My Rome Experience

Guest Post By: Talya Washington, a Senior studying Finance and Human Resources. She is a Global Business Center Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient, and she studied abroad through Foster Rome in Rome, Italy, during Summer Quarter 2023.

When I first got accepted into my study abroad program I was ecstatic because it has been a dream of mine to travel to Italy, and I felt that I was finally getting the chance to experience that. Going into the program I didn’t know what to expect because I had never been that far away from the United States, I didn’t know what my surroundings would be like, the culture, and I didn’t know anyone else in the program. When I first arrived in Italy I was nervous and a little overwhelmed just because of the new environment and the people. But after a couple of weeks, I felt that I was more at home in Italy when it came to exploring, getting to places, the names of areas, and even incorporating the language. 

I think one of the best parts of my time in Italy was meeting new people and creating long-lasting friendships. It was hard to believe when people would tell me that I would meet my best friends in Italy, and now I know that is true. I made the best relationships with my roommates and I have some of the best memories of my life with these individuals. When it came to traveling around Italy, finding new restaurants, going to coffee shops, getting gelato, or just hanging around in our apartment, are some of the best memories I have from my time abroad. 

I am genuinely grateful for everything that I learned from my time abroad. I learned more about the country’s culture, art, history, and people. I felt that I embraced and submerged myself within all these aspects because being there I felt a part of it and took some of it home with me. I am also proud of myself for taking this journey in my life because it opened my eyes to what life is truly like outside of the U.S.