Italy: Kaitlyn Cardona
Program: CIEE Rome Open Campus, Fall
Kaitlyn’s Major: Communication Arts
How did your identities impact your experience? What advice would you give to students with similar identities who are considering a similar experience?
As a first-generation student and daughter of immigrant parents, I never imagined I would travel to Europe. I am Mexican-American and because of that, I doubted myself and never saw studying abroad as an option. Historically, the demographic of students who get to go abroad isn’t ethnic minorities. It wasn’t until I saw others like me accomplish it that I sought out options and started believing in myself. This is why representation is so important. I hope others see what I accomplished and believe in themselves as well.
The courses I took during my time abroad were completely different from those I took at UW-Madison. I am a communication arts – Film, TV, and Radio major so the classes I typically take have to do with films, media, and production. During my time in Rome, I took classes on Roman architecture, art history, Italian music, and one Italian film class. These classes were all very interesting to me and one of the reasons why I chose the program. I wanted to expand my knowledge on other topics to become a more well-rounded student.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
During my time in Rome, I was able to taste tiramisu for the first time. It became my favorite dessert pretty quickly and I could order it at almost every restaurant and grocery store. I miss being able to eat tiramisu but I plan on learning how to make it so I can enjoy it whenever I want.
What is the moment you are most proud of?
I am proud of myself for being able to accomplish living so far away from everything I knew. I loved gaining more of a sense of independence through the experiences I had. Even though you may want to travel with others, I recommend doing a couple of solo trips. They are a great way to expand your comfort with independence and they are surreal. You can learn more about yourself when you spend more time with yourself! I am proud that I got to explore some cities by myself and enjoy these cities without needing the approval of others.