Meet Your Advisor - Amanda Singleton

Where did you study abroad?

I went to Hatfield, England, during my junior year. I was an English literature minor, so I spent the semester taking classes like History of Shakespeare, Poetry, and others. I even got to visit Shakespeare’s Globe for one of my classes! I went to college in Kansas, so taking these classes in England added a level of learning that I would not have gained if I had only stayed in the United States.

During my semester abroad and later in life, I gained the confidence to visit places like Hungary, Italy, Scotland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Mexico. After college, I earned my Master’s degree in student affairs in higher education so that I could continue to work in this field.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?

I spent most of my time in England, but one weekend my friend and I visited Snowdonia National Park in Wales. Snowdonia covers more than 800 square miles and has a variety of walking trails for all hiking levels. We stayed in a tiny Welsh town called Betws-y-Coed and met some locals while eating dinner. This was probably the smallest town I visited during my time abroad, and everyone was extremely friendly.

What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?

While I was studying abroad, I spent a weekend in Cascais and Lisbon, Portugal. I knew someone who lived and worked there, so I got the insider’s take on the area. She showed us a lot of cool local shops and unique places in the cities. It was so beautiful!

What is your funniest travel memory?

It’s a funny memory now, but at the time, I was very stressed out: One weekend, I was traveling to Paris. In all the fun, it suddenly dawned on my travel buddies and me that we would not have time to get to the airport in the morning for our flight. We hadn’t been paying attention to when the trains and trams stopped running. Consequently, we had to trek through the city to the airport in the middle of the night. This included buses, subways, and even jumping over a couple of fences! So, I strongly recommend you check the public transportation schedules before making any plans.

If you could go on any USAC program, what would it be and why?

I wish I could spend a summer in the Bengaluru, India program! The classes look so interesting and I would love to take advantage of the Cuisine of India workshop! I have never been to the continent of Asia, so this would be a great place to start.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I am a big board game nerd. I love spending the weekends with my family and friends gaming. I am also a very amateur baker and enjoy trying my best at some Great British Bake Off recipes. Some desserts definitely go better than others. Lastly, I have a young daughter, so I spend a lot of time at parks and playing outside.

What is a weird fact about you?

When I was little, I was afraid of leaves. As an adult, that has translated into an intense fear of bats.

What’s on your bucket list?

I would love to visit all 50 states!

What’s a meme that describes your life?