Italy: Samuel Arnold
Program: Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), Spring
Samuel’s Majors: Psychology, Legal Studies
What challenges or barriers did you face as you prepared to go abroad and/or during your time abroad? How did you work through them?
When exploring study abroad programs, one of my biggest concerns was the potential for an academic disconnect. More specifically, I was worried whether my coursework would transfer back and keep me on track to graduate. Fortunately, through the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), I was able to submit course equivalencies in advance and build a schedule that fulfilled requirements for both of my majors and my general degree plan. This semester, I was enrolled in four classes varying from Italian language to the sociopolitical controversy of the Italian mafia. The curriculum gave me the opportunity to explore the historical, cultural, and sociological underpinnings that shape modern Florentine life. The professors were knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely interested in building connections with students, which made the learning feel so much more meaningful.
If you’re hesitant about studying abroad, do it. Say yes. Follow your heart. Unapologetically take on the adventure.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
Upon personal reflection, I truly believe that even though every student who studies abroad brings their own core values and experiences to the table, we all leave changed. My worldview feels broader now, shaped not just by the places I visited, but by the people I met and the moments of connection we shared. I came back with a deeper appreciation for other cultures, a stronger sense of who I am, and a lot more confidence in my ability to handle whatever life throws at me. If you’re hesitant about studying abroad, do it. Say yes. Follow your heart. Unapologetically take on the adventure. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And I am biased, but Florence is the pinnacle when it comes to cities to start your adventure.
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
Studying abroad is such a transformative experience, I find it hard to adequately describe how much it made me discover about myself. Outside of class, I made some of the best friends I’ve ever had, people from all over the world who I never would’ve met if I hadn’t studied abroad. Together, we managed to visit nine different countries, creating life-long memories and inside jokes, while collecting a whole lot of slightly wrinkled postcards. International travel like that isn’t easy. It’s exhausting and unpredictable, but that’s exactly what made it so rewarding. I was constantly being pushed outside of my comfort zone. Navigating unfamiliar cities, dealing with missed flights, struggling to get my international phone plan to work when I really needed directions were all pivotal moments that forced me to grow. I got better at thinking on my feet, staying calm when things didn’t go as planned, and leaning on the people around me when I needed help. Looking back, even the small, stressful moments ended up being some of the most meaningful ones.