Students have returned from an incredible study abroad trip in Rome, Italy during winter quarter. They learned a lot, traveled the world, and enjoyed every minute. Here, they share some of their favorite memories, give advice, and say what they missed most about Seattle:
Alexis Court, senior; Law, Societies, and Justice and Communication major, minoring in Political Science
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “absolutely everything! The amazing food, the beautiful sights, but most importantly, the incredible friends I made along the way.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to make the most of every minute. Step outside of your comfort zone, take advantage of every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to take risks. One of my favorite adventure quotes is by Boston artist, Mae Chevrette. It is great advice for any student who is planning to study abroad. It goes like this: ‘It is in all of us to defy expectations – to go into the world and to be brave. To want, to need, to hunger for adventures. To embrace change and chance and risk, so that we may breathe and know what it is to be free.'”
The most important thing I learned was… “how to cook (for real). Italians know how to make a great meal!”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “reuniting with my friends, family, and American style peanut butter. That stuff is just way too tasty!”
A day at the Orvieto wineries with the Roma 2014 crew.
Ryan Gibson, senior, Communication major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “growing so close with 22 students who I had never been closely associated with before. We were like our own family over there. Being able to travel around Europe was absolutely amazing as well.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “TO TRAVEL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. Rome was a beautiful city and I had a blast there, but being able to travel and experience other parts of Europe and different cultures was very eye-opening and some of the best times of my life.”
The most important thing I learned was… “that there is so much more out there. We are so immersed in how the US is better than everyone, that we don’t realize what the rest of the world has to offer. Get out and explore new things. Do something you never thought you would before. I never thought I would eat snails, but I tried escargot in Paris and I’m very glad I did. It was rather chewy, but not as terrible as I thought it would be.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “obviously being able to see my friends and family again, but apart from that it has to be being able to have peanut butter. All they eat in Europe is Nutella, and the peanut butter they do have over there tastes like paste.”
Ryan Gibson taking in the Coliseum.
Ali Wulf, junior, Communication major who is also pursuing a Sales Certificate through the Foster School of Business
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “I’ve been asked this question by just about everyone I talk to about my trip. But the truth is, it’s impossible for me to have JUST one favorite part of my study abroad experience. To name off a few, I loved spending the quarter with the people in my program. We started as students, and then became friends, and by the end of it we were almost like a close little family – it was great! I also loved the ability to travel every weekend. I had the opportunity to fly to a number of different countries in Europe and also explore a large amount of Italy in just 10 weeks!”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “Don’t hold back. You’re in a new environment and it’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone. You’re going to be faced with new cultures and people, so take advantage of these situations and make the most of them. Believe me, 10 weeks goes a lot faster than you would think.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “not having to pay for water or a sit down fee! You miss these small luxuries that you consider norms back in the US. I also love to run, but while we were in Rome, exercising isn’t a big part of their culture, so it’s nice to be back in Seattle where it’s normal to workout.”
“This photo was captured at Villa D’Este on our first day excursion to Tivoli. I loved class trips because it was like you were going on a road trip will all of your friends,” Ali said.
Camden Podesta, senior, Communication major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “the friendships I made with everyone there with me.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to leave anything and everything going on at home at home – YORO (you only Rome once!) so make the most of your time abroad by taking advantage of and enjoying every day you are there.”
The most important thing I learned was… “how to go outside of my comfort zone and to be open to new ideas and experiences.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “the food – Italian food is some of the most delicious in the world, but the lack of options gets old. I missed the variety of ethnic food available here in Seattle and our own traditional ‘American’ food.”
Meg, Johnson, Shea and Camden hanging out on the beach in Barcelona over the weekend.
Jessica Camacho, senior, Communication major, minoring in Diversity
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “creating a Pharrell Williams ‘Happy’ in Rome video! We had the chance to do last minute exploring throughout the city of Rome while performing our favorite dance moves next to the historical ruins and monuments. It was sooo much FUN performing and seeing locals and tourist smile at our silliness. I believe we left them feeling happy.” Here is a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgIlqY0Dkio
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “talk to the locals. There is no better way to immerse yourself into this cultural experience than by interacting with the people of the community you are visiting.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “that I can now fully appreciate the little things in life like having a side walk, thanking the people who bag my items at the grocery store, and having access to an inexpensive gym like the IMA.”
Jessica (right) and Leah (left) pose with a gladiator outside of the Coliseum.
Shea O’Donnell, senior, Communication major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “Traveling all over Europe.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “If you plan to stay and travel after the program ends, plan the last place you want to visit BEFORE you leave the US and fly out of there. It will save you money.”
The most important thing I learned was… “How to respond to adversity.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “CELLULAR DATA!!”
“Ever since I was a little girl it has been my dream to travel back to my Irish roots,” Shea said. “My favorite memory was visiting the Moher Cliffs in Ireland.” From left: Liana, Shea, Alexis, Hillary, Lizzie, and Ryan.
Meg Cressey, senior, Communication and Anthropology major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “traveling on the weekends. Traveling throughout Europe compared to the United States is so easy! Other countries are so close, so it truly is worth it. Each country, let alone each city, can offer such different experiences and lifelong memories. Now I’m able to say that I’ve swum in the Mediterranean, had authentic German schnitzel, and visited the Louvre.”
The most important thing I learned was… “that relying on each other is important on so many different levels. It can be hard being so far away from close friends and family for so long; I know I was homesick on multiple occasions. But having my classmates there to support me made Rome feel a little more like home. It also makes navigating the confusing yet quaint streets a fun adventure, as Rome is a big city that can make you feel quite lonely.”
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.
(From left to right): Shea O’Donnell, Lana Belikova, Camden Podesta, Meg Cressey, Johnson Chao
Hillary Zevenbergen, senior, English and Communication major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “experiencing as many flavors of gelato, pizza, pasta, and the classiest three to six euro bottles of win Italy’s Despars (mini-marts) had to offer.”
Once piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “that just because you want to try every flavor of cuisine Italy has to offer doesn’t mean you have to eat the entire plate of pasta or pizza every time you order it. I’ve come back with that I like to call ‘pasta-cheeks’ and they don’t seem to want to go anywhere…you’ve been warned.”
The most important thing I learned was… “how eye-opening (and clothes-tightening) it is to live in a foreign country! I don’t think I could call my college years complete without it, and certainly would not have experienced such personal growth (pun intended).
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “Chipotle. Need I say more?”
“When my sister and I walked into our hotel’s restaurant in Naples wearing sweatshirts and leggings, we were quite surprised to find ourselves in a Michelin star eatery,” Hilary said. “The ‘Michelin’ is a ranking system for a select few of the best restaurants in Europe, and Il Comandante was one of them. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the restaurant boasts an expansive panoramic view of the bay and Mount Vesuvius. At 7:30 pm, a bit early for dinner in Italy, we were the only ones in the restaurant, so all the attention was on us! We felt a little sheepish that we weren’t in cocktail dresses and heels, but once the champagne cart came around and we downed our first glass of Prosecco, we stared to relax and prepare ourselves for an extravagant evening of dining! (If you’re interested I included a full restaurant review on my blog “Mi Chiamo Ilaria” via WordPress).”
Karen Rathe, Instructor
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “exploring Rome and other parts of Italy with our amazing students! We had so much fun.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “don’t trust Google Maps to accurately depict streets in Italy (this goes for future instructors as well).”
The most important thing I learned was… “there is beauty everywhere. Take the time to seek it out.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “being with my family and friends – but I’d go back to Rome in a heartbeat!”
After taking in the treasures of the Borghese Gallery, we wandered through the nearby gardens and then took in the view at the Pincio before heading down to Piazza del Popolo. Front row from left: Leah Kollin, instructor Karen Rathe, Lana Belikova, Michelle Zhang, Shea O’Donnell, Levi Logstrom; back row, Daniel Rubens, Arianna Sims, Sandy Ho, Marisa Dichter, Alexis Court, Lizzie Sadler, Meg Cressey and Johnson Chao.
Sandy Ho, senior, Communication major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “getting to be able to see all the sites and being able to call it home for three months.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “PACK LIGHTLY: it’ll be a life-saver, especially walking around on cobblestones.”
The most important thing I learned was… “to live each day like it was your last.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “eating all the different types of food besides pasta and pizza, and smelling trees and not smoke!”
Getting lost and having an adventure in Orvieto, Italy known for its wine. From left: Jessica Camacho, Arianna Sims, Sandy Ho, Michelle Zhang, Leah Kollin and Adreana Song.
Lana Belikova, senior, Communication and Political Science major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “to finally be aware of all the adventures that are hiding behind my own backyard.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to never judge a book by its cover; it can be the best or the worst book you’ll read.”
The most important thing I learned was… “that I’m responsible for creating my own happiness.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “seeing my family.”
Lana exploring the Amalfi Coast.
Leah Kollin, senior, Communication major, minoring in ELS
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “It is so hard to pick a favorite part of my trip but I absolutely loved living in the heart of Rome and spending 10 weeks immersed in a new culture. It was so challenging but insanely rewarding at the same time. I also made some incredible friends along the way!”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to go into the experience with an open mind. I know that is super cliché but it is so important to make the most of your time abroad. Don’t be afraid of trying new things!”
“The view from my balcony is one of the things I’ll never forget,” Leah said. “Now that I’m home, I really miss spending sunny afternoons out there with friends while soaking up the sights and sounds of the city!”
Trenton Williams, senior, Communication and Marketing major
My favorite part of the study abroad trip was… “interacting with different cultures across Europe. Rome was home, but I visited five other cities (Paris, Barcelona, Krakow, Prague, and Amsterdam) as well.”
Trenton at Swan Lake in Prague.
Levi Logstrom, junior, Communication major
One piece of advice I would give to students studying abroad is… “to put yourself out of your comfort zone. Only by doing so will you learn and grow from the experience.”
The most important thing I learned was… “to only go to restaurants in Italy if you can see the kitchen. Otherwise they are most likely tourist trap restaurants who specialize in microwavable entrees.”
The best part about being back in Seattle is… “having access to the nature that surrounds us. Here we have so many opportunities to be active or relax in glorious natural settings. Never take this for granted.”
“A beautiful view of the Amalfi Coast, probably the most beautiful place I have ever witnessed on this earth,” said Levi.
The application for the Rome Winter 2015 application is now open. Learn more about next year’s program and find a link to apply here. The application deadline is May 7, 2014.