Summer 2017 Nomadic A magazine written and produced by students in Florida State University’s Study Abroad Valencia Program Noles ! Feliz aniversario! FSU Valencia celebrates 20 years PAGE 24 Vicky Pacheco has worked The Ruzafa neighborhood, From the Olympics to CNN, at FSU Valencia since 2001, the “Brooklyn of Valencia,” from entrepreneur to and her behind-the-scenes attracts locals and students climate expert, four study role helps the program run who want an artistic and abroad alumni make their smoothly and efficiently. cultural experience. mark on the world. PAGE 4 PAGE 14 PAGES 6, 10, 22, and 28 Letter from the program director e are PROUD, very proud, of you: the stu- dents and fac- ultyW who choose to study and teach abroad. It is not an easy choice, and it includes costs and other personal efforts. But we know—and those who 12 18 6 have experienced it are our best promoters—that the Mental maps 18 Arts and science on display 36 effort pays off. Table of contents/Summer 2017 You, brave students and Students find ariousv ways to to document their Visit Europe’s largest aquarium, an IMAX theater, and faculty who leave your one-of-a-kind memories of studying abroad. three stories of hands-on science in one place. comfort zones, homes, By Teaghan Skulszki By Alyssa Blanco Photo by Madison Manley cars, families, and loved Faces of the staff FSU Valencia Dean and Program ones behind for a few Taking care of business 4 Director Ignacio Messana Harmonic convergence 26 weeks or months, are Meet Vicky Pacheco, a hidden gem and key contributor International Programs alumni profiles choosing to do something that will change your view of the Discover why July is a hot month for music in Valencia to the FSU Valencia Program. Chasing her goals 6 world and ultimately, your view of life. You will learn and ex- By Taylor Goggin and in Spain. perience many new or different things. And, trust us, you’ll like By Jessica O’Connor From home-schooled teenager to professional model some, love many, and hate a few of those experiences, but they to national champion to Olympic star—FSU Valencia will become amazing memories and personality-shaping mo- Study center in focus Local landmarks 30 alumna Colleen Quigley’s unconventional journey. ments that you will have forever. Two architectural pillars, the Valencia Cathedral and By Carter Floyd This year FSU International Programs marks 60 years of edu- Fresh take on studying abroad 8 cating students abroad, of helping students and faculty make New for 2018: Spring break course offered in Valencia North Train Station, give visitors a lesson on two this eye-opening experience possible. FSU International Pro- through International Programs. “Golden Ages” of architecture. “Why not?” 10 grams has been in Panama for 60 years, in Florence for 51 years, By Brittany Argote By Madeline Hoffman FSU London alumnus Lee Alexander realizes the and in London for 46 years. In summer 2017, we marked the th importance of taking life’s opportunities. 20 anniversary of the Spain (Valencia) program, during which FSU Valencia hosts Belmont 20 Two Valencian visionaries 32 By Brittany Wallace time we have hosted around 10,000 students in Spain. For the Belmont students join Valencia program and create A closer look into two of Valencia’s most inspirational celebrations, for the hard work and the camaraderie, we thank all of the administrators, staff, program assistants, and recruit- unforgettable relationships with FSU students, and most prominent figures, painter Joaquín Sorolla The world in perspective 22 ers who made it possible to change the lives of so many people professors, and each other. and writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. Candi Obrentz reflects on her Florence study abroad through study abroad. By Madison Manley By Rachel Dranetz experiences and the impact they had on her career. Having said this, we would like to make a special call to you By Samantha Gettis students to share these memories with your friends. Some of us Don’t-miss attractions 34 in Spain come from a more collectivistic culture, and we know Beyond the study center Take a closer look at some of Valencia’s less-frequented An environmental epiphany 28 well that other countries and cultures tend to be a bit more in- Lives examined 12 dividualistic. This collectivist culture gives us a perspective that spots, and learn more about a few of the city’s oldest FSU Republic of Panama alumna catapults herself out we share with students every semester, every week. As human A personal look into the lives of several students at traditions. of her comfort zone and into tropical Central America. beings, we grow and mature in a much more positive way if we FSU Valencia. By Marc Hollingsworth By Ian Tramm can share things—if we can have another person or group to By Sarah Silva talk with, laugh with, cry with about whatever is happening in our lives, from a very important moment to a more casual but Ruzafa revitalized 14 meaningful “something” that just occurred yesterday. Please, neither be closed to sharing, nor be closed to listening Valencia neighborhood that went from an undervalued to others. The more you talk with others about your experience, barrio to a vibrant area appreciated by all. the more it means to you and to them. Many of those 10,000 By Amber Lewis students have passed by our offices, so we give you this advice from personal experience. A central meeting place 16 —Ignacio Messana Students and locals alike savor the tastes of the Central Front cover photo courtesy of FSU Valencia Market. Photo credits for table of contents, clockwise from top left: courtesy of By Kamille Catala Noah White; courtesy of Teaghan Skulszki; courtesy of Colleen Quigley; courtesy of Lee Alexander; and Marc Hollingsworth 34 10 NOMADIC NOLES NOMADIC NOLES 2 Summer 2017 Summer 2017 3 sana had opposite academic schedules—one Revealing a hidden gem on FSU Valencia’s team with morning classes and the other with the afternoon classes—being in a mutual group of friends sparked their relationship. After graduation, both Pacheco and Mes- sana attended the School of Economics and Vicky Pacheco Business Administration of the University of By Taylor Goggin Valencia, and eventually earned their master’s degrees, Pacheco in economics and account- any students who study abroad recently been dealing with labor issues, ing and Messana in business administration. in Valencia, Spain, may not be fa- such as hiring and faculty contracts. The couple has been married for 19 years, miliar with Vicky Pacheco. As the Since FSU hired her in 2001, Pacheco and they have a daughter, Victoria, just shy program’s accountant and facili- has been an important contributor to of 8 years old. In Pacheco’s free time, she Mties manager, she works in the Garnet study the program, being a part of and leading enjoys activities with her daughter such as as- center and focuses on financial issues rather other team members. sisting Victoria with her homework or taking than hands-on student matters. her to the park. Working behind the scenes for Florida “Vicky is a good friend, a good “Vicky is a huge family person,” says Cris- State University’s Valencia program keeps daughter, a good sister, a good tina Gil, a longtime friend of Pacheco. “Her Pacheco from having a lot of direct interac- wife, and a good mother. I feel loved ones are above everything. Vicky is a tion with students, she knows, but she still good friend, a good daughter, a good sister, feels an emotional attachment to them. very privileged to have her a good wife, and a good mother. I feel very “I do not have as close relationships with very close.” privileged to have her very close.” the students, but when I go to farewell — Cristina Gil In addition to her work and family, Pa- Photo courtesy of FSU Valencia lunches or trips, it fills me with happiness to checo enjoys a daily dose of the outdoors Vicky Pacheco (left) at FSU Valencia’s 20th-year anniversary dinner. see the students so content,” Pacheco says. “I work in the back office, I know, but by swimming and riding her bicycle around Pacheco is small in stature but mighty. in the end, the front office could not Photo courtesy of Vicky Pacheco town. On weekends, you can catch Pacheco tually how I got informed about FSU,” she two study centers, and on purchasing new Beyond her welcoming smile, she is a pow- prosper without the help of the back,” Vicky Pacheco at a gathering with her with her family in the beautiful coastal town says. furniture and equipment. erhouse of drive ready to take on any task she says. daughter, Victoria. Javea, sailing and enjoying the beach. One day when a job for the program be- “Managing the buildings is more active that comes her way. In addition to overseeing Associate Program Director Alicia Pacheco and Messana enjoy their privacy came available, Pacheco referred Messana to and ever changing, which sparks my inter- the financial aspects of the program, she has Martinez has worked with Pacheco since offices. Even though her work in the back- and keep a very professional appearance in Smith. She believed her husband was a suit- est a tad more than the accounting side of 2002, and she appreciates the diligent and ground may not be as visual, it is essential to the program. able candidate for the job: Messana spoke work,” she says. “The major aspect that efficient work Pacheco performs to help fur- the program functioning.” “I have all these fun experiences with the English, had a university degree, and was Pacheco has accomplished a great deal attracted me the most ther develop the program.