Italy: Alexis Machoka
Program: UW in Florence, Spring
Alexis’s Major: Political Science, Summer Business Fundamentals Certificate
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
I think studying abroad has permanently impacted me in the sense that it guided me to figuring out what I want out of life. I realized things about myself that I may not have otherwise and that will have a permanent impact on the decisions I make. Studying abroad made me realize that I don’t want to live in the US my whole life and that will definitely affect which career path I go down.
Italians live their life to the fullest, always taking the time to savor little moments with people when they can, and this is something I will take forward.
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
I knew this somewhat already but my experience really reinforced my love for travel and people! I was reminded of just how big the world is and how many amazing people there are to meet. My program made me excited for the rest of my life!
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
Make sure you know what you want out of your abroad experience, do the research before you decide on a program! Talk to past students, set up
informational interviews etc. You only get to have this experience once and you deserve to have the best possible experience you can.