Name: Giuliana Girgenti ’28
Major: International Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024
What advice would you tell a student studying abroad? My biggest piece of advice to an incoming study abroad student is: take every opportunity to travel. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that few people get to have, and it’s an amazing chance to explore the world beyond your comfort zone. When you’re already in Europe, the possibilities feel endless—weekend trips to places you once thought were out of reach become realistic and enticing. I never imagined I’d find myself in Scandinavia or exploring lesser-known gems like Bratislava, Slovakia, but I am eternally grateful that I have these experiences because I ventured out.
Contact: gegirgen@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Kate Richter ’27
Major: International Relations and Public Relations
Semester abroad: Spring 2025
What advice would you give students studying abroad? I would suggest that students bring something from home that makes them feel better since homesickness comes in waves. I brought a blanket that I’ve had since I was a baby and it helped so much. Also, make sure to fully plan out what to do for a phone plan because although I knew I was getting a eSIM here, I still had difficulty.
Contact: krrichte@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Culture shock / Homesickness, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion
Name: Naima Paris ‘28
Major: Biochemistry
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? My most valuable and unforgettable experience in Florence was the connection I built with my host mom, Laura. She was incredible in so many ways, offering support, guidance, and kindness that made my time abroad truly special. Laura went above and beyond—helping me prepare for Italian presentations and quizzes and even comforting me when I felt down about my grades. Having someone like her to talk to and share my challenges with was extremely helpful. She understood me in a way that made me feel seen and heard, creating a sense of home even though I was far away from my own. Her warmth and support made me feel not only comfortable but genuinely engaged with the culture and my experience in Florence. The bond I shared with Laura is something I will always treasure. It reminded me that studying abroad isn’t just about the places you visit but the people you meet and the connections you make along the way.
Contact: ndparis@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Adjusting to a foreign language, First time abroad, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure
Name: Alexandra Bamford ’27
Major: Communications and Rhetorical Studies, Business minor
Semester Abroad: Fall 2023 (Discovery)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience in my host country of Italy was going to an Italian classroom and talking to students one day without teachers/adults there. While we were together, we played games and spoke in Italian and English, and overall, the experience was a way to get to know them without feeling forced. We also talked about how different it was for us to live in Italy, shared experiences of growing up and our childhoods, and how they differed from one another. We were surprised to learn that they were similar in many ways. This experience was not just enriching but also exciting and eye-opening. It was a fantastic way to meet real Italian students of similar age. While it was a bit awkward initially, it was a great way to connect with more Italian people. It profoundly impacted my experience in Italy because I met fellow teens from there, enjoyed their company, and felt like a native.
Contact: ambamfor@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad
Living with a host family
Name: Aidan Lindgren ’27
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2025
What would you tell a student about studying abroad? I would tell people to bring a basic wardrobe that is similar to the local dress. Locals will tend to treat you even more openly and locally when you look half the part. When it comes to the language, embrace the language into almost every conversation, you’ll find everyday life is so much smoother and enjoyable when you understand the world around you fluently.
Contact: aelindgr@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Health, safety, and support, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Mairead Connolly ’28
Major: Psychology and Forensic Science
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What would you tell a student about studying abroad? Studying abroad is a big change. It was unlike anything I had ever done before, which made it all the more frightening, but also all the more exciting. While studying abroad comes with its challenges, I believe it is one of the best experiences a student can take advantage of. It teaches you so many things, not just about the culture you’re immersed in, but it teaches you so much about yourself. Especially if you travel to a country where English isn’t the main language. You learn how to communicate with non-English speakers, how you are in unfamiliar situations, and how you adapt in different environments. You can make many connections and long-lasting relationships.
Contact: mconno09@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Paige Johnson ’27
Major: Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What would you tell a student undecided about studying abroad? I full heartedly believe if you have any interest this is for you. Nerves are normal, and a big part of why going abroad is so incredibly enriching. It’s important to go out of our comfort zones, and seize opportunities. At the end of the day, it will be quite hard (if not impossible) to find this opportunity again later in life. Abroad is what you make of it, it is such an individual experience and not to sound dramatic, life changing.
Contact: pjohns19@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Kaileigh Strong ’27
Major: Women’s and Gender Studies; Minors: Theater, Spanish
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most memorable experience abroad? I think the most valuable experience from my time abroad was the friendships I gained. I had a rare opportunity to meet people from different schools. I met one of my best friends during my time abroad and she doesn’t go to Syracuse, nor does she live remotely near me. She and I were able to go on a couple trips together, which was a lot of fun. I also made really close connections with two members of the staff in Florence that I look forward to keeping in touch with. Overall, I’m most grateful for the connections I made during my semester abroad.
Contact: krstrong@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Isabella Yures ’27
Major: Forensic Science and Psychology
Semester Abroad: Fall 2025
What was your most memorable experience abroad? An unforgettable experience I had during my time in Florence were the times I spent in my internship. While abroad, I had the amazing opportunity to intern with Oratorio Don Bosco, a group that does afterschool activities for children of many ages. In my internship, I assisted Italian children with their English homework, and did weekly workshops to improve their English knowledge. This was so valuable to me because while I was able to help them learn more about America and the English language, they taught me a lot too. I improved my Italian, and learned so much about the culture that I would have never known otherwise. The connections I made there were unforgettable and I’ll cherish those experiences forever.
Contact: iayures@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Living with a host family, Meeting locals
Name: Sreshtha Thangaswamy ’28
Major: Political Science (BA) and Economics (BS)
Semester Abroad: Fall 2024 (Discovery program)
What was your most memorable experience abroad? My most valuable experience was personalized to Florence itself, since the art and culture of Italy was so breathtaking to me. Trips to the Uffizi Gallery, roadside pizza, that ability to walk and wonder next to cathedrals and the pleasant weather were the qualities I loved most about my trip. I also got the opportunity to travel to other countries including Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria.
Contact: sthangas@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Anthony Argueta ’28
Major: Italian Language, Literature & Culture, Physics, Mathematics
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026 (Florence Center & Intensive Language Program at the University of Florence program)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? Participating in the class through the University of Florence I took definitely gave me an authentic feeling of being in an Italian classroom. More specifically, we had many discussions towards the end based on the advancement of technology and the changing of the job market, all in Italian. Learning the differences between Italian and American society was genuinely one of the most eye-opening things I’ve experienced. Being the only American in the class was a bit lonely at first, but it allowed me to feel the new experiences more. It forced me (in a good way) to connect with not only Italian culture, but the cultures of the other students of the class.
Contact: aargue02@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Vivian Baltzer ’27
Major: Illustration
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? Stay in Florence because there’s so much available to you there! The city seems really small, and it is, but there’s so much to do! We are given unlimited access to a lot of the museums and some of the gardens in Florence, and a lot of students took that for granted and didn’t visit the spots that were majorly discounted. Traveling and seeing more parts of the world is great, but you don’t really get a sense of the culture if you’re not really living there and spending time in the city on the weekends.
Contact: vlbaltze@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family
Name: Liana D’Amore ’28
Major: Civil Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? There will be difficult moments, and not every day will feel magical. But those challenging times, and learning how to overcome them, are what make the experience so valuable and help you grow the most. Just remember that this is your time to fully immerse yourself in a new place and make the most of it. If you are feeling homesick, constantly calling home can sometimes make it harder because it reminds you of what you are missing and may keep you from embracing opportunities right in front of you.
Contact: ljdamore@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, LGBTQ+ ,Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Sydney Fischer ’28
Major: Computer Science
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I would tell them to go into it openminded! It’s going to be scary, and you might be homesick, but if you go in with an open mind it will pass so quickly that you don’t even realize you’re a part of Florence until you are. Additionally, talk to everyone! I went on so many weekend and day trips with friends I made in class or talked to on a night out. This is the best place to make friends and to have fun so make sure you do! Be sure to prioritize grades as well, because the assignments sneak up on you when you’re traveling a lot of the semester.
Contact: syfische@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure
Name: Adam Paliana ’28
Major: Law, Society & Policy, Psychology
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What was your most valuable experience abroad? One of the most unforgettable parts of my time abroad in Florence, is when I really got a glimpse into everyday Italian life beyond just being a student or a visitor. What made it so meaningful was the relationships I built like I became close with locals, which completely changed how I experienced the city. Instead of just seeing the major sites, I was introduced to a more authentic side of Florence, like the local hangout spots and cafe’s, where I could see how people actually live, spend their time, and connect with one another.
Contact: ajpalian@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Preparing for departure
Name: Olivia Scalere ’27
Major: Industrial Design, Environment, Sustainability & Policy
Semester Abroad: Spring 2026
What was your most memorable experience abroad? The most valuable experiences I had in Florence were part of my Italian Business Craftsmanship and Branding (DES 322) class, taught by Professor Simone Anselmi, and my time exploring the city on my own. Together, these experiences changed the way I think about culture, design, and the way I move through daily life. Through my class, I had the opportunity to visit local studios, family-run businesses and the artisans whose work reflected generations of tradition and care. We visited so many inspiring places including La Marzocco, the Florentine company that manufactures high-end espresso machines, and Stefano Bemer, a luxury shoemaking studio. It was so impactful to see how deeply personal craftsmanship is in Italy, with every object and process carrying long histories behind it. As an industrial design student, I’ve become concerned about production systems in the US that often prioritize efficiency and mass production, creating a disconnect between the design process and the people, places and traditions involved in manufacturing. Florence showed me that true craftsmanship is still alive, and its value lies in slowing down and designing with intention. More importantly, this experience showed me that there are many ways to reconnect the design process with the process of making, creating opportunities to address the sustainability challenges caused by mass-
Contact: ogscaler@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Health, safety, and support, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option