Tell us a little bit about your experience. For starters, why did you choose the program that you did?
I chose to study abroad in Florence to learn more and get hands-on experience of the Mediterranean diet. Studying in Florence gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of how Italians are so healthy where there is so much walking, healthy eating, laughing, and having a good time. It was always a dream for me to go to Italy for the first time, since I have family from both sides who live there, and are from Milan, Rome, Bologna, Naples, Sicily, and Vieste.
What did you gain from the experience?
From my experience I made lifelong friendships with both my classmates and others I met there. I really enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone living in a different country and having to adapt to the new environment which overall made me a much better person.
What unique Experiential Global Learning opportunities did you encounter during your time?
One of the opportunities I looked forward to when I arrived in Florence was taking cooking classes, where we learned how to cook traditional Italian recipes directly from the chefs like Gnocchi, Tiramisu, Pasta etc. It was more than just eating fresh Italian food from scratch; it was about getting the hands-on experience of doing this.
Another opportunity I look back on was going to local markets for visits. Visiting local markets for projects in our class in Florence let me see how much people value fresh, seasonal food. Talking to vendors was very inspiring how passionate they are for their shop they own and talking about how it’s passed onto generations of their families.
How has Experiential Global Learning helped you to understand and appreciate your program’s field of study?
I appreciated how our program showed the importance of eating organic, local, and in season fruits and vegetables in the Mediterranean. Experiential Global Learning helped me see how the Mediterranean diet truly works as “food is medicine.” Foods like olive oil, vegetables, and fish are used every day to promote health and prevent illness. Through cooking classes and meals with locals, I learned that this diet isn’t just about eating well, it’s a way to take care of your body and mind naturally.
What would you say is your most memorable moment from the trip?
The most memorable moment was our last day in Florence when we went out as a class in our “I ❤️ Firenze” shirts. Walking through the streets, laughing, reminiscing, and taking photos made me realize just how much this trip had meant to me and how close we had all become. It was very emotional saying goodbyes but there was no better way to spend the last hours than being together celebrating the incredible experience we had shared in a city that had started to feel like home.
Another memorable moment was when my parents and brothers came to visit and we had a great time exploring Florence together, especially watching the sunset with them on their last day. We also got to visit family in Milan, and it was amazing to see cousins I hadn’t seen in a while. Spending time with them catching up, cooking together, and seeing how true Italians live their daily lives was incredible for me.
Tip(s) you’d give for future students participating in a program or those who are just starting to think about an experience
It takes time to settle in. I was homesick in the first couple days, but once you make connections with classmates and travel together things get better, and you start to realize that it is the best 6 weeks of your life.
Live in the moment and soak it all in, time flies out there and I would do anything to go back.
Journal your time there, it makes the experience much better when you can reflect, look back and see how much you’ve grown as a person since your first day arriving.