Student Stories

Here are a few reflective essays, written by students, who participated in the Study Abroad Program. We hope you enjoy reading their stories!
	Australia		Italy
	England		Spain

Australia

Rebecca Ryan

After studying abroad in Australia, I have become more open and down to earth, as well as accepting. I used to make judgments or believe stereotypes of certain cultures and people, now I see the world with a new understanding. I am also more tolerant of other religions, cultures and customs. Living with 3 men from Bangladesh taught me a lot; I learned how to speak a little bit of their language, how to eat and cook food from their culture, as well as celebrating their holidays. One night that stands out in my mind is when we danced and had a huge feast with some people from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. I had a great time with them, learning their ways and teaching them mine. Cultural understanding was a huge benefit of going abroad that I was able to attain.

It expanded my worldwide knowledge. I learned that, in general, Americans tend not to know about other countries, but every other country follows the United States; I couldn't find Bangladesh on a map but my roommates could tell me the last 4 Presidents of the United States. I was impressed with them and disgusted with my global awareness. I decided to start learning more about other countries. The politics in Australia were extremely interesting and following them was enjoyable. This experience was able to bring out the best in me, and I honestly can say that negative aspects to studying abroad were few and far between.

The only downbeat was the money issue. While studying abroad, the value of the American dollar decreased and the economy got even worse. That caused the Australian dollar to be stronger and items to require more money to buy. I spent a lot of money in Australia; their economy is probably amazing because of my efforts. Despite the monetary issue, I highly recommend any and every student to study abroad somewhere at least once in their lives. This was a truly rewarding experience and the best decision, of my entire life!

Tara Cooney

Ten thousand miles from Monmouth University is the most amazing place on earth, Sydney, Australia. As a sophomore in college, I had never been fortunate enough to travel outside of the United States. The opportunity to study abroad during the fall 2010 semester was hands-down, the best experience of my life so far.

Walking off the airplane after the long trip was exhilarating and satisfying to finally step foot "down under." It wasn't long until I was all settled in at the Macquarie University Village and then on a bus with the sixteen other Monmouth University students to the Blue Mountains. This trip that Monmouth Study Abroad Office planned for us, was an exciting way to get acquainted with Australia before classes began; we played with kangaroos and koala bears, went hiking and bushwalking through the forest, and learned how to repel or abseil down a 90 foot cliff!

One of the most amazing benefits of living with other students in Australia was being able to learn about their cultures and lifestyles. In my 5 bedroom apartment lived my best friend and I, along with Mohammad from Saudi Arabia, Brian from Hong Kong, and Hauke from Germany. It seemed intimidating at first but the five of us each had a unique bond the entire five months of living together. We all shared stories about our home countries and it was so interesting to get to know each other. There were many Australian friends that I made as well, who were eager to teach us Jersey girls the way they communicate, teaching us the accent and the slang words they use (which we ended up using a lot!). I discovered that the people in Australia are extremely friendly and easy-going, making it a very comfortable environment to live in when I was across the world and unfamiliar with it.

During my semester abroad I took three classes worth four credits each. The classes were interesting yet tough compared to the classes at Monmouth University. It was also hard to study when there was so much out there to see, but I managed to get the work done and do well in my classes to make the experience even more worthwhile. When I was not in class, I was fortunate enough to experience some amazing things that many people will not get the chance to do in their entire lifetime. Along with my new friends, I climbed to the very top of the famous Sydney harbor bridge at sunset and viewed the famous Opera house from above which was breath taking. I learned how to play the didgeridoo which is an indigenous Australian instrument. I drove on the left side of the road and spent endless days on beautiful white sand beaches watching all the surfers. I ate lunch with friends 1,000 feet in the air in a spinning room at the top of the famous Sydney Tower. I toured Sydney's Botanical Gardens and went to my first Red-Bull Flu-Tag event in the city. There were numerous times when we took cruises in the harbor at night. At the Australian zoo I was lucky enough to see Steve Irwin's wife and two kids feed the crocodiles and I was able to hold a koala bear.

During the two week break mid-semester break from classes, the majority of the Monmouth students went on a trip called One Fish-Two Fish that we booked with STA Travel. It was a bus trip from Brisbane, Queensland to Cairns, Queensland, which was nice to travel outside of Sydney and meet even more new friends. During the trip we stopped numerous times to do fun and exciting things. Most of the people went skydiving in Cairns while my best friend and I bungy jumped 165 feet in the pouring rain, at night time, in the middle of the rainforest. That was the most memorable and insane adrenaline rush I have ever had in my entire life. It was very frightening; however the idea is to be able to push and challenge you to do something crazy (knowing that it is safe, of course!). Also on this trip, I white-water-rafted down a very rocky and intense river and swung through the rainforest on a bungee swing attached to my best friend which was thrilling. I trekked up a river in a different rainforest until we found a huge waterfall to swim in which was considered a "natural spa." I was lucky enough to take a long boat ride to the Great Barrier Reef where we snorkeled and scuba dove and saw many tropical fish and amazing, colorful coral reef and in a natural made swimming hole of crystal clear water and white sand on Fraser Island that was supposedly haunted by aboriginal spirits. I learned how to paddleboard and I went on a speed boat ride while racing other speed boats in the Whitsunday Islands. We visited a real shipwreck on the beach on Fraser Island and drove on the country's longest highway which was actually on the beach with the waves breaking on the busses tires.

Studying abroad was everything I'd hoped it would be when it came to meeting new people and doing crazy things, however there was one aspect I did not expect. When Robyn Asaro, the Study Abroad Director, spoke to me about studying abroad and the effects that it has on a person, she said that I would come back a different person. I did not believe that spending one semester at a different school in a different country could possibly have any effect on my personality or outlook on life but as soon as I got back to America, I realized that she was right. Spending almost six months in Australia, on my own, doing my own food-shopping, cooking and cleaning, etc., I became a more independent person. I learned what it was to be responsible and self-sufficient and it made me a more positive person. Not only did I become more independent, I became a happier, more positive, and more confident person. It is hard to explain the feeling in words, but when I returned home from abroad I knew that I was a smarter and more mature person and going back to the same routine was not an option. I learned who my true friends are and I became more determined to get good grades and follow my career goals with a passion.

The change that happens in a person after a semester abroad is honestly a positive one and the people that I met from all over the world will remain my friends for a very long time. The staff at Monmouth University and Macquarie University in Sydney was very helpful and made the process of culture shock as comfortable as possible. I hope that many other people get to experience a similar semester abroad through Monmouth University and if I could go back, I'd gladly do it all over again.

Paul Mandala

There is no proper way to start to even scratch the surface of the last five months of my life. Living and studying abroad in Australia has surpassed any expectations I had of this adventure, and that's what Australia was for me. It was one giant adventure full of all kinds of traveling and all kinds of people. With any great trek there were ups and downs along the way but not a single bad day can ever put a damper on my trip to Australia. I made some really close friends from around the world, joined a few of the Australia sports teams such as soccer, rugby, and AFL as well as got into some amazing trail running. Partied like a rock star over mid semester break, had the coolest research job on a whale watching boat, and traveled to the red center or the true outback as it is known as. Not to mention, finished our little 5 month escapade with a weeklong trip to Fiji.

Australia opened some very new doors for me. I learned how to be open to make new friends, learned to multitask, learned to try new foods, push my limits, travel care free, live on my own, learned I actually miss my family a little, and eventually I even learned how to say goodbye. It taught me things I never thought I would learn. I learned about Australia and its aboriginal heritage, not to mention the international side of the country and how everything connects around the world. I can no longer look at the US the same as "The world Power". Most importantly it taught me the power of being free and alive, not to mention the power of TRAVEL!

(this section is excerpted from Paul's full essay, facebook him if you want to read the full story)

I also decided to take on an internship while I was in Australia. It seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up! I began working out of darling harbor on a whale watching vessel doing research every Thursday. Part of my job is to sit at my computer during my free time and convert audio of what my boss sees the whales doing into an excel spreadsheet, which I might say is quite possibly one of the most boring and tedious things I have ever done. On the other hand, on Thursdays, I had quite possibly the coolest job. I would board the boat around 9am and we would take the ferry whale watching, not to mention take a free ride right past the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Once we got out of harbor we would head out to the open ocean through what is called North head, a massive cliff face where some of the volunteers would spot whales. Once in the ocean it was the eyes of the crew and mine that had to spot the whales. At first this is a really hard task because you're not sure what to look for, but after seeing your first little white spurt of water shooting out of a whale almost a mile or so away its instantly installed in the back of your head what to look for. Although they are hard to spot they are very distinct. Then we would pick a pod of whales and do a trial run, which involves staying within a set limit away from the whales and observing behaviors. So for instance we would be within 50 meters (special permit needed), 100 meters, or 300 meters of any pod of whales without a calf. If there was a mother and calf our trials were held at 100 meters (special permit needed), 150 meters, or 300 meters. The goal of the research was to see if the behavior of the whales changed at the different distances. It's super hard to notice any difference for me from trip to trip but after it is plotted on a computer there are some noticeable differences. Some of the behaviors I was lucky enough to see Humpback whales do were blows, tail swipes, peduncle arch dives, visible and non visible tail arch dives, pectoral fin slaps, and even a few breaches. It's amazing that such a large creature can make itself airborne with just two huge swipes of its tail. Some of the other cool things I was able to see where the sea birds, fairy penguins, a seal, some dolphins and some flying fish. I think my favorite thing was hearing the penguins bark when they were in the area. So I came home with some extra credits and a lot of life experience.

(Casey Petrocy, Rebecca Ryan, Paul Mandala and Nicole Wisniewski visit Ayers Rock)

Alexa Worman

It is truly impossible to explain to anyone how much you appreciate, experience, learn, and value the time you are studying abroad. So all I have to say to anyone who is pondering this endeavor is…what the heck is holding you back?It is truly impossible to explain to anyone how much you appreciate, experience, learn, and value the time you are studying abroad. So all I have to say to anyone who is pondering this endeavor is…what the heck is holding you back?

When I was abroad, a common thought that often crossed my mind was, "What would I be doing if I was home right now?" I kept thinking of how my life at home had become such a routine and how I hadn't seen myself so happy in months, or maybe years. Though you are in Australia for 5 months and feel as though it would get familiar and boring after a while, every day for me was like a new adventure. A simple day just going into the city of Sydney fascinated me until the day before I left and every day I couldn't believe how fortunate I was to experience and live on the other side of the world.

Apart from traveling all around Australia and other countries close by, I have to say that I loved the living situation we were put in. Though it did have its downfalls, the Macquarie University Village was wonderful because of its close location to classes, and its easy access to meeting various people from around the world. I feel as though this part of studying abroad helped me become much more independent. Being fully responsible for myself showed me how much I was reliant on my parents and what I was capable of doing for myself.

Throughout my journey, I've had many adventures such as when I went to surf camp, snorkeled and went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, bungee jumped in the pouring rain 162 feet above a shallow pond, white water rafted in mission beach, soaked up the sun in the Whitsunday Islands, saw the famous twelve apostles in Melbourne, climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge, abseiled down cliffs in the Blue Mountains, saw the Steve Irwin wildlife preserve, played with baby and adult kangaroos, and rode a gondola up into a famous rainforest in Cairns. Throughout all of these activities and experiences I never dreamed of having, one of the things I couldn't help but wonder was, how could anyone not want to be me right now? How did I ever doubt my decision to come here? How could anyone refuse the opportunity to do something this incredible? And, how can I possibly begin to tell everyone at home about this and expect them to get the full effect? It's impossible.

All I can honestly say to my fellow students at Monmouth, who have yet to study abroad, is that they are missing out on one of the greatest experiences offered in life. Traveling to another country, understanding different customs, meeting people from various cultures, and being able to see a variety of places, was by far one of the most rewarding experiences of my life thus far. It showed and taught me extraordinary things about life, and perhaps, made me open my eyes to the many opportunities I may have for myself in the future.

Randy Rudofsky

When I first laid down the tracks to my college career as molecular cell physiology (biology) major, I never considered going away for a semester to Australia. Although I was interested in travel and seeing the world, the strict nature of my major's requirements made the semester abroad less of an option if I wanted to graduate on time. The amount of experience and what I learned about myself during my trip to Australia however, turned out to be worth more to me than all of my other semesters combined. I am so glad that I decided to push back my graduation for the experience that I had.

I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and decided to go to another country with fellow students whom I didn't know at all, which I thought was good, because I wanted to see if I could hack it away from my fraternity and already established friends from old, and live on my own. It turns out that the people that I was getting onto the plane with as strangers would return with me as some of the closest friends with some of the best memories of my life. Growing together and discovering a new way of life in Australia, will forever be part of my fondest memories. The people I met along the trip, including the other Monmouth students that I traveled with, will always be a huge influence on who I have become and what I find important in life. Many of the experiences and times I had while in Australia could be explained by me typing what had happened, but I would not want to try because it is an understatement to say that some of the events, experiences and feelings while in Australia have to be experienced and words will NOT do them justice.

The freedom was enjoyable while in Australia so much so that it is almost painful to be back into the environment that is my life here. Between school and work here there is almost no money or time for me and the time I got to spend in Australia for myself was worth more to me than gold. By living a much more free life I was able to pursue the non-priority aspects of life for a solid amount of time which otherwise I would not have been able to do. Care free days of exploring Sydney and the Australian continent with other students was nothing less than amazing.

The freedom was enjoyable while in Australia so much so that it is almost painful to be back into the environment that is my life here. Between school and work here there is almost no money or time for me and the time I got to spend in Australia for myself was worth more to me than gold. By living a much more free life I was able to pursue the non-priority aspects of life for a solid amount of time which otherwise I would not have been able to do. Care free days of exploring Sydney and the Australian continent with other students was nothing less than amazing.

The times that I had in Australia I consider truly beneficial to my individual development as a person. While taking courses at Monmouth has provided me an area of study and expertise that will help me formulate a career, the past 6 months has given me time to do something much more important. Study myself. I have definitely redefined my outlook on life and will use my experience in Australia to govern the path for the rest of my life. It is regretful that most of the students do not get to experience study abroad.

Kaci Brannick

The friendships you make, challenges you face, and education you receive by studying abroad in Australia can only be explained by experiencing it yourself. By the final days leading up to the departure for Australia, my friend Nicole Wisniewski and I, had researched everything possible about the school we would be attending and Sydney in general. However, all the research and knowledge gathered could not prepare you for the experience you are about to have when you step off the plane in Australia.When I think back to my plane ride into Sydney, I cannot remember everything I felt when I landed, but the breath-taking view of the Opera House is something I will never forget. The first thing you notice is how welcoming and friendly the people are. It's a relief because you've endured the exhaustion of a day or more of traveling. The Macquarie University Village is an exceptionally fun and exciting place to live. They have many weekly events and other fun things to do all semester. I lived in a five-person apartment with Nicole, and students from India, Japan, and Korea. Living in an apartment with people of other origins and backgrounds, expanded my knowledge and helped me learned so much about the rest of the world and other cultures.

Studying at Macquarie University was completely different than studying at Monmouth University. At Macquarie there are about 33,000 students and around 9,000 of them are international students; this is a huge difference when comparing it to Monmouth's undergraduate population of about 5,000. In addition, the classroom activity is almost entirely different. Here at Monmouth, you're used to learning in a small classroom with about 35 students max; however, at Macquarie, your lectures consist of 100+ students. In addition, there are no attendance policies in lectures (there is in tutorials) and this causes many students to skip lectures. I passed all my classes because I made it a point to go to each and every lecture. The indigenous culture is a huge topic in Australia and I took a class that taught you all about the culture and history of the Aboriginal people. This really helped me open up to the cultures in Australia.

From studying abroad, traveling all throughout Australia, and traveling to Fiji for one week before returning to America, I gained immeasurable knowledge about myself, as well as the rest of the world. By studying abroad, I learned not only about Australia's culture, but about cultures from all over the world as well. Australia has shaped me into the understanding, mature, independent, and patient person I am now and I am so thankful for the opportunity I was given to study there. If you're on the fence about whether or not to study abroad, even if you're not thinking about Australia, just do it. Don't hesitate because this will be the best experience you will ever have and you will not regret it.

Nicole Fera

When I first sat down to write this essay so many thoughts flooded into my head about the past year of my life and the whirlwind that took place. A year ago I can remember making the decision to study abroad in Australia and wondering what it would be like. I was nervous, excited and curious about what the new country would be like, all the people I would meet and all the adventures that were waiting in this new place. When deciding which country I would study abroad in, Australia was an easy choice for me. I wanted to go somewhere most people never venture to in their lives and the land down under seemed like that place. Since its half way around the world most people never have the chance to make it out there, let alone get to live there for almost six months. Looking back I can easily say that this one choice was the best decision I have ever made in my whole life.

From the very first day of this amazing adventure I learned a lot about myself, different cultures and this crazy beautiful world that we live in. Times were not always easy, but in the end that's what makes any journey worth it. The day before leaving for Australia I finally felt what I was dreading all along, fear. Out of nowhere I got extremely nervous about the huge decision I had made to uproot my life. Then the morning before leaving I thought about everything that I would have to say goodbye to in America; all of my friends and family, my boyfriend, my dog and my life as I knew it in New Jersey. Thankfully I was able to take a deep breath and remember that these things would be here when I got home and that this experience would not come around again. I was also able to take comfort in the fact that I was going to be able to share this amazing time with some of my friends from school. I pushed fear aside the morning of the trip, said goodbye to my life for a while and boarded the plane not knowing what lied ahead.

Getting to Australia was the first challenge that we faced because it took about 30 hours of traveling. This part wasn't too bad except for when we finally landed in Sydney. The feeling of excitement was quickly replaced by frustration and anger when a bunch of us traveling from Monmouth realized that our luggage had been lost. In a situation like this you can either become extremely upset or laugh it off and realize that there's nothing you can do about it and know that you'll get it back eventually. We ended up getting our luggage back a few days later and I think that this was a good first test in learning how to go with the flow of things and dealing with unexpected troubles when traveling in a new place. Everything worked out and then it was time to deal with problem number two, our roommates in our apartment in the Village.

One of the most memorable moments of those first few days in Australia is when my two friends from Monmouth and I walked into our new home for the next few months. I had painted myself a pretty picture of what our apartment would look like and the awesome Australian roommates that we would be living with. This illusion was shattered the second we walked into the house. The place was a disaster with shoes all over the place, sticky gunk all over the counters of the kitchen, the most disgusting refrigerator I had ever seen in my life and a terrible odor flowing throughout the house. I remember thinking that if my mother could see this house she would have a heart attack. But then I focused once again on how nothing else mattered because we were in Australia. I was also grateful that I had my two friends living with me and we vowed to fix the apartment up and make it our own. Unfortunately, the apartment remained pretty disgusting the whole time we lived there and our roommates were less than ideal, but it's important that I talk about these two bad things that happened because they are the only bad things that I can remember from the entire trip. The rest of the experience was everything that I hoped for and more, so I am grateful that all I had to deal with was two slobs and no luggage for the first few days. Now it's time to talk about the memories I'll never forget.

It would be impossible to talk about every awesome thing that I did and saw while studying abroad, but I'll do my best to share the most memorable. The first thing that pops into my head is all the amazing people I was fortunate enough to have in my life for those couple months and all the great times we all had together. Going to Australia I only knew five people from Monmouth out of the eighteen that went. Within the first couple weeks that was ancient history and now I feel like these amazing people have always been a part of my life. I'm grateful that we all got so close and also that we will all be able to have more good times back at Monmouth. Aside from my "new" Jersey friends, I also met people from all over the world and of course, lots of great people from Aussie. Some of the Australians that we became friends with will be in my heart forever. They showed us all of the great places to go in the city, drove us anywhere that we needed to go and taught us all the quirky slang that Australians say. Sharing Thanksgiving with a lot of Australians for the first time added to the countless memories. The only bad part about meeting these amazing people was having to say goodbye to them when we left. They taught us so much about a whole new culture and type of people that we all fell in love with from the moment we met them. I can only hope that they will come visit us one day or we'll be able to go see them again in the future.

The second thing that I want to talk about is spring break and all of the traveling that I got to do while away. Most of us from Monmouth went on a trip called "One fish, Two fish" and even though it was a little expensive it was worth every penny that I spent on that trip. The trip started in Brisbane and took us all the way up to Cairns, stopping in some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It allowed us to do some awesome things such as bungee jumping, scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and lying out on the white sandy beaches of the Whitsunday Islands. This trip was probably the best 10 days of my life from start to finish and the only problem was how fast it flew by. Besides the spring break trip we did a lot of traveling and planning on our own and this definitely helped me become more responsible and independent. Any time I have ever traveled at home I have usually just gone with my parents or it's been something pretty easy to plan out. In Australia I really learned how to budget and find hotels and flights and make sure that we were going to be able to see everything that we wanted while we were there. Some of the best trips we took were to a surf camp in Crescent Head Beach where it was secluded and beautiful, Melbourne to see the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road and the Gold Coast, which had a really fun nightlife. All of these places really make you realize how much there is to see in the world and traveling in Australia has made me want to continue seeing all different places around the world in the future.

Attending Macquarie University was a good experience as you are getting to learn from new professors and seeing the way that they learn things in a completely different country. Australian students take school very seriously and professors expect a lot from students in their classes. The workload is pretty hard and I think that it opened my eyes to how lucky I am that I go to a school like Monmouth, that really helps you out with your studies, with small classes and teachers that know you personally and care about your grades.

In the end there are so many things that I could say about Australia and how much I loved it there, but it's difficult to put all of those feelings and good times into one reflective essay. It literally opened my eyes up to how big the world is, how much America is discussed and focused on in different countries, how different people think about the world, all the amazing things there are to see out there and more importantly, it taught me a lot about myself and how I deal with situations. I definitely think that I came home from Australia with a reinforced positive attitude, but also a little sad that the experience was over. No one can really prepare anyone for what studying abroad will be like because the journey will be different for everyone, but I think the best advice that I could give anyone is just to go and figure it out along the way. Anyone who is thinking about going away but thinks that it is too long and they'll miss home is crazy because the experience literally flies by. I feel like it was a month ago that I was leaving and now I am back in New Jersey writing about all these amazing times and thinking about the next time I'll get to go to this amazing, beautiful country.

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England

Aziz Mama

Every country a person can go to will always have its own unique culture and style of daily life. Learning to adjust to the culture of another country always takes a little bit of time but, often enough, once a person has adjusted they forget that it took any effort at all.

This has how it has been with me during my study abroad experience in London, England. Despite already having some travel experience it still took me a little while to adjust to the different style of life that a person is confronted with when in London. At this point however, when travelling to other countries about Europe, culture shock hits me when things are done differently in those countries than in London.

Now, a few short weeks before I will find myself travelling back to the United States, I look back on my semester spent in England and I realize that the next thing I am going to have to learn to adjust to will be going home.

The multitude of different English coins I find constantly plaguing my pockets here will all disappear. I will no longer find myself routinely hearing three or four different languages while on the way to a local pub a mere ten minutes from the college. The buses I find myself on won't be two stories high. The pub I have found myself in often enough that the bartenders have my drink ready before I even ask will no longer be around. I won't have to distinguish between still and sparkling mineral water when at a restaurant. The public bathrooms won't cost 30pence to get in. Real cask ale will no longer be more plentiful than water. A trashcan will be called a trashcan and not rubbish bins, and they will actually be on every street corner instead of being practically nonexistent. Football will mean football and not soccer. I won't run into medieval churches and castles just by walking down the street… The list could go on.

The thing that will of course be the most different once I come back home will be the people. I will be back among friends and family who I haven't seen for months, and who it will be very nice to see again, and all the people I have met at Regents will be going back to their respective homes.

However, despite everyone having missed people from home and the occasional bout of home sickness that some might suffer from, I would encourage anyone with the opportunity to take a semester and study abroad. Whether in London or somewhere else, it is an opportunity not to be missed. There is no more liberating feeling than being oceans away from your home, in a place that will at first seem utterly foreign, shouldering the burden of responsibility of taking care of yourself, and then realizing that you are more than capable.

In the end, going to college is all about learning to grow up and becoming your own person. You have to learn what you like, what you want, and what you want to be. Going to another country with a new group of people, none of whom you may know, and learning to find your way about the place forces you to learn more about yourself, whether you wanted to or not. Personally I think there are times when we need a bit of a push like that, and London delivered just such a push for me.

When I come home I will be a different person. Not in a drastic or melodramatic sense, but different nonetheless. I find that I've grown up a little, become a bit more comfortable in my independence, and find myself more confident in my ability to manage on my own.

But I'm not the only one coming home a bit different from when I left. Every other person studying abroad in London, or anywhere else for that matter, comes home slightly changed in a positive way. It's for that reason that I highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who has the ability to go. As I said before, it is an opportunity not to be missed.

Meredith McCabe

January 12th 2011 was the beginning of a new adventure that I was about to embark on. It all started out with getting dropped off at the airport with two suitcases and one carry on that I would soon find out had to be checked. 200 dollars later I finally got through security and met up with the other Monmouth students that were going on this journey of a lifetime with me. After an hour or so of meeting each other it was time to board the plane. The plane ride was only about six hours but during that time my ear decided to perforate and blood was now coming out of my ear, what a great icebreaker! When we finally got on the ground we got picked up by Frank and got to meet the last person of our group Caitlin, she had to fly alone because she came from Washington. The journey to Regents felt like it took forever but once we got there three RA's greeted us. They took our bags in and that is when we got to meet the great William for the first time! It was very chaotic with everyone coming in and out with all of their bags. I finally got up to my room, which was on the second floor (the American third floor) and met my roommate Shelly. She had flown over with her mom and they were from Houston Texas but she went to school in Florida. The first week was one of the hardest adjusting to the time difference, being overwhelmed with all these new people and just being away from my family.

After about a month though, all of these feelings that I had were no longer a thought. I had so many new friends from around the world and was having the time of my life. For the first few weekends we took everyone's advice and went on the school run weekend trips. I would recommend that if anyone were to go on these to do the Stratford Upon Avon and Warrick castle trip. The others were fun but most of the time I felt you spent on the bus and the other time was spent running around. The first place you go is the good old Shakespeare's hometown. While you are in Stratford you have the opportunity to see all the major Shakespeare attractions, however they all cost. It was fun being able to see where Shakespeare came from and how much the town still appreciated him. We then went to Warwick castle at Warwick castle you had the opportunity to actually climb all through the castle. This was great because some people went to one side and the others went to the top and we took great photos of each other. It also had attractions that you were able to go into however some of them you had to pay extra to go into but still it was a very eventful day.

One trip that I planned without the school was Amsterdam. It was such an amazing experience there was so much to do and see. Even though it was still winter while we were there the weather held up for the most part. One hard thing was there was somewhat of a language barrier not big but something's were hard to understand. While there we went to the Heineken brewery. This was by far the best thing we did they added a ride to make it feel like you were going through the brewing process. After the Heineken brewery we went to Anne Frank's house. We got our tickets in advance, which allowed for us to ring a bell and walk right in. If we didn't buy our tickets in advance we would have had to wait in line for over an hour. Once inside you were unable to take pictures but the whole experience of just being able to see how they hid during the Holocaust was such a surreal feeling. Amsterdam had so much more to offer, there were so many museums that you could go to, the red light district where you see things that are only once and a lifetime scenes, and boat rides on the canal. One place I know I will return to in my lifetime will be Amsterdam it was such a beautiful place and has left such a lasting impression on my memory.

When the end of the trip came I have never been so sad to leave a place, the beginning of the trip I was sad to leave home but now I had a bond with new friends that I had felt I have known forever. England was possibly the best experience I have ever had in my life. I have made memories and taken trips that I would have never done in my life and all these memories will be everlasting. The people I became close with will always be there for me no matter the distance between us and I will always be there for them. I can't wait for the next opportunity to go to places in the states where all my new friends live. I will never regret the experience my parents allowed me to have and I thank them for it every day. When the day comes I will push my kids to go study abroad because I want them to be able to have the same experience I had some day. Lastly, I can't wait to go on our five-year reunion to England again just to see how much we have grown up from the last time we were in Europe!

Michael Scureman

I could sum up my study abroad experience in just one word it would be AWESOME!!! This was by far the best experience of my life; all the memories and friendships that I made while abroad I will definitely cherish forever. When I first arrived in London I had my doubts about leaving the US, coming out of the airport it was cold and rainy, better than the three feet of snow on the ground and freezing temperatures, but still not what I was expecting. For the first week or so it was a challenge getting accustomed to the culture, but I caught on fast to most of these differences, except for cars being driven on the other side of the road; I got hit by a car.

School was alright, and the teaching styles weren't that different at all from teachers at Monmouth or any other university that I've ever attended. The one thing I probably liked the least about being abroad, besides the horrible exchange rates, was the food. When the US students first arrived at Regents parts of the dining halls were shut down and the only thing that was available was the Refectory, which soon became known as the Defectory. I think I lost 15 lbs over my first few weeks abroad just because the food was uneatable. The food did get better as soon as the foreign students arrived but still nothing great, or that would ever make you want to go back for seconds. Eating for the first time in my life was purely a means of survival.

Some of my favorite times on campus were definitely between and after class hanging out on the lawn while playing Frisbee or throwing around the good old pig skin. This activity increased especially during our last few weeks there when the weather, upper 70's and not a cloud in the sky, was perfect for lounging around outside. Also another of my favorite things to do was sit out on my balcony and rule over all the other students down in my courtyard. There were only four rooms that had balconies, and I was lucky enough to have one. It came in quite handy doubling as a refrigerator during the cold winter months and a tanning booth in the warm spring months.

Studying abroad for me entailed a lot of traveling, I probably only spent a total of five weekends in London around the campus, all the rest I was away in other countries or in other parts of England. I traveled to Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Greece, Slovakia, Austria, and Scotland. Of all of these my favorite was Switzerland, it was by far the most beautiful place I have ever visited. Least favorite was Belgium, by far the dirtiest place with the rudest people, I will never be going back there and I would strongly suggest that no one ever travel there as well; even their waffles were bad.

I would advise anyone thinking of studying abroad to definitely go ahead and do it. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel the world and see different cultures at play, while making great friends in the process. I wish it had lasted forever, four months may seem like a long time but in reality there was so much going on that the time really flew. I do miss London but I'm also glad to be back in the US surrounded by friends and family, and hopefully someday will be able to venture back to London and other places I have traveled.

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Italy

EKTA SHAH 

Studying abroad was an impulsive decision for me: I didn’t put much thought into it, I just figured, why not? What I actually got out of the experience, however, was more than I had ever expected to. I learned a lot in Italy.  I immersed myself in the culture, became even more independent, and towards the end, I had a whole new way of seeing things. After coming back and sharing stories with friends and family, I feel like I finally grew up as a person and have a more mature aspect on the world, as well as being able to go confidently into things I want to do.

Studying abroad changed my life by making it more positive overall. I’ve always been spontaneous but deciding to study abroad was the biggest decision I have ever made. Before leaving, I was apathetic not knowing what to expect or how to feel. Once I actually arrived, the nerves kicked in. The first two or three days were a hard adjustment. I was unsure of how to get around using a map, didn’t know where my house was even located, and had significant trouble with the language barrier. It was tough and there were nights in the beginning that I just felt lost and not sure of how I could ever possibly get used to the lifestyle, the city, and the language in general. Although I knew I had a good group that came along with me, I needed to do more than just relying on them to make the adjustment easier. I knew getting myself out of the apartment would help me discover things I had never seen and open my eyes to the world. Being out of the apartment was the best way to immerse myself to the culture and reduce the feeling of homesickness and culture shock. I started sitting at the same café after class every day. I would always get the same coffee and started to mingle with the friendly staff members. Even though my Italian wasn’t the best, trying to communicate with locals really helped. My roommates and I eventually made the café our regular spot. I had a routine of sitting outside by the beautiful Duomo, drinking coffee, and observing the many tourists and locals who wandered the morning streets. I spent my afternoons there enjoying the views and learning about new places to explore and dine. Eventually, I began to have set routines like going to get coffee after class, going to the open market for fresh food every week, and finding things to keep me occupied all day. I realized all I needed was a set routine that I could have for myself and a little room for spontaneity to really make me feel more comfortable. The days went on and it still felt surreal. There was days I had to stop and ask myself, am I really in Italy?

When I became comfortable in Florence, it made me more comfortable to travel around Europe as well as exploring throughout Italy. I always stuck in a group and made the most of the weekends utilizing it to travel but also to appreciate the beauty in Florence. Throughout my time there, and looking back now, I have no regrets. I could have traveled more in Italy or less in Europe but regardless, I saw the few places I wanted to and spent plenty of time still in Florence. I balanced my time well and made great memories of each and every trip I took. I remember breathing fresh air on the mountain tops of Switzerland, chanting traditional German songs at Oktoberfest, seeing a real soccer game in Barcelona, and picnicking outside the Eiffel Tower. I tried to make the most of things and appreciate it all. With so much to see and do, it became overwhelming at times but this also taught me to be organized with planning and how to travel in a way that you can see the most in the least amount of time. I didn’t have many expectations of Italy itself because I had no idea what it would be like. I think it was better that way, not really knowing what to expect let me go into the trip with an open mind. After looking back now, I’ve realized I don’t regret a thing and it was hands down the best decision I have ever made.

NICK SALEMME 

For me, the decision to study abroad in Florence was not a hard one. My parents both encouraged it and the background of my family is solely Italian. I wanted to live in the country of my ancestors and experience the Italian culture.

When I first stepped foot in Florence, I was awestruck by the immaculate buildings and statues everywhere. I remember the very first time my roommates and I saw the Duomo, we were so shocked how huge and how detailed it was. From the first moment to the very last, I felt like I was walking around in a dream. I was able to hit 18 cities/towns in Italy along with a total of 6 different countries. I spent a few days in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Switzerland, France, and Monaco. Every weekend was a new adventure.

We visited Positano on the Amalfi Coast where 8 of us rented a boat for 2 hours and explored cliffs, caves, beaches and extravagant houses overlooking the water. When we would see a cool cave, we would drop the anchor and dive off the boat swimming wherever we wanted. It was a feeling of freedom that can compare to nothing else.

Not only was adventuring incredible, but experiencing the Italian culture was such an eye-opener. Italians live a much more laid back lifestyle. In Italy, it is not rare to sit down for a 3 hour meal. The Italians are very fond of their social time with friends and family: they even shut down most businesses for a few hours in the middle of the day in order to just relax. The one thing that differs most from Americans is that Italians realize that work is not the most important thing in their life and they will not sacrifice business for their own personal time. Hardly any businesses in America will even shut down on holidays anymore, let alone shutting down for a big portion of each day.

Food and wine are also a very big part of the Italian culture. I took a cooking class, a wine tasting class, and a wine marketing class. These were some of my favorite classes I have ever taken. I brought home some delicious recipes for family members and can now say I have a great amount of knowledge on Italian wine. I have grown to love and appreciate red wine and, unfortunately for my bank account, I can now taste the difference between a good bottle and a not so good one. 

Looking back, it was the trip of a lifetime and an experience like no other. I would recommend studying abroad in Florence to every student who has the opportunity. I also strongly recommend male students to spend a semester in Florence; there was a lack of male international students and though none of us were disappointed, I think too many guys are missing out on an awesome journey. I am now an expert traveler and a cultured individual, I honestly almost feel invincible, as if I can go anywhere and do anything I put my mind to.

ALEXANDRIA FITZGERALD 

How could anyone possibly put into words the experience of a lifetime? The emotions, experiences, opportunities, and lessons that are created by studying abroad are unlike anything else in life.

Coming from an Italian family, I have always wanted to visit Italia.  Years ago, I made it a dream of mine to study abroad there if I ever had the chance. Instead of waiting around, I stopped looking for a genie in a bottle and I granted my own wish. Preparing for this trip was nothing I ever went through before; however, no matter how thoroughly you pack, no matter how much research you do beforehand, or no matter how much money is in your wallet, the best tip for getting the most out of this experience is to go with a completely open mind and heart. Without either of those, true success will never occur. Unlike majority of the students abroad at Lorenzo de’Medici University, I had a key which opened many more doorways; the ability to speak and comprehend the Italian language.

One of the most amazing aspects of my trip came to me when I least expected it: a best friend. To try and adjust to living there, my roommates and I found a local café that became our second home, Astor. This place not only was a place to get drinks, lunch, or just dance, but a safe-haven for all of us. The staff became our family, and it also was somewhere to truly see how the locals live, and to practice our Italian. Each morning after my 8:00 AM Italian class, the first place I would go was Astor where I would get breakfast and do my homework with all of the waitresses and baristas. One of this café’s greatest attributes was their skill for making extraordinary cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks. Something I took away from this experience was a theme I noticed in the Italian work ethic; people get jobs for what they enjoy doing, not how much is in their paycheck. There was a sense of fulfillment and pride that I have really never seen in America’s workplace. In Astor, I became extremely close with the manager Silvia, who ended up being more of a sister than a friend. This amazing woman took me into her heart and made me a part of her family. I got to experience a true Italian family life, several home cooked meals, and I have never felt so welcome into anyone’s home ever in my life. Although it was extremely difficult to leave her and her unbelievable family, the memories shared have connected us for a lifetime. Fortunately, Silvia, her fiancé, and her brother will all be coming to visit in the spring!

           

The academic experience enabled me to have incredible connections with my professors. They weren’t just teachers, but guardians and friends as well. I took food & wine pairing; art history, literature, advanced Italian, and public relations. I never thought I would be the student who fell in love with art and literature. However, these classes have an advantage over taking them in the states; the ability to take walking tours and actually see the true masterpieces. Words cannot describe the emotions that overcome one when seeing pieces that you spent hours and days learning about and then really seeing it right in front of you!

In the same city where Michelangelo sculpted “The David,” and Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa; I found myself. For the first time ever in my life I am confident in the person I am and at peace with truly being me. For the rest of my life I will always feel so blessed that I lived the experience of a lifetime in Firenze. One of the greatest quotes I’ve ever heard truly became an important life lesson that I hope anyone who goes to Italia will learn, “Dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing.”

CHRISTINE PLATANIA 

Mocked by the blank page and a blinking curser, the thought of summarizing and describing the past three and a half months in 500 words seems a little overwhelming. To say that I have grown to be more knowledgeable, patient, mature, appreciative, and cultured is an understatement. Studying abroad in Florence, Italy was by far the most rewarding experience of my life. From eating the best gelato in the world to swimming in the crystal clear waters of Capri, from the beauty of the Eiffel Tower to the excitement of 97,000 chanting fans at the Barcelona soccer game to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Swiss Alps, the trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Admittedly, not all times were bright. Before leaving the Newark Airport to travel to another country for months, some tears were shed. The first week of missing our family, friends, and dryers, more tears were shed. And, the last few days before departing back to the US when we realized we were leaving the place and people we had grown to fall in love with, even more tears were shed. Although the good times definitely outweighed the bad, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, which helped shape the person I’ve become.

Italians choose to enjoy life rather than rushing through it. They value quality over quantity. They cherish relationships over money. Regarding life, I learned how to step back, breathe, and enjoy the little things. The cultural differences between Italians and Americans are immense. For example, Italians will eat dinner for 3 to 4 hours sometimes, talking and enjoying their date’s company, whereas Americans are seemingly concerned about the speediness of the food and service. Because of the emphasis and importance of relationships to Italians, I felt just as close, or closer, to the Italian friends I made from the past four months than friends I’ve known for years.

One day, our Italian friend, Silvia, brought two of my roommates and me to her home in Montecatini, a small Tuscan town outside of Florence. When we walked in, we were greeted with the warmest embraces from their family with hugs and kisses, on both cheeks of course. For lunch, we had a four-course meal, beginning with cheese and olives, followed by pasta, seafood, meat, and dessert. After, they toured us around the town and we met their cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Being 4,000 miles away from my house, I have never felt more at home.

Although three and a half months out of my life seems small in the scheme of things, this experience ultimately changed the way I will see the world and myself, forever. From the Italians perspective of living, I’ve learned to cherish those who I am closest with and to never take those people for granted. I’ve learned that giving is more rewarding than receiving. I’ve taken more time to enjoy my food. I favor sitting down for a cup of coffee rather than grabbing a caramel latte from Dunkin’ Donuts on the go. I’m appreciative of the conveniences in America, but I realized that people from other countries living a completely different life are equally content. I’m so thankful I was given this opportunity and I’m looking forward to saving up my money and doing it all over again

LAURA ENGLAND  

Being able to live in Italy for the past four months was an experience that has changed my life.  It was an opportunity that I will never take for granted.  I can vividly remember leaving for the airport on August 31^st, just being so nervous and excited not knowing what there was to come.  Little did I know but those upcoming months would be the most amazing time of my life. Florence will always be my second home, and I hope to one day go back and visit that city I fell in love with.  Florence had so many things to offer, from the amazing food, to the friendly and extremely interesting people.  I was able to learn a whole new culture- one filled with passion and excitement.  I will never forget the people that I met along the way as they were a huge part of making the experience so wonderful for me.

Moving into an apartment in a foreign country, and having to live with seven other people that I didn’t know very well was extremely intimidating.  But the good thing was that we were all in the same boat, which was comforting.  It took us all a while to open up to each other, but I ended up leaving Italy with seven amazing new friends.  Having people that you could talk to while being away from your family and friends was something that helped us all get through the days we were feeling homesick, or just having a bad day.  I remember the first day we arrived.  We got picked up at the airport by one of the advisors at Lorenzo de’ Medici, and then dropped off at our apartment.  And just like that we were on our own.  We were so excited moving into the apartment, running around to pick the best room.  On our first day we all ended up walking around the city, having no idea where we were going- which was extremely intimidating.   The first time that I walked by the Duomo, I remember thinking to myself “this is going to be my backyard for the next 4 months.” It was breathtaking and I couldn’t believe that I was actually in Italy.  Even after being there for a few weeks I still didn’t believe that I was going to be there for four months, it didn’t seem real to me.

I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change anything that has happened to me the entire time I was living in Italy.  Getting to travel all over Europe was something not many 21 year old college students can say that they have done.  I got to climb the Eiffel Tower on my birthday, swim in the Blue grotto in Capri, and climb to the top of Mt. Vesuvio in Pompeii. 

This experience has changed me in more ways than one.  I have learned that I am even more independent than I thought I was.  Although most things are done differently in Italy, I was eventually able to figure it out. Going to Florence with little expectations helped a lot.  I knew that I was going to have a life changing experience.  But I knew that I had to go to Florence with a completely open mind, and be willing to learn new things and meet new people and that is exactly what I did. The most important thing that I learned while being away is to take everything day by day, and to just live in the moment.  I will never forget the experience that I had while I was living in Florence, it changed my life and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity.

TRACI LUISI 

My study abroad experience was, in fact, an experience of a lifetime. The opportunity to live in Italy and travel abroad was always a dream of mine and I am happy to say that I was given the opportunity to experience it at such a young age. Within my four months abroad, I traveled throughout Italy, as well as, to five other countries including Germany, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic and Austria. The traveling aspect was by far my favorite part of this experience. I found that there were not enough weekends to travel everywhere that I wanted to. My most memorable experience was hiking up Mt. Vesuvius during the Amalfi Coast trip. It was a long hike uphill and it was very steep but standing at the top was one of the most amazing feelings of accomplishment I have ever felt.

Lorenzo de’ Medici was a wonderful institution full of professors who were kind and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot in my classes not only about the class subject matter but also about my host country and the city I was living in. Along with some of the classes abroad, the outside trips planned by my professors were also another great benefit. In my wine tasting class, we went to a wine tasting outside of the classroom almost every week. Additionally, in my art history class the professor took us on trips to museums almost every week. This type of hands on experience offered at Lorenzo de’ Medici was very beneficial and exciting.

Through this experience I have grown as an individual. I have gained much more independence by leaving my comfort zone and supporting myself. While abroad, I had to depend on myself, solve my own problems and make my own decisions. I think this is a very important aspect of growing up and studying abroad aided me in that process.

I learned a lot about the Italian culture. For instance, Italians rarely do bulk grocery shopping. Most buy fruits, vegetables, bread and milk on a daily basis because they are always fresh. Meals in Italy are much more relaxed. The dishes in restaurants come in smaller portions which I found to be very beneficial because often in the United States I am full but continue to eat because there is still some left. Restaurants also open for dinner much later and this is because Italians eat dinner at a much later time. Prior to going abroad, I had expected to improve my foreign language skills. I was looking forward to putting my two semester’s worth of the Italian language to real life use. It came as a shock to me to find that most people spoke English. Most times at restaurants I found myself ordering in Italian and the waiter or waitress responding to me in English. I found that it was helpful to have a general understanding of the language but it was not used outside of my Italian class as much as I had originally expected it to be.

While abroad, I went through a range of emotions. Most aspects of living and traveling abroad were very exciting. Every place that I traveled seemed to be more beautiful and more amazing than the last. At times, mostly while in Florence, I found myself to be somewhat homesick which came as a huge shock to me. Regardless of what everyone told me to expect, I insisted that I would not miss home and I would constantly be in a state of happiness or at the very least content. Luckily, I found a really great support system in my roommates. We created a truly wonderful bond and had a lot of really great experiences together.

I would certainly recommend studying abroad, especially in Italy, to anyone and everyone. My decision to study abroad was very last minute. I had barely even thought about it until a week before applications were due. It was always something that I wanted to do but I just figured I would travel after graduation. Through this experience I learned that this opportunity is rare and that it is important to take advantage of it during college because when else will you have the opportunity to spend four months abroad? I found Florence, Italy to be a great place to go because there are so many amazing things to see, places to travel to within Italy and other countries in Europe are so close and easy to travel to.

I will hold on to this experience by keeping the memories I made and all of the pictures I took. I bought a postcard from every place that I traveled and on the back of each postcard I wrote about the trip and the things that I saw. Overall, studying abroad in Florence, Italy was the most amazing experience I have had thus far: it helped me to grow and learn about myself but most importantly, it is something I could never forget.

RACHEL MISEO 

Since I have returned from Italy there hasn’t been a second where I stopped talking about my time abroad. My family and friends have begged and pleaded for me to change subjects, but it seems as though Italy has impacted my life so much I find it relevant in every conversation. That is why I am astonished that I am at loss for words when writing this essay. How do I sum up the best four months of my life in size 12 Arial font? The truth is, there are no words or pictures that can do justice to my time abroad. The people I have met and the places I have visited changed me more than I will ever know.

I have traveled my entire life, so I thought going abroad for the semester would be no different. I loved seeing the world and was ready for an adventure. I had always planned to study abroad my junior year of college, like most, but after learning that I was allowed to go my sophomore year, I thought, why wait? I was accepted and could not wait for the summer to end so I could go to Italy. As the time was approaching, I started having second thoughts. Reality hit me as I realized not only was it my first time living on my own, I was going to be living on my own in a different country. I had never done laundry, cooked my own meal, or cleaned anything in my life. Was I really ready for this? I didn’t have much time to ponder this thought because before I knew it, I was on an airplane. I arrived at the apartment and was amazed by its beauty. I was excited for my adventure to begin, even though I still had these daunting thoughts in the back of my head. I knew this was going to be a growing experience, but I never imagined how fast I would grow up. In a matter of two days, I was already seeing a change in myself. I was becoming more mature and confident by being thrust into this new living situation and I am happy to say I thrived.  Living in Italy was like living in a movie. Walking to school and seeing the breathtaking architecture, being a part of the history, and smelling the pungent aromas of restaurants and bakeries are things that are irreplaceable. Sometimes it felt unreal to be a part of something so unique. While abroad, I really tried to soak up the Italian culture. I did this by shopping at the open-air market, visiting local restaurants, and attempting to speak the language. Aside from seeing a large portion of Italy, I traveled to six other countries. I went to Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Holland, France, and the Czech Republic. It was a great experience seeing these places. Aside from seeing the normal sights, it was very interesting to see the difference in people and cultures. One thing that I found shocking was that most people spoke English or made an attempt to understand what you were trying to say. This was so different compared to America, where we get frustrated when a foreigner does not speak English. From my time abroad, I will always be open-minded. I am inspired to try to learn different languages.

Studying abroad has impacted my life more than I ever could have imagined. I have learned about the world, but more importantly, I have learned about myself. It put me in touch with reality, teaching me what was important and unimportant. In Florence, I found myself, I found passion, and I found who I wanted to be. Studying abroad was the greatest thing I could have ever done for myself. I would like to go back the second I get the chance…I think I left my heart in Florence!

Stefania Flecca

To be honest, I'm not sure where I should begin in writing this. This essay, an essay to describe and relive my month's experiences in Italy, seems almost as daunting as my fifteen-page Shakespeare papers. To be at a loss for words is somewhat uncommon for an English major, but I find it becoming a reality more and more as I attempt to write.

Ever since I was thirteen, I knew that I would be studying abroad in Florence. My older sister had done the Florence study abroad program at Lorenzo de Medici through her undergraduate institution, and from then, I knew that it was something that I also wanted to do. When I finally arrived at Monmouth, I discovered that Monmouth also has a Florence, Italy program, with their cooperating university being, none other than, Lorenzo de Medici. It was fate. I planned my freshman year, so that I would be able to study abroad the summer before my senior year at Monmouth.

Although my sister had had a similar experience, my family was originally from Italy, and I was comfortable with the language, I still did not know what to expect out of my trip to Florence. The minute we touched down in Florence, however, I felt eerily at peace and at home. Our apartment was huge, in a safe location, and above all, absolutely gorgeous. We unpacked immediately and went to explore the beautiful city I had heard so much about. The twenty-minute walk from our apartment to the centro storico, or the historical center, of Florence was filled with zooming mopeds, screaming Italians, and small bakeries whose scents filled the warm air. That night, after the amazing welcome dinner we had with all of the Monmouth students, a few girls and I, maps in hand, continued to explore Florence. We stumbled upon the center tourist point of the city, the Duomo, and we were all left speechless. The cathedral is nothing like anything I've ever seen before; it towers over the city and all of the statues carved into the façade of the building stare down at you as if they are trying to tell you something. It truly takes your breath away. That night, we also got our first Italian gelato and saw the Ponte Vecchio, or "Old Bridge", which is another huge attraction in Florence. I was giddy with excitement and for all the new experiences I would have with the new amazing people I met. Florence, as I quickly learned, is filled with so much history and moving art, no matter what religion you are. I highly recommend a trip to the famous Uffizi Gallery to see Botticelli's Primavera, L'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David, and Santa Croce to see Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli's tombs.

Travelling is a huge component of a study abroad experience. Seeing cities beyond the literal historical walls of Florence was very important to my friends and me, so we began planning trips as soon as we arrived. This can easily be done on your own or through student travel groups based out of the city. The most popular student travel group for Monmouth students is Bus2Alps, a company that plans full weekend trips as well as day trips to towns and cities close by. My first weekend, I went to Assisi and Lake Trasimeno with the entire Monmouth group and Siena with two of my close friends. Assisi was the most moving trip for me. We got a full tour of la Chiesa di San Francesco, The Church of Saint Francis, and were even able to see the tomb of Saint Francis. Assisi is an absolutely beautiful town, with views that did not seem real. Siena, a town no more than one hour away by train from Florence, was another small and beautiful town. It had such a sense of tranquility, due to the quiet, empty streets. It was an amazing depiction of real Italian life, which is sometimes difficult to see in a large city like Florence.

The next weekend we did a four-day trip to the Amalfi Coast with Bus2Alps. We visited Capri, Sorrento, Positano, and Pompeii. We took boat rides, cliff jumped, swam in caves, and got to sunbathe on the black sand beaches of the Mediterranean (which is actually quite painful on the feet!). A lot of the Monmouth students went on this trip, so it was a great time for us to get to know people from our school as well as people from all over the world. One of the most important tips about traveling in Europe is to simply have no fear. Our third weekend, we decided to do three day trips, which is extremely strenuous. Although we knew we would be tired, we decided to do Pisa on our own, Venice with a group called Florence for Fun, and Cinque Terre with Bus2Alps. This weekend was the epitome of "making the most of every second". We got to see so much in a bunch of different ways, which gave us the confidence we needed to be comfortable travelers. Travelling throughout Europe, specifically Italy is extremely easy. The train system, called Trenitalia, has trains to all of the major cities and towns for fairly cheap. You can book these online or at the train station, Santa Maria Novella. We did this for Siena and Pisa, and we did not have any problems at all. In fact, they were two of our smoothest trips.

The last weekend, we traveled to Rome with Lorenzo de Medici. The two professors who accompanied us, Franco and Stefano, are two of the smartest men I have ever met. They were so knowledgeable about the city and had everything planned for us, which allowed the students to just enjoy the weekend and take in the classic beauty of Rome. This is the one trip I would recommend to students to do with Lorenzo de Medici. Rome is a huge city, and there is A LOT to see and the school does an amazing job of getting students inside the most important places and allowing them to spend time at landmarks they've learned so much about. Overall, travelling is something every student needs to do, just remember that there are many different outlets to travel. Just because you are comfortable with one group does not mean you need to sign up for every one of their trips. Take a risk. Travel on your own with your friends. Take a bus to a different part of town. I promise that these types of activities will open your eyes to a completely different world.

As for classes, I took one of the more serious classes in comparison to my peers, but I loved it. I took a six credit Advanced Italian course with two students from UNC, a high school student from New Jersey, and a woman from Russia. This was one of the most eye-opening experiences, because we spoke four hours of Italian a day and it was the only common language in the room. It was difficult, yet beautiful, to have to rely on a language that is not the one you are most comfortable with. Taking this class in Italy allowed my Italian to be practiced everyday and although I've been speaking Italian ever since I was born, I'm more comfortable with the language now than I've ever been.

The professors and faculty at LdM are so accommodating and most of them speak English. Something that I push highly, however, is getting to know the language. Leaving Italy only knowing the words, "Ciao" and "Grazie" is simply unacceptable. Get to know the language. Get to know the people of the country by using THEIR language and assimilating to THEIR culture. Even though many of the people in Florence speak English, I can promise that you will get much more (and often better service) out of your trip if you learn the language and what the customs of that city are.

As the days of my trip went on, it became more evident why students and travelers alike become so connected to their travel experiences. By the fifth day, I felt a connection to Florence that I still do not even feel for my hometown. It was a kind of protective, child-like connection, as if the city had a maternal hold over me. By the end of my experience, I realized that this was because Florence had helped me grow as a person, to become more independent: all the things a mother helps her child become. As my friends and I sat on Ponte Santa Trinita, a bridge that overlooked Ponte Vecchio, eating our last gelato on our last night together in Italy, I realized that this trip really had changed me. Suddenly I realized that I was a completely different person than the young woman who stepped off the plane at the beginning of July. Italy to me wasn't about finding a beautiful Italian husband or the perfect leather jacket, but rather about finding myself in a time when I needed it most. The beauty of the city taught me to find the beauty in myself.

Finally, I would like to share with you, whoever my audience may be, the words that I wrote in my notebook the last day of my trip as I looked at Florence from the top of the Duomo. With the wind whipping my hair and the warm, sweet Italian air in my lungs, I wrote: "And after being here and living this lifestyle, I don't think I could ever go back to who I used to be. I am forever changed by Firenze. Suddenly, nothing else matters. Not money, not boys, not my future, but right now. This moment. I'm completely at peace. Finally a calm, tranquil peace with myself."

Amanda Pollifrone

The month of July that I spent in Florence feels like a dream. It is hard to recollect the experience as a whole. Although it has only been a little over two weeks since I am home, Italy feels one million years away. I feel as though the experience was so surreal, breathtaking, and life changing that I can't exactly sit down and absorb it all at once. If I could explain to anyone the way that I feel and how different my life is now because of Italy, I would.

I was the girl who was terrified to leave home. I was nervous about leaving my friends, my family, and my boyfriend. I really didn't think I was going to survive a whole month but I knew in the bottom of my heart that studying abroad was something I've always longed to do. I can tell you with pure assurance and confidence that going to Italy this summer is one of the best decisions I have ever made. For the first time in my life, I let go and truly lived in the moment. I absolutely could have stayed longer and I wish that I did. If you are anything like me and hesitant about the length of time, try to stop your fears. Just do it. While you are in Italy, take in every single moment that you have because in the blink of an eye, it'll be over, and all that will be left are your memories. Trust yourself, be friendly, and smile. Breathe in the air and remind yourself every single day of that month how lucky you are to be in Italy. If you ever have a moment of missing home, remind yourself that in just four weeks, you will be wishing with all your heart that you could be back in Florence.

I highly recommend that everyone travel throughout Italy. I went to Cinque Terre, Venice, the Amalfi Coast (Sorrento, Capri, and Positano), Rome, Pisa, and I even went horseback riding through the countryside of Tuscany. All of it was such a beautiful and amazing experience. Pictures and words could never describe how moving it really is to see some of the most lovely and well-known places on earth. Aside from traveling, never forget to appreciate how wonderful Florence is. After some time, I got so used to being in Florence that I didn't even feel like a tourist, and I sometimes forgot to appreciate the beautiful city. You will pass the Duomo every single day during your stay in Italy. Always look at it and realize where you are! I miss the Duomo being the landmark that helped me find home.

I also suggest to everyone to keep a journal! I know that it may be annoying and even a little corny, but it is definitely worth it, I promise! I bought a journal there and tried my hardest to write in it every day. I'm so happy I have it now because the days in Italy were so packed and busy that everything really begins to muddle together. As I've also said before, the whole experience is so overwhelming that it is hard to remember everything exactly as it was. I appreciate the journal so much now and I know that I will even more in the years to come.

I was lucky enough to take two elective classes, Pairing Food and Wine and Jewelry Making. The professors were absolutely wonderful and they tried so hard to make the classes memorable and fun. I woke up every morning excited to go to class. If you can, really try to take the Food and Wine pairing class. It is not something you would ever want to miss! The food was amazing and the class time was at night so I was able to save money on dinner.

On the very last day in Florence, my friends and I climbed the Duomo. We were all a little sad and foggy because we couldn't really comprehend where the whole month went or how time flew by so fast. When we reached the top of the Duomo, we overlooked the whole entire city that held the most memorable month of our lives. This was really a picture-book moment for all of us. I'm sitting here now and I have the chills as each of the memories infiltrates my mind. I'm already jealous of whoever is reading this essay because you really have no idea of the experience that is awaiting you. Do not hesitate; just go! You will be so happy and thankful that you did. I know that I am.

Kristin Gaul

This may be one of the hardest essays I have had to write because my study abroad experience this summer in Florence was so amazing it is unexplainable. It was one of those things that was not real to me until I was at the Florence airport coming home. My whole time there I kept saying to myself, "I cannot believe this is real". This was one of the best months of my life and I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. I wish I could share every detail to everyone about my experience however I advise anyone who is interested in studying abroad to take this opportunity while it's presented to them and make it something of their own.

I enjoyed every moment in Italy. Our apartment was beautiful and I loved looking out my front window at the Duomo. I adjusted pretty well to the Italian culture because I left America with an open mind. I wanted to try new things and meet many new people. I was proud of myself because I definitely left my comfort zone and overcame many anxieties about leaving my family and living in a new country for a month. I never lived in a city so I was initially nervous about that, however I enjoyed it very much! I loved walking everywhere and seeing all the different food places and shops to go in. Living in a new city gave me the strength to be independent.

Classes were different than I had expected. Surprisingly, both of my professors spoke very clear English. My art history class was more on the challenging side because honestly I was only taking it as a equirement. I did however, enjoy going to see many works of art and visiting many museums. I was able to see many things that I wouldn't have been able to see without taking this class. Pairing food and wine class was amazing and I suggest everyone to take it! We cooked one or two courses each class of amazing foods that I would have never thought I liked.

Traveling on the weekends was amazing and I loved every trip I went on. We traveled with bus2alps for a two of the trips and they were great. They were young, down to earth people our age just looking to have fun! The other trips were through LDM which went smoothly and we normally got a few free meals as well. The places I visited while abroad were Assisi, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Venice, Rome, and Pisa. Venice we decided to go on our own just for the day. This was definitely an experience trying to navigate through an Italian train station as well as through different cities. It was tough but people are helpful and we were able to find our trains by asking around. Each destination was so different from the other and had great things to see in each. My favorite trip was Amalfi coast because I love the beach and the views were breath taking. It was something I have never seen before. Rome was also an awesome trip because you learn about the Colosseum throughout grade school so it was so cool seeing it in person.

The people I met and the places I have seen within this month are things I will never forget. The relationships I have built throughout this trip made it spectacular! We all got along so well and had such a good time together. They are amazing people and I am so lucky to have been able to share this experience with them. I cannot put into words how amazing studying abroad in Italy was and want to express to everyone out there interested in going abroad how rewarding it truly is to be able to do something like this. I will forever miss Italy and I hope one day I can go back and relive the memories Monmouth University allowed me to create there.

Andrea Dooley

Visiting another country is considered to be an experience, but studying abroad is known to be life changing. Stepping off the plane after what seems to be the longest of flights, into a country that is nothing like your own, is so liberating, it gave me the chills.

It seems now that arriving in Florence is one big blur. With the excitement that overwhelmed me to the point where I barely remember landing, it was hard for me to believe I was actually there, with an entire month ahead of me. I distinctly remember the cab ride to my apartment, staring out the window as the crazy Italian taxi driver whizzed down the busy streets of Florence, and him mumbling as the vespas constantly cut him off. I remember thinking, "how am I ever going to find my way around this place."

Arriving at the apartment, the building was everything I dreamed; four floors of vintage Italian, big wooden doors, and marble floors. The elevator, which would make even the least claustrophobic person sweat, served no purpose other than for our luggage. I suppose we thought that because we were in Italy, it made sense to walk up four long flights of stairs.

Our apartment, which consisted of four bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and two bathrooms, each with a bidet, or as my roommate liked to call them "gondolas", was perfect for the eight girls who were going to live in it. The flat screen plasma in the living room was a nice addition, but not once was it turned on. We had our issues with the apartment, it lacked a dryer and a dish washer, and the washing machine had a tendency to turn clothes gray, but hanging clothes and hand washing dishes was nothing to complain about in a country so full of life.

The first week abroad seems like years ago. We sat through hours of orientation; too excited to listen to anyone or anything, so we had to learn as the days went on. We learned quickly though, since we didn't really have a choice. We learned that the center of Florence was a tourist trap, so if you wanted a really good slice of authentic pizza, you needed to go away from the Duomo. We earned that only flat, covered gelato was the real thing, and anything that was shaped like a mountain and larger than life, tastes just like it does in the states. We learned that you never pay full price for anything that is sold on the streets or in the markets, and taking a cab is a waste of money, for the fare starts as soon as you hang up the phone. Walking was practical. It was never uphill, or hours on end, we were able to see the entire city just by walking to our destinations every day.

Life was different abroad, but different in the best kind of way. Never did I feel stressed, and never did I become anxious. It seemed like Italy was full of positivity. Everyone was happy; they really enjoyed every aspect life. That was maybe my favorite part. I lived for one month completely and utterly care free. I felt timeless. If it were not for class, I would never know, nor would I want to know what time it was. I always felt that nothing could ever bring me down from the high Italy gave me.

In four weeks, I traveled to 14 cities in both Italy and France. Not many people can say that, but I am very proud that I can. Instead of staying home, going to the Jersey shore, and to work every week, I lived in Florence, swam in the Mediterranean, ate some of the best food I will ever have, and met people from all over the world. Studying abroad is a life changing opportunity that everyone should take advantage of.

Kristen Shedlock

The biggest decision I have faced today is what I wanted to eat for lunch. Rewind to three weeks ago, it was which European city I wanted to tour next. I have been home for exactly a week now and even though I am glad to be surrounded by loved ones and familiarities, I want to go back to Italy already. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and a blessing I will never forget.

Let's start with the city of Florence itself. The city boasts beautiful architecture, famous paintings and sculptures such as Michelangelo's David, the renowned Duomo, cobblestone roads, the Italian leather markets- all of which are literally at your fingertips. Walking across the Ponte Vecchio, rubbing the Florentine Boar for good luck, meeting in front of the beautiful Duomo, looking at all the real Italian leather, all just becomes daily routine. It's surreal; you're surrounded by all this beauty that America just doesn't have. By week three you almost have to remind yourself to soak it all in because seeing all these beautiful sites almost becomes too normal.

It's strange to believe how much I miss Florence! I miss meeting new people, learning new things about the city, exploring new places daily. It is a small city compared to other Italian cities, but I loved it. One thing you do a lot of is walking. Between exploring the city and going to classes everyday my friends and I averaged walking about 7-8 miles daily, but you really don't even realize it. It also helped to burn off all that pasta and pizza!

Aside from Florence, my friends and I visited 13 other cities, I know, it's a lot! We really squeezed as much as you could possibly squeeze into this experience. The first weekend we went to Assisi with the Monmouth group as a whole, and then went to Cinque Terre the next day. Both of these Italian cities are beautiful, but very different. Assisi is located by farmland and it is a magnificent, steep, city made of cobblestone. There we toured the Basilica of Saint Francis. Cinque Terre is a gorgeous city on the Mediterranean coast where we hiked, toured, and enjoyed the sun.

One weekend we visited the Almafi coast through a tour group called Bus2Alps. I would say that this is definitely a trip you should do if you travel to Florence in the summer. We left for this trip on a Thursday night and stayed through Sunday. The first day we were there we went on a boat tour around the island of Capri, saw the blue grotto, then relaxed on the beach and did some shopping. The next day we went cliff jumping and swam in caves in Positano and then relaxed on the beach. Finally we finished the trip up on Sunday by visiting Pompeii and took a tour through one of the most well preserved cities of ancient times.

That week we also went to Pisa one day after classes were over. It was a really easy trip; you just had to hop on a train, which was only about 5 euro, and you were there in no time. We walked around, took some funny pictures pretending to hold up the tower, got some souvenirs and we were ready for our next adventure which was Rome the following weekend.

Rome was a two-day trip that we actually booked through LDM. Rome was a complete sightseeing weekend, and it was really very fascinating. A lot of what I saw, I had already seen in movies but it is completely different being up-close and personal. We saw the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Catacombs, along with much more. I got some great pictures there, and even greater memories.

I definitely recommend anyone considering studying abroad to definitely go for it. Even if you just do it for a month it is great to venture out and see different parts of the world, meet new people and experience different things. You may get homesick here and there but it is only a month out of the rest of your life. Try to do as much as possible while you're there, and do not worry about home, everything will be just the same as when you get back.

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Spain

Ashleigh Hegedus

This past summer was one of a lifetime—I had the opportunity to study abroad in Cadiz, Spain for six weeks. I literally lived my dream, and the program succeeded all of my expectations. This experience allowed me to expand my experiences and grow as a person. I knew before I even started college that I wanted to study abroad. This trip was not just to study in another country; it was to increase my knowledge of what I want to do in my future. Without a doubt, I will return to Spain for my career because I have found where I want to be. I have never found a place that I was so happy.

Although this was the first time that I left the country, I did not feel any anxiety about leaving; I was just very excited and it was the only thing I could talk about. I remember the moment I stepped off the plane in Madrid; I couldn't believe that I was actually there. I was exhausted from the little sleep I had, but I had the mindset, "I can sleep in America". The first four days I survived off less than 4 hours of sleep a night because I didn't want to miss a thing, and I sure didn't. We toured the entire city, visited museums, ate delicious food, stayed out all night, etc.

Before we knew it, we were on our way to Cadiz, our new home for the next five and a half weeks. We arrived in Cadiz with a warm welcome from our new families. I knew the minute I saw my new madre, I would love my family, which I did. I remember being so excited, with the last thing I wanted to do was sleep. I wanted to explore Cadiz and talk with my family, regardless of the lack of sleep I obtained. I loved Cadiz so much, that during our excursions I missed my new home, and on our free weekends I almost preferred to stay in Cadiz. In fact, we didn't end up traveling and instead we lived the life of gaditanos. Our friends took us to different places, such as Gibraltar, water and amusement parks, different towns, fairs, etc.; also, they introduced us to new people, and showed us the "ins and outs" of Spain.

Within the six weeks that I was in Cadiz, I became a "gaditana"; I lived with a family, I walked through the streets, I hung out with "gaditanos", I indulged in the food, I studied the culture, I stayed up all night and watched the sunrise multiple times, I spoke the language, and made the greatest friends (friends for a lifetime), etc. I truly feel that I lived my study abroad experience to the fullest.

Before I knew it, it was the last night in Cadiz. I didn't go to sleep that night because I wanted to appreciate every last moment I had in Spain. It was the hardest night. I said goodbye to all of my friends, all of which promised me they would come visit me in the United States. I cried, I cried a lot; I cried in the arms of my gaditano friends, at dinner, in the streets, in the plazas, in the bus, in the airports, in the plane, and the moment I arrived in the United States. I didn't want to end this trip under any circumstances. I feel that Spain is where I belong and the moment I graduate I expect to return, without a doubt.

Now that I am back in the US, each morning I wake up and still wish that I were in Spain. I feel that a part of me is missing, but the good thing is that I know exactly where to find it‐ Cadiz, Spain. For now I know that I have to graduate, but I am planning my next trip to Spain, which will be in February to celebrate Carnaval with my gaditanos. And after that, I know that I will return to live there‐ "Soy de Cai, pisha!". VIVA ESPANA!

Rachel Werner

Even when I was applying to schools I knew that I wanted to study abroad. I had taken college level Spanish classes in high school but I didn't know if I wanted to continue with Spanish classes. When I was looking into the study abroad programs that Monmouth University offered I was limited because I am an athlete at Monmouth and cannot leave school during the year. I decided on Spain and then came to the conclusion that I should continue my education in the language and add a minor in Spanish. I had known that I wanted to study abroad for a long time, but considering the experience itself, I had no idea what to expect. Unlike some other people that I know that had studied abroad, I was not nervous in the slightest bit. I was nothing but excited and ready to go for the whole month of summer leading up to the flight from JFK. And from that flight on, I had a permanent smile on my face for the next six weeks.

The first three days in Madrid were crazy and exciting but also exhausting. I loved seeing some of the things Madrid has to offer, like the amazing art in the Reina Sofia and El Prado. Walking to a museum we ended up walking right through a protest about the economy. This was one of my favorite things we saw in Madrid, it was thousands of people united in one place to tell the government what they believed.

After three whirlwind days, we flew down to Cadiz where one breath of the salty air set me in a trance. I remember sending a Facebook message to my best friend at home about halfway through the trip, when she asked me how I liked it, I said, "I think I fell in love." She replied with the obvious answer "With a boy?" And then I explained to her, that no, I had not fallen in love with a boy, but I fell in love with this city, this place, the views, the people, the cruise ships outside my window every morning, and the sunset outside my balcony every night. I had never pictured myself living in a city until I saw this one, in Southern Spain. The streets are all cobblestone and

one way, with barely enough room for one car. It takes only twenty minutes to walk from one end of the city to the other. And surrounding the city on three sides is the beautiful clear blue ocean. Even though this city was gorgeous and authentic, even more genuine were the people or Gaditanos. These people were just as beautiful on the inside as they were on the outside. The last morning in Cadiz, one of the other girls and I went to the beach for one last time. We ended up standing waist deep in the cool, sparkly water and talking about the whole six weeks for two hours. While we were in the water, a man came running out to us and told us that since the tide was coming up our stuff was going to get wet, so he moved it for us. A stranger on the beach at 11 am on a Friday morning moved our stuff because it was going to get wet, and then apologized for bothering us to tell us that he moved it. This was a perfect example of the type of people that live in Cadiz.

I loved every minute in Spain, I loved all of the fairs and festivals and nights out. I would recommend this experience to anyone and everyone. Everyone should feel like I did about this little, poor, quaint city in Spain. Everybody should get the opportunity to have the feeling of waiting every minute to return to somewhere, like I have been since the minute the bus drove us over the bridge to the airport, since I bawled my eyes out saying goodbye to my Madre, since that last morning at the beach. I have always been someone that wants to see everything the world has to offer. I am fascinated by different cultures and the different ways of life people have. I never thought that an experience would make me want to go to the same place twice. But Study Abroad in Cadiz, has done just that.

Angela Costa

My study abroad experience in Cadiz Spain was a remarkable, life‐changing, and truly unforgettable experience. Choosing to study abroad was a simple decision for me, because I love immersing myself in culture. From the beginning I was always ready and excited to study abroad and now that the experience has come to a close, I do not regret the decision.

One thing that I was unsure of coming into this experience was how well the whole group would get along. Twelve people, who barely knew each other, came together for six weeks in a foreign country. I expected us to break off into different cliques and be so different that we would not get along. To my pleasant surprise, since the very first minute in JFK airport, we all came together. Throughout the six weeks each and every one of us got to know one another and, in my opinion, became a family. Every excursion and activity we did was done as a family, complete with laughs and silly stories to reminisce over later on. I parted with everyone in the airport and did not shed one tear, because I know that I have made eleven new best friends. I know that we are all going to keep in touch and get together on a regular basis. The new friendships and bonds that studying in Cadiz has given me are priceless.

In addition to new Monmouth friends, I have new Spanish friends and family. Not one person that I encountered during my trip was mean, rude, or unfriendly. My padres and their family were the most welcoming and comforting people. My Madre was amazing and from the moment I met her at the pick‐up spot she was gracious and so talkative! She always made me feel comfortable in the house and was a great help when it came to speaking and developing my Spanish. My Spanish Madre is someone that I will always remember and keep in touch with, because as she said, I will always have a family in Spain. Not only have I gained another family, I have gained so many more, lifelong friends. Through exchanges at school I got to meet so many great people, each one of them making sure that we experienced everything that Cadiz had to offer.

From touring around Madrid to visiting La Alhambra, I will never forget this amazing trip. I would change nothing and I have gotten so much out of it. My favorite part of all was the amazing people I met in Spain who helped me grow as a person and whom I will never lose touch with. Being in a foreign country and talking about life and possibilities with new friends while watching the Spanish sunrise is something that has given me a whole new outlook on life. It's something that every person should try because it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Alex Casares

It is hard to describe the full impact that this experience has had on me since I myself do not even realize how much I have changed. One thing I can say is that I know I have changed for the better. This was, without a doubt, the best experience I have had in my life. It gave me the opportunity to experience a new lifestyle. For 6 weeks I had the pleasure of living as a Giditana in Cadiz, Spain. In the mornings I would walk to school in beautiful weather; lots of sunlight and a refreshing breeze and temperatures that were usually in the 80s, with no humidity. Between the hours of 2:00pm‐6:30pm, I celebrated siesta time by sleeping, eating, and going to the beach. After siesta, I had the pleasure of aimlessly wandering around the cobblestone streets or shopping on the famous Calle Ancha. Around 8:30pm every night, I would watch the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen while running along the clear, blue water's edge. At 10pm I would go to Plaza de las Minas to have a glass of sangria, do my homework, and watch all the children play soccer while their parents joyfully chatted amongst themselves. On weekends, I would go out to the local bars and discotecas where I could have fun with my friends and meet new people. Life in Spain was truly paradise.

After returning home from Spain, I truly believe that study abroad is an experience like no other. Most people love the experience; some people have a hard time adjusting. No matter what your feelings are about study abroad, one thing is for sure, no one ever comes back the same person that they were when they left. Study abroad is a learning experience. Not only do you get the opportunity to learn about another culture, and begin to see things from a new perspective, but you also learn so much about yourself. You surprise yourself and begin to see things you didn't think you had inside you. Your goals, dreams, and inner desires all change. For me, Spain is where I developed confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities and began to worry less about what other people think about me. It is where my aspirations for the future grew a little bigger and my bucket list grew a little longer. I realized that as soon as I graduate from Monmouth I want to go back to Spain and teach English.

What I am taking away from this experience is worth more than I can explain. The people that I met and the experiences that I had in Spain changed my life. During my 6 weeks abroad, I learned to make the most of each day that I have, to take every day one step at a time, and that you learn so much more when you come out of your comfort zone.

Nicole Kennedy

From Cadiz to “You're hired!”

I can best describe the summer of 2009 with two words - life changing. That summer I took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Cadiz, Spain. This turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of my college career. The study abroad program at Monmouth greatly surpassed all of my expectations, not only that summer, but still to this day. When I returned from my trip to Spain I told everyone and anyone that “Studying abroad in Cadiz, Spain was the best decision I ever made.”

Three years later I still stand by this statement wholeheartedly, and I strongly believe that studying abroad helped me to reach my goal of becoming a Spanish teacher. This past January, I graduated from Monmouth with a degree in Spanish and Special Education. As I listened to Ambassador Michael Oren speak during graduation, I realized that my dreams of starting a career after graduation were not looking too bright. However, ten days later, I found myself at my first interview for a full time teaching position. As I nervously entered the interview I was greeted with excited questions about my experience studying abroad in Spain. This instantly calmed my nerves and I was eager to tell them how my incredible experience in Spain made me the perfect candidate for the position. Before I knew it, I was hired on the spot due to my enthusiasm and passion for teaching, children, and Spanish. The principal later informed me that out of the 25 resumes they received, I was the only candidate with study abroad, which made mine stand out above the rest.

My enthusiasm and passion for Spanish developed during my study abroad experience in Spain. During those six weeks, we lived and breathed Spanish culture. We spoke Spanish and learned about Spanish history and art. We lived with amazing Spanish families and ate delicious Spanish food. We traveled to Madrid, Segovia, Seville, Granada, and Morocco and saw monuments and cathedrals, alcazars and palaces. We went to Bolonia and saw ancient Roman ruins. We went to the beaches until 9 at night when the sun was still out. We hung out in the plazas and made friends with natives of Cadiz. We became accustomed to daily life in Spain. By the end of the trip it was as if we had turned from Americans to “Gaditanos”. There are no words to express how truly amazing it was. All of these experiences contributed to my success while at Monmouth and will continue to help me succeed in the future.

As I prepare to begin my career, I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to study abroad. I literally found myself, personally and professionally. The time I spent studying, speaking and enjoying the language and culture has helped me to be the person I have become, and I will be a more effective and successful educator because of it. I plan on sharing my experience with my students and introducing them to an exciting and different culture and language. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to travel with them to Spain.

For those who might be “on the fence” about study abroad - take advantage of the opportunity before it's too late. It can be a life-changing experience that will also help make you more “marketable”. Study abroad was the key to success during my career search. Will you choose to add a line on your resume and a new chapter to your life?

Cristina Steriti

I hate to sound cliché, but studying abroad in Europe changed my life. Not only has it changed my perspective on how I now view certain things but also, I have reconsidered my career and my future goals. Six months ago, I studied abroad in the south of Spain with Monmouth University. Cadiz is the oldest city in Europe and it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Words cannot express the love I grew to have for this place. I would have never believed that spending six weeks in Spain would leave such an impression on me. Before leaving for Spain, I was planning on graduating in the fall and immediately finding a job within the corporate world and becoming a real person. While in Spain, my opinion shifted. I realized how I did not want my job to define my life. I was so consumed with finding a dream job that paid good money, that everything else was a blur. American society places such importance on work ethic and money. I was being heavily influenced by the societal norm of acquiring a job that could satisfy my materialistic ways. In Europe, everything is so different. Work is important and essential for survival; however, it does not define the individual. They might have their jobs, but after work is done, they are dedicated to living and enjoying each day with family, friends, and just having good times. There is a well known saying that best describes the significant difference of both the American and European lifestyles: "Americans live to work; while, Europeans work to live". After living as an authentic Spaniard for 6 weeks, I was able to witness the truth behind that statement. Everyone is much more laid back and easy going. Money is not so much of an issue for them. It only acts as a means to pay for what they need to get by; while, in America, the money made is never enough leaving many greedy for more. I realized that there is more to life than just working and making money. One must live and experience something new each day and learn to appreciate and to enjoy the little things. What really matters in life is staying connected with those whom you love and making memories with friends and family.

I had always planned on finding a job within the media. I am a Spanish and Communication major, so I figured I could get a job within the television industry. I wanted to be a news anchor on a Spanish television channel. Now, I have decided that I am going to take a year off. I think that graduating in less than 4 years deserves some kind of reward. For me that reward is traveling. I learned so much from traveling. Studying abroad in Spain proved to be the most vital decision in my life so far. With that said, I am going back to Spain in less than 2 weeks. I just miss it so much and everything became so clear to me after studying abroad there. As a young kid, I always loved Europe. I am Portuguese and Italian, therefore I always felt a certain comfort level with the European lifestyle. I remember feeling a sense of belonging every time I got the opportunity to travel to Portugal. That same feeling became even more intense as a 21 year old in Spain. Because of this, I realized that I wanted to start my future in Europe. With that in mind, I spoke with one of my professors from the Study Abroad Program and told her about my serious interest in finding a job in Cadiz, Spain. It was quite upsetting to learn that they have a very high unemployment rate. However, just when I thought my luck had run out, destiny took over. Months after coming back home, I was contacted by my professor saying that she and a couple other professors from the University of Cadiz had selected me to be a professor of English for a 6 week summer program in Spain. I was delighted with the news.

So, from the looks of it, I'll be in Spain this summer for round two. Last time, I was learning. Now, I'll be teaching. It's funny how things work out. When I was in Cadiz this past summer I was the happiest I have ever been. I fell in love with Cadiz and I strongly encourage everyone to study abroad. You will grow as an individual and learn so much about yourself. Studying abroad only acts as a way to show you how precious life truly is and how much there is to experience and take advantage of. The reason you were put on this earth was to live. So enjoy every moment, even the bad ones, and always follow your heart. I left mine overseas and I'm going to go get it back!

Kristen Dowling

I have always loved to travel. It is my dream to be able to travel as part of my future career. This is why I knew that studying abroad would be right for me. In fact, I was so excited to go that I had no reservations about leaving my boyfriend and family for 6 weeks. I have always been a very independent person and although I knew I would miss everyone very much, I never thought I would miss them as much as I did.

When we arrived in Cadiz I was overwhelmed. I have studied Spanish since high school and it is my major in college. But when I got to Cadiz I felt like I was listening to a completely different language. The Gaditano dialect is so strong. They do not pronounce D's or S's, they speak with a lisp (called a theta), and they also speak fast. Not only was I intimidated but I was frustrated. I came to Spain with high expectations of my ability to communicate but they were crushed when I attempted my first conversation. Despite all this, I began to get more comfortable with the pronunciation after a couple weeks. I met a few locals who were studying English and we helped each other learn. Everyone in Cadiz is so patient and nice and went out of their way to help us adapt to the culture.

The Gaditanos are known for their kindness. If you're lost, they will stop and show you the way. If you have a question, they will not only answer it, but they will explain the reasoning or history behind the answer as well. Many Spaniards are also known for their stubbornness. I learned this the hard way. My padres were older (in their late 60's and early 70's) and were very nice, however, at times they were very narrow minded. We didn't always agree on everything and no matter how much I tried to explain my point of view, I was always wrong and they were always right. I tried not to let these incidences bother me because I know this way of thinking is just part of who they are.

The food was amazing. The Spanish tortilla (omelet) is now on my list of favorite foods. Everything is so incredibly fresh and the fruit was the sweetest I've ever tasted. I expected a more Mediterranean diet but when my Madre served us fried food for almost every meal, I realized I was wrong. It took a while to adjust to the eating schedule. Eating dinner at 10pm was not easy to adapt to but when the food is as delicious as it was you don't mind eating at any time of day. I was surprised about the portion sizes. In restaurants they serve tapas which are small dishes for one or two people. But in the home, the padres encourage you to eat until you're about to burst at the seams. I definitely gained some weight over in Europe but it was worth every bite.

My 6 weeks in Spain has given me a lifetime of unforgettable memories. The food, the people, the excursions, the breathtaking views, the all‐nighters, and especially the friends I made are all experiences that have allowed me to realize just how lucky I am to have had this opportunity. Of course there were days that I missed home a lot, but I think everyone is our group would agree that we all learned a lot about ourselves during our time abroad and came home with a few more friends, a few more pounds, and many more priceless memories.

Michael Cardonick

Writing this essay is both difficult and simple. I have plenty of stories to tell and advice to give, but the challenge of it all is finding the words. Studying abroad in Spain has been one of the most rewarding choices I have ever made.

It has only been two weeks since I returned to the States and I still find myself telling stories of my adventures and missing my Spanish friends. I only knew the friends we made in Spain for a short while, but sometimes I feel a better connection to them and more grief leaving them then I did with my friends here at home. I've never met such a caring bunch of people before. At first I was shy to talk because of the language barrier; I didn't want to make a fool of myself. However the people in Cadiz make you feel so comfortable. Many of the friends we made were trying to learn English so we would teach each other, they would make mistakes in English and us in Spanish. Hearing everyone make mistakes such as asking for the contraception of the WiFi instead of contreseña (password in Spanish) or sending text massages instead of messages makes you ok with laughing at yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and something I've gotten out of studying abroad is being able to laugh at your mistakes and not beat yourself up over them. Remember, trying and failing is more important than not giving yourself a chance.

Though our friends taught us much, it was our Spanish family that taught us the most. Only being able to communicate in Spanish at times was frustrating and difficult, but necessary. I've been studying Spanish at Monmouth for almost three years now, countless hours using flash cards and remembering conjugations, but being immersed linguistically has been the most fulfilling. However the Spanish family is more than just people to talk to; they gave us advice on where to go to have a good time at night, what places to visit, help with directions, and how to cook.

The classes in Spain were much different than my expectations. The professors felt like our friends, not our superiors. The classroom was filled with discussions, lessons, and laughter. At first I stressed about the classes, but the professors' guidance and reassurance relieved me of my fears and made me feel more comfortable. They told us not to have too much anxiety and ensured us that we learned and knew the important knowledge and points of the class, and in the end what they said was true. My advice for the classes is give it your best, but remember that you are also in Spain to be immersed in the culture, so don't worry too much because you don't want it to affect your time in Spain.

Before leaving I didn't know much about the Spanish culture, but after spending time there I learned more than I could from reading any text book. Unfortunately we didn't travel outside of the country, but Spain has more than enough to offer within its borders. We saw a handful of cities; Cadiz, Madrid, Segovia, Granada…all in Spain—but all different. I'm grateful we got to travel around because it made me like Cadiz even more.

I only have a single regret of my study abroad experience and that is not finding a way to stay longer. I enjoyed every minute of my six weeks in Spain, but six weeks is not long enough. I feel as if I simply got a taste of the culture and life style. If I could move back to Cadiz I would in a heartbeat and I would be proud to say "soy de cai pisha".

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