Traveling the World and Finding Myself Along the Way: The 3 Biggest Things I’ve Learned while Studying Abroad in Italy

Blair Konczal is a student at Kansas State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Blair is currently studying abroad with ISA in Florence, Italy.

Hello! Don’t mind me just hanging out on the streets of Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day!

When I came to study abroad I came in with the mindset that it was such a great opportunity to see and travel the world. I never imagined that studying in Florence would teach me so much  more about myself as it is doing.  Here are the three biggest things I’ve learned since I’ve been here:

Foray out of Florence: Zedd Concert in Germany

Blair Konczal is a student at Kansas State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Blair is currently studying abroad with ISA in Florence, Italy.

This past weekend I left the beautiful city of Florence to check out Germany. The weekend included traveling between 4 different cities, a 40 person hostel, 7 forms of public transportation, a castle, and last but not least a concert in Cologne, Germany.

Nymphenburg Palace aka my summer home.

Off to Rome, the Eternal City

Meredith Watts is a student at the University of Georgia and an ISA Featured Blogger. Meredith is currently studying abroad with ISA in Rome, Italy.

It has been a busy week for me so far and I realize that this is only the beginning of my exciting journey. To start everything off, I had to hurriedly apply to business school at the University of Georgia, finishing just before heading to the airport, and then say my final goodbyes to everyone at home. The stress of applications and packing was finally over and it was time to leave. I found myself forgetting how confining the bubble of Virginia Beach can be, a comfort and curse that would soon be broken within hours. Going from the tiny Norfolk airport to JFK is like traveling between two completely different planets. The hustle of people exponentially increased, with trailing suitcase creating a maze for me to navigate in order to reach my gate. Panicking for just a split second, I calmed down and remembered that anxiety will get me absolutely no were in the next five months. Letting go of all my trepidations, I patiently awaited to board my flight to London Heathrow.

The 5 Biggest Differences Between Italy and the States

Blair Konczal is a student at Kansas State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Blair is currently studying abroad with ISA in Florence, Italy.

1. Lifestyle Pace – In the states I feel like I’m always on the go. I feel like I’m perfectly scheduled from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed without ever stopping to relax. Here in Italy you take your time to do everything. Heck, there is a time from 2-4 PM called “Siesta”. Literally all you do is nap. And napping is one of my specialties. You won’t find anyone on the streets, and stores close down. It’s awesome. Point Italy.

The beautiful city of Florence!

A Final Stroll Around Rome

Julie Bourne is a student at University of Denver and an ISA Featured Blogger. Julie is currently studying abroad in Rome on a Fall 1 program.

I never thought that the day would come but on Thursday, December 13^th, I found myself facing the last day in Rome. I wondered what I could possibly do with my time on that final day, aside from necessary packing of bags. I ended up making the decision to brave the biting cold outside and give myself a walking tour of my absolute favorite parts of the city (so basically the whole thing). Winding down around the charming streets of Trastevere, up through the bustling city center, along the river to Vatican city, and up the hill to get back home, I got to spend some serene last moments appreciating the insane amount of beauty that Rome beholds. My favorite moment had to be later on in the day when I reunited with my roommates and we ended up being the first ones to see the Vatican City Christmas tree get lit up. It was a truly beautiful end to the best few months I’ve ever had in my life.

Armed with some snacks to go and my iPhone, I attempted to capture some of these moments with my shaky yet well-intentioned filming skills.

Rome Semester Abroad from Julie Bourne on Vimeo.

A Farewell to Florence: Learning How to Saying Goodbye

Samantha Philbrick is a student at University of New Hampshire and an ISA Featured Blogger. Samantha is currently studying abroad program in Florence on an ISA Fall 1 program.

My last week in Florence was ridiculously hard.

It wasn’t the five crushing finals threatening to drive me crazy by keeping me up until early in the morning studying for. It wasn’t packing up everything from the last five months into two airport approved suitcases in time to catch my 6am flight. It wasn’t the projects, presentations, and reviews that had to be completed before the 15th. It was hard saying goodbye to the city and the people I had formed this incredible bond with over the course of my study abroad program.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Fell in Love With Florence

I’ve made friends with everyone here, from the man who makes my espresso every morning, to the staff at my favorite grocery store, to the man who lives a floor below me who I ride the elevator and exchange recipes with each each week.

Serenity Found in a Bustling City: Villa Pamphili, Rome

Julie Bourne is a student at University of Denver and an ISA Featured Blogger. Julie is currently studying abroad in Rome on a Fall 1 program.

Rome is a very busy city full of leisurely people. Despite the fact that walking at a .001 MPH pace is the norm here, the city center is constantly buzzing with both tourists and locals- sometimes to a point where you just really need to pause and breathe in some fresh air that isn’t being closely shared with thousands of other people. This is when a place like Villa Pamphili becomes a much-needed retreat.

School in Rome vs. School in Denver: 5 Differences

Julie Bourne is a student at University of Denver and an ISA Featured Blogger. Julie is currently studying abroad in Rome on a Fall 1 program.

When I tell people that I am spending my semester at the American University of Rome, I can’t help but feel like I’m letting them down a bit by admitting that I’m going to an American university, rather than a completely Italian university. However, I am quick to mention the need-to-know fact that, in truth, the AUR is quite different than the university I attend back home in the U.S. Aside from the fact that you can get an American four-year degree from the school and take all your classes in the English language, going to school in Rome has proven to be quite the unique experience.

Double Wishes on Nights in Roma

Allison Body is a student at Rockhurst University and an ISA Featured Blogger. Allison is currently studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic on an ISA Fall 1 program.

Last week I turned 22, and my friend had the most brilliant birthday idea: blow out my birthday candles at the Trevi Fountain, and then I get two birthday wishes!  Why was this possible?  Because I was lucky enough to spend my birthday with two of my best friends (Sam and Kara) in Rome.  There is no way I could describe everything we did this weekend, so I will just keep it to our three nights in Roma:

The inside of St. Peter’s Basilica (a type of church) at the Vatican!