Prior to studying in Venice, I had never traveled outside of the country without the presence of my family. In this way, I knew that my time there would be influential in my development as a self-sufficient adult, but I didn’t know how.

I lived in an apartment among the cittadini – shopped at the same stores, dined at the same restaurants (at least, once I became crafty enough to navigate the thin calle where the non-touristy spots are), and took the vaporetto to class. For these few weeks, I felt as if I truly lived as a Venetian.

The intensity of the six-week summer programs can be daunting, but I firmly believe that it is worth it. The classes were incredible in and of themselves, but my education continued outside of the classroom through museum visits, concerts and operas (Teatro La Fenice has my heart) chatting with locals, and field trips to nearby cities like Verona (hello, Romeo and Juliet).

Through this experience, I learned that I am capable of navigating through unfamiliar territory, in both a literal and metaphorical sense, and I am so excited to continue my international studies in the future. I am always willing to chat about potential international experiences – anxieties or excitements – so please reach out!