Students are almost on their way home from a quarter in Rome, Italy studying Communication and Culture. Hear from a few of them about their favorite parts of the trip and advice they would give students who are looking to study abroad:
Audrey Klackner, Junior, Communication major
My favorite part about studying abroad is… “the new friends and memories I have made throughout the trip.”
One piece of advice I would give to students studying abroad is… “to journal as much as you can and travel to all the places you can. Study abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity so you should make the most of every day!”
The most important thing I learned was… “that everything works out. Don’t stress too much about the small things. You go through highs and lows abroad, but in the end things always work out.”
“One of my favorite memories was a sunrise hike we took in Cinque Terre, Italy.” – Audrey Klackner
Charlotte Johnson, Senior, Communication major
My favorite part about studying abroad is… “the people that I’ve met (locals and fellow students) and the friendships I have made.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to be prepared to balance hard work and adventure.”
The most important thing I learned was… “how to adapt to my surroundings and views different from my own.”
Anything to add about the experience? “Take everything in, but be patient and give yourself time to adjust.”
“Wednesday morning spent at the Vatican with none other than Pope Francis.”
Deborah Warren, Senior, Communication and Art History double major
My favorite part about studying abroad is… “getting to learn outside of the classroom by immersing myself in the culture.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “to remember that you are still in school, so there is a work load, but being able to do it in a foreign country makes the smallest assignments unique in its own right.”
The most important thing I learned was… “to embrace the mishaps that happen along the way because they make for the best memories and learning experiences.”
Anything else to add about the experience? “I have made some great friends and connected with so many people while traveling; it is an experience that has changed me forever.”
“Visiting the Colosseum with Kia Vang, one of my roommates and now one of my good friends. This was one of the first monuments I visited in Rome and after over two months here, it is still one of my favorites!”
Emma Studley, Senior, Communication major
My favorite part about studying abroad is… “All of the wonderful people I met along the way. Sure, the places were beautiful in every way, but experiencing them with newfound friends and conversing with the locals of those places are what make the whole experience so worth it.”
One piece of advice that I would give to students studying abroad is… “PACK LIGHT! This was my first time being away for this long, and so naturally I packed WAY too much. My advice would be to make a list of all the things you think you should pack, and then cut it in half. Lugging around an extra 50 pounds while you’re traveling is not worth it, and you’ll end up wearing the same basic things anyways.”
The most important thing I learned was… “To allow room for discomfort, and to go with the flow. When you go to new places, nothing is ever expected. Getting on the wrong bus, having to pay more for a cab than expected, or buying the wrong thing at the grocery story are all things that are not the end of the world…and WILL happen. But these are just the little things. Big picture? You’re in an amazing new place and immersing yourself in a brand new culture, and that is all that matters!”
Anything else to add about the experience? “If you have the chance to study abroad before you graduate, do it! You will not only learn so much about the world, but about yourself as well. Going into the ‘real world’ after UW, you will have a better sense of who you are and what you are passionate about. Not to mention, employees love when applicants have travel experience.”
John, Lydia, our tour guide Anna, Brenda and me in Orvieto, Italy for a wine tasting tour.
Kia Vang, Junior, Communication major with Diversity minor
My favorite part about studying abroad is… “getting to immerse yourself in an entirely new culture. You are challenged to be open-minded and see things in a completely new way, whether you notice it or not. Among this, not only did I get credit for traveling, but the best part was having classes that I really enjoyed doing the work for.”
The most important thing I learned was… “to go out of my comfort zone. This challenged me to be more adventurous, brave, and not panic whenever I got lost. Through this, I was able to get to know the locals more and truly be in the setting.”
What advice do you have for students wanting to study abroad? “A friendly tip is to pick a program that you thoroughly enjoy. It makes your experience that much better!”
“Visiting the Trevi Fountain at 7 in the morning was the best decision I ever made. I got the fountain all to myself!”