Italy : Reviews (Milan)

I loved everything about this program. From the travel to the immersion with the class, this experience was not just academically enriching, but also an opportunity that taught me a lot about myself.

My favorite part of the Creativity and Culture program was all the extracurricular activities Dr. Rose planned for us, particularly the guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Herculaneum, and Galleria Borghese, which were phenomenal.

My favorite part of studying abroad with the Creativity and Culture in Rome program was its well-roundedness. In observing and immersing in the Roman culture, we were able to learn and experience so many things. Some of my favorites being a cooking class, visiting Galleria Borghese, studying designer brands, and going to the Opera.

Creativity and Culture in Rome gave me the opportunity to connect with my fellow journalism school peers while also immersing myself in another culture. My favorite part was the unfamiliarity of the city and the chance to talk to people from all over the world who were also experiencing Rome. It made every day feel like a new adventure and gave me a broader perspective on different cultures and experiences.

My favorite part of this program was the freedom to get immersed within the city and the people of Rome. The Program had multiple arranged tours but I often enjoyed Dr. Roses cavalier attitude in that if you had an idea of something to do, it was worth seeing it through.

The most rewarding part of the trip was that it was 7 weeks long so we were able to actually live in apartments in Rome and experience what daily life was like for Romans. This helped me grow to be more independent and have a better understanding of the culture there, and to have enough time to see everything in Rome.

What I found most rewarding about this experience was my personal growth, before this program I had never been out of the country let alone travel by myself. However, this program and all the faculty involved in making it happen set me up with the best materials to ensure my success.

I found most every element of the program rewarding. It empowered such independence and expansion in my way of thought. I was challenged to suspend my personal biases and judgements to really appreciate Rome, its quirks and culture, as it is.

Learning Italian and the history of Rome felt especially rewarding due to the program's structure. Rather than visiting the most famous sites immediately, we first learned about the city's history, culture, and the events that have shaped it. It wasn't until a couple of weeks into the program that we visited places like the Colosseum, which made the experience much more meaningful. Having that background allowed me to appreciate these historic sites on a much deeper level.

Becoming a known local at a coffee shop felt rewarding because I spoken to like an Italian and felt as though I belonged in the local environment.

I would recommend to not burn yourself out the first couple weeks you’re there and realize that you can spread out all the sites you want to see and things you want to do across all 7 weeks. The first couple weeks will be very overwhelming and you’ll want to do it all right away but remember that you’re living there for over 2 months.

I learned to embrace the uncomfortable and work to learn the Roman’s way of life, rather than trying to hold onto certain things from home. Only then did I feel I truly made the most of my time there and learned the most about myself.