is something special about travel. Hoping to be able to travel more once I have a steady income!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThat's so amazing that you're such a well-rounded individual. You seem to always have something to do and your adventures never end. I would love to travel and study abroad like you, but sadly my time at OU is coming to an end and I have to prepare for medical school. Your interest's in the health field almost reflect mine! I once wanted to become a PA as well.
Hi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I absolutely love the design and layout you have created for your blog! Also, I love how you incorporated personal photos into your introduction I think this gives your page a really nice personal touch. I think it’s so cool that you have studied abroad and three times at that! Hopefully I will get a chance to do the same. It looks like such a blast!
Hey Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteYou have a really unique layout for your blog, you are the first person I have come across that has changed the default text for their blog! It was also cool to see all the places that you have traveled, it really seems like something that you enjoy! It was also cool to read a little bit about your major, it sounds like you chose something you like, which is great!
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you have traveled so much is so cool and it makes me incredibly jealous. I want to travel so badly; the first place I would go is AUstralia. My best friend lives there and he tells me all the time that I need to come to visit. The fact that you are integrating your love for traveling with your future career is awesome and I"m so glad that you're going into something that you are passionate about. I hope your semester is going well, and good luck on your finals!
Hey Elizabeth! I am so happy I finally got to read your introduction and getting to learn about your life post high school! It sounds like you're doing amazing. I loved studying abroad for a semester, so I am very jealous that you've have gotten to do it three separate times! I am also happy to hear about you and your mom's Sparrow Project! It sounds like your family is doing well :) Also this font... I love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about your adventures here at OU and in life! You sound like you have had a ton of exciting adventures. I didn’t study abroad but I wish I did because it looks so exciting! I am excited to read more of your stuff over the last two weeks of the semester.
Hello Elizabeth! I am from the Epics of India class and I think it is really cool that you travel! I went out of the country for the first time this past summer and I went to France for three weeks ! I wish I could have mad it to Italy. You definitely made is seem worth while and I heard it is a beautiful place and full of culture! I always admired the tour guides because one the know how to walk backwards and in my eyes that is a true talent! I am a clumsy person. Lol!
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