By Nadia Dudley
Why study abroad? What are the benefits of studying abroad? What can you do while studying abroad?
Before my recent trip to Italy, I had never been out of the country. I was excited but also incredibly anxious to immerse myself in a completely new world from the one I knew. Will I be able to adjust to the cultural shock? What will Italy be like?
Thanks to the reassurance and companionship of some of my fellow students, the professor leading the trip, and Nazareth study abroad staff, I was able to craft the experience of a lifetime. I was able to overcome the cultural shock by learning as much as possible about the culture and language and by being open-minded to trying new things.
I knew the Pescara short-term program would be perfect for me after attending the first interest meeting in October. My Naz SPARK Grant was a significant help in covering the trip costs, along with funds from my summer job. It made the trip much more accessible. My dream had always been to travel to Italy, and now I could finally do so.
While there are so many memories I treasure from this trip, five stand out to me.
1. Overnight Trip to Florence
Visiting Florence took my breath away. My group had a lot of free time to decide what we wanted to do. Having that degree of independence was one of my favorite things about the trip, mainly because it enabled everyone to do what they wanted. One experience that I chose was climbing Giotto's Bell Tower. I hiked up a staggering 414 steps for the most amazing view of Florence from above. The view (and the stairs) left me breathless!
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| View of Giotto's Bell Tower from ground level. |
One of my favorite parts of the overnight trip was meeting Dr. Alan Pascuzzi, a Nazareth alumnus who completed undergraduate degrees in Italian and art history in 1991. He is a painter, sculptor, and professor of art history who received a Fulbright scholarship to travel to Florence, where he currently lives. He gave us a tour of Florence, and it was amazing to learn more about the historical background from a true professional.
2. Overnight Trip to Rome
During our day and night in Rome before flying home, we braved the summer heat and explored as much of the city as we could. We got to visit the Vatican City and see the Pope, enter and explore St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, and the Spanish Steps.
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| The Colosseum in Rome. |
3. Excursion to Castelli
Castelli is a very small town near the Apennine Mountain range and has a beautiful history of producing handmade ceramic art. We got to enter the workshop of a local artist and watch him at work. It was truly unforgettable to watch him at work. He showed us with ease how he makes his bird-shaped whistles from clay. We also visited a ceramic museum, where we received a tour and learned about the process of making these beautiful ceramics.
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View of the Apennine Mountain Range in Castelli. |
4. Excursion to Naples
In Naples, we dug into the region’s history. We visited the Archaeological Park of Herculaneum in Ercolano, which were a result of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Compared to the ruins at Pompeii, these were much more intact. We also got to visit Villa Campolieto, a mansion built along what’s known as “The Golden Road.” Also referred to as “The Golden Mile,” this road earned its name by having a number of lavish mansions built along it.
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Part of the outside court of Villa Campolieto. |
5. Experiencing the Art
Saving my favorite for last! I loved being able to immerse myself in all of the art. As a group, we saw Michelangelo’s “David” in the Galleria dell'Accademia. During my free time, I was able to visit the Uffizi Gallery, where I saw works such as Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.” I also visited the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo on my own time, which had Ghiberti’s famous “Gates of Paradise.”
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Michelangelo’s “David” at the Galleria dell’Academia. |
Pescara’s Imago Museum houses works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. I loved exploring the museum on my own and getting to see the wide variety of art styles and subjects explored by local artists.
This trip solidified something I have been trying to learn for a while: getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you’re contemplating travelling abroad, do it! It is a remarkable experience you do not want to miss.
In my mind, I’m still walking the streets of Florence with gelato in hand, admiring the architecture, or on the shore of the Adriatic Sea in Pescara, feeling the water come in and gently tug at my feet through the sand. So go to the interest meeting and book that plane ticket. And be ready for unforgettable adventures when you land.
Nadia Dudlley is about to start her sophomore year, majoring in communication and media with minors in studio art, digital media and design, and a newly declared minor in art history.
