Alex O - Sicily, Italy - Spring 2014

Hello all Study Abroad candidates! My name is Alex, I like you was at a point where I was considering going abroad, and the only advice I can offer is this: DO IT! I am almost two months into my semester in Sicily, and this has been something out of a dream. Traveling halfway across the globe has a profound impact on the way you process and receive information both academically and culturally, this became clear to me the first week of classes here. While attending regular class, I am constantly learning during my free time. The language barrier is not as bad as I first thought, it took me a while to gain the confidence to just take the initiative to try and talk to the locals and I found that they are salt of the earth, kindly people. The city in which I'm staying is from the 7th century B.C. so while I'm not a huge architecture buff, I'm quickly becoming aquatinted with ancient structures from Greek, Roman, Norman, and Spanish history. The food is immaculate here, and the cost of living rather low if you shop smart (which is a valuable skill you should start practicing now) and avoid frivolous goods. This is only a portion of the joy and discovery I've been exposed to thus far and I cannot appreciate the decision I made to come abroad anymore than I do now! I hope to hear from any and all of you with any questions about your own abroad experience! Ci vediamo!