Italy: Verona - International Business, Tourism, Italian Studies

I traveled to Verona, Italy for my study abroad semester in the Fall of 2023. It was the most wonderful experience I could've ever asked for. That isn't saying that everything went perfect. There were some ups and downs, but nothing compared to living abroad, traveling to new places, and building lifelong friendships and memories! I think about my abroad trip every day with a smile on my face, and still keep in touch with the people I met during the program. The school was a 40 minute walk from our apartments, but there were many other modes of transportation. I usually took the bus and bought myself a 2 month bus pass when I was there, and other people enjoyed the walk or used an electric scooter. The field trips we had during our stay were SO fun, and we had free time to do what we wanted. One of my favorite trips was going to Limone, Lake Garda. After the field trip was over we stayed near the peak of the lake and visited a rocky beach called Sirmione. Verona is a very cute city, and the Arena in the center of the town is actually older than Rome's Colosseum! I had the privilege of seeing an opera show while I was there. The shopping strip near the Arena is also very nice, and it's only a 10 minute walk away from the school. Verona is also known for being Romeo and Juliet's love place, where you can visit Juliet's statue and balcony. I highly recommend studying abroad in Verona!! You won't regret it!

Studying abroad in Verona, Italy, was a life-changing experience. From the moment I arrived, Verona became my new home, filled with unforgettable moments and opportunities for growth. Although the living conditions weren't ideal (our apartment was less than impressive, with brown water and noisy neighbors), my study abroad director was incredibly supportive. She listened to our concerns and worked hard to ensure better accommodations for future students. Despite these challenges, I learned so much from the experience.

Academically, Verona and the surrounding areas offered an incredibly hands-on approach to learning. Instead of sitting in a classroom all day, we often traveled to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks. It felt like the world itself was our classroom, and I learned more about art, history, and culture than I ever could have from textbooks.

One of the most enriching parts of the semester was traveling across Europe. I visited 13 countries and over 30 cities—from the romantic canals of Venice to the ancient ruins of Rome, from the beaches of Sicily to the beautiful landscapes of Lake Garda. Each trip broadened my perspective and made me realize how diverse and unique each culture is. I also met incredible people from around the world who became lifelong friends. These are friendships I know will last far beyond our time abroad. I’ve already made plans to reunite with some of them in the future, which is something I never imagined when I first arrived in Italy.

The travel opportunities were endless, and every weekend was a new adventure. From bustling cities like London, Brussels, and Munich to quieter, scenic places like Mallorca and Lake Garda, I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty and variety Europe offers. I’ll never forget the time I spent hiking in Palermo or my solo trip to Lake Garda—two of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen.

Living abroad also opened my eyes to different ways of life. I’ve become more confident, outgoing, and open-minded. It’s amazing how much I grew as a person during this semester. I’ve learned to navigate unfamiliar places, communicate in new ways, and appreciate different cultures and traditions. It has inspired me to think about my future differently and explore the possibility of living abroad after graduation.

Reflecting on my experience, I’m so glad I took the leap. Initially, I was nervous and unsure, but looking back, I realize how much this journey has shaped me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I came back with a renewed sense of self-confidence and a clearer sense of what I want to do after college.

If you're considering studying abroad, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go. It’s an experience that will change your life in ways you can’t even predict. Even though I’m back home now, I miss Italy every day. I’ve learned that the world is bigger than I ever thought, and there’s so much more to explore. Studying abroad isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering new parts of yourself. You won’t regret it.

This is a trip I’ll never regret taking.

I highly recommend a course called Roman Art and Architecture. The teacher, Silvia, is an expert in Roman art history. The course includes at least four field trips to historical relics and museums in Verona. Silvia shared many fascinating facts about this historical and romantic city. For instance, Juliet’s balcony is actually a modern addition to an old building from the 1930s—a brilliant idea for promoting tourism.

The program also offers an excellent opportunity for economical travel around Italy by train. Besides visiting major cities like Milan, Venice, and Rome, there are smaller yet charming towns near Verona worth exploring, such as Mantua, Vicenza, and Padua.

I had such an amazing time in Verona! It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Verona is the perfect location as it is close to the Swiss Alps as well as just a train or bus ride away from various major cities in Italy. The support of the staff was incredible and I felt very in tune with the culture with their help. They did an amazing job at making us feel welcome. Truly an amazing experience I don’t regret as it broaden my horizons and helped me learn more about myself. Italy is definitely a country I would go back to.

I studied Roman Art and Architecture in Verona from early July to early August. I went with my a fellow student at my University which was fun and definitely brought us closer, but there were plenty of people who traveled alone and instantly clicked with people. Italy is a great place to travel within and although I felt immersed in the city of Verona and there's so much to do, I think it's best to make the most of the weekends and use TrenItalia or buy a (relatively) cheap plane ticket to a nearby city or country. Within Verona, my favorite place to eat in Verona was Mood Sushi, an all-you-can-eat buffet that had the coolest ambience within it - water in the floor and floating tables! The best italian food I had, though was pizza at Pizza Bella Napoli near Piazza Bra, where the Verona Arena is located. Also, from late June to early August, the Opera Festival is going on so that's a must if studying during summer term II. We had plenty of free time to explore, while also balancing our schoolwork and making the most of the classes we were in. Within the program itself, we did plenty of day trips that were optional, but these were some of my favorite memories within the month so I absolutely recommend going on these day trips and going on the tours to get acclimated to the area! Overall, I learned so much both academically, met lifelong friends, and made some amazing unique memories! Every student should study abroad!

Had an incredible time making life long memories and friends. I came to this program just looking for a chance to see the world and study abroad. However through it I developed a love for the area, people, and the culture. The decision to study abroad and delay my graduation was one of the best decisions I think I’ve ever made. I got to explore the world around me and see more places and cultures than I would have ever been able to. The experiences I had and stories I can share now have forever changed my life and shaped my future goals. Can not wait to go back!

Having studied the Italian language for six years, it has always been a dream of mine to study abroad in Italy. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to Verona for 6 weeks, and I am so happy that I went. It was truly so surreal walking down the picturesque and colorful streets for the first time and realizing that this was going to be my everyday walk to class. I met so many amazing people both within the program and locally, went on insane adventures, and made memories both outside and inside the classroom. This was an experience that I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life!

I have wanted to study abroad since middle school. I was dreaming of going to a bigger city in Spain being that I took Spanish in school. But when it came time to look at locations I decided that Verona had the most interesting classes to me. And who wouldn’t want to go to Italy. After signing up in October it was all I could think about I would daydream about how amazing everything would be and I was scared it was not going to reach my expectations. The experience did not only meet my expectations but it exceeded them. The friends and memories I made over those 5 weeks are people and adventures I will never forget. I have been home for about a month and it is still all I want to talk about. Most people in the program go in not knowing anyone and everyone wants to meet new people so it is super easy to meet people. In my group I ended up hanging out with of 9 of us 6 came in knowing no one and the other 3 were triplets. And being that Italy has so many train systems it is super easy to travel on weekends. Studying abroad is an amazing experience to travel, meet new friends, and learn more about yourself while becoming more independent. I would do anything to do it all over again!