Now that I am back in the summer heat of Charleston, I believe that I have a clearer idea of what my study abroad trip to London really meant to me. I have been surprisingly sentimental about it, especially because I went into the experience not expecting to make any “real” friends. However, the people I met on this trip were the most valuable part of it all. I now…
Hello, my name is Morgan Cingari and I am a Junior at the College of Charleston. I am currently studying at the Sant’ Anna Institute in Sorrento Italy. I chose this program because it has always been my dream to study abroad in Italy, and visit the Amalfi Coast. I also grew up along the coast of Massachusetts, so the ability to be near the ocean allows me to feel…
I spent this past Easter week in Sorrento, and it was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. To celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the people of Sorrento have parades otherwise known as Precessions. These Precessions are silently conducted three times throughout the town. In the first Precession, the participants are dressed in white robes, in the second they are dressed in white and black, and in…
I made it! I’m finally here! I step off the boat and take in the moment. It is one of those Shoot-I-am-just-so-thankful-moments. It is a WOW moment. A Bigness moment. A life is GOOD moment. All the little logistics leading up to this point no longer matter. In this moment, life is as good as it gets. After weeks of preparation, lectures, excursions, and planning, I have finally arrived at…
While studying abroad, I have discovered the true meaning of adaptability. As my program operates in remote locations and in unpredictable ecosystems, adapting to changing conditions and overcoming obstacles has become an essential life lesson. Whether the roadblocks are physical, social, mental, or emotional, I’ve realized that a) I am not alone, b) that my feelings are valid, and c) the best way to move forward is to adjust my…
Over Spring Break, my cousin and I decided to leave Paris and go to Vienna. I have always wanted to go because I have seen all the beautiful photos of Austria and I wanted to experience it for myself. The first day we decided to go to the The Hofburg Palace and learned about the family that once ruled over Austria. The museum was based around the Empress Elisabeth of…
In the UK, football is a huge part of the culture and is a lively event that immerses people within their community and their pride to certain teams and locations. I was eager to get to London to experience this special tradition and was hoping it would live up to my expectations of excitement, and it did. Not only have I enjoyed attending football games during my time in London,…
Here is my day as a study abroad student in Paris. First, I wake up in the morning and get ready for my day. I then walk down the street to my local bakery to get some breakfast. I always try to get new things every morning and my goal is to try everything in the bakery by the end of the semester. My favorite so far is the Viennoise…
Name: Savannah Petrelli Major: Political Science and International Studies with a concentration in Europe Year: Junior, class of 2023 Host Program: IES Paris BIA Why did I choose my program: I choose Paris because I wanted to improve my French speaking skills while being in a diverse city. IES offered a lot of classes for my major as well. Goals: Some of my goals were to practice my French and…
So far, with the time I have spent in Florence, Italy, I have fallen in love with the food culture here in Florence and in Italy. It has really opened my eyes to what real food is—the care they put into every dish and the quality of exotic flavors. For instance, the first night I was here, I went out to dinner with other students, and I had a bite…
