Shanna Campbell – From California to Cape Breton
Bachelor of Arts student Shanna Campbell has always loved the thought of getting on a plane and travelling to a place very different from her home in Los Angeles, California. Thanks to a study abroad partnership between Cape Breton University and California State University, Northridge (CSUN) where Shanna is enrolled, she was able to do just that.
Though there were other universities to choose from, CBU quickly stood out to Shanna. 鈥淲hile I was looking at possible schools to attend I was focusing on universities with great history programs, which is why CBU was at the top of my list,鈥� says Shanna. A few months later, she was on a plane to the island of Cape Breton.
Though it was difficult to come to a campus where she didn鈥檛 know anyone, Shanna says she couldn鈥檛 turn down the unique opportunity to study at CBU and explore a new part of the world.
鈥淚 love seeing all of the different perspectives here. It鈥檚 not that there isn鈥檛 diversity where I鈥檓 from, but it鈥檚 amazing to be completely immersed in a different country鈥檚 culture,鈥� says Shanna. She was eager to take advantage of some of the courses not offered back at CSUN, like Gaelic and the history classes with a local focus.
While it has been challenging to be away from home, Shanna has fallen in love with the smalltown feel of Cape Breton, along with its beautiful scenery. Her father and sister are planning a visit soon and Shanna can鈥檛 wait to explore more of the Island with them.
Shanna says study abroad programs are the perfect way to expand a student鈥檚 overall university experience. 鈥淚t really is a unique opportunity. You get to travel to another country and study there without worrying about long-term commitments or expenses,鈥� says Shanna.
Shanna will be attending CBU until April, with a brief trip home to the California sun over winter break. She says she鈥檚 not sure what is in the cards for her time after CBU, but several of her family members have told Shanna they could totally see her living in Cape Breton. We鈥檇 be #CBUProud to keep her, that鈥檚 for sure!