Alumni Interview with Olivia Harris

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

I have always wanted to live and experience life in a different country. I knew going abroad would give me the opportunity to learn a new language, step out of my comfort zone, meet people from a different culture, and gain a new perspective on the world. I have always loved studying history and most of my classes prior to going abroad were all science-related, so I didn't have much room in my schedule to study other things that I found interesting. I knew if I studied abroad I would be able to get a hands-on education and a well-rounded education. 

Why did you choose IES Abroad? 

There were many reasons why I chose my program. First, my program offered the opportunity to live with an Italian Student Companion (ISC) which I found extremely helpful when I had questions about my host city, such as places to go or general questions about cultural norms. There was also an emphasis on learning the language, which was one of my priorities when studying abroad. They also provided a variety of interesting classes, and through these classes there were field studies where we would get out of the traditional classroom and learn about the history of people and places where those events actually took place! 

What was your favorite part about Rome? 

Rome instantly became one of my favorite places that I've ever been. It is a city rich in history; you are literally walking through a living museum no matter where you go. There is an emphasis on taking time to enjoy yourself on a daily basis, whether it's enjoying aperitivo or sharing a bottle of wine at dinner with friends. The coffee, food, wine, and (most importantly) people, never failed to be disappointing. Rome is located perfectly in Italy, so it is easy to access any part of the country by train or plane. Not only was I able to explore my host city, but I was able to travel to the different regions in Italy (which were all astonishingly beautiful) and several places outside of the country. I also loved how all of the regions of Italy are unique. I am also a huge soccer, or football, fan. There is such an amazing culture surrounding soccer in Rome, and Italy in general. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

The people and location of my program made my experience extraordinary. My apartment was located in the perfect location, the city-center. Everyday, I would walk by the 2,000 year old Pantheon on my way to and from school. I was a 15-minute walk away from the Colosseum, a 7-minute walk from the Roman Forum, and a 10 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain. There was always a new place to explore in the city and the locals were always friendly and inviting. There were an unlimited amount of places to sip on espresso on my way to school or eat gelato on my way home. My roommates, and other people in my program, helped to make my experience extraordinary. Everyone was friendly and there was never a shortage of people to go on an adventure with. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

The local staff were extremely supportive throughout the duration of my program. Whenever I had a question regarding cultural norms, traveling, or needed help practicing my Italian, they were there to help. Unfortunately when I was abroad, I broke my foot, and the idea of learning a new healthcare system and navigating the city afterwards was intimidating, but my program helped me every step of the way. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I wish I would have ventured out to more neighborhoods in Rome. I was able to to go to several, but not as many as I would have liked. Rome has many neighborhoods and each of them has their own unique qualities that were cool to explore. 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

After waking up and getting ready for school in the morning I would stop by my favorite bar, Tazza D'oro, on my way to class to drink an espresso or cappuccino and eat a cornetto for breakfast. After classes, I would sometimes stop and grab gelato on the way home and sit in front of the Pantheon. I would also try to explore a new place, whether it was a church, museum, or a new path along the way home. I would go to the store almost every day to pick up fresh pasta for dinner. Sometimes I would go to aperitivo or go out to dinner to catch up with friends. 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

During my free time abroad I would either explore a new place in my city (such as a park, piazza, church, or museum) or travel. On the weekends I enjoyed traveling and visiting the different regions of Italy or traveling to a new country. My absolute favorite thing to do was visit the Trevi Fountain at night and see all the people visiting. I was able to reflect on my experiences that I had and relax to the noise of the fountain. 

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

I lived in an apartment in the city center. I lived with six other girls, one whom was an Italian Student Companion. I loved the location of my apartment and my roommates—they made the best adventure partners. I was in close proximity to many historical sites, making it easy to go on a late-night walk with some of my roommates and appreciate my host city. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about IES Abroad before their program begins? 

Things might seem overwhelming at first. There are going to be challenges and you will need to adjust to the different norms of the culture, but if you keep an open mind you will be guaranteed to have the best months of your life! If you're really interested in getting more involved in the culture, try to take classes at a local university! 

Would you recommend IES Abroad to others? Why? 

I would definitely recommend my program to others! I was able to be independent and step out of my comfort zone, and if something went wrong, my program was there to help. IES provides an abundant amount of opportunities, such as: living with a host family or ISC, taking classes at a local university, participating in an Italian cooking class, using the city as your classroom, and more. 

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

I have been able to grow as an individual more than I thought was possible in only a few months. I was able to step out of my comfort zone, discover my strengths and weaknesses, achieve personal and academic goals, and meet people who have lived differently than I have. 

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

It has allowed me to recognize that I need to take time out of my day to reflect on what I am doing and what's happening around me. I live more in the present rather than focusing on the negatives of my past and the "what-ifs" of my future. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Meaningful travel is stepping out of your comfort zone and taking advantage of all the opportunities the places you're visiting has to offer. You'll need to ask for help, there will be a language barrier, and sometimes everything that can go wrong will go wrong, but it's how you deal with these challenges that will impact your experience. Have an open mind and take every opportunity that you are able to.