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Alumna and psychology major Melia Salangdron recounts her experience on a short-term study tour of Italy through a third-party study abroad program.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been drawn to the idea of traveling for school. As I got older I learned what studying abroad is and all the possibilities it had to offer. As soon as I saw the opportunity with ���ϲʿ� to study abroad, I took it and ran with it. What’s amazing about study abroad programs is that there are many different opportunities and they are all unique in their way. Programs vary between locations, durations and education. 

In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to join a third-party study abroad program, CEA, and traveled to Italy. I chose this program because it corresponded well with my college career timeline. It was the end of my junior year, and studying abroad during my senior year didn't seem to fit due to my senior thesis and internships. This program was a month long and I stayed in Rome for the majority of the time. Because this was a third-party program, I was the only one from ���ϲʿ� attending. I had a lot of self-doubt while I was preparing myself and often thought, “Am I really going to Italy, a whole new country that I haven’t been to, by myself not knowing anyone?” I eventually came to terms with myself that I know how to travel alone, technology these days can help me navigate and communicate, and that I can have an open mind with everything I may cross paths with. I took advantage of the independence and self-growth from being in a whole new country. 

The class I took focused on the traditions and history of Italy’s food and wine. In this class, we learned about the origin of pasta, the process of winemaking, different culinary habits, and gained an awareness of the cultural and social importance of food. We gained knowledge on how to cook the dishes and we were able to try the food with the customary wine paired with that particular dish. During our scheduled classes, we were able to visit many different markets, where we were assigned to buy ingredients to cook our own meals and share them with the class. CEA also offered many excursions, I participated in a pasta-making class, visited monuments and museums, learned some Italian and toured a few city-states like Florence and the Vatican. 

As I was learning the customs and traditions in Rome, I was able to travel to Venice, Pompeii and Gaeta during my free time as well. In Venice, I was able to walk around and immerse myself in its winding canals and astonishing architecture. Pompeii is known as the “Lost City” because it was destroyed by a nearby volcano, Mount Vesuvius. I was able to walk through the ruins of the whole city and view their historic treasures like the casts of the victims. Gaeta is a coastal city with a very laid-back environment that involves a lot of walking around the town. My friends and I booked a boat tour and we got to see the rocky cliffs near the ocean and jump in the Tyrrhenian Sea. I was fortunate to travel to these city-states, learn more about myself and soak up all the European air and sun. By traveling to a country alone, I was able to gain confidence in myself. 

If you are thinking about studying abroad, I highly recommend it if you are given the opportunity. It is a great eye-opener and it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. You will be compelled to step out of your comfort zone and do a lot of reflecting; a year later I am still reflecting on my experiences. Joining a study abroad program allows you to meet new people and build new connections with others.

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