![\"Abby](\"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/crean\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/75\/2026\/05\/Abby-Watson-grad-195x300.jpeg\")
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What is your grad year and major\/minor?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am a senior graduating in 2026, majoring in Health Sciences (Pre-Physical Therapy) and minoring in both Nutrition and Psychology.<\/p>\n What\u2019s one unexpected opportunity or experience you\u2019ve had at Chapman that you never imagined before enrolling?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was fortunate enough to travel to Italy during the summer of 2023 to study nutrition. We visited Perugia, Modena, Bologna, and Parma, touring balsamic vinegar facilities, Parmesan factories, prosciutto farms, and more. I also interviewed locals and researched the effects of gluten in the United States compared to Italy, exploring why many Americans experience gluten sensitivity in the U.S. but feel fine eating gluten abroad. It was an incredible opportunity, and I am so grateful to have experienced it alongside amazing professors and fellow students!<\/p>\n Can you share a moment when a professor, advisor, or classmate made a big difference in your college journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Kenneth Sumida taught both of my physiology courses at Chapman, classes that were challenging and pushed my thinking. Despite the difficulty, he was always incredibly supportive, taking the time to answer questions after class and during office hours. He was patient, reviewed concepts multiple times, and truly personalized my learning experience to ensure I understood the material. I am so grateful for his mentorship and belief in my abilities, I am a better student and future healthcare provider because of him.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your favorite hidden gem on campus or around town that new students have to check out?<\/strong><\/p>\n I absolutely love L\u2019Orange Cafe and The Lost Bean for studying! They\u2019re perfect for grabbing a sweet treat and a green tea (my personal go-to!). Both spots have soft, jazzy study music, welcoming staff, and great seating options, perfect for locking in and getting work done.<\/p>\n What activities do you enjoy (clubs, internships, mentors, etc.)?<\/strong><\/p>\n I was fortunate to be a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where I served as All Member Experience Director, Senior Member Experience Director, and Vice President of Member Development! Through these roles, I gained valuable leadership experience, learned how to collaborate with a wide range of people, and built lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n Kappa also connected me to my first Physical Therapy Aide position through an upperclassman Kappa sister. Her belief in me led to an interview that ultimately became my first clinical experience, solidifying my career path. That role later helped me secure an internship at Kids in Motion Physical Therapy, a pediatric-focused clinic. This opportunity came through Chapman\u2019s career department, and it has been my favorite internship to date!<\/p>\n If you could describe your experience at Chapman in one word, what would it be\u2014and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n Growth!<\/strong> I have grown academically, socially, and personally throughout my time at Chapman. Everything about my life has evolved since arriving in 2022. I\u2019ve been surrounded by uplifting peers, inspiring professors, and a community that encourages both hard work and meaningful connections.<\/p>\n What are your future plans?<\/strong><\/p>\n After graduation, I will be moving to Nashville in August to attend Belmont University, where I will pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I am incredibly grateful for everything Chapman has given me and will miss it greatly, but I will always be a proud Panther!<\/p>\n Congratulations Abby!<\/p>\n From Chapman to Italy to PT School: A Journey of Growth and Discovery<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4405,"featured_media":4974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"custom_author_name":"","chapman_pin_hero_slider":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[280,162],"tags":[355],"class_list":["post-4964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-graduation","category-students","tag-senior-spotlight"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Abby](\"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/crean\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/75\/2026\/05\/IMG_8451-300x196.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Abby](\"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/crean\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/75\/2026\/05\/abby-watson-cover-300x219.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Abby](\"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/crean\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/75\/2026\/05\/abby-watson02-209x300.jpeg\")
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