University of Wisconsin–Madison

Italy: Frances Cook

Program: UW in Florence, Spring

Frances’ Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders

Frances wearing an apron and standing at a metal table in a kitchen. She is holding up strands of pasta dough, with more pasta being made on the table.
This photo was taken during a cooking class in Florence organized by my study abroad program. Together, we prepared tagliatelle al ragù, a potato soufflé, and panna cotta. This shared cultural experience brought our group together and gave us a hands-on appreciation for Italian culinary traditions.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

Although it is impossible to choose the most memorable experiences from my study abroad program, our field trip to Badia a Coltibuono, a winery that was once a monastery, was a beautiful and influential start. This trip marked the beginning of our program’s journey together and brought together students from both my home university, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and other CET students. This experience took place in the Chianti countryside and offered a rich and lively introduction to Florentine history and culture, through both sights and conversation. This excursion allowed all of us students to form long-lasting relationships and be introduced to the faculty in such endearing ways. It was a wonderful way to set the tone for the excitement that was yet to come.

How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?

There is no limit as to how this experience will benefit me in my future, as I have taken each experience with me onward. By allowing myself to adapt to this new culture, I have been able to enhance my cultural awareness, communication skills, and adaptability, all of which will be invaluable in my future studies, career, and personal life. In today’s world, the unknown and future is especially daunting, so being able to learn this new form of collaboration with people of all backgrounds, strengthen my problem-solving skills, and heighten my confidence has been both crucial and a privilege. From an academic standpoint I have deepened my interests and knowledge in cross-cultural perspectives and various other types of coursework. Overall, I am truly grateful to be able to approach all of my future challenges with a greater appreciation for perspectives that may be different from my own.

By allowing myself to adapt to this new culture, I have been able to enhance my cultural awareness, communication skills, and adaptability, all of which will be invaluable in my future studies, career, and personal life.

Hundreds of people watching a group of six musicians perform stringed instruments in a square.
This photo was taken at Piazzale Michelangelo, where local bands often perform during sunset. The square comes alive with music, laughter, and an unmatched sense of bliss. My friends and I would come here to relax, people-watch, and take part in a beloved Italian tradition. We witnessed romantic proposals, learned classic Italian songs, and shared countless unforgettable evenings. It quickly became one of my favorite and most frequented spots in Florence.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

To any future student considering this program, it is incredibly important to enter the experience with an open mind and open heart. Every challenge that you may encounter is an opportunity for growth, although it may be incredibly uncomfortable. It is important to recognize the privilege that we, students, have to be able to experience such a prestigious and life-altering opportunity, while also remembering to make space and time to care for yourself. When I entered the program, I was told to say “yes” to everything, and make each day count. Although I would give the same advice to an incoming abroad student, I would make sure that those students also recognize the power in self-reflection. It is important to recognize the opportunities you have, and also to take the time to really feel and learn from your experiences, rather than only being constantly on the go. Every experience is different, and the glamorization of study abroad on social media and other sources may make you feel as if you are doing it “wrong,” if it is not as picture perfect, but comparison is the thief of joy, and that idea stands strong. Your experience is solely and wonderfully yours, and there is no right or wrong way to move through it.