What inspired you to travel abroad?
Derek Tano, co-owner of World Class Programs, was a past teacher of mine and the previous head coach of the speech team at my school. He is an exceptional teacher and coach, and introduced me to the experience!
While I did not need much convincing—I have always wanted to travel and my mom traveled to Italy when she was my age—Mr. Tano made the decision super easy with the offer of his amazing program!
Why did you choose World Class Programs?
I have always wanted to travel to Italy, and the programs offered there were the most appealing to me!
I have a big passion for history and I love learning about art and the history of it, so the art history class was perfect for me. The philosophy class was also an interest of mine, and both classes on the trip were amazing.
This is the Duomo (Cathedral) of Florence. Although I saw it multiple times a day, it never failed to take my breath away!
What was your favorite part about Italy?
The vibrant culture of Italy was incredible. The food we ate everywhere we went was absolutely amazing, and all of the activities we got to do were incredible as well.
Everything about the city of Florence is breathtaking—being able to experience a new, regular life in a place so different from my own home was so eye-opening. Learning about the vibrant history and culture of Italy was easily the best part of the entire experience.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The classes and the activities! The art history class consisted mainly of lectures and exploring churches and museums around Florence, which are the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen.
Outside of classes, we did a wide variety of activities, such as climbing the clocktower and Florence's Duomo (Cathedral), exploring Florence and trying new and exciting foods, and going to other cities in Italy on the weekends and for day trips.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The staff were always there for each and every one of us, every moment on the program! Every adult on the trip was always kind, helpful, and fun to be around.
They were knowledgeable about everything from our classes to the city of Florence; and helped us on every step of the way, from registering for the program, to helping us navigate the new places we were in.
When any of us were sad or homesick, the staff was there for emotional support. They were amazing at keeping everyone timely and organized, while still having fun!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would have had a better idea of what clothes to bring for where I was. Many of the churches required me to wear long skirts and cover my shoulders, and I was not 100% ready for that. I also did not bring enough warm clothes for the chilly nights. If I could re-do my experience, the only thing I would do differently would be changing up my wardrobe a bit!
On one of the very first nights in Italy, we hiked up to Piazza di Michaelangelo, where we saw the best views of Florence!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
We always woke up at a reasonable time, around 8 - 9 A.M. We would have around an hour to get ready, and then we would be off for our art history class.
We would usually stop for a quick breakfast on the way, and then we would go to a church or museum until around noon. We would have a one-to-two hour lunch break to explore the city or rest, then we would come together for an afternoon activity.
After that, we would either stop at a grocery store or go to a new restaurant for dinner, and wind down the night with some gelato!
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I loved exploring the city of Florence and going shopping! During a majority of my free time, myself and two of my friends would explore the city and window shop all of the designer and locally-owned stores. I was able to purchase some amazing handmade goods from vendors in Florence, as well as a designer item.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
Myself and the nine other girls on the trip stayed in the apartments that New York University students stay in when they study abroad.
It was a very nice apartment, with plenty of space for all of us and a lovely kitchen that we were able to use. It was air-conditioned, so it was a nice break from the very hot Florence summer outside. It featured four bathrooms, so no one was ever mad at someone else for taking too much time in the restroom!
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Knowing what to bring is KEY! Asking an alumni or the program directors directly what to bring will be very important. Knowing what clothes, shoes, and kinds of bags to bring is essential. Also, make sure that you figure out a good money situation! Having a plan for exchanging cash or getting a card before you leave the country is best.
Would you recommend World Class Programs to others? Why?
100% yes! It was an amazing experience overall and I could not say enough good things about it. I had almost no negative experiences for the entire nineteen days, and even the travel to get there and home wasn't difficult.
After the Covid pandemic, getting away from home and seeing a new culture was amazing. It is also a great way to prepare students for college if they are planning to go away from home!
On one of our afternoon activities, we climbed to the top of the Duomo and saw this amazing view of the city!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Experiencing a new culture and way of life that is different from your own. Learning the new customs and culture of a country is incredibly important, and seeing a place that is different from your own is incredible.
I also believe that it is very important to learn how to be independent before you are an adult (or before you are done with high school). Traveling abroad in high school is the perfect way to achieve this.
Did your program provide specific pre-departure Covid support? If yes, tell us what kind of support you received.
Yes, all of us who went on the trip were vaccinated and were required to have a negative Covid test. The staff provided resources for us to find somewhere to get tested or where to find at-home tests, and we were all able to submit a negative Covid test before the trip.
The World Class Programs portal also made it very easy to submit your vaccination status/card and negative test.
How did your program help you stay (and feel) safe abroad amidst the ongoing pandemic?
Yes! We were required to always travel in groups of at least three, and most of the time we were with an adult. We also wore masks at all times, as required by Italy and the program.
I felt safe at all times, and no one in the group had a negative or unsafe encounter on the trip. We also stayed very Covid safe, as no one contracted Covid during the trip or when they got home!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
It has made me compare the cultures of my home and the place I studied. I do miss the experience, but everything I took away from it was so amazing!
I am now able to recommend the program to others, and take my knowledge home. The only downside is that I miss authentic Italian food so much—nothing at home is like it!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
The people I know who travel the most know so much more than those who don't, and arguably I think that people who travel more are more intelligent than those who don't. Learning about new places and new cultures allows us to be more knowledgeable about all things. It also makes people more personable, and more friendly if they know about different cultures and how different people interact
