Hi, I’m Rei! I’m eighteen years old, a biology major and a member of the Pre-Med A student success community. I was born in Tirana, Albania which is right next to Greece, and moved to the United States at the age of 2. Worcester, Massachusetts to be exact. I’m an extreme sport fanatic (Rugby, basketball, football, and soccer) as well as a competitor. I also play for the University of Massachusetts Boston Rugby Club. I’m really looking forward to to meeting the Scottish ambassadors, as well as academically supporting our own ambassadors (along with the rest of the academic support group) during their experience.
First and foremost, I would just like to say how grateful I am that this exchange happened. I wouldn’t have picked anyone else to fly over to UMass and spend the week with us. Each one of the exchange students was wonderful in their own way and I fell in love with all of them.
Now this is for the Dean because he out of all people knows how I don’t put out much emotion, but as I am sitting here writing this, there are tears welling up in my eyes because even though I spent only one week with the students from GCU, I believe I gained a lifelong friendship and that is something very hard to find.
This week was everything that I wanted it to be and more. From all the trips around Boston, a city which I don’t have much familiarity with, to just sitting down and talking about cultural and social differences that we have amongst one another, I couldn’t have been happier with the way things went. Thank you Bradley, Rachael, Rachel, Isla, Aaron, and Laura for applying for this exchange and coming into my life. You guys are awesome and you should know that. Now with that said, I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the year and I can’t wait to see you guys again next year. Cheers.
Here is another video that I have made, compiling all the events that I was able to attend. Hope you enjoy. (Peep the Cascada)
As the GCU/UMass Student Exchange Program comes to an end, the memories shared during this exchange will be always remembered. I believe that one of the most significant events during this process was of that the Farewell dinner. Though it was a sad moment to see all of the Scottish students depart, we had a great time. Not only, as said, we shared those valuable moments but we also got to know them personally and them us. Friday’s night dinner at Lucia Ristorante was one of the most enjoyable atmospheres and events that this community had attended. Aaron and Laura got to say their speeches; in short they resumed the awesome experiences they had, along with Dean Grosovsky, Dr. Hagar, both Pre-Med A and B students, the peer mentors, and also the faculty members who, as well, shared their unique experiences both academically and socially with the students, and the many impacts made by this wonderful program.
A nice message one of the waitresses left us. She will be having her Honeymoon in the United States.
This have been a monumental week. From the hospitality of the GCU students to the stem cells wiki, this is a week that I will not forget. We have not only strengthen our bond with GCU, we have paved a way for future pre-medical communities to seize this opportunity and strive for excellence. I will leave you with some pictures from Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland), highlights of our last day, and our entry on the GCU website. I wish future ambassadors nothing, but the best. Try the haggis and discover!
A person loading the canon in Edinburgh castle.
An amazing view from the museum of Scotland.
(Above) A wedding we witnessed in Edinburgh Castle!
(Above) A portion of street performer, Super Scott, danger/comedy act.
(Above) Video from the Ceilidh (traditional Irish dancing). The fun was only beginning to start. This was one of my favorite events.
(Above) Rachel teaching Naoimh the “Cotton eye Joe.”
On Friday we went to Lucia Ristorante on Hanover Street for the GCU farewell dinner. The Dean talked about the GCU program and how he was happy about how it turned out. In the beginning it seemed like it was going to be disorganized because of all the snow days that disrupted the preparations. But the communities stepped up and helped make the program a success. The peer mentors were thanked for helping the students along the way. Also the faculty members were thanked for helping to prepare the events. Some GCU students got up and talked about what the trip meant to them and how they had so much fun. And some Boston kids got up and talked about what they have gained from this experience and how it has made the Pre-Med A and Pre-Med B communities come closer. In between all of this we ate appetizers, egg plants, spaghetti and drunk water or soda. Later some kids went to Mike’s Pastries and buy some pastries.
