I chose Torino, Italy for a variety of reasons. I wanted to experience living in Europe and in a larger city, be culturally immersive, have academics that align with my interests, and practice a new language. If you're looking for something similar, Torino is the place for you! I loved living in a larger city, complete with a metro system, urbanized layout, and opportunities to experience city life. I was so happy with my immersion, too. I lived in a neighborhood alongside Italians and was exposed to every walk of life, from young children to older individuals. The academics were fantastic, too, as they catered to my international governance interests and smaller class sizes for a more personal experience. Overall, all of my goals and hopes were met in Torino, and more! I also got to travel frequently thanks to Torino's prime location and made endless memories that I will cherish forever!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I decided I wanted to try solo traveling before I went back to America. I was so terrified, but I went to Switzerland my last weekend before going home. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my time and I learned so much about myself! Not only this, but I also got to see new areas of culture and language since I was in a completely different country. I was so happy to have studied in Torino because it honed my traveling skills and is in a prime location for traveling, which properly prepared me for my solo adventure!
What other participants should know
- Lots of partying within the program
- Sometimes hard to connect with peers
- N/A
Response from USAC
We hope the good memories of your time in England will overshadow the disappointments that seem top-of-mind right now. Reaching out to the USAC Resident Director as soon as you did was the best move and led to changes within our reach. Helping students acclimate to the culture and mitigate campus issues is precisely why USAC staff is available to you, so thank you for contacting them. We shared your experience with USAC's leadership and Advising team to review where a disconnect may have occurred in your onboarding process. We're glad you enjoyed the concert scene and exploring London. Taking on a term abroad is a momentous thing — we hope you applaud yourself for having the ambition to spend a summer in Europe. We also know exactly who you’re talking about in the Library Café, and we agree, he is awesome.