Students
Shane Altwies
Shane Altwies, 19, is a sophomore from Southington, CT. He is majoring in Radio, Television and Film and also has a history minor. Shane is a member of Hofstra's Help Save Darfur chapter and also serves as a peer teacher. Shane is most looking forward to visiting Germany and Luxembourg and says, "I've always wanted to travel overseas, and this program seemed to be the perfect opportunity to do so." He hopes the Odyssey will allow him to "experience new places and gather a better understanding of how people overseas view America."
Keegan Bales
Keegan Bales, 19, is a sophomore from Lattingtown, NY, majoring in communications and economics. What most interested her about the Odyssey program was "the chance to travel and study Europe with other college students. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." She hopes the program will help her to become more independent and to gain a better "appreciation and understanding of European culture and history."
Michael Bulkley
Michael Bulkley, 21, of Hicksville, NY, is a senior management major. He hopes to someday work in sports or the entertainment industry. He is most looking forward to visiting Germany and Greece. He became interested in the Odyssey program "because of the number of countries that will be covered in a very short amount of time."
Krista Faltin
Krista Faltin, 19, from Bay Shore, NY, is a sophomore majoring in history. She plans to become a lawyer. The countries she is most looking forward to experiencing are "Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany." This is her first trip to Europe, and she says she hopes "to learn as much about European history and culture as possible," while on the Odyssey.
Samantha Giordano
Samantha Giordano, 19, is a sophomore from Oceanside, NY. She says, "I especially enjoy poetry and learning about culture through language." What interested her about the Odyssey is "its complete lack of routine and the idea of learning through experience." Though she's already been to Italy twice, Samantha hopes the program will give her "a better understanding of people in general and of myself. I hope to realize the interconnectedness of the world and its diverse cultures and where exactly I belong."
Richard Hackford
Richard Hackford, 21, is a senior from Queens who is most looking forward to visiting Prague while on the European Odyssey. He hopes to gain new friendships and see many memorable landmarks while participating in the program.
Kate Herron
Kate Herron, 19, is a sophomore from New Jersey who is excited about traveling to Turkey. She is an active member of Hofstra Hillel and Phi Sigma Sigma and hopes the Odyssey will allow her to expand her "knowledge of the world."
Jeremy H. Katz
Jeremy H. Katz, 19, a sophomore, is a business management major from Old Westbury, NY. He is most looking forward to visiting Belgium, Turkey and Hungary. This is his first trip abroad.
Megann Licata
Megann Licata, 22, is a senior from Long Island, who is very interested in dance choreography and film. Of all the cities on the Odyssey itinerary, she is most excited about traveling to Turkey.
Teena Mangroo
Teena Mangroo, 22, is a junior from the Bronx, NY, majoring in finance. She is an active member of Hofstra's Financial Management Association and also enjoys playing guitar, photography and bellydancing. Teena is most looking forward to visiting the Czech Republic, Greece and Belgium and is excited about this opportunity to study European culture and diversity. She's hoping the Odyssey will allow her to gain "a better understanding of other cultures, a better understanding of the people I am traveling with, and maybe event a better understanding of myself and what my goals are in life."
Anthony Triolo
Anthony Triolo, 21, is a senior who is majoring in sociology at Hofstra. Among his career goals are working with the FDNY and possibly starting his own business. His hobbies include surfing and snowboarding. This is Anthony's second European Odyssey, and this year he is serving as a peer teacher. "The experience of traveling and studying other cultures," he says, are what initially drew him to sign up for the 2007 European Odyssey.
Deana Valarezo
Deana Valarezo, 20, is a junior from Long Island who is most looking forward to visiting Greece and Italy on the European Odyssey. She hopes to gain a better understanding of other cultures through the program.
Ryan Waslenko
Ryan Waslenko, 20, is a junior from Natrona Heights, PA, majoring in political science. He is interested in someday becoming a patent attorney. Ryan enjoys playing guitar and writing. He is most looking forward to visiting Croatia and Greece. This is his first trip abroad.
Steve Wildes
Steve Wildes, 20, is a junior from Massachusetts who is fluent in French and looking forward to traveling to France. He considers himself a dedicated student who "has high aspirations for law school." He hopes that through the Odyssey he will enjoy "the pleasures of travel and the best of all cultures"