Parc Guell is one of my favorite spots in Barcelona!

What was your favorite class abroad and why?
While I am not a math person at all, my favorite class I took while I was studying in Florence was a three-week intensive Hospitality Accounting class. I liked it so much because my professor was hands-on, passionate, and knowledgeable. He took us to different hospitality locations around the city and showed us how industry professionals use accounting in their everyday jobs and how they got to where they were today. It was not a class I expected to like, but it just goes to show how studying abroad can change your viewpoint!

Paragliding in Switzerland? Check!

What travel tips would you give someone studying abroad?
When studying abroad, I would recommend finding out where you can print at your host university. Many discount airlines that students use do not give the option of online ticketing or printing at the airport, so knowing where you can print beforehand will save you time (and money!). It is also always good to have confirmation in case your phone dies and you do not have access to your tickets. Another piece of advice I would give is to always pack light. Finding a couple staple pieces of clothing that can be worn multiple ways on one trip and only packing the essentials will save you room for more souvenirs that you can take home.

Studying Abroad means going to some of the most picturesque places. This is Lisbon, Portugal, and my favorite place in the world!

What felt the most “foreign” to you when you came back to the US?
What felt the most foreign to me when I came back was how stores, like Walmart, Target and even pharmacies, had everything you could ever need in them! In Italy, you would often go to multiple stores to get everything you needed for the week; like toiletries, groceries, fresh food, medicine, etc. But in the US, you can get everything in one place (and drive to it). I had forgotten how unified stores were after spending four months making multiple stops on my way home from classes.

The Amalfi Coast is a must-see for students

When traveling, I always tried to do one “splurge” activity. In Valencia, it was bike riding through the park during the Las Fallas Festival!

Isabella was a spring 2019 Florence student from University of South Carolina.