Majors: Labor Studies and Employment Relations; Pyschology
Hometown: Syosset, Long Island, NY
How did you learn about this opportunity?
I learned about this opportunity through friends at Penn State and alumni.
Tell us a little bit about your experience.
I knew that I did not want to be in an overwhelmingly large tourist-filled city in Italy. My education abroad adviser told me about the Umbra Institute in Perugia, and it fit perfectly with what I had wanted. I feel like I’m getting so much out of this program, because I am able to get help with anything I need right away from the staff and there are always events going on that allow us to immerse ourselves in the Italian culture. It’s easier to learn more about the culture and even the language when you’re in a less touristy area.
I feel like I learn something new about this small city every day. I’m also meeting a lot of new people. Interacting with them is great because they are more than willing to help improve my Italian speaking skills. I feel that I have learned so much Italian in the small amount of time that I have been here. I try to use it whenever I possibly can. It’s a great way of practicing. Also, being in Italy gives me the opportunity to study all over Europe. A dream of mine has been to travel around Europe, and I have been able to do so by doing this program. Cities in Italy are different in many ways and offer you so much, even if you’re visiting just for the weekend. I also made new friends on my program when traveling together.
“I am interacting with many different people and it’s great to see any situation from all different perspectives. I feel that this study abroad experience in Italy is teaching me to appreciate diversity and how to deal with unfamiliar situations.”
How did this experience impact you academically?
I am given the opportunity to learn in a different country and learn different ways and styles of teaching and learning. Classes here are smaller than classes I am used to taking at Penn State, so I am able to have a new experience in the classroom.
What are your career goals and plans? How did this experience impact them?
I am hoping to either work in human resources for an entertainment company or become an entertainment lawyer. This experience is helping me mature and become more independent and heighten my cultural awareness.