Studying Abroad...two birds one stone

For me, studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to skip town (in a huge way) and knock out some vital courses in the mean time. Since I have yet to accomplish this feat, I thought it would give me some extra motivation to blog about my impression of student life across the big pond.

Now don't get me wrong, I've spent my fair share of time in Europe. Besides being born in Naples, Italy, I return to Italy once every other year for about two months. Most of my family lives in Sicily, but I would absolutely love to study in Florence.

Here she is, in all her glory. Florence is truly an enchanting city. Nestled in the region of Tuscany, Florence has more charm, romance and vitality than any other city I've ever visited. From my experience as a tourist of Florence (and even Rome and Venice), it is safe to say that this city is quite safe. While it's always important to remain aware of your surroundings, the environment in Italy (and most of Europe at that) is relatively free of senseless acts of violence, like muggings and shootings. Reasons for this cultural dynamic I will save for another post =)

I can only imagine the feeling of stepping off the plane into Rome's Fiumicino Airport. The hustle and bustle is so comforting, it really feels like home. The smell of cigarettes and paninis in the warm summer air, oh how I long for it. It would be difficult to balance sight seeing, socializing, relaxing and school in Italy, but I would manage it. Studying abroad would be my opportunity to break free, and experience a sense of freedom that I've never experienced before. It helps to be nearly-fluent in the local language, but it would still be scary, getting along completely on my own. La dolce vita...

If you're interested in studying abroad, I recommend contacting your college or university's International Studies office. They will have all of the necessary forms (Scholarship applications, Major Declaration Forms etc.) you need to get started. Listed below are a few websites that will help you in your search for the right study abroad program.

www.diversityabroad.com    (A personal favorite)

http://www.goabroad.com/

www.ciee.org  (Work and Study Opportunities)