If you give a girl a plane ticket, she'll travel all over the world.
While many hate or fear the airport and flying, she sees the trip of a lifetime.
If you give a girl a booming city, she'll feel small.The large buildings with packed production agencies intrigue her. Loud, bustling, and strange people fill every corner and seem overwhelming. But to her, she feels relaxed.
If you give a girl the sun, she will love the warmth on her face.
The beautiful sunrises and sunsets would be her favorite moments. Completing each busy day watching the sun slowly go down in beautiful pinks and purple skies.
If you give a girl Santa Monica, it will easily become her favorite location.
A thriving pier and beach welcomed her free spirit with open arms and she became one with the West Coast. Studying domestically instead of abroad was an interesting choice. While my friends chose Sicily and London, I chose Los Angeles. Not only did the trip focus on my Communications major, but what better way to find out about all of the potential jobs that exist outside of the usual local news and radio stations.
For six short days, I was lucky enough to spend days at the Warner Brothers lot, Disney Studios, Universal with a behind the scenes look at the Fast and Furious and Harry Potter Ride, and feasting at hot spots in LA. Not only did I go to all of these places, but I also got to meet some of the most hardworking people out there.
A producer inspired us to always be who we are and to make ourselves memorable as she did for us. A casting director explained the process (and who he casted for "One Tree Hill") Writers explained the intricate processes that goes on for different television shows and how to continuously create content for a long running kids show. An AIDS activist who recognized the need for public awareness instead of acting. A Buzzed worker whom we were all excited to meet with. An actress who had her start in Pittsburgh and struggled with depression, like me, during her sophomore year of college. She showed me the hope that depression cannot stop you from your dreams. Bill Clinton's White House Press Secretary expressed the importance that women have in politics and offered some friendly advice and discussion (we talked about Hamilton and of course she became my favorite.)
Getting to sit in the green room of the Jimmy Kimmel Tonight Show and watching Arianna Grande perform right next to us. Meeting a startup company that allowed dogs in the office and learning the importance of honesty and digital revolution.
And learning about the smaller people who do not receive the credit they deserve. All of the behind the scenes men and women that we wouldn't have all of our favorite shows without them. I learned the importance of the unions and the affect loss of productions to other cities has on California.
And our shepherd, if you will, taught me the most important lesson of all: "Never stop chasing your dreams, and don't be afraid to leave your families/home." Discussing our lives over lunches/dinners inspired me in more ways than one and I'm thankful for those times. I hope to one day see you in huge productions and be able to say that I knew you before you were completely famous.
I think Hollywood needs more actors like you so I really hope you get your chance. A huge thank you for not only driving our annoying selves around all week, but for taking me to DASH and that pet store where I cried from being overwhelmed by cuteness. By the way, there is crying in pet stores but not in baseball!
I also want to thank all of the people who spent countless hours planning for this trip. If it weren't for you, we would have never had the connections or experiences we made without you.
Every single aspect of this trip either had a new idea or a correlated thought that was carried through every single meeting. I have been absolute lucky for all of the memories I hold in my heart and all of the lessons learned in just six short days.
Forget studying abroad, I'm so blessed to have studied domestically and I cannot wait to go back!
I recommend everyone try and study wherever you feel called to. Don't waste your college by not studying abroad, you will learn so many things wherever that may be.
