Studying abroad in Italy has indeed been a dream come true- filled with many experiences that are rich with educational, cultural, and historical significance. This beautiful country is the perfect location for students, as it is full of architecture, tradition, and art. Submerging myself in the Italian lifestyle has been such a blessing. It has allowed me to visit famous cities such as Rome, Bolognian, Florence, Venice, and Capri. These cities offer a once- in-a-lifetime perspective and understanding you cannot obtain while sitting in a classroom.
One of the best characteristics of studying in Italy is the simplicity of travel. The ability to travel all around Italy and throughout Europe is a dream come true for me, coming from the United States. With everything in the US being so spread out, getting from one famous city to another in less than two hours is a marvel. The possibilities for adventures are never-ending. Whether traveling to local Italian towns or neighboring countries such as France, Spain, Austria, or Greece, the possibilities are endless. This is significantly due to the European Union’s immense effort into public transportation and making cities walkable, drastically different from the US. These opportunities have allowed me to maximize my time spent abroad, and I can happily say that I have taken advantage of them all. Each new location allowed me to experience a different culture, environment, and cuisine.
Just traveling within Italy offers an enormous assortment of adventures, each with its charm. Rome, filled with its ancient ruins and beautiful art, was a living classroom, and it offered a hands-on learning experience for history, architecture, culture, and art. We could genuinely appreciate these ancient wonders as we walked through ancient Rome and observed the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon. Another fantastic aspect of Rome is the
beautiful art spread throughout the city. Visiting churches such as San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, Sant’ Andrea al Quirinale, and Santa Maria della Vittoria allowed me to see impressive Baroque statues.
When traveling outside of Rome, I have had the opportunity to see amazing historical cities, one of which was Florence. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it was a dreamland of art, food, leather, architecture, and clothes. Walking the same streets as famous artists such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci was incredible. I also had the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s David, which is a masterpiece in itself. There is remarkable art and architecture, such as the Duomo Santa Maria and Santa Croce. Being immersed in the local way of life with traditional street parades, sporadic pupate shows, carousel rides in the Piazza della Repubblica square, fantastic Florentine stakes, and amazing people showed me the magic of Florence. This also gave me a better understanding of the beautiful culture that is genuinely unique to Italy.
Outside the major cities, the Italian countryside and smaller towns are full of new experiences, tastes, and cultures, which gave me a greater perspective on the Italian lifestyle. We spent a week in Tuscany, in the town of San Gimignano. Walking the ancient medieval streets was almost like being transported back in time. The whole experience was magical. We also visited the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, which housed many impressive fresco paintings. They were indeed a wonder to behold, especially after making our fresco paintings in class; it opened my eyes to how fantastic these works of art are. This was a great example of taking learning outside the classroom, as it emphasized what we learned in class while allowing us to explore independently.
The opportunities I have had to travel with and outside the Joseph S. Bruno program have enhanced my educational experience. Each new location provided a new experience in learning and understanding Italy. Whether we were learning about history, culture, art, cuisine, or architecture, being able to experience them in person brought the lesson to life. It has created a deep appreciation for travel and Italy in general.
Traveling around Italy while studying abroad is not without its challenges. There must be a balance between the go-go lifestyle, personal well-being, and academic requirements. I always want to be doing the next thing, but it is essential to listen to your body while traveling. If you consistently take care of yourself and understand that good health is more important than new experiences, it will be better in the long run. Also, while being on the go-go, it is easy to forget that we are here mainly to study and learn. While that can easily get lost in the excitement of traveling to new places, it is crucial to have good time management when completing work. Initially, this was challenging for me, though it was much easier to accomplish after I got into the grove of this.
Furthermore, traveling has taught me many valuable lessons that extend outside of the classroom. These life skills include intercultural communication, navigation, problem-solving, and adaptability. Skills that I would not have obtained otherwise have allowed me to grow by improving my interpersonal skills and increasing my confidence and independence. After navigating my way around multiple new cities while trying to understand the national language and successfully dealing with a new currency, I can accomplish anything thrown my way.
Another essential aspect that has remained constant during my travels is the friendships I have made while being here. The bond that I share with these girls will never be broken. Seeing and encountering these wonderful new places with girls I did not know two months ago has been a wonderful and crazy experience for which I will forever be grateful. These relationships are filled with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that we will remember forever.
Studying abroad has countless travel opportunities, each enhanced with its wonders. When given the chance, you should always take the extra step and go the extra mile. With never- ending ways to learn, adapt, and discover, traveling to new places has enriched my time here in Italy. Being abroad can sometimes be demanding, but I have been so thankful and learned to push through. If I have taken one thing from my time abroad, it is to get up and go, go, go.
-Abby Grunwald, Psychology ’24
