Alumni Interview with Daryn Robinson

What inspired you to go abroad? 

I spoke a little Italian already, but I wanted to get better at the language. I also wanted international work experience through an internship and I wanted to travel Europe.

Why did you choose The John Felice Rome Center through Loyola University Chicago Global Centers? 

I chose Loyola University Chicago's John Felice Rome Center because it is one of my home institution's campuses overseas, which made the application process convenient. Also, there were future job opportunities abroad that I could gain as an alum of that program.

What was your favorite part about Rome? 

My favorite part about Rome was the culture. From art, to restaurants, to night life, there was always something to explore! I felt my most creative when I was there.

 What made your experience abroad unique? 

My study abroad experience was unique for two reasons. For one, I was an African American student, so Italians tended to stare at me because I looked different from the way they did. But eventually, I blended in as I started to learn the language and learn my way around the city. The second aspect of my study abroad experience which made it unique was that, along with taking classes, I also interned at an Italian film company.

How did local staff support you throughout your program? 

The John Felice Rome Center offers many resources, including six on-site Student Life Assistants who all attended the Rome Center and are now college graduates, as well as on-site doctors and counselors. The facilities staff also provides a meal plan and they wash linens and towels for you.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently? 

I wish I would have saved more money beforehand in order to go on more weekend trips!

Describe a typical day in the life of your program. 

On weekdays, I would wake up and head downstairs to our in-house coffee bar for breakfast before my classes. Next, I attended classes until about 3:00 p.m. Then, I did some homework in the library on campus. In the evenings, there were various activities both on campus and around Rome. I usually liked to get aperitivo (wine and light snacks) with friends downtown. On Wednesdays, there was an intramural soccer league at night, followed by pizza and beer! On weekends (classes are only Monday through Thursday), I would jet off to a new city with friends.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time? 

I liked exploring the different neighborhoods of Rome, visiting art galleries, going on hikes, and writing in coffee shops. 

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it? 

Our accommodations were all conveniently in one huge building, complete with a residence hall, gym, library, laundry room, classrooms, and dining facilities. I liked this because it made it easy to roll out of bed in the morning and walk down a couple flights of stairs to breakfast and class. But I also had to be careful to leave the dorm and explore the city!

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program? 

One thing every participant should know is to spend money on EXPERIENCES and NOT THINGS. You will gain more in the long run from a 100 euro trip to Milan than you will from a 100 euro pair of leather boots. Memories last forever!

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life? 

Study abroad has impacted my life in many ways! The following academic year, I began working in Loyola's study abroad office as a Rome Ambassador so that I could encourage more students to enjoy this life-changing experience. I also grew more proficient in Italian during my time there, and I recently completed both the Duolingo and Rosetta Stone Italian courses to keep up my language skills. Now, as I prepare to graduate in a month, I am applying to jobs in Italy and thinking about continuing my travel blog.

Would you recommend The John Felice Rome Center to others? Why? 

Yes, I would recommend this program to others because it provides a close-knit community on campus, while also integrating students into the city with internship and volunteer opportunities. Also, the academics are excellent (though not too burdensome so you can still travel on weekends)!