Study Abroad: My dream became a reality.
Posted June 14, 2019
I have dreamed of studying abroad ever since I knew what it meant. The Lizzie McGuire movie probably had something to do with it. I’m a sophomore, psychology major, and I am on a study abroad trip to Florence, Italy to study Italian renaissance history for 32 days.
Going to SIUE meant studying abroad could become a goal, not just a dream. Even at SIUE’s Springboard to Success, I talked face-to-face with a student who had studied abroad and wasn’t drowning in debt.
One day, in my first semester honors class, Dr. Carole Frick was a guest speaker presenting on a study abroad trip she leads every summer. I was instantly enchanted. After some thought and discussion with my professor and Dr. Frick, I was applying and getting a letter of recommendation. My professors and advisors were such a great help, and I couldn’t have done it without them.
The University that this study abroad trip is partnered with, Santa Reparata International School of Art, has multiple field trips within Italy that are included in the trip cost. This includes Rome, Venice, and many more cities in Italy with such a rich history and culture. Our apartment in Florence is home base, and then we travel to other parts of Italy and stay in hotels.
Dr. Frick is our shepherd and leads us on city tours, while teaching us about the historical sites around us. Knowledge gained from experiencing a culture while learning about its history is so valuable.
The class I’m getting credit for is only three credit hours. However, the amount of time spent learning about Italy is 24/7. Every day is a chance to practice speaking Italian, finding food you can’t get in America, and navigating a very different set of cultural values and customs.
This is what separates study abroad from a lot of things you can put on a resume. It is a commitment to having an open mind, and proof that you can adapt and thrive in a different environment. I am enjoying every second of my trip, and I cannot way to see where it can take me in the future.
Author: Jessie Charpentier, SIUE sophomore
