I can easily say that studying abroad in Italy has been one of the best decisions I have ever made; it truly has changed me for the better. Not only am I more confident in myself, but I have also learned more about the world than some may in a lifetime. 

Let me explain… there is a growing pollution crisis in the world, and the fashion industry can partly be to blame. I am an Apparel Merchandising major with minors in both Business and International Studies, and our opportunity to attend seminars in Milan about sustainable fashion really caught my attention. During the seminars, Anna Detheridge and Rita Airaghi explained to us that not only does fashion (especially when sourced in other countries who do not have rules and regulations for how it is produced) pollute our waters, air, and even harm our skin, but also many companies do not pay their employees a livable wage to survive. A livable wage is the minimum one needs to be paid in order to survive the costs of day-to-day life in their specific country. No matter how beautiful that dress is, no piece of clothing is worth buying from a company who buys from countries that allow unsafe sweatshops and child labor to produce their materials or products. 

Hearing how destructive the industry can be on our environment, and to the people who inhabit it, really struck me in such a way that I now feel called to do my part in promoting sustainable fashion. As a member of the fashion community and a consumer of fashion, too, I personally want to start a conversation with the companies I will work for about being sustainable businesses and encourage brands that care for their employees. I am a part of a generation where sustainability is extremely important for our future, and I want to do my part in cleansing the harmful ways of clothing companies. This is a responsibility I have taken on, and I plan to work for a company who shares my same passion. 

-Signing off, R. Grace Taylor

As I’ve traveled throughout Europe this semester, one thing has continuously stood out: the food. While some meals were certainly better than others, not once have I felt like I ate a bad meal. In fact, several of my friends on the program have told me that I have the best track record when it comes to ordering! Although a lot of it comes down to luck, here are some tips I have for ordering the best food in Europe:

1. Go for the region’s specialty. If Spain is internationally recognized for its paella, there’s a good chance that a restaurant in Valencia is going to have good paella.
2. Ask the server what their favorite dish is. This might be hard to communicate through linguistic barriers; so maybe ask what they prefer between two or three dishes. By doing this, I ate the best pasta of my life in Florence (pictured below)!
3. That American food is most likely not going to taste/look like it would in the United States. The fries could be undercooked, the burger could come out without a bun and look like a chicken fried steak, and the chicken wings are probably going to be dry. If someone orders American food, don’t expect it to taste like a dad’s cooking on the Fourth of July or Waffle House after a long night!
4. Try new things. Eat the escargot. Eat the pasta with squid ink. There’s something so exciting about trying something that one wouldn’t normally eat and maybe liking it! If something sounds cool on the menu, order it.
5. If something comes out wrong or if ordering is confusing, don’t show frustration to the wait-staff or anyone at the restaurant! People are much more likely to help the group if everyone stays calm, smiles, and is respectful.
6. If someone’s starving, don’t get the ravioli. I know it sounds amazing. It WILL taste amazing. But, I promise, there will be a maximum of five raviolis and everyone will either need to stop for gelato on the way home (ugh!) or stay hungry. Pay attention to what dishes people get full from and remember it for when the time comes.
7. Watch where the locals eat and what dishes they order. They’re the true experts.

Through food tourism, I am able to unconsciously learn about local cultures and customs. Each dish helps tell a story. In Italy, we eat a lot of pasta. It takes a long time, the ingredients are fresh, and the recipes are often simple and affordable. Most Italians value the slow food movement, which strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and the promotion of local small businesses. A lot of dishes are simple because when they were created, the ingredients were cheap and accessible to the masses. And leftovers won’t keep very long because they don’t use preservatives!

Everyone has their own preferences, but my best piece of advice is to try something new and outside of one’s comfort zone. No one from back home wants to hear about the time someone ate chicken fingers at a restaurant in Budapest, they want to know all about that delicious goulash soup!

Happy Eating!

Lindsey Olive | Senior in Global Studies

A Dream Come True

Ever since I was a little girl I was fascinated by all of Europe: the history, the architecture, the culture. It seemed like a fairytale, everything so serene and beautiful. All I wanted to do was visit the continent and see if one place could truly be so fascinating. Fast forward 15 years and I’m living in Italy for three months. Ever since I heard about this opportunity at Camp War Eagle, I knew it was something I had to do. Even though I knew I would miss my friends and school life at Auburn for a semester, I figured this program would be worth it, and it definitely was.

Moving here was a bit difficult at first, seeing as everyone behaves so differently here than in America, but coming in with an open mind and a willingness to adjust are two things that definitely helped my transition. Once I got into a schedule and got to know all of the girls living here with me, I knew the next semester was going to be incredible. I’m living with 18 rad girls in a literal palace, and it only gets better from there. Half the time, we aren’t even in a classroom setting because we are either in a workshop learning about Italian cuisine and arts, or we are out in different cities getting real-life experiences. So far this program has opened my mind to new cultures, foods, and a new way of life, and this is only the beginning. We also get the weekend open for trips to other countries which will only expand our horizons more. This is exactly how I imagined Europe as a child, if not better, and I am so excited to see what else is to come of this experience.

By: Asheley Houser

By: Maura Kucera

Coming to Italy was a big deal for me. I grew up in a tightknit family, seeing my aunts, uncles and cousin multiple times a week because we all lived within 20 miles of each other. My role in the family is the college student that is too hard on herself, but I also push my family’s boundaries and norms. I am doing things that no one in my family has done before. I am experiencing the world first-hand and gaining personal and professional development. I honestly didn’t think that I would thrive here, but I didn’t tell many people that. I can 100% tell you that coming to Italy to join the JSB study abroad experience is the best decision I have ever made. 

I got off that plane and didn’t think that anyone would want to be friends with me. I can be a bit serious until you crack me open. I have found forever friends here that I very strongly believe God placed here to strengthen and guide me in all the experiences ahead. When I enter an unknown environment with already very prevalent insecurities, it can be difficult for me to put myself out there and talk to new peers, but I did not have a choice here. I am living with the others for three months, so I could either talk or be miserable. I know I chose the right path.

Professionally speaking, when I return to Auburn, I will turn around and leave for Pittsburgh, PA in January to start an internship. Not only will I be living by myself, I will be walking into this multi-billion-dollar company not knowing anyone besides the Head of Talent & Acquisition and my direct supervisor. Did I mention that there won’t be a single intern, besides me, at that company in the spring? Naturally I would say that the leadership sessions with Carmen Westbrook have made me significantly more confident and headstrong, but this study abroad experience in and of itself has dramatically changed me for the better.

By: Mecca Hodge

The endless cerulean waves. The whizzing of Vespas zooming down the hill. The gentle and welcoming sea breeze. This is the Amalfi Coast. I truly wasn’t prepared for the beauty before my eyes. I had only heard of Positano briefly prior to the planned optional field trip there. My research consisted of Googling a picture of it…and nothing more. Essentially, I “traveled by faith,” and that faith surely paid off.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea—literally. There isn’t one single location in Positano that doesn’t offer a view of it. The town itself has tons to offer as well, from restaurants on every corner to ample shopping. However, the real fun lies in the deep blue. I had the opportunity to take my very first boat ride on the sea for the day. The thought of being on a rocky boat for 8 hours absolutely terrified me. I begrudgingly agreed to it, hoping to just “get it over with.” To my surprise, it ended up being the best day I’ve had in Italy so far. Seeing the Blue Grotto and the island of Capri was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Looking back at the pictures still has me in awe. Oh, and the boat ride itself? I survived it! By the end of the tour, I was even sitting on the front of the boat.

Some could argue and say that it’s “too tourist-y” or that it’s “too much walking”. While I understand these opinions, I can honestly say that the good outweighed the bad. As an apparel merchandising major, I feel that this experience taught me something valuable as I pursue my seemingly scary career. The highly-competitive fashion industry is infamous for its let-downs and unexpected situations. My time in Positano, though, showed me that embracing the unknown can lead to something great beyond imagination. If I can trust a boat to carry me out to sea in a town I’ve only heard of once, then I can have faith that my education will carry me to the best career. I hope to return to Positano in the future, filled with gratitude and gelato!

By: Skye Harrison

It’s delicious. It’s pork. It’s porchetta. One of the most sought after dishes here in Ariccia is porchetta. It is a rich, crackling-coated pork roast that is stuffed with garlic, rosemary, and multiple other herbs. Although the boneless pork is well-known throughout all of Italy, Ariccia is most closely associated with it. 

Between settling into the Chigi Palace and touring some of the most beautiful places in Italy, I was able to experience Ariccia’s Inaugural Porchetta Festival. This unmissable event in the town square provided live music, entertainment shows, and of course, an endless amount of porchetta. Not only was this celebrated in the heart of Ariccia, but it was also recognized at The Hotel at Auburn University one week later!

During the festival, I decided to eat porchetta in a panino (the singular form of the word “panini” commonly used in America to refer to a flatbread sandwich. This finger-licking sandwich was exceptional and will forever be one of my favorite foods. Another fun aspect of the festival was mingling with people from all over the country. Although quite crowded, everyone was there to have a good time and celebrate all things porchetta. Some of the locals even started line dancing and some of the Chigi Babies and I quickly joined in on the dancing fun. Eating, dancing, and laughing are the three key factors to having a blast during this festival. 

Ariccia has so many opportunities to offer to not only me and my fellow students but also those around the world. I am so fortunate to have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and I am blessed to call this little town my home-away-from-home. 

With love,
Skye Harrison

Ansley Godwin

Trip Advisor speaks of Malta in this way: “rickety buses ply Gozo’s roads, making getting about the island an exciting component of your trip.” When we planned our own personal travel, we decided Santorini was too expensive which landed us on Malta early Friday morning around 4:30AM. 

Upon our arrival to Gozo, we grabbed two taxis to our AIRBNB. I got in a taxi with a male driver who drove very fast. He was a little bit reckless and ended up hitting a brick wall with his side mirror! The side mirror popped off, hit the window, and bounced away. The two other girls in the taxi and I screamed and then tried to conceal our laughter!! This was a scary way to start our weekend, but in the end our weekend was wonderful!

Malta was beautiful and picturesque. It was a sweet time with cool wind in the evening and hot sun during the day. During our thirty hours on the island, I was reminded of the privilege of being on this program. Not only do we get to learn new things, but we get to experience so many cultures. I would have never known Malta would be a place of rest and peace for me if it was not for this trip. I will forever be grateful for our boat ride there as an event that stood out to me the most. As our wonderful two days in Malta came to a close, we had to board a flight at 8:50 in the morning on Sunday. 

Here’s where the adventure truly begins. The timeline gets a little sporadic and crazy for the next bit because it truly was a crazy day. We had previously arranged a taxi to the ferry to the airport to pick us up at 4:15AM. Sure enough, 4:15 came and went with no taxi driver. Once we realized he wasn’t coming we switched our plan to ride the bus. Then the departure time of the bus came and went, and we had not even seen the bus! The people waiting next to us during this experience had called their AIRBNB host to get a ride to the ferry, and as they were getting picked up, he informed us that there was a large accident and to move to a different bus stop so we could get on that bus.

After walking down the hill and waiting about thirty minutes, the other driver came back by to offer rides to us! After taking two trips from him, we ended up on the 7:30AM ferry! We were just over an hour from boarding and we thought we might make it! After running off the ferry we found a taxi that would take all of us! Skirting through Malta we skidded into the airport at 8:45. We ran through security; I even jumped over a ladies luggage because she was moving slowly. The gates had just closed when we arrived!! Eventually, three of us ended up on one flight and four of us on another! 

In the end, it all worked out, and it’s an amazing story I will get to tell when I get home. I was even able to have chicken nuggets and fries! I’m thankful for the experience, the lessons we learned, and the time in Gozo experiencing the scenery and rickety rides. If one just has the right mindset the worst problems can turn into an adventure. Let those crazy adventures continue! 

All the best,

Ansley Godwin

JSB has a workout planned for you every day. Either it be mental or physical. This experience gave me the final training to walk across the stage in auburn upon returning, and the big stage of life. What I have learned over these past few months are life changing and will never be forgotten.

Over the past few weeks, I have pushed myself to become a better version of me. Being in a new country, all I have is myself to depend on for everyday choices. Which allowed me to stick up for myself more than I have in the past. JSB has contributed to my inner voice just like I knew it would. Living, traveling, and studying with all different personalities is a challenge. The challenge was well accepted because it prepared me for the workforce. Being here, I gained a whole new perspective on a way of life, patients, and thought. As a young professional I grew to trust myself and what I believed even when everyone else thought different which was very hard to do in the mix of learning and traveling. After finishing my required major curriculum, JSP allowed me to put all of my Auburn experience to work.

Not only did I learn a new culture but I learned about my peers more than I did when present on campus at Auburn. Being in the company of other students all the time allows us to see another side of them, outside of a learning environment. These ladies will always hold a special place in my heart.

The final lap is always the hardest, but packs the best impact. For that, I am ever empowered! JSB, I’m out!

~Mariah Gullatte | Fall 2019 Graduate