Studying abroad is probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life so far. I’ve met amazing people and taken in the Italian culture as much as I could these past four months, all while learning a lot about myself and how big the world actually is.
While abroad I have taken courses about wine and different foods and also a really interesting sociology class. It’s those types of classes I will remember for the rest of my life.
My first two weeks abroad in Italy were hard; I was in complete culture shock and thought this semester was going to be painfully long being without my family in a different country. But then I came to realize that this is a time for me to experience things most people never get to experience.
After all I was in Italy, with amazing food and such nice people. The professors were so nice and understanding. At times having a language barrier was a bit frustrating, but everyone managed to get by pretty easily.
This also made me want to pay more attention to what people were saying so I could learn as much Italian as possible in my time here. It’s such a beautiful language that I am happy to be surrounded by in my time overseas.
Contributed Photos
KSC student Deanna Pansuti explores the ins and outs of Italy in both Florence and Venice. Pansuti says she is glad that the study abroad program has allowed her these experiences and is amazed by all of the sights that she has seen in her time there so far.
It has been really time consuming, traveling and studying all at the same time. This semester I went to all the places I wanted to go. I had a bucket list before I came abroad, which I would advise most people to do. I went to Paris, Barcelona, Greece, Ireland, London and all over Italy.
Greece was by far my favorite place. We went to Santorini, which was the exact place where the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” was filmed. The island had spectacular views.
I traveled with several other girls from Keene State. I like getting to know people in other places that I wouldn’t necessarily get to know just by being in Keene.
I have also realized that American culture is completely different from European. Europeans enjoy life in-the-moment, utilizing more leisurely activities like longer meals and relaxing walks. Taking time to do things that you enjoy is highly valued in Europe. People work but also find time to enjoy their day, unlike Americans who work all day and are still stressed out most of the time. This experience has given me a new perspective on life.
Italian education features a different way of teaching that we don’t use in America. In America, we get quizzed all the time and have papers to write monthly. Italian pedagogy is more group-work during class — listening to the teacher speak, then having a class discussion about it or a group worksheet. I feel that in America we are so worried about numbers on exams rather than really understanding what we are learning.
My perspectives have changed. Living in Italy and noticing things I wouldn’t automatically notice if I just visited for a week or two has changed me for the better. I think being on my own has made me more mature, and I’ve realized that I can achieve more than I thought. I now want to make the most of everyday, wherever I am.
Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to go to Rome, Florence and Venice. Now that I’m here I’ve seen the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum [Flavian Amphitheatre]. I went on a gondola ride, too, and knowing that I experienced as much as I could with my time here is an amazing feeling.
I’ve become more open-minded after this experience abroad and it is something I will take with me for the rest of my life. No one really understands what an impact it is on them until they experience it for themselves.