It’s been exactly a week since my plane touched down at the Milan Linate Airport and I walked out of baggage claim to a sea of people. After a few minutes of scanning the crowd, I spotted the program’s driver with “SAI PROGRAMS” scrolling across his phone. My classmate and fellow SAI student, Hannah, and I got into the car, and headed off to our apartment, our home for the next four months.
Preparing to go abroad is one of the most exciting times in the process, but can also be stressful and overwhelming. No matter how many blogs you read, or people you talk to, it is difficult to know just how prepared you are, and how you will adjust to your new home. I will admit, I had my fair share of meltdowns in the weeks before departing for Florence.
After months of preparing to study abroad, I finally arrived in Rome! The flight getting here was a bit stressful. Of course, with my luck, my suitcase weighed more than fifty pounds and I got to the airport later than I had hoped. By the time I arrived in Rome, I was ready to get to my apartment, unpack, and take a shower.
Ten days down. Ten days full of adventure, shopping, and of course, endless amounts of carbs. I came to Milano knowing very little about the culture and the city itself, but in these last ten days, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. My apartment is where it all began.
Have you ever gotten excited over a tiny cup of espresso?, A freshly baked croissant from your favorite secret bakery?, A lemon the size of your head?, or a 1 euro scoop of gelato? If you answered yes to any of these I think we may have a lot in common! Coming from a big city like New York I sometimes find it hard to take joy in life’s simple pleasures.
I have lived in a small town in Washington State my whole life. It is a quaint little town that even people born and raised in Washington have never heard of before. I love where I am from more than anything, but being that I’ve hardly traveled outside of the United States and away from my hometown, I knew I had to go out and see the world.
We handed our instagram over to Arianna, SAI Sicily Program Coordinator, to show what a day in the life of SAI Sicily is like. Check it out! Hi SAI, Arianna here from Syracuse Academy! Today, I am going to show you what studying on the beautiful island of Sicily is all about. If you were born and raised on an island (like I was)
After weeks of brainstorming what to bring, packing, figuring out flights, and racing the clock, the time finally came for us to head abroad to Barcelona. As I sat on a seven hour flight to Paris, and a little over an hour flight to Barcelona, I never could have imagined what I was about to experience.
“A brief introduction to Milano” was a phrase that I heard a lot these first two weeks of my stay in the city. All of the locals kept saying how small the city is, although I could not imagine we were getting a complete look into Milan in such a short amount of time. Being from a small town in Kansas, every other city naturally looks giant to me.
Moving from The United States to Barcelona for almost 5 months sounded pretty terrifying at first. And trust me, I did not want to go the day before I left. I was crying and holding my mom saying to myself, “Why did I decide to do this?!” And then I remembered why, it was because I wanted to experience something different and wanted to be somewhere completely different on my own.
A Letter to Florence, Thank you. Thank you for being my home away from home. You were my little bubble of safe haven in Europe. Every weekend I traveled to another country, I would always get really excited to return to you. Thank you for never disappointing me. You provided me with so much . There was so much art, history, and culture right at my fingertips every single day.
Internships are the perfect way to supplement your academic course work, gain valuable experience in your area of study, and have fun! SAI offers summer internships for credit in most areas of study across a variety of cities. SAI alums say it best…. “Through my internship, I have had amazing opportunities that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life.
Summer is the perfect time to finally focus on learning that language that you keep hoping you’ll pick up but turns out to be quite hard to learn. Or better yet, Summer is an even better time to really dig into that language that you have a strong foundation in but would love to get over the hump to conversational.
SAI is pleased to announce a brand new $800 grant offered by Sant’Anna Institute. The grant will automatically be awarded to all SAI Sorrento Fall 2017 students – no application required! About Sant’Anna Institute Sant’Anna Institute (SA) is housed in an historic former convent and school, located in the old center of Sorrento, just steps from the sea of the Amalfi coast.
SAI is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Paris School of Business (PSB), which offers a wide-ranging international business curriculum in the heart of Paris. Founded in 1974, the Paris School of Business (PSB) is an elite “Grande École” management school, combining academic excellence, international awareness, and a focus on gaining real-world professional experiences.
Anyone who knows me knows that my love for food has no boundaries or limits. After living in Sorrento, Italy for less than a week, I was already torturing my friends and family back home with tantalizing photos of food. My college friends had it the worst, because many times they would be looking at my photos side by side with whatever the dining hall was trying to pass off for food that day.
SAI students now have the opportunity to study cutting-edge fashion in the Eternal City! Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) of Milan has recently opened a new campus in Rome, providing world-class design education in the heart of one of Europe’s great capital cities. NABA was founded in Milan, Italy in 1980 and offers undergraduate and graduate level programs accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education.
While spending the Fall 2015 semester in Paris, I discovered many new places to eat. Here is just a sampling of some of my favorite spots: Le Petit déjeuner : Benedict in the Marais Benedict offers an array of breakfast and lunch options. My favorite was the avocado benedict! Another delicious option is the fish and chips! Benedict is also located in the Marais which is my favorite area of Paris.
It has been a year since I have had a taste of the great Italian culture in Florence, Italy. I was fortunate enough to live there for almost four months last fall. I traveled to seven countries and countless cities across Europe. It was amazing. However, while I was traveling it never crossed my mind how difficult it would be to explain to my family how truly great all of my adventures were.
After the dozens of weekend trips, studying for finals, and packing away everything from the past four months, it’s finally time to go back to the United States. It’s difficult to summarize all the amazing experiences, memories, and friends that I have made while abroad. During these past four months, I’ve experienced some of the most beautiful places and have gotten to live in a European culture.
Summer is a time to explore. To see the world. To step outside of your comforts. To make memories. To make friends. And yes, to get ahead in some schoolwork. Not much can beat studying abroad in the Summer. Europe’s energy is palpable as the days get longer, the nights warmer, and tourists flock into the historical streets. But where in Europe to study? Choosing the perfect location to study abroad can be difficult.
We can’t get enough of Erin Pachter’s creative video of her semester abroad. She studied with SAI in Florence Fall 2016, and visited so many beautiful places! I had previously seen a video like this on YouTube and I really enjoyed it. I knew going into my trip that I wanted to make a video like this because it would show and remind me of all the adventures I had traveling.
Each semester, SAI carefully selects a group of student bloggers. These students are to write about their experiences abroad by producing blogs and contributing to our social media. Below is the list of our Spring 2019 student bloggers. You can check out their blog posts throughout their time abroad. LILY HERRING, Florence Home School: University of South Carolina I have been to every state in the US. I backpacked through Europe for 2.
Establishing yourself as a young adult in the professional world can be challenging, especially now that the pool of of applicants is bigger than ever before. More people are traveling abroad to study, work or just discover themselves, and even more people say they would like to do those things but they manage to come up with a reason not to.
Studying abroad as a fashion merchandising student was an amazing opportunity for me. I took a visual merchandising class during my time abroad, which is something that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. My professor was so knowledgeable and really sparked my interest even more about the visual aspects of the fashion industry. Our class final project was called “Tell Me a Story.
There was a dog I never met in Florence. He was a little guy, mostly white with some ink splotches, and he had a hard time walking. Yet his owner, upright and undeterred, would walk him down a street near mine whenever night fell. During my time attending FUA this summer, seeing that dog and his patient owner was as much a nightly routine for me as walking seemed to be for them.
Being able to attend college as a first generation college student has been such a blessing, but to be able to study abroad has been such a privilege. There was some guidance and resources that helped me choose where I wanted to study abroad, but it took a lot of researching on my own to figure out that SAI at JCU was the best fit for me academically and financially.
One of the main things that draws tourists to Florence and Italy in general is the promise of delicious food. From tiny cafés to sidewalk restaurants, Florence has so much to offer in terms of food that it can get overwhelming to decide where to go! While studying abroad in Florence, I had the opportunity to explore the streets to find my favorite places to eat for every meal.
“There’s no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this” – Unknown The best thing about studying in Florence Italy this fall is that not only am I baking my dreams come true in the kitchen but also my horizon is expanding and nothing but a growing curiosity for adventure and knowledge is left. There is so much more to experience than just classes when studying abroad!
1. Get Gelato My favorite thing about Italy is the amazing gelato. There are so many different little gelato shops, and they all have different flavors! Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any choice of gelato shops. There is a gelato shop where they serve you gelato and decorate it as a flower; the shop is called Amorino. 2. Eat at a local restaurant There are so many options for yummy restaurants in town!
In the normal world, being lost is not a good thing; it is to be avoided at all costs. However, during your abroad experience, I would suggest you do get lost in your new city. (Of course make sure you have the right tools to find your way back home if you get really lost; I would suggest CityMaps).
Part 1: An interview with Jennifer Wright, SAI Paris Program Coordinator I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Wright, the Paris Program Coordinator for SAI, over Skype. I had tons of questions about dual citizenship, including the process, strategies for adaptation, and both personal and professional inquiries. Jenn went above and beyond while answering all of these questions. I highly suggest sticking around in the hopes that your questions and interests are answered and explored below.
My first week in Paris consisted of good food, interesting adventures, and GREAT people. I met the rest of the SAI students participating in the AUP program as soon as I got to the airport. Endless to say we were all very tired after our long flights, but soon I realize that they were a group of lovely people. Afterwards, my roommates and I made our way to our new (and tiny) apartment.
It wasn’t until Thanksgiving was a week away that I realized I probably wasn’t going to enjoy the usual Thanksgiving dinner. A lot of my classmates were taking advantage of the long weekend to travel, however, I was staying in town. So, instead of waiting around and watching my mom make the turkey and mashed potatoes I had to actually look up some recipes and make some type of big dinner.
Being in Europe is absolutely incredible. You get to experience cultures different than your own, eat AMAZING food, and travel to places that you’ve only ever imagined (or seen on Pinterest). Living over here is wonderful, but they don’t call it “Studying Abroad” for nothing. As much as you don’t want to believe it, you will have to take classes abroad. You will have homework to do, essays to write, and tests to take.
So it’s officially fall in Firenze! Yes that means it is COLD, oh and rainy! Okay so it’s not really that bad……. But if you plan on traveling to Florence (which I completely support), bring a good jacket and umbrella. Remember to carry your umbrella with you. If you are like me, you won’t think about your umbrella until you are soaking wet walking through Florence.
We handed over our Instagram account to Nicole for the day. This is her day in Rome (December 1, 2016). Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Pexa and I will be taking over SAI’s Instagram account today to show you what a #dayinthelife looks like in Rome! I am a senior Mathematics major and Computer Science minor from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, but am currently studying at John Cabot University in Rome.
Doing good for the world is something I have always thought was important and is an obligation. In fact, after I graduate I would love to pursue a career in social justice by working at a non-profit. I believe we must continuously act against oppressive structures in our society, especially my generation.
We handed over our Instagram account to Solomon for the day. This is his day in Barcelona (October 27, 2016). Hello SAI Programs! Fall has arrived in Barcelona, and so have I! I’m @SolomonsPost, but you can call me Sollie. I’m a 3rd year student from the Rochester Institute of Technology (@rittigers) studying abroad at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (@uniautonomabarcelona) this fall.
Milan is a city that has many hidden treasures. Despite not being a city where there are a lot of tourist sights and attractions there is not a shortage of things to happen upon. This post will be a collection of photos that I have taken while wandering around Milan.
“Colors of the World- The captivating light within the Sagrada Familia was not only the most beautiful sight of my time abroad but it symbolizes the beauty I’ve gotten to see throughout my time abroad and how lucky I am to have the opportunity to see this and the rest of the colors of the world.
Do your research! Always do your research before your trips. Look into what airport or train station you are arriving in and how far that is from where you are staying. Research the area that you are going. Research transportation from the train station to your hotel or where ever you are staying. (Some places have Uber).
Elena studied abroad with SAI during the Spring 2015 semester. She completed one semester at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti and her whole life path changed. Looking back on my semester abroad in my undergrad, I am amazed and thankful for where it brought me now. My experience the first time around was everything and more than I expected it to be.
To kick off International Education Week, the Institute of International Education (IIE) released the 2016 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange on Monday, November 14, 2016. The report offers helpful insight into the trends of incoming and outgoing study abroad students, which this year continued to demonstrate the ever-growing popularity and importance of studying abroad. The headline finding this year is that in the 2015/16 academic year, U.S.
Now that I have been in Florence for about a month and a half, I have definitely picked out some of my favorite things to see, places to go, and things to do. I did my best to compile a list of just 10 of these to share with all of you. The following are in no specific order: 1.
This was our first excursion outside of Paris. We went to the town of Chantilly to see the beautiful Château de Chantilly. Since we don’t have classes Mondays, we decided to leave Paris for the day in order to explore a little more of France.
Time is Money. This is an expression I have heard back home way too often. The U.S is a country dedicated to time efficiency and productivity. I don’t think I ever thought I would come to use this phrase other than to express how it is we Americans perceive time.
When I pictured the apartment I would be living in before I arrived in Rome I imagined it to be small and outside of the city. To my surprise, it is the complete opposite and I love it. I’ve never lived in a big city so it has been quite the experience. I live on Via di Francesco a Ripa, the street that never sleeps.
10 years ago, Amy Winehouse released her Grammy Award winning 2nd and final studio album ‘Back To Black’. Amy was known for her strong vocals and jazzy tone. She was arguably one of the most talented artists of her generation. She died at the age of 27 in 2011, but her legacy still lives on throughout London.
I can’t believe it’s already October. When I first got to Rome it was 95 degrees and I was sweating constantly. Now I am able to wear a sweater and jeans comfortably. I love fall! Since my last blog post, I have gone to 12 more cities in Italy, 8 of which were visited this past weekend with SAI.
Before your time in your new home winds down, SAI wants to give you the opportunity to look back on all the amazing photos you have taken. Wait…it gets better. You will be entered to win a $100 airbnb gift card that can be used in Europe and the US (who doesn’t love free nights in a hotel?!) and will be sharing your photo with the SAI Facebook community.
1. Enjoy wine and watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is very touristy so my recommendation is to get there early (before the sun sets) to get a good seat. 2. Shop and watch local street entertainment at the Piazza della Repubblica. Enjoy shops from fast fashion stores like Zara to luxury shops like Gucci. There are some of the best places to enjoy dinner with an amazing view.
We handed over our Instagram account to Hannah for the day. This is her day in Florence (October 12, 2016). Hello! My name is Hannah Latham and I will be taking over this account for the day to show you my typical day in Florence! I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and am currently a junior attending Florence University of the Arts but back home I go to Carthage College in Wisconsin and study Neuroscience.
Milan offers more than fashion shows and design fairs. Beyond fashion weeks and design week, Milan offers a myriad of ‘secret locations’ and activities to inspire any creative. Below are four of our favorite, but you can discover more on the SAI Milan blog. La Vigna di Leonardo: Landmark location frequented by Leonardo da Vinci, across from Santa Maria delle Grazie.
We don’t want anyone missing out on the chance to be abroad during the Spring 2017 semester! Deadlines are fast approaching. See below for specifics and we hope to see YOU in the Spring.
Jessica takes us along as she tastes wine in Bolgheri, swims in the warm waters of the Isola del Giglio and hikes around archaeological sites on the SAI program inclusive weekend excursion to Maremma and the Tuscan Islands. ___ Jessica is a current student at Georgia State University studying at the Florence University of the Arts, Italy during the Fall 2016 term.
We’re so excited… we just can’t hide it…. Coming in Summer 2017: Study abroad with SAI in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy at Syracuse Academy, offering unique summer programs on the Mediterranean. Syracuse Academy provides specialized study abroad programs focused on Mediterranean culture, landscape and history, in a beautiful seaside setting. The school brings together a small community of students interested in a culturally immersive summer academic experience that uses the surrounding region as its classroom.
One of the coolest experiences that I have had in Milan thus far is attending the Luisa Baccaria fashion show, Milan Fashion Week 2016. The fashion show took place at the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, a gorgeous and unique venue. The crowd was incredible; women in glamorous outfits, men in suits. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be able to mingle among these individuals.
From the moment I left the airport, I knew that the next four months were going to be full of many first foreign adventures for me. Going to Europe was the first foreign step I was taking. There were so many emotions that I was feeling as I stepped on the plane from Boston to Zurich, Switzerland and then to Florence, Italy.
I am studying at the American University of Paris this semester. The campus is right in the middle of Paris. Surrounded my iconic landmarks and cafes. I truly like my classes and my professors. I am taking some interesting classes this semester including Human Right Law and Comparative Politics, but I think the most interesting class I am taking is called “Introduction to Art through Paris museums”.
My first impression of Italy was OH MY GOODNESS! EVERYTHING IS SO PRETTY!! That was literally my thoughts about every building as the shuttle drove me to my apartment. Everything is so big and different, and so much prettier compared to my hometown.
Living in Rome for the past three weeks has been one of the best experiences of my life, and two Sundays ago made it even better because I was able to witness the canonization of Mother Teresa. I had never been to the Vatican before, but it was always a place I wanted to visit. Now living in Rome it’s only a 30-minute walk from me!
You never truly know what to expect when you leave everything you know to study in a different country. A couple of weeks ago I made that leap of faith and came to Florence, Italy for a semester abroad! I have only been here for a short time but, besides the fact that I still find myself lost a majority of the time, it is starting to feel like I have been here for months!
SAI is very proud to offer programs at the top universities for fashion design in the world. Many of our partner universities were recently included in The Business of Fashion Global Fashion School Rankings 2016 top 50 schools. The BoF Global Fashion Schools Ranking is based on three major indicators of quality: Global Influence Learning Experience Long-term Value …AND THE AWARDS GO TO… Graduate Programs Central Saint Martins (London): #1 London College of Fashion (London): #5 Domus Academy (Milan)
A lot will happen during your first week here in Rome, especially if it’s barely your second time ever leaving your home country. The flight will be very long. In fact, you might get a cold because of the flight, like I did. Orientation week will be draining because there are so many things going on to better prepare you for the semester.
Staying fit and healthy while in another country – especially one known for its gelato or chocolate with churros – can be extremely difficult. And you may wonder, how locals manage to look fit and healthy when there are pastas, pizzas, gelati and sweets everywhere. Well here are a few tips on how to boost your mood, stay healthy all while exploring your new home.
After having worked for SAI for almost three years, I have had the chance to plan and organize, as well as participate in an array of different activities and excursions for our students studying in Rome. This is definitely the best part of my job! There is one excursion in particular, however, that I really love: our weekend trip to the verdant region of Umbria, also known as “the green heart of Italy.
I’ve never been to Europe. So when I started packing and then repacking another five times before actually deciding which clothes I would be bringing, the thought of packing for yet another summer didn’t come to mind. I was leaving the California heat expecting anything but an Italian summer. Needless to say, sweatshirts, long sleeves, and pants would be the cause of my overweight bag.
What are the three most important lessons you brought home from abroad? It may be scary but leave your comfort zone every once in a while, you will be better for it The world is full of beauty, from architecture to languages, from food to people: step back and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Things will not always go as planned and that is okay!
36 years ago today (July 31, 1980) the #1 song on the Billboard charts was Magic by Olivia Newton John. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that both J.K. Rowling and her famous character, Harry Potter, were also born on July 31st (1965 and 1980, respectively). What better way to celebrate the birthday of the two biggest names in the wizarding world than with a Harry Potter adventure?
Congratulations Marina Gutierrez from Western Michigan University for winning the summer 2016 SAI Photo Contest with this beautiful photo from Venice! Marina’s photo received the most “likes” and she has been awarded a $100 Airbnb gift card! To view all photos, visit our Facebook page.
Each semester, SAI carefully selects a group of student bloggers. These students are to write about their experiences abroad by producing blogs and contributing to our social media. Below is the list of our Spring 2019 student bloggers. You can check out their blog posts throughout their time abroad. JESSICA VASS, Florence Home School: Georgia State University I have a twin! My fraternal twins’ name is Jacob.
We are very excited to share our brand new site! It was time for a full website refresh to better respond to the needs of our students, and to reflect the changes in how our users are navigating it. We have changed quite a few things, and we cannot wait for you to see it all yourself. Below is a primer to get you acquainted with some of our biggest changes.
Studying abroad at an Italian school, there are many similarities and differences within my academics and classes. First off, a major similarity is the fact all of my teachers and other students speak English. Though almost everyone that goes to school at John Cabot University speaks Italian as their first language, they also fluently speak English. This makes it much easier to learn. Another major similarity is the grading policies.
Choosing a few things I like about my host country is definitely a challenge, considering I love so many things. One of my absolute favorite things about living in Italy is the food culture. Italian food is one of my favorite types of food, even before coming to Italy. The Italian food here is so much more authentic and has unbelievable flavors. I also like the different courses in an Italian meal.
The NY Times posted an article recently entitled “Study Abroad’s Seven Deadly Sins“. In it, the author speaks about “some of the threats that, in part by diverting students from pursuing more fruitful educational/travel experiences, can derail a study-abroad experience.” The article raised some good questions and important talking points, so we asked our SAI Summer Intern (California Office) to write her reaction to it.
What’s your name? Jessica Poillucci What school do you attend? I attended Suffolk University in Boston MA.. I graduated in May! Which program did you attend through SAI? I attended John Cabot in bella Roma in Fall of 2014 :) What do you hope to accomplish in this summer internship? I am really excited to learn more about how a study abroad provider works from a behind the scenes perspective.
Despite my rather small sampling size of classes in Florence, I am going to break down the major differences and similarities in my experience at an art school in Florence versus an art school in America. Here in Italy I have completed Watercolor and Sketchbooking Florence, and am currently in Street Photography. First and foremost is the art of course.
My summer in Italy is off to a great start! I began my trip in Verona where I got to go to the Adele concert in the Arena there. It was such a beautiful concert and I’m so happy that I was able to go. Also, the timing of the concert couldn’t have been better, since I left Verona early the next morning to arrive in Napoli for the shuttle ride to Sorrento.
First and foremost, the food in Florence is finger-licking good. Jumping from dorm food, to fresh, succulent Italian cuisine, my stomach has yet to experience any symptoms of culture shock. From, a nice, affordable three course meal at Osteria de Pazzi, to greasy, late night pizza at Fo’Caccia la Notte, my tastebuds continue to be pleased. I also think it is worthy to note taste tasting gelato has been integrated into my daily routine.
This semester is coming to a close and unfortunately I have to say goodbye to this city I have fallen in love with. Florence is a small city that I have been able to spend the past four months exploring and learning from. Everywhere you go is beautiful and a piece of history and sometimes it needs to have a little cleaning.
It has come down to our final days here in Florence. We are saying bye to our friends, the delicious food, and the amazing city we have been able to call home for 4 months. Leaving is becoming harder everyday because I have built a life here and created memories I will never be able to experience again.
When I arrived in Florence back in January, I remember being absolutely terrified. I had never left the country let alone by myself and I had never been away from home for longer than a month. I remember walking around that very first day thinking what am I doing here since everything was so foreign and different to me. Those first few weeks were very difficult to say the least.
My typical day as a travel abroad student consists of usually meeting with my Italian chat pal Alessia. We practice our Italian and I help her with her English. We always get coffee, Paninis, or gelato. Sometimes I check out the events and excursion sign-up through my SAI program. –Take advantage of these!
Well, what once looked like a distant possibility is now over. For many months, I was stressing about finding the perfect program, then coordinating meetings between different departments at Tufts trying to receive course credit, and finally attaining meetings with my Dean to understand my options if I couldn’t achieve said credit. This was over six months ago before I set off on my first (or maybe it’s my second) study abroad experience.
Celebrating holidays in Italy is a little bit different than in the US. The main difference is that there is no strong marketing push for holidays; people just celebrate them. One holiday that is celebrated a bit more intently in Italy as compared to America is actually the birthday. I would have never guessed, especially because of the importance of religion in the Italian culture.
Life is a patchwork of the decisions we make. In studying abroad it seems that these decisions carry more weight because the pressure of limited time. Suggestions from friends and online reviews, photos from facebook and stories from siblings mold expectations and build up hopes for experiences abroad.
I have bitter-sweet feelings about heading back home because I know how much I’m going to miss this beautiful city of Rome..really though, I’m going to miss the gelato and cappuccino’s so much! I also know I’m going to miss traveling a few hours in any direction and landing in a new country with a different language and culture! What a life! Rome. What to say? Che bella citta!
There’s a really incredible charm about Florence. When I arrived the first day, I could feel it when I walked to my apartment or went to the grocery store. Everyday since, I’ve known there’s something special about Florence, but it took me a long time to figure out exactly what it was. Traveling to other cities helped my search.
La Seine (Seine River) is a long and important river in the north of France. I love the views around the Seine. So many trees are planted on both sides. I can see so many palaces to the north of the river, the Eiffel Tower to the west of the river and a view of Notre Dame. I enjoy the moment when I walk along the river, the wind following me.
Marisa, SAI Sorrento Assistant Program Coordinator
Marisa La Greca is the Assistant Program Coordinator for SAI’s program in Sorrento. What do you love about living abroad? From the food to the people, the cities, the landscapes, or the museums, there is a lot to take in. In addition to all of Italy’s other wonderful qualities, I have come to appreciate “la passeggiata”.
This experience studying abroad in Rome so far has been extraordinary and I couldn’t ask for a better host country in Italy and for the adventures I’ve had in other areas like Ireland, Austria, France, Spain and Romania! I don’t know if I could begin to choose one moment in particular as my most memorable, but definitely at the top of the list sits the trip with my family to the Rock of Gibraltar.
Do you have a passion for Italian language and culture and are considering studying abroad this Fall semester? Are you seeking to engage in the local Italian community through meaningful volunteering while you study abroad? Thanks to a newly available grant spending a semester abroad in Siena, Italy just got more affordable. SAI, in partnership with Siena Italian Studies (SIS)
These past two and a half months have been the time of my life. Florence has quickly become a part of me, somewhere that I know leaving will be very difficult.
These are many places I frequent in Florence. From a café, to one of the squares, I try to spend as much time as possible exploring this city that I have come to call my new home. It is crazy to think that I have been here almost three months and only have one remaining.
So yes, I am going to take a break for a second from design stuff and talk a little about my study abroad experience. Looking back at it now, I really wish that I would have blogged more often during the time I was over there but I guess now is as good enough of a time than ever to do it.
Many of us return from studying abroad with reverse culture shock, sound familiar? I know that it happened to me. I found myself wanting to go back and study abroad almost more than I did the first time, it felt different; I felt different coming back home. Why does this happen? When you study abroad you become familiar with travelling around new places and countries (sometimes alone)
So you’ve said ciao to your study abroad friends, au revior to your home away from home, and have landed in your home country… now what? Odds are you are ready to reminisce and wishing you could go back and live the study abroad fairytale again. If you are like me (and most of the friends I made studying abroad)
Ciao! My name is Olivia Mendoza and I am studying at SAI in Florence. I will be taking over the Instagram today and sharing a day in my life here. I am from Los Angeles, California, but go to school in Texas at Baylor University. This is a picture taken at Giardino di Pratolino during a spur of the moment picnic with my roommate!
This past weekend SAI Milan traveled to Rome! Upon arriving, we met up with the students from SAI Sorrento. Friday night was a relaxing evening which was welcomed after traveling. We went to La Carbonara for dinner, a traditional Romanian restaurant. In the south of Italy, they’re known for fried vegetables. Not being a huge fan of veggies myself, I was skeptical, but these were amazing! (although anything fried has to be pretty good).
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Annalise’s day in Florence (April 6, 2016). Ciao Ciao! My name is Annalise Andriacchi and I’ll be taking you around Florence today to show you what it’s like to live “a day in the life of an SAI student”. A bit about myself: I am a junior studying Hospitality Management at the University of Missouri.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Talia’s day in Barcelona (April 3, 2016). Hey everyone! I’m Talia and I’m studying at ELISAVA this semester in Barcelona with SAI. I’m originally from outside DC and I study graphic design at VCU. Here’s a pic from my amazing spring break in Rome! Quick snack before a Sunday outside!
I have experienced so many different things since coming to Rome. There are times I still need to pinch myself to believe it is real. My time in Rome has been amazing and I can’t believe it is already halfway done! Just like every student, I’ve had my challenging moments of studying abroad.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Ashley’s day in Florence (March 29, 2016). Ciao! My name is Ashley Shealor, I’m from Charleston, South Carolina and a Junior at University of South Carolina, currently studying at FUA in Florence, Italy!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Cristian’s day in Barcelona (March 25, 2016). Hola todos! My name is Cristian Constantino. I am a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso, studying media advertising. Today I will take over SAI’s instagram account and show you around Barcelona!
I have experienced so many different things since coming to Rome. There are times I still need to pinch myself to believe it is real. My time in Rome has been amazing and I can’t believe it is already halfway done! Just like every student, I’ve had my challenging moments of studying abroad.
“It’s the time of your life!! You will never want to come back to America!! You’re going to fall in love with places you’ve never been to and people you haven’t met! You are going to find yourself and this experience is going to change your life!” These are some of the things former study abroad students tell you about going abroad…. Am I right?
My journey getting to Florence was a long, hauled out, highly anticipated journey. When I told my study abroad counselor 1 year ago I wanted to study abroad in Florence during the spring semester, he told me I was too early and to come back in the fall semester when applications actually opened. I have known since the beginning of college that I wanted to come to Italy.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Melissa’s day in Rome (March 23, 2016). Ciao! My name is Melissa Stel. I am a junior at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin, studying History and Political Science.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Jenica’s day in Florence (March 17, 2016). Buongiorno!My name is Jenica Sounart and I’ll be taking over for the day! I am currently a sophomore studying Hospitality Management at Colorado State University & am here in Florence as a culinary arts student. Today is my last day before Intersession (spring break)
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Layah’s day in Rome (March 16, 2016). Ciao! My name is Layah and I’m a Junior at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA studying abroad at JCU in Rome! Today I’ll be sharing my normal Wednesday with you in this “bella città” :)
The highly prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016 have been released. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is listed as one of the top 200 universities in the world in 10 discipline areas. This result reflects the continuing determination and the growing importance of Università Cattolica in the areas of academic performance, research citations and employment outcomes.
Just as there are some differences between the states of Wisconsin and New York there are tons of differences between countries like Florence and the United States. Whether I love the differences or can barely stand them I have to embrace every second of it because there is no changing culture and to rebel would be rude, look silly, and would be a waste of time.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Noah’s day in Florence (March 14, 2016). Good morning! My name is Noah and today I will taking over the SAI Instagram to show you what my day is like in Florence! This is the view from my front door.
Before your time in your new home winds down, SAI wants to give you the opportunity to look back on all the amazing photos you have taken. Wait…it gets better. You will be entered to win a $100 airbnb gift card that can be used in Europe and the US (who doesn’t love free nights in a hotel?!) and will be sharing your photo with the SAI Facebook community.
On a daily basis, I usually interact with the locals directly or indirectly. Whether it’s choosing gelato flavors, asking questions to my host family, or finding the right cold medicine at the pharmacy, there are a lot of opportunities to interact with locals. I don’t know what interaction with a local to consider my first, because all of the first people I met spoke English, or at least some.
NYC, LONDON, MILAN, PARIS. Fashion week travels from one city to the next. Fashion week, fashion week, IT IS FINALLY HERE. Milan fashion week is the biggest and best fashion week of them all. I have been looking forward to Milan fashion week since I arrived. Going to school in the Midwest, I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to attend fashion shows during fashion week.
During my first week in my new coastal town of Sorrento, Italy, I noticed a lot of different things. There is a lot to notice here because there is a lot to look at in the first place. This is a busy and colorful town, with new things to discover every day. However, there are some things that are completely impossible to overlook because they are so apparent on a daily basis.
Disclaimer: Alcohol consumption in Europe is NOT the same as it is in America. Italians simply drink wine, etc. to enjoy it or be social, so any suggestions for beer or wine here are simply for encouragement of enjoying a cultural luxury! Dar Poeta: Great pizza and authentic feel from the people and the food! If you go and you don’t try the Nutella calzone you’re not living!
After months of anticipation and planning, January 25th 2016 finally came around, the day I left for my study abroad experience in Florence, Italy. Looking back at the day I left and my travel here I would say the hardest part was saying goodbyes to family and friends in person.
It’s easy to get sucked into the rhythm of schedule. Suddenly after 6 weeks time clouds your vision of how extraordinary your ordinary is. My tip for new students and a personal goal for myself is to never let the comfort of routine settle, and to be open to the experiences that disrupt monotony.
Italians are very personable, loud and enthusiastic by nature. Don’t be shocked when they seem like they’re screaming in anger. They’re probably just being theatrical storytellers. Slow Down: Italians love socializing and being out and about. Getting an iced coffee to go is not the best way to immerse yourself in the Italian culture. My all- time- favorite thing to do is enjoy a coffee at a bar in the morning.
“It’s the time of your life!! You will never want to come back to America!! You’re going to fall in love with places you’ve never been to and people you haven’t met! You are going to find yourself and this experience is going to change your life!” These are some of the things former study abroad students tell you about going abroad…. Am I right?
Dear Mom, It’s already been about two weeks since I arrived in Florence and a lot has happened. I’ve met new roommates; I’ve changed my diet (quite a bit of pasta and pizza); I’ve walked more than I ever imagined; and I’ve started new classes to name a few things. Throughout, there have been the ups and the downs.
I am going to give you some insight into the 10 things I learned my first week studying abroad. Before I came abroad I thought people were over exaggerating experiences and information, but boy was I wrong. So if you are thinking about going abroad here are some things I picked up really quickly. 1. You walk… A LOT.
Sometimes it seems as though everyone that studies abroad has a blog. It seems as though the Internet is full of stories from students experiencing an amazing time abroad. In preparation for our departure, we were all told to write down our experiences while studying abroad, right? I was even given a journal (actually three!), to fill with my thoughts.
I’ve only been in Florence for a week and I already want to live here for the rest of my life. The people, the city, and the lifestyle, all of it is wonderful! From the first day of living in this bustling city, I’ve noticed some very obvious cultural differences both great and a somewhat strange. 1.
My journey to Florence, Italy, started on Monday, January 25th. Because I had never been to an airport, I was a little nervous to embark on the trip all alone. Luckily, I met a girl named Ellen, who was in the same program and going to the same place I was. We met up at the gate to board and all my nerves were calmed.
Ciao Amici! It has been an amazing, fast-paced, wonderful first week living in Rome, Italy! I arrived on Tuesday morning, and it’s been non-stop excitement and activities since I stepped off the plane. My favorite part of orientation week was Thursday because we explored the ancient city of Ostia Antica and learned about the history of Rome! Having a love for architecture and history, this excursion was a perfect blend of my favorite things!
I promise I’m not much of a jetsetter but in the span of 3 days I took a total of 5 flights. Because of a family vacation I took a nauseating 2 hour car ride from Cayafate to Salta Argentina, flew from there to Buenos Aires where I then stopped in Miami to catch my connecting flight to Washington DC.
Through all the big things you feel like you have to do while abroad… here are 5 small things you should do… Going abroad is a big deal and can be stressful as well as fun.
It’s January and your entire abroad experience is laying right there in front of you. You have an open schedule, and you feel like anything is possible. Trust me, I was in this exact same spot exactly one year ago. I was packing and planning and trying to figure everything out for the most incredible experience of my life. If I could go back I would, but alas, I cannot.
We sat down with Jamie Ronsheimer, SAI Admissions Counselor, and Michael Cruciano, SAI President, to talk about SAI’s newest program in Sicily, Italy. Why did SAI choose to offer this program? Michael Cruciano, SAI President: The history of Sicily is astounding. We think Syracuse is a special place in Sicily, due to its past artists, philosophers, and writers. Historically Syracuse has been the main source of Sicilian contributions to society.
As I walked off the plane in Milan, I knew this city was special. There were so many fashionable men and women, and this was only in baggage claim. From gorgeous leather handbags to beautiful coats and shoes, I realized the fashion here was serious. As I begin to settle in, here are a few things I have learned in my first week: 1. I should have tried to learn some Italian before I left.
I’ve been in Rome for three full days. During these three days I have been on a constant travel high. I am so consumed by the history around me and the people I am meeting. Being immersed in a new culture is such an amazing feeling. The Roman culture is very different from Wisconsin, yet I still find some similarities here and there. First off, the driving and walking is crazy.
When I think of Italy, all I imagine is the amazing pasta, bruschetta, pizza, gelato, and wine that are consumed daily. When friends and family heard I would be studying abroad in the heart of Italy – Florence – they would all coo about the mouth-watering food. After living in Florence for 4.
When you go abroad, everyone always tells you about reverse culture shock. I always thought that was going to be the worst part of coming back, it wouldn’t be the culture shock going to Italy, it will be the sadness when I got back from Italy. So, when I got back to Jersey in July I was surprised when I slipped right back to my home routine.
You never realize how much you have changed until you put yourself in an experience you’re not familiar with. Whether you believe people change or not, we all have experiences that shape us into who we really are, or who we are becoming. Thanks to studying abroad with SAI Programs, I became someone who has more resilience.
Perhaps the happiest and most alive I have ever felt was when I would go on bike rides to Fiesole. There were all of these fliers that SAI had provided my roommates and me with in our apartment. One of them was for Tuscany Cycle where one could rent bikes, go on bike tours, and Vespa tours through the Tuscan hillside and Chianti. I went one day early on in my semester abroad.
London is a magical city, composed of unique and historical neighborhoods, each with their own vibe and culture. My favorite way to get to know any new city is through food and through people and my favorite way to get to know London was through it’s markets. There are a multitude of markets scattered around the city center, even lovely ones in Greenwich.
To all of you students preparing to leave for the most incredible semester of your life (it’s true…it really is the best time of your life), I’ll start off with saying I’m incredibly jealous of the amazing time you’re about to have wherever you plan on studying abroad.
THE MUSEUMS 1. The Uffizi Gallery: An amazing art collection established in 1581. Get lost among the masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque. 2. Galleria dell’Accademia: Originally intended to be a Michelangelo museum, the Accademia is now home to the original David, along with several other of the artist’s works. The museum also boasts a large collection of Gothic and Renaissance paintings. 3. Palazzo Vecchio: The seat of the Florentine government since its construction in the 14th century.
I’ve undergone more changes and matured faster in the past 4 months than in the past 4 years in college. Yes, that’s a very bold statement, but it’s true. Coming to Florence was a huge breath of fresh air. I was initially so happy to be out of my hometown, Bethesda, which was quite homogenous and filled with type A, semi-pretentious and ambitious liberals.
Taylor was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Washington State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT TAYLOR 1. I am scuba certified through NAUI. 2. I have bottle fed twin calves for a month (their names were Greg and Bridget). 3. I was president of my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma as a sophomore. 4.
Jenica was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Colorado State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT JENICA I love anything related to food. Cooking it, eating it, learning about it, I’d say food occupies my mind most of the day. I believe God has a purpose for each and every one of us (Romans 8:28).
Noah was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. He is a current student at Tufts University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT NOAH I love going on adventures, whether that’s hiking up a ravine and skiing with my family (see the picture) or finding one-of-a-kind pizza places with my friends. I love skiing and surfing, baseball and soccer, and golf.
Melissa was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at St. Norbert College studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MELISSA 1. I am from a small town in Wisconsin 2. I am left-handed 3. I have been to Zambia and South Africa for a humanitarian trip 4. I used to work at Lambeau Field 5.
Studying abroad, a story of how a man became a boy….Just kidding, it’s not that deep, these are the 12 things that I learned while studying abroad. 1. Experiencing a variety of cultures makes me ask more questions about the world. Did you know that the United States is not the center of the universe? If you would have asked me this question three months ago my head would’ve exploded in disbelief. 2.
I can’t believe how fast the semester went! (I was done with my finals pretty early in the week – just enough time to enjoy the next several days without homework and say some goodbyes before leaving. But, as usual, finals wore me out and I was sick with the flu for most of the week. I still managed to do some last minute shopping and pack without too much difficulty.)
Headed to Barcelona this spring for study abroad?! Well, start planning study breaks because this is a non exhaustive list of festivals to add to your calendar right now for the upcoming semester. Even if you will be elsewhere in Europe you might find yourself in the amazing city of Barcelona and you would not want to miss out. Not going to Europe at all?
Cristian was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at The University of Texas at El Paso studying at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain, during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT CRISTIAN I am a senior at The University of Texas at El Paso pursuing a major in media avertising with a double minor in marketing and management.
Zhuyun was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Cedar Crest College studying at The American University of Paris in France during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ZHUYUN 1. I have to have enough sleep and a good healthy breakfast to start everyday. 2. Sometimes, I want to be surrounded by a lot of people, but I also want to be alone. 3. I love smiling. 4.
Studying abroad is a life changing experience. It impacts your life in so many different ways, from academically to personally. Living abroad removes you from your comfort zone and makes you more independent, adaptable, confident and open-minded. These newly acquired traits not only help your personal development, but can also advance your career possibilities. Here are a few ways studying abroad can help you.
Talia was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Virginia Commonwealth University studying at Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona, Spain during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT TALIA In the winter, my space heater is my best friend. I love exploring farmer’s markets. I speak Spanish with my family. I like to bake vegan desserts.
Sheena was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Carroll University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT SHEENA 1. I have never seen an airplane up close nor the ocean. 2. I dislike wearing socks and prefer to go barefoot. 3. I danced for 13 years. 4. The smell of sandalwood is wonderful.
There’s a Paris before the terror attacks that took place on Friday, November 13, and there’s a Paris after the attacks. When we heard the news we weren’t even in Paris. The American University of Paris, was holding Fall Break from November 11-15, which was a great opportunity for students to travel. Seven of us from SAI had met in Prague earlier that day.
I can’t believe that the semester here in Siena has gone by so fast! Through my almost four months living here in this beautiful city, I feel like I have simultaneously experienced a lifetime of adventure and yet have only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer.
As we wrap up the end of the fall semester, I am feeling so much jealousy for all of you who are getting ready to study abroad in Florence in the spring. Don’t worry, I’m also really excited for you, but I remember this time last year, getting ready, packing, getting my visa figured out. It’s a lot, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Coming home from being abroad can consist of a whirlwind of emotions. After spending three and a half months in Florence, I knew I was ready to come back to Minnesota. I missed my family, friends, and boyfriend, and especially the simplicity, comfort, and familiarity of home. Yet, I remember wishing that my last week in Florence would last forever.
When it comes to picking a study abroad program, many people have different wants and needs. Food, language, landscape, and nightlife all can be factors when making a choice. The most important factors for me was that I was in a smaller, more intimate city, that I was able to learn a new language and I could meet and interact with the locals.
Hylen was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Washington State University studying at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT HYLEN I value my family and friends highly and dear to my heart, I would do anything for them.
Molly was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of Missouri studying at Nuova Academia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT MOLLY I am studying Textile and Apparel Management at Mizzou. I am from Minnesota. I am very energetic! I am very passionate about fashion (One of the many reasons why I am studying abroad in Milan).
Layah was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Point Loma Nazarene University studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT LAYAH I am a dual citizen of the U.S.A. and Canada. I’ve played classical and Spanish flamenco guitar for 11 years and it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Three weeks ago my parents were able to come and visit me in Rome! It was so exciting and comforting to see them for a week and show them around Trastevere, though the time went by fast. They seemed to enjoy themselves in that short, busy week. It was their first time abroad and it was fun to watch them experience everything I once experienced a few months ago for the first time.
It wasn’t until after I came home from fall break did I feel like Florence was my home. Before leaving for break I didn’t feel as if the city was a part of me yet, or if there was really anything about it that would ever rail me back in later on in life.
The SAI Rome program offers a variety of included excursions during the semester that have helped enrich my experience being abroad. These excursions provide cultural events that I may normally not have had the opportunity to participate in. I have thoroughly enjoyed every SAI activity that I have been a part of. This week I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in an Italian Cooking Lesson through the SAI program.
I made the slightly stupid but still courageous decision to plan my own Fall break with my roommate and another friend. It’s a great experience; it forces you to plan the details and rely on yourself (plus other students going with you). 1. Do NOT book overnight travel— (past 1 am – before 6 am). Europe doesn’t operate that smoothly after hours, especially not Italy.
Hayley was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania studying at Sant’Anna Institute (SA) in Sorrento, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT HAYLEY I am a musical composer, constantly working on new pieces for theater, choirs, and film! I am absolutely obsessed with the Holiday season, mostly because of Christmas music! My interest in classic films (and films/film making in general)
Olivia was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at Baylor University studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT OLIVIA 1. I am a Junior Speech Pathology major at Baylor University, which I absolutely love. A passion of mine is working with special needs children, which I hope to do after I graduate. 2.
1. Remember your goals Why did you choose to come to this country? What were you looking to discover? I find it helpful to continually remind myself of my original goals. Are there any goals that you have yet to complete? Each day, you are able to make the choice to work towards them. “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler 2.
Ashley was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of South Carolina studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ASHLEY I go to USC and am a Public Health Major. I am from the South but don’t like grits or sweet tea. I have twin sisters. I suffer from a diet coke addiction.
Annalise was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Spring 2016 term. She is a current student at University of Missouri studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2016 term. 10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ANNALISE I attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and am a Hospitality Management major (Conference and Events) with a Business minor.
Fitting in can take a long time to achieve in an exchange. By “fitting in”, I mean feeling less like a tourist and more like a part of the society. I have now been in Italy for 2 ½ months and I am just now beginning to feel like this is my home. I am dressing more like an Italian, I can navigate my way through Italian cities, and I know how transportation works.
I’m beginning my third month here in beautiful Siena, and I’m finally seeing a possible dip in the large amount of tourists that cover this city every day. Coming here, I didn’t realize that Siena was such a popular destination for tourists, and the realization was both entertaining and frustrating.
A couple weeks ago the students of SAI Barcelona, including myself, traveled to a beautiful city in Spain known as Sevilla. We were all excited to experience a different kind of Spanish culture and see what we could learn from it. The weekend´s itinerary was packed wtih activities, sights, and meals that we could not wait for! On the first day, we arrived in Sevilla in the morning with much planned for us.
SAI is proud to offer a NEW $300 semester discount and a $100 summer discount for veterans who wish to study abroad. The discount applies to all SAI programs including the master’s level and career certificates. To qualify for the discount veterans must submit a copy of their DD214 or their military I.D. card.
The past month and a half has consisted of moments of excitement, amazement, nervousness, and adventure. Make it a routine to try new things, go new places, and meet new people. Seek things that you are interested in and curious about. Allow yourself to wander into unfamiliar parts of town, where you might just find your next favorite spot.
I am so glad that I have chosen to study abroad in Siena. I am having an amazing time here and I would like to share with you a few tips or things that I have noticed, that could be helpful if you are planning to study abroad. If I could go back in time to when I was packing for Italy, I would pack very differently.
FOOD 1. Osteria Santo Spirito. Piazza Santo Spirito, 16/R I have gone here six or seven times and it has been great every time. This place is very cheap, with primi piatti pasta dishes for as little as 5 Euro for a big portion. 2. All’Antico Vinaio. Via dei Neri, 74/R The best panini in Florence. All’Antico Vanaio is famous.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Kelsey’s day in Rome (October 28, 2015). Ciao, good morning! My name is Kelsey and I am studying at John Cabot University in Rome this semester. This picture was taken a few weeks ago from one of the many times I have visited the Colosseum.
Well, for Chicago being the largest city I ever visited before, I’m happy to say that I love life in Rome. After two months I feel like I’ve settled in enough where I no longer feel like an outsider. There are still many moments that catch me off guard, but overall, I know what to expect when I leave my apartment. Thankfully, navigating my way around Rome has gotten a lot easier.
Before your time in your new home winds down, SAI wants to give you the opportunity to look back on all the amazing photos you have taken. Wait…it gets better. You will be entered to win a $100 airbnb gift card that can be used in Europe and the US (who doesn’t love free nights in a hotel?!) and will be sharing your photo with the SAI Facebook community.
I consider myself to be someone who is always prepared. I like knowing that I can handle any curve ball or unexpected situation that may come my way. So once I decided to study abroad, I began to research anything and everything about picking the right place to spend my semester abroad. Shortly, I came to the conclusion that Barcelona was the city for me.
I know student budgets are tight, but traveling is the most rewarding way to spend your money. Seriously, take off your pizza-stained hoody and explore Florence. Take impromptu bus and train trips around Italy and plan weekends in Barcelona, or Côte d’Azur, or Dublin. You’re never going to be 20-something again, studying in a foreign country and building friendships that could easily last the rest of your life.
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Clara’s day in Siena (October 19, 2015). Good morning! My name is Clara Kobler, and I’m spending my entire junior year in the lovely little city of Siena, Italy. Today, I’ll be taking you through a typical Tuscan day!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Alvaro’s day in Florence (October 15, 2015). Hello everyone! My name is Álvaro Castro Cid, I am currently a Senior at Colorado State University and a proud native Coloradan. Currently I am attending Florence University of the Arts in Firenze, Italia!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Claire’s day in Sorrento (October 14, 2015). Buongiorno! My name is Claire and I’m so excited to show you all what a day in Sorrento, Italy is like. I’m a senior from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, and this semester, I’m studying at @stannainstitute in Sorrento, and loving every minute!
We handed over our Instagram to a few students this month and asked them to take us through their day in their host city. This is Robert’s (Bobby) day in Paris (October 13, 2015). Bonjour everyone! My name is Bobby Caruso and today I’ll be taking over the SAI Instagram. This semester my dreams are coming true by studying abroad in Paris with SAI.
If you are studying abroad for the first time, like me, you probably have some worries. These may include feeling homesick, not knowing how to get around the city, or general concern about not seeing the best Paris has to offer. I can assure you that the only way you can have a truly unique and personal adventure is to explore on your own. It’s not hard!
I have been here for a month! My time abroad has been flying by and I have loved every minute of it! I feel the biggest change from last month is the fact that I now call Rome home. After doing some traveling, it is always nice to be back home in Rome and sleep in my own bed. This feeling of home away from home is very comforting.
This past weekend I travelled to Rimini, a beach town on the Adriatic, to meet a friend from my home university who is studying in Turin. Being such a distance from home, I felt a level of independence I have never experienced before. I navigated the foreign train stations with delays, connections, and all. While traveling, I realized that trains in Italy are very often late, sometimes in your favor, sometimes not.
Studying abroad in Rome comes with a guilt-free pass to gain up to 15 pounds from all the delicious Italian cuisine offered on every street; however, the day will come when you find yourself skipping an aperitivo to search for a burger joint or paying upwards of 6 euro for a jar of peanut butter just to have a simple PB&J.
I have now been in Siena for almost 2 weeks; it still seems unreal. I have a wonderful host family and I live right in the city center. I am 2 minutes walking distance from the Piazza del Campo. That is the most famous Piazza in Siena and it is beautiful. There are also tons of tourists that pass through Siena, and you are sure to find many of them in the Piazza del Campo.
Today marks two weeks since I touched down in Paris and the experience has been life changing, eye opening and remarkable. While I have been to Paris in the past, this was the first time I lived abroad and I have already learned so much. Here’s just a sample of the many things I’ve learned already. 1. Paris is as Beautiful as I Remembered it.
It’s been 12 days since I’ve moved to Florence (Firenze) and there are all sorts of emotions going through my head. For once in my life I feel homesick, often. How am I feeling homesick in a city that’s so beautiful, full of culture and places to discover, a place that feels so right? Well, even I cannot give you that answer.
1. Make yourself at home. This place is going to be your home for the next few months, so start acting like it right away! Get acclimated to your surroundings by exploring the neighborhood around your apartment. Spend the first few days checking out the local restaurants and shops.
Okay, so you’re in a new country, you barely know the language, or the customs. How quickly can you adjust? There’s no specific time limit or methodology to how you can best orient yourself when moving to another country, but those first few days are the most crucial.
How are things different from my culture? 1. I have read about Florence in quite a few books, but man is experiencing it first hand a whole other experience. One of the largest differences that I have noticed between American and Italian culture is that Americans are (or at least they try to be) obsessed with order. Italians seem to be more about going with the flow.
I made it! After months and months of planning, researching and waiting, I have finally made it to Barcelona! Before my departure, many people had asked me if I was nervous aboutleaving the country for 4 months. But to be honest, all the excitement and preparation left me no room to be nervous. I got off the plane feeling tired above anything else.
I can’t believe I’ve made it through my first week in Sorrento, Italy! Sorrento has surpassed my expectations in every way. I am so blown away by this little town. The people are kind and interesting, the views are stunning, and the food is beyond life changing. I’m having so much fun, and I’m learning so much! I’m excited to share some of my more important lessons from the last several days. 1.
Each day, I leave my apartment and hop in the elevator, ready to embark on a day full of adventures. As soon as I step out of the elevator and onto the street, I am reminded of the beauty that Paris has to offer by the cobblestone streets, people walking their dogs, and the smells of the bakery around the corner, even the beauty of hearing native French is like music to my ears.
Adjusting to a new city is hard, especially in a new country. However, it can be done! Part of studying abroad is learning how to adapt culturally in different areas of the world, and that is what my first week here in Siena has been about.
I didn’t know what to expect when I told my friends and family back home that I was going abroad. Everyone was surprised and encouraging and now I understand why. Going to a different country and going to Europe for the first time— is a really, really (really) big thing. I seemed to convince myself that there would be familiarities to home that I could rely on and everything new would slowly sink in.
I survived my first week in Rome! It has been an exciting, adventurous, challenging, and tiring first week. I have had the chance to explore some of the city, however, there is still so much to see and do! Top 10 tips for surviving the first week abroad: 1. I want to start off by providing a tip at the airport. You should make a friend.
Mariam was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at George Washington University studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW MARIAM Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I chose to study abroad because I’ve always imagined traveling to Europe, but I’ve never been able to find the right time or proper finances to go.
Tiffany was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at University of Missouri studying at Siena Italian Studies (SIS) in Siena, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW TIFFANY Tell us why you chose to study abroad. There are plenty of reasons why I am choosing to study abroad. While I was in high school, I won a scholarship to study abroad for a year in Germany.
Kelsey was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at Gustavus Adolphus College studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW KELSEY Tell us why you chose to study abroad.
Claire was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at University of Mary Washington studying at Sant’Anna Institute (SA) in Sorrento, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. Tell us why you chose to study abroad. Years ago, I knew I wanted to study abroad. I have always loved the idea of wandering and exploring. I grew up on both coasts of the States, and spent some time in Central American countries.
Michaela was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at Lasell College studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW MICHAELA Tell us why you chose to study abroad. Since I can remember I have always been intrigued by travel and experiencing different cultures first hand.
Madeline was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at College of Charleston studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. ABOUT ME Tell us why you chose to study abroad. Three years ago, when I entered my freshman year at the College of Charleston, I absolutely knew that I wanted to study abroad.
Allison was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at St. Norbert College studying at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW ALLISON Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I’ve always wanted to travel, so studying abroad seemed like a great opportunity to take advantage of. When I started college the idea of going abroad was mostly a fun, gutsy idea.
Shayna was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at Rochester Institute of Technology studying at American University of Paris (AUP) in Paris, France during the Fall 2015 term. Tell us why you chose to study abroad. Call it cliche, but I am so ready to get lost and be found. I can’t wait to see things I’ve only dreamt of seeing and do things that I never thought possible.
Alvaro was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. He is a current student at Colorado State University studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW ALVARO Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I chose to study abroad because I wanted to show my family and my fellow Latino’s that anything is possible.
Robert (Bobby) was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. He is a current student at Western New England University studying at American University of Paris (AUP) in Paris, France during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW BOBBY Tell us why you chose to study abroad. My decision to study abroad has roots back to high school.
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day!” -Dr. Seuss 1. Never feel guilty for the amount of gelato you consume in a week, day, or hour. Seriously, eat all of it. 2. Missing your loved ones at home is totally normal AND definitely okay.
Dear SAI Summer 2015 Students, You have all been lucky enough to spend part of your summer in some of the most gorgeous cities in the world. While some of you are already back home and some of you are still in Europe, we want to give all SAI summer students the opportunity to look back on all the amazing photos you have taken. Wait…it gets better.
Jake was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. He is a current student at University of Miami studying at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I chose to study abroad because I am interested in immersing myself in a foreign culture. I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn about Italy in-depth.
Jamie was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at University of Dayton studying at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) in Barcelona, Spain during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW JAMIE Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I chose to study abroad because I had taken a high school soccer trip to Europe and could not wait to go back.
Clara was selected as an SAI scholarship recipient and blogger for the Fall 2015 term. She is a current student at College of William and Mary studying at Siena Italian Studies (SIS) in Siena, Italy during the Fall 2015 term. GET TO KNOW CLARA Tell us why you chose to study abroad. I chose to study abroad to become immersed in another culture.
Kelsey Lenoch Missouri State University As a senior at Missouri State University in the Fashion Design Program I studied abroad with SAI in London at the London College of Fashion and had a life-changing experience. SAI gave me the opportunity to study at one of the top fashion schools in the world while also offering freedom and experiences to learn about another culture and, just as importantly, myself.
Spontaneous is never a word I would use to describe myself. If you asked me of words or phrases I would use to describe myself, I would say things like “organized, thoughtful, goal-oriented”, but never spontaneous. Doing things out of plan, with no schedule or organization was like a phobia of mine. So no, spontaneity was not my forte.
Cultural differences are a given. The world is full of a vast array of people with a vast array of cultures. While the United States is built on much of European history, actually experiencing Europe is much different. Your favorite food may be Italian, but until you experience real Italian food, there is a vast difference between Pizza Hut and ordering a Napoli at an Italian Pizzeria, trust me.
A day in the life here in Siena is absolutely wonderful! On weekdays I usually wake up around 8am, to get to Italian class by 9am. Of course it’s Italy, so class actually starts at around 9:10, so I’m usually not too worried about being late. Italian class is for two hours four days a week and depending on the day I’ll have one or two more classes later in the day.
It’s Wednesday Morning, my favorite day. I only have class Monday – Wednesday, so this is the last day of my workweek and it’s the most exciting day. I’m out the door on my way to class by 10:00 AM, but not before a stop at the local shop right around the corner of my apartment. It’s a bakery/pizza place, family owned. As I walk in, the Mom and Dad greet me with “Ciao!
Step 1: Calm down! I was quite nervous getting ready to leave from Washington State to Florence. Though I had been out of the country before, it had been quite some time since I had done any extensive traveling. So many thoughts were running through my head; what will it look like, what will the people be like, how will I adapt, what if I get lost, what if there are huge language barriers?
I have learned the most about who I am in my last four months in Florence. I learned more about what I want from life, and how I hope to live. I have reflected a lot on my last four years of college, and how higher education has helped me grown into an adult. I have only just begun to imagine what life has in store for me in the future.
It’s hard to believe this is my last week in Rome. Living in the Eternal City and traveling around Europe has been an incredible experience, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Here are the 15 best things about Rome (and the things I will miss the most). In no particular order: Italian Coffee: Nothing is better than walking into a bar and ordering a caffé or a cappuccino.
You never realize how much you have changed until you put yourself in an experience you’re not familiar with. Whether you believe if people change or not, we all have experiences that shape us into who we really are, or who we are becoming, and thankfully, who I’m becoming is someone who has more resilience. I’m thankful that I am able to see how much I have grown and changed just in one semester.
Favorite Spots in Sorrento: Bagni della Regina Giovanna: Regina Giovanna is easily my favorite place in Sorrento. This incredible spot is located at the tip of Sorrento, a short hike out of the city center. The formation of the rocks at this spot, accompanied by the Roman ruins that are located there, make this place unlike any other.
My time here in Milan is coming to an end. It’s all sorts of feelings, excitement to go home but sadness to leave all of my friends, experiences, traveling, and the city behind. Even though it’s so bittersweet, there are an endless amount of memories that I will cherish forever.
What’s your name? Caleb Crum What school do you attend? Missouri State University (graduating in May) Which program did you attend through SAI and when? I attended Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during the Spring 2014 semester. What do you hope to accomplish during this summer internship? I hope to learn more about international education and study abroad.
I had the pleasure of going on an amazing all exclusive weekend excursion through SAI and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. From Tuscan food to beautiful hikes to meeting new friends, it was a weekend to be remembered forever. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was going on tours of some of the little towns of Tuscany.
At the end of February, SAI Programs organized a trip to the Umbria and Tuscany regions for all of its students studying in Rome. It was great because this weekend everything was planned and taken care of, and the only thing we had to pay for ourselves was anything extra we wanted. We left from Piazza Trilussa at 10 am on Friday morning, and had two motor coaches for our group.
Never did I think this time would actually come. The time where I would be reflecting on my abroad experience as if it were something in the past. I’m about 10 days out from my departure from Spain, and I have the most mixed emotions about leaving. People always tell you how much you will change after an abroad experience or how much you will learn in such a short period of time.
Caleb Crum is an SAI Ambassador who studied at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) during the Spring 2014 semester. He now promotes SAI and studying abroad at his home university, Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. So you’re about to study abroad, huh? Awesome! I’m also guessing that this will be your first time leaving the country, at least for a long period of time.
One of my favorite SAI excursions was the weekend to Milan and Como. On the way to Como were the most beautiful mountains. The bus ride was long but the views were great. Our first stop when we arrived in Como was a restaurant that served a variety of pizza that I’m sure everyone enjoyed. The next day we went to visit Milan, the fashion capital of Italy.
If you were to ask me a year ago if study abroad was in future I would have corrected you immediately. I am the type of person who plans out their life years in advance and it is very comforting to me to have an idea of what to prepare for. I am a second semester senior studying fashion design, my home school is Western Michigan University.
In Siena, the program starts off with a 3 week immersion program of the Italian language. When the three weeks are up, we all go on a 4 day “Gita” (trip), each semester to someplace different. This semester, we went to Northern Italy and stayed in a town called Cavalese in the Alps. It was absolutely amazing!
Prior to coming to Italy, I did my best to cram in as much Italian language as possible. I downloaded helpful apps, and explored interactive websites, but without taking an Italian language class (or multiple classes) you can’t be properly prepared for the language barrier. Personally, I was very ill prepared, and I still feel lost in the sea of Italian language.
My favorite SAI excursion, so far, would have to be the day trip to Bologna! Ironically, the ride there (about an hour and a half) was the worst ride of my life. I was very carsick, but thankfully, I didn’t get sick on the bus!
Aside from my newfound appreciation for English taught classes, I have been able to get in some great sightseeing/exploration over the past few months. I have been able to visit multiple places throughout Europe, but of course my favorites have been right here in the beautiful Eternal City.
After getting to know the nine others within my SAI group, we finally made it on a trip together sponsored by SAI. We went to Venice the weekend of March 13-15. As always the trip was full of amazing food, beautiful weather and sightseeing. We met at the train station bright and early Friday morning around 7:45 so the train ride was good enough time to sleep before our day in Venice.
My name is Dominique Norman. I am currently a junior at Washington State University, double majoring in Apparel Design and Merchandising with a focus in Comparative Ethnic Studies. I chose to study abroad originally because of my love of travel. Learning about different histories, cultures, and people is something I’m very passionate about.
Morgan spent her Spring 2014 term in Sorrento, Italy. Upon her return home, she became an SAI Ambassador at her home school, the University of South Carolina. Below she gives us some helpful traveling tips. So you’ve arrived in your new home exhilarated, exhausted, jetlagged, and probably a bit homesick. You’re exploring your new town, eating lots of great food, and meeting the people who will be your family for the next four months.
SAI Programs is pleased to be recognized as Abroad101.com’s “Top Providers” for 2014. Since 1995, we have been dedicated to providing students with an exceptional cultural and educational experience abroad. We love what we do and are truly honored to have such outstanding alumni whose lives were positively impacted through study abroad. Thank you! http://www.studyabroad101.com/rankings/2014#top_providers “SAI has a great team of staff that are always available to help and answer questions.
