Why did you decide to study abroad with CISabroad?
Megan: I do not have any creative or interesting reasons for why I choose this program. I knew what city I wanted to study abroad in Perugia, Italy, and the program seemed to fit my needs. It helped that the program had a positive reputation, as well.
What made this experience unique and special?
Megan: My study abroad experience was unique and special for a sundry of reasons. The first being that it was only my second time flying and my first time leaving the United States. Moreover, my abroad experience was special because it allowed me to learn the Italian language. I’ve never heard Italian before landing in Rome. As for unique, Perugia is a small and hidden town. I wanted to be forced to learn the culture, language, and people, and Perugia gave me just that! I would not have had the same experience in another Italian city.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Megan: My study abroad experience has helped me personally and professionally. Professionally my experienced helped me figure out what I want out of my career: the ability to travel, learn, and enjoy what I do. Personally my experience abroad has helped me gain confidence in myself, to survive in an unknown city, to laugh at my mistakes, to spend time with myself, and to slow things down. The latter being one of the most important. Italians know the art of relaxation. The key is we all deserve to relax, we don’t need to earn it.
If you could do-over one thing, what would it be?
Megan: The only thing that I would have changed is having the option of having a mentor family or a home stay experience. I enjoyed living in an apartment with other students, but I would have gained and learned more by living with an Italian family. Living with a family or having a mentor family would have helped me with my language skills, to learn more customs, and to learn how to cook like an Italian! Which of course, would be a little piece of heaven in the U.S.A.