Liberal Arts Major(s): Anthropology
Other Major: Art History
Minor: Latin
Hometown: Mystic, Connecticut

What was the best part of your experience?

The best part of my experience was being totally immersed in a new culture. You develop a whole new perspective on your own livelihood and social norms when you're dropped into an environment that may have different ideas about these things. During the seventeen-day Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology, we stayed at a hotel near the center of Rome rather than studying on a university campus. Our classroom was whichever ancient site we visited on a given day, and the program also allowed us a lot of free time to explore the city on our own. This unique learning environment was much more conducive to valuable learning than a traditional classroom could ever be.

The best part of my experience was being totally immersed in a new culture

How did this experience impact you academically?

My time in Rome was endlessly beneficial for helping me specialize my interests in anthropology and art history and for improving my understanding of the content in my other classes. I gained a deeper understanding of archaeological procedures through the sites we visited, which aids in my anthropology courses. As an aspiring Latin minor, it was rewarding to apply my knowledge of the language firsthand in the city where it developed. Even my Latin class has been easier due to my new knowledge of the culture and history of ancient Rome.

How will this experience impact your career goals?

I've had my sights set on focusing my future career in Italy for a while, and getting a small glimpse of life there only strengthened my decision. I was able to identify certain professions that my degree could allow, such as museum curator, art conservator, or archaeological field worker at any of the thousand museums and archaeological sites throughout Italy. Through conversations with the amazing professors who led the program, I have a better understanding of the work my studies and potential careers might entail, and I have an assurance that I'm on the right path.