Mary Jo Velasco (2002-03, France) is studying European History and Music in Bordeaux. She was very pleased to have auditioned successfully into a prestigious amateur chorale that is performing three big concerts with works by Prokoviev, Mozart and Berlioz this year. In her initial intensive language program Mary Jo met students “from all over the world.” She found an apartment in downtown Bordeaux and had an opportunity to travel in Ireland.
Julia Carter (Egypt, 2002-03)
Julia Carter (2002-03, Egypt) is pursuing a double major in History and Religious Studies. She chose to study at the American University in Cairo to gain some understanding of the interaction of historical and religious issues in the Middle East, as well as to learn how the U.S. is viewed from an Egyptian perspective. In August we were able to discuss Julia’s plans and hopes for the year while she visited in Davis; Ellie by then had come home to Davis and was able to share many lively anecdotes of her year in Spain. Julia has sent fascinating accounts of her explorations of Cairo, Saqqara, Memphis, the Fayyum Oasis (where “I truly felt like Indiana Jones, crawling about in an attempt to discover the mysteries of the ancient world.”) and Taba on the Red Sea.