What inspired you to travel abroad?
Beginning in high school, it was always my dream to go abroad. I love exploring new cultures and traveling, and it seemed that spending a semester in a new country would allow me to do what I had wanted to do for so long.
Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to study in a country while also completing requirements for my school at home. The opportunities provided to me through my home university and SAI made it extremely easy to make my dreams of going abroad a reality.
Me in front of the Colosseum with gelato!
Why did you choose SAI Programs?
I chose SAI because of the personal aspect that they add to studying abroad. SAI Programs places you with other American students that feel the same way as you. They host activities that allow you to meet other students also studying through SAI and provide on-site staff that is there to answer any call 24/7.
The housing that is provided through this program is absolutely amazing—there is nothing like it. The excursions are well thought out and you never feel alone, from the second that you begin to fill out the SAI study abroad application to when you finally land after your study abroad experience back in the States.
What was your favorite part about Rome?
My favorite part about Rome was the history that surrounded me. When walking down the road, it was almost impossible to not pass an ancient structure that I had read about in my history books in high school and college.
The Trevi Fountain was always my favorite, especially when you would catch it at a time where there were hardly any people around. The food in all of Italy also comes as a close second!
It was also very easy to travel from Rome as your home base. The public transportation system along with train stations and two airports made almost every country in Europe accessible in no time at all.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
SAI made my experience abroad extraordinary. The excursions, customer service, and housing made my experience unforgettable. SAI surrounded me with other study abroad students from America that were also nervous to be in an unknown place and eager to make friends.
Also, traveling on the weekends. Take the time to plan amazing trips that you've always wanted to go on—you can't go abroad forever! I loved traveling to Switzerland, Spain, Budapest, Vienna, and so many other places around Europe.
The university I attended was also amazing. It offered classes not at my home university, surrounded me with both American and international students, and the professors taught in a way that I had not seen before that was interesting and exciting.
Even though I was only there for a semester, there is no doubt that those professors cared about my educational experience.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Local staff had an office right next to one of the campus buildings. During open hours, you were always welcome to come in and ask questions, get advice, or even sit and chat for a while.
Additionally, they ensured that our housing was hassle-free and served as guides on all of our excursions. They were knowledgeable on all things Rome and Italy and genuinely wanted to get to know us.
I studied abroad when COVID-19 hit, and the office guided us through the process and made us feel safe and cared for from the moment we heard the word "pandemic" for the first time to when they shipped my bags and I arrived safely in my home state in the US. Additionally, they picked us up from the airport when we arrived to make sure that we were not overwhelmed right after we landed in Rome.
One thing that SAI did extremely well is not allowing us time to get homesick. They made sure that we were busy from the second we landed in Rome and got us acclimated to the people and environment before we even had a second to feel homesick!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I would have done differently is to introduce myself to people sooner. I did not realize that almost all study abroad students feel the same way—super excited and super nervous because there was so much uncertainty.
Introducing yourself to those around you and showing transparency helps you create relationships and gives you people to rely on throughout your trip. While I made these connections, I waited for about a week or two after getting there. I would start making those connections on the very first day that you arrive!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
My typical day abroad looked like waking up and looking out of the balcony in my room to the bustling city outside. I would then get dressed and start my walk (or tram ride if I felt lazy that day) to campus, stopping for a chocolate cornetto (aka Nutella-filled croissant) on my way.
I would go to class for a few hours, eat at a local restaurant by campus or in the amazing JCU cafeteria, and then meet a few of my friends to go explore Rome. After, I would either cook dinner in my apartment kitchen or go to the heart of Trastevere for a dinner with my friends.
I would come back to my apartment and do some homework, and if it was a Thursday I would pack my bag to head out on a trip the next morning. (At JCU you do not have classes on Fridays, which means long travel weekend every weekend!)
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
My favorite thing to do abroad during my free time in Rome was exploring. Rome is a huge city, and over the time that I was there, I know I do not even think I saw half of it because it was so big!
Make sure you check out lesser-known places—hit those super famous locations, but also make sure you find the hole-in-the-walls because those places may just be some of your favorites. I made sure to avoid sitting in my apartment by myself because I wanted to take advantage of every moment that I had there.
Also, trying new restaurants and looking for places to sit outside and relax were two things that I enjoyed during my free time.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I lived in a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath apartment. It had a balcony on every room (two in the living room, one in kitchen, both bathrooms, and one in both bedrooms!!) which made it absolutely gorgeous. It looked like we were living in an actual Italian apartment, not a hotel room.
What I liked best is that SAI puts you in housing that is immersive in the culture. This means that you will likely be the only Americans staying in your complex, which makes it so cool when interacting with other tenants! The view was beautiful and the location was walkable from campus with a gelato place right outside. 10/10 recommend!!!!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
SAI will want to get to know you in the best way! SAI wants to ensure that you are having the best experience abroad—this means that they will check up on you. You are not just another number!
All of the excursions and cultural activities that SAI takes you on are at no additional cost to what you have to pay. They are included in your fees and are great when you want to learn about the city around you. On one excursion, we went on a food tour of Rome where we tried cannolis, three Rome dishes, amazing espresso, and other Rome signatures.
Another excursion I went on included a farm lunch and tour of the Ostia Antica ruins right outside of Rome. If you’re the only person from your home university, don’t worry! Many of the other students in the SAI program are from around the US and are friends that you will make abroad but keep for the rest of your lives.
You will make those connections even if you might come into the program knowing no one!
Would you recommend SAI Programs to others? Why?
I would absolutely recommend my provider to others. SAI Programs care about you and wants you to have the best experience possible. They stay in contact with you for the entirety of your trip and assist you in whatever you need.
They provide you with FREE excursions and cultural activities when you are in your host city that familiarize you with the location and other study abroad students in your program. The individualized experience is absolutely amazing and something that sets SAI apart from many other study abroad providers.
Additionally, SAI works to ensure that you get to experience your host country from a perspective of a local, not someone who drops into the city for a semester and leaves right after. You live like a local; you shop in a grocery store, live in an apartment complex with other locals, and experience life just like you’ve lived there for years (with help from your program coordinators of course—they do not just leave you hanging when you’re there).
SAI ensures that you are safe and taken care of from the very beginning to the very end of your study abroad experience and gives you opportunities for professional growth with ambassador opportunities after your return to the US.
A sunset that I got to see on my walk between JCU campus buildings
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
To me, one of the biggest benefits of traveling abroad is self-discovery. I became someone who is more independent, hard-working, outgoing, and adventurous. I am also someone who values relationships much more and do not see myself having these qualities to this extent if I had not traveled abroad.
You learn so many life skills and learn about yourself when you are put in an environment different than the one that you are used to every day. Another huge benefit to studying abroad is that you gain knowledge about how to interact with others that may be from a different culture than you.
You bring that knowledge back and use it in your everyday life when you interact with people that may have different views on topics than you do.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I have an itch to go abroad again! I think about my time abroad every day. I feel like I became a more independent person and can really see that now that I’m back in the States. I still stay in touch with many of my friends from the program and can't see my life without them in it!
I still say to this day that my months abroad were the best of my life. Because of my study abroad experience, I am capable of interacting with people who speak different languages, have different beliefs from my own, and am much more outgoing.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means taking advantage of every moment. Studying abroad is a gift and not something that everyone gets to do. Instead of sitting in your apartment FaceTiming your friends at home, get out into the city and explore.
I think one major aspect of meaningful travel is getting out of your comfort zone. Instead of eating at the American restaurant down the street, try food that you may not always get at home.
Browse at the flower market by your apartment or strike up a conversation with someone who you wouldn’t normally talk to at home. Meet people. Try new things. Travel on the weekend. Get out of your comfort zone.
