Alumni Interview with Samantha Weigle

What inspired you to go abroad?

I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to see new places and get immersed in various cultures.

Why did you choose FUA Study Abroad in Florence?

Traveling to Italy has always been a dream of mine. The Florence program fit into my home university schedule the best.

What was your favorite part about Florence?

Florence had many hidden wonders and I always found something fascinating every time I wandered around. The cuisine in Italy was amazing as well.

What made your experience abroad unique?

I traveled abroad with my roommate from my home university. Having the opportunity to experience all of the exciting moments with someone I knew already made the journey that much more special.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The CIS program staff in Florence were helpful and resourceful. They had information on traveling and cared about our safety. It was nice having people close that were able to help us in a time of need.

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

One thing I wish I would have done differently was take more time to visit local museums. I did not get a chance to fully appreciate the rich artistic culture in Florence.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

A typical day while studying abroad for me included going to class, walking around the city to look at sights or stores, cooking dinner, and getting to know my other roommates.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoyed traveling to other countries or cities in Italy. I wanted to see as many places as possible. Since traveling in Europe is easy and affordable, I was able to do this quite often.

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

While abroad, I lived in an apartment with four other girls. Since we lived on the top floor, we had a great view of the Duomo on one end and Tuscan hills at the other end. The view was my favorite part.

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

When a great opportunity comes your way to experience something new, do it. Studying abroad most likely is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it.

What was the hardest part about studying abroad?

The hardest part of studying abroad was the language barrier. I did not have a lot of interaction with the locals so I did not get to practice speaking the language a lot. I only learned short phrases and common words.

What surprised you most about Florence?

What surprised me the most about Florence was the amount of sights to see in one place. There were many museums and landmarks.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before studying abroad in Italy?

One thing I wish I knew before studying abroad would be to make the most of every moment. Looking back, there were some places I would have traveled to, museums I wish I would have went to, and places I wish I would have made the time to eat at. It was amazing how quickly the time went while I was abroad.

If you could study abroad again, where would you go?

If I could study abroad again, I would go to London. I absolutely loved it there. After being there for a long weekend, I easily could have seen myself spending months there.

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

Studying abroad has many benefits, but the most important is gaining a deeper understanding of the world we live in. I was so intrigued how vastly different the cultures were. As an education major, I feel that I can take all of the information I learned and pass it on to my future students. I think it is crucial for younger generations to be excited to learn about other cultures and be able to see how they are similar and different to people in other places.

Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to Florence?

Packing for Florence was quite tricky. The weather was very cold when we first arrived but hot by the time we left. I would say to prepare for all types of weather, especially rain.

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

When I first came home, it was hard to transition back. Realizing that I would not be traveling every weekend was hard to imagine. Now that I am back at school, I have been able to relate my time abroad to my education. I am an early childhood education major and it was great having first hand experience of the content I am teaching. Traveling abroad has made me appreciate cultural diversity.

Would you recommend FUA Study Abroad in Florence to others? Why?

I would highly recommend the semester in Florence program. The staff were welcoming and helpful. They were always available to answer questions and make a foreign country feel like home. Florence University of the Arts gave me the opportunity to meet new people and create lasting friendships. Florence was a beautiful city with amazing art, food, and culture. Traveling was easy and allowed me to see other countries in Europe. By studying abroad, I have grown as an individual and have a deeper appreciation for the world around me.