Coming into this program, I was excited to put my excel sheets aside and discover a new learning perspective amongst a new array of students in a hands-on classroom contrary to the computer labs I am accustomed to. As a finance major, this program which entails attaining a minor in Humanities Studies was not marketed in our major curriculum or by any of our professors, but I set out to find a study abroad program in Auburn that would offer me a hands-on cultural experience before going into the banking corporate world. Coming to Ariccia has offered me exactly what I was looking for, a challenging journey with new experiences that accentuate and force the growth of my creative abilities.

Originally, I was very nervous to be amidst predominantly fashion merchandising and interior design majors, coming from classes where all of my tests were building financial models in excel. This curriculum has allowed me to develop a new perspective and expand my once naive thoughts to a lot of cultural concepts including religion, diet, fashion sustainability, and art. What I have appreciated the most is the thought-provoking design that encourages us, as students, to be able to think about the meaning and impact behind what our bare eye initially sees. It goes way beyond just seeing beautiful sights on field trips and teaches us where these cities are derived from and what actions and thoughts went into cultivating the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures. I have found the perfect balance between being able to showcase my financial skills while also integrating myself in a humanities curriculum through our Elevate Ariccia project. I am getting the opportunity to help build an urban development business proposal which is allowing me to harmonize my talents with the new skills I am building each day.

There is also so much to learn from the other students around me and my environment. I feel like I am truly out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. In my finance classes back in Auburn, all of the other students fit a certain mold and mindset that does not allow for a lot of variety in perspectives. It is easy to fall back into comfort and reach a standstill when all of your peers around you share the same opinion and outlooks. It does not allow for any factual counter-arguments or stimulating observations. The amount of hospitality and intrinsic creative curiosity amongst the other students around me has truly taught me how to learn and adapt in a different format. It also has impacted me to be in the Chigi Palace and around so much beauty constantly. As someone who has always been concerned about how to get the highest rate of return or close a deal that results in revenue growth and increased relationships, it is nice to slow down and listen to outside perspectives while taking in the stillness of the beauty around me. I think these tools and resources that I have gained since being in Ariccia are going to serve as an asset as I start my working professional career upon graduation.

Angela Makuck

This is me with my film camera capturing the beauty around me.