Study abroad is defined as an experience to learn more about what you are studying, in an unfamiliar location. Below I will share with all of you my journey in discovering how this definition relates to me. I will speak of the timeline of my academic journey and what I learned from it. It was an early winter morning, and I could still see the steam coming off my hot chocolate when my phone buzzed. I knew what that meant, it was my acceptance letter to the school I’ve been wanting to get into, the University of Washington Bothell. I hesitantly opened the email that would change the course of my life, in reading the first word a wave of intense joy came over me and all I could think about was the word “Congratulations.” I had been accepted into the school and with determination, I was also accepted into my major later on. While my girlfriend and I were looking at classes for the next quarter, I saw a section that was for Study Abroad. Curiosity got the best of me, and I clicked it scrolling through various classes and the quarters they were in. One caught my attention, La Dolce Vita: Food, Community, and Well-being in Italy. Aside from learning about agriculture and the process of food we would also be learning about the behaviors and social community of Italy. As someone who loves food and social psychology, I decided this was the program that would most enhance my education in relation to my field.
When I applied for the program, I did not realize the adventure I was getting myself into. I wrote about my family that has pushed me to learn more and to take any opportunity that came my way. I wrote about my struggles as a first-generation student and as an older sister. I also wrote about my experience as a lesbian in a POC family. My advice for writing a good application essay is to be honest and let your story take control. As I began attending the orientations for the program, I met many of the people who would later become my friends. I also learned more about the program and its goal to bring attention to the food culture we have in the US. My family helped me out a lot, from giving me rides to the orientations to listening about my excitement around going to Italy. During the same time as the orientations, I planned for my passport, my plane ticket and budgeting what I would spend abroad.
Before I traveled to my destination in Italy, I looked to many places for financial assistance, aside from FAFSA. I had won a few scholarships that would further help me financially. Aside from the assistance of scholarships and financial aid, I had my job to thank as well. Since the time I found out I got accepted into the program till the day of my flight I worked hard. I tried to save up all the spare pennies I had because I wanted to try the cuisine and luxuries of Italy. While looking through the itinerary of the program, I noticed places I did not know before. I took it upon myself to research online the culture and its differences from the US, which included the food and their style of clothing.
Many things were wildly different to me there compared to living in the US, such as not having fast food or having a quick meal. I also read how they like to completely dress for fashion and to impress others, which I feel like in Washington more specifically we dress for comfort and simplicity. Italian culture shares more similarities with Mexican culture than the US, it was easier to differentiate the US with Italy rather than Italy with Mexico.
Arriving in Italy, I discovered how different everything was compared to the US. At first glance, the location I was at first, Bologna, was so fast paced and very lively. I felt as a class we were stimulated by the hastiness of the new city and its calling for new adventure and mystery. We learned more about the rest of our classmates and began forming connections within ourselves and the city. We tried new food together and shared our stories. There were so many new shocking things such as the vibrance of the community, the free markets, the history, and the landmarks, all just in one location.
After the amusement of Bologna, we headed to a farm called San Carlo. As someone who grew up near a farm, I thought I knew a little bit of what it was like, but the farm life in Italy was completely different. It felt as if we were free from all obligations, we were all just humans with a passion to grow. We saw the factories and learned the history of them. We saw the interconnection of farm to factory to people. It was a unique subjective outlook on life.
Once done with our life-changing farm stay we headed to Spannocchia, where we learned about the pigs and the history of why the food is served and cooked a certain way. It taught me about the traditions of the preparation of food. Aside from the food, we got to build closer bonds with each other, and we got to explore life with nature. During our stay there we learned many deep traditions from of the culture of Italy. We got to cook with the chefs and got to taste the traditional foods.
While our time spent there was harmonious, we had to continue pushing forward and we headed to Sardinia. It was there where we learned of what it meant to live a “longevity lifestyle” which consisted of wonderful veggie food and long-distance walking. We began putting long-distance walking into practice by going on hikes, walking a lot more, and going for swims as well. We also got to learn more about Sardinia’s history and what makes Italians, Italians, such as the history that brought them up. We began noticing differences in “traditional” cooking and food styles throughout our trip.
With our final destination being Sicily, we all shed a tear that our shared experience was coming to an end, but we still tried to make the best of it. In Sicily, we saw more vibrance and more shared history with Greece and with all other countries. I noticed the way people would interact with each other and how easygoing it felt. Even if we were strangers, we still were treated like we belonged there. Sicily made me realize how all parts of Italy are unique and different from each other and that they are all proud of their home city.
When I returned home, I noticed the shifts in my behavior, I was less avoidant with outsiders, and I tried being more adventurous. I also noticed how fast food and sugary foods were not appealing to me any longer. This program also helped me look at people from a more psychological point, such as paying more attention to other’s body language and how they speak. While I had challenges that made me fear traveling, I got aid and support from family and my school which allowed me to have an educational and prosperous trip. If you are wondering what you’ll get out of a study abroad trip, I’ll let you know that you’ll get an unforgettable trip full of history and stories.
