Study Abroad Programs in Viterbo, Italy

The whole trip feels like a dream! I loved that I was able to become so immersed in the Italian culture and miss being there every single day. I had the opportunity to take some really interesting classes and meet some amazing people, both with the program and in the community as well. The semester went by too fast, and I cannot wait to go back to visit. The city of Viterbo was beautiful and quaint, and right nearby was the amazing city of Rome. I learned a lot of things that I would have never been able to study so hands-on back in the US. I am grateful for my experience abroad!

I loved spending my senior year in Viterbo. I graduated with a degree in biology, but I also loved the various classes I took, including history, anthropology, Italian, and politics. I enjoyed listening to all the professor's lectures and writing papers on topics I would not have otherwise researched. I personally loved the city because it was more homey and quiet. It is busy during the festival around the Macchina di Santa Rosa, but otherwise expect to learn Italian to talk to shopkeepers (it is hard but worth it). Rome is in such close proximity that you can take advantage of the trains to travel. I often spent weekends traveling around Italy and loved it. The airport is very efficient, and it was pleasant flying out of there when I visited some other countries. I met wonderful people. Everyone was smart, kind, and fun. It was an opportunity to meet people from universities across the United States. I look back on the memories I created with everyone in my cohort at least once a week and miss them thoroughly. I made some life-long friends and visit them around the United States with my newfound love of traveling. I would recommend that anyone planning to study abroad plan their trips well in advance. It may feel rushed and hard, but doing so will ensure you spend your time the way you want to. I loved all the adventures I went on! Learning a new language and practicing it can be challenging, especially when you have the option to choose a program where the native population speaks English or simply rely on Google Translate. It feels much more authentic, is extremely rewarding to speak in another language, and it reminds you that you can do hard things.