USAC Italy: Verona -International Business & Italian Studies

Studying abroad in Verona, Italy was honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Verona itself is such a beautiful and charming city, and it felt a lot less overwhelming than bigger places like Rome or Milan. It was the perfect balance of having things to do while still feeling safe and easy to navigate. Walking through the streets every day, seeing historic buildings, and being surrounded by so much culture made even normal routines feel exciting. One of the best parts of being based in Verona was how easy it was to travel. I was able to visit so many different cities and even other countries, which made the experience feel even bigger than just one place. At the same time, coming back to Verona always felt comfortable and familiar. I also really appreciated the slower pace of life compared to the U.S. People take more time to enjoy meals, spend time with friends, and actually be present, which is something I learned to value a lot more. Overall, studying abroad in Verona helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, made me more independent, and gave me a new perspective on different cultures and ways of living. I would 100% recommend it to anyone considering studying abroad.

I had to learn how to grow independently and let me tell you I would not be the same person today if I did not go to Italy for a semester. Specifically Verona, because I believe the less touristy it was gave myself a better chance to immerse myself in the culture. I made some of my best friends to this day, I learned how to be independent, I learned how to face my anxiety on my own, and ultimately get to experience a different way of life that I would now say is where and how I want to live in the future. I would do this exact program with the same exact people over and over again. I think about it every single day and ultimately nothing could ever compare to my time in Verona.

ever since coming back from Italy, all I can do is think about it all day every day and how I need to get back. extremely delicious food everywhere you went, the cheapest and most amazing wine no matter what restaurant you walked into, and truly some of the nicest locals I have ever met, regardless of where I’ve traveled. I think Verona is possibly a better city than some of the other big name, Italian cities as it allows you to have a little bit more of a personal connection with the community around you. The art history class I took was one of the most impactful courses I took during my entire time at university