Birthplace of the Renaissance. Cultural mecca. Pizza and gelato paradise. The attractions are endless when it comes to Italy. Discover la dolce vita as you stroll through miles of elegant porticos and famous food markets of Bologna, suit up to learn the business side of Milan’s fashion runways and high-end commerce, visit Rome’s monumental sites clothed in marble, or meet with local artisans in Florence. As you master Italian, uncover Italy's passion through its language—call a treasured friend tesoro or display your sprezzatura, or nonchalant elegance, in historic piazzas.
If you feel like you're stuck or need a push, go abroad! At home, you know who you are, your friends and family know who you are, and there's comfort in being still, but there is so much growth that happens when you get uncomfortable. If I had to describe the changes I've gone through abroad, I'd tell you to envision the most authentic version of yourself, and then you'll see it. I discovered parts of myself I didn't know existed, and once you know that, you will never want to shrink yourself into a box again.
I was terrified of moving away for four months and nervous about how homesick I'd feel; however, I've never felt more the opposite. These months have passed in the blink of an eye. It was more than I could have imagined for myself, and my heart hurts knowing I have to leave. I will always have a soft spot for Milan, its trams, and the magnificently dressed nonnas. Grazie Milano!
After advancing through four levels of Italian, I can confidently converse at a proficient level. With this knowledge of the native language, I was able to connect with local people ranging from nuns celebrating Easter in the small town of Crema to a host family with a young daughter in Naples.
I absolutely loved Italy—the people, the food, the classes, the traveling, all of it. The annoyances were largely minor and none of them made me dislike my time. Rather, they made me appreciate the nuances of American culture that I hadn't seen before. I came to identify as an American in a way I did not think I would. I am better equipped to handle future situations where I am a "fish out of water" or solve ambiguous problems.
My time abroad brought an incredible amount of cultural exposure which would have been impossible to recreate at my home university. Living in Italy meant speaking with locals on a daily basis, delicious Italian cuisine, and diving head first into Italian culture: fashion, body language, and expressions unique to Bologna like, “Dammi il tiro,” which is a way to ask to be buzzed into the building. These experiences simply cannot be prepared for or replicated in a classroom.
While studying abroad involves loads of paperwork and deadlines, which are especially challenging when juggling other responsibilities, you're not alone in this process. The UC system offers comprehensive support, from scholarships to financial aid teams to UCEAP advisors, making this the perfect time to pursue your dream of studying abroad!
