Name: Michael Wong ’24
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022
What advice would you give to students studying abroad? My main advice would be to prepare. I would do some research about the country you are studying in before arriving there. When I arrived in Florence, Italy, I did not know anything about the city nor most of Italy in general. Now, I am very knowledgeable. It would be helpful to acclimate yourself to the location where you would be studying. Secondly, I would encourage you to be confident when you study abroad. There is no doubt that you may feel hesitant in a new area far from home, but this is part of the experience. Being abroad allows for you to break your comfort zone by exposing you to a new culture and environment. Do not feel afraid to travel or wander around in the host city. This will be your new home for the duration of the academic semester you study in.
Contact: mwong08@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Preparing for departure, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Adjusting to a foreign language
Name: Sydney Hess ’24
Major: Marketing and Finance
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What advice would you give to students studying abroad? Make the most of your time traveling, but don’t forget to explore the city you are living in! I traveled around Italy and Europe a lot and had lots of fun. However, some of my best memories were those spent in Florence. I visited so many museums, went to vintage/outdoor markets, tried new restaurants, and even did a cooking class while in Florence! There is so much to see and do in your host city, and a great opportunity to truly dive into the culture. Wandering the city and doing new things gave me the chance to practice speaking Italian too! I think Florence is one of the best cities to live while abroad so make sure to make the most of it!
Contact: sfhess@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Olivia Porrill ’24
Major: Architecture
Semester Abroad: Spring 2022 (Fall 2022 London)
What was your most valuable experience abroad? In Florence, by far my most favorite experience was living with a host family. In my opinion, it is the best way to fully immerse yourself in Italian culture, language, and cuisine. I was extremely lucky to get placed in a family who genuinely cared about me a lot, and who cared about exposing me and my roommate to all aspects of Italian life. My host mother, Mimma, would always prepare breakfast for us(even if we had to leave super early for a field trip and told her that she did not have to), and would always prepare a three course dinner for us(small pasta dish, main entree, and fruit for desert). Over dinner, we would practice our Italian by describing our day to her. I believe that me and my roommate learned just as much Italian by talking with our host mother as we did in our Italian course– how much we progressed in our Italian over the course of one semester shocked me, and I think living with a host family was a main contributor to that. But most of all, it is just very comforting to know that you have a “home”(and family) to return to while still adjusting to living in a foreign country.
Contact: ogporril@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, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Megan Campbell ’24
Major: Computer Science
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What would you tell a student before they study abroad? The largest piece of advice I would give to someone before they went abroad is to sit back and savor it. Although abroad is a life changing and amazing experience people seem to forget to tell you there will be a hard transition. You will move to a whole new country, for some with a new language. When one is objected to a new environment their brain works exceptionally hard to adapt. The first few days were exhausting, you miss your friends and family and don’t know if it was the right choice. However, when you look around and start to explore, see that first statue, eat that first authentic meal, or go to that beautiful place you will realize how amazing it is. To get the full experience of the country, you need to fully immerse yourself in it. The country in which you study has so much to offer. Meet locals, become a regular at your favorite gelato, coffee, or pizza place. Don’t overlook the amazing opportunity you have to become immersed in the culture. Take time to get adjusted and once you do, enjoy it.
Contact: mjcampbe@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, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Alessandra D’Angelo ’24
Major: Public Relations, English and Textual Studies
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I gained from studying abroad in Florence, Italy was participating in the internship program. Throughout my semester abroad, I was a marketing intern for The British Institute of Florence, Florence’s most extensive non-profit English library. This internship opportunity allowed me to apply my studies and experience in public relations to an international setting. Not only did I learn a great deal about marketing and public relations from a foreign organization’s perspective, but I was also able to offer my insight into their marketing efforts.
Contact: amdangel@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, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Health, safety, and support, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Alyssa DiMaio ’24
Major: Finance, Business Analytics
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? Studying abroad can seem like a very daunting and intimidating experience, but ultimately you are in charge of making the most of your experience. It is a time when you can decide where you want to travel and what you want to experience. It is also a time when you can really find yourself by immersing yourself in other cultures and taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Being in a different country can be challenging at first, but the students who are in your program are in the exact same boat.
Contact: apdimaio@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
Name: Amelia Thibault ’24
Major: Geography and History
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? Overall, I think the best way to figure out if you want to go abroad is first to see where you could go, and see if anything sparks your attention. Then ask students who have been there what their experience was like, and you can ask them literally anything. Then think about your Syracuse experience as a whole; what do you want to get out of it, and who do you want to be when you graduate. Personally, I think abroad helped me become a better version of myself, and my SU story wouldn’t be the same without it.
Contact: asthibau@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Selecting a program option, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Preparing for departure
Name: Julia Foley ’24
Major: Finance and Real Estate
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What would you say to a student undecided about studying abroad? My best piece of advice to give to a student before going abroad is to be open to exploring new cultures. The first month with be a big adjustment period, and it is normal to have a judgment towards the new way of life you are experiencing. However, you should be mindful that you are entering someone else’s culture so you should not expect them to adapt for you. Another piece of advice, I would give is to pack light, and bring your best walking shoes. I averaged around five miles of walking a day in Florence which is an even smaller city compared to others you might end up in. In order to have the best experience possible, be open to trying as many new things as possible.
Contact: jafoley@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, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Maureen Ferguson ’25
Major: Architecture
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? The main piece of advice I would give to a someone before going abroad is to embrace the idea of existing outside of your comfort zone. My roommate in Florence told me that the phrase that helped her to commit to the reality of studying abroad was “if you’re scared, just do it scared.” Over the course of a study abroad semester you are faced with so many new experiences from food, to destinations, to cultures and people. The only way to get the most out of these opportunities is to fully dive into them even when they seem uncomfortable- speak Italian to the locals, try the food you’ve never had before, go on the trip you’ve always wanted to go on. Once you accept the freedom of not limiting yourself by what appears comfortable, you are able to take full advantage of the potential of an abroad experience.
Contact: mefergus@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure
Name: Kara Gorman ’25
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable/unforgettable experience in my host country was when I traveled to Turin on my I-Explore trip. I was given a tour of a city that was previously the capital of Italy. The trip leaders knew the area very well and had a lot of knowledge of the smaller insights into the city. Being able to participate in the wine tour and seeing the cellar was one experience that I will never forget.
Contact: kgorman@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Disability resources, Financing study away, First time abroad, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Susan Gilmer-Hill ’24
Major: Environmental + Interior Design
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your experience like? I did not realize before arriving abroad how unique each person’s experience would be. Housing, economic class, alumni knowledge, gender, race, weight, sexuality, ability, and so much more affect our living experiences, and experiencing them freshly in a new place with some big aspects changing can be a culture shock on one’s lifestyle. I was in a homestay, had limited travel options, and was experiencing disadvantages that my friends could not understand. At first this was overwhelming to deal with alone all at once, but as I realized how much was new and seemed bigger than it was, I took a breath and was able to sort things one at a time.
Contact: sagilmer@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Race & Ethnicity, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family
Name: Jane Morales-Pinto ’24
Major: Food Studies and Environment, Sustainability & Policy, Geography minor
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I was really immersing myself in the culture and learning things about Italy that I would’ve never been able to learn here in the States. it was also a way to prove to myself that I could be independent. If the opportunity ever arises where I need to live in a different country I know that I can and can accept the offer with no hesitations. I met a lot of great people and being able to interact with people I otherwise would not have if it wasn’t for this program was a great experience.
Contact: jamorale@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, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Selecting a program option
Name: Marcella Morrison ’25
Major: Biotechnology, Italian Minor
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you give a student studying abroad? There’s always an urge to travel as often as possible but your host city has way more to offer than you’d think. You’ll likely have more opportunities in life to visit those other places for a couple days at a time, but most people won’t have the opportunity to get to intimately know a city and a culture for 4 consecutive months. Becoming a regular of a small locally run business and having them recognize you when you walk in, is such a joy that should be savored. Lastly, don’t hesitate to stray from the big group and travel to other places with a smaller group of friends, or even alone if you feel comfortable. I found the smaller trips I took were the most rewarding and getting to amble around while enjoying company and the sights are some of my favorite memories.
Contact: mmorri06@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, First time abroad, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Yifan Shen ’24
Major: Architecture
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? For me, the most unforgettable experience was living with a host family. My family was a widow and her 20=year-old son. Sonia was a ballet dance, chat and architect. She prepared authentic Tuscan breakfast and dinner for us each day. What I enjoyed the most was our conversation about different cultures, past experiences, politics and art – I was amazed by how knowledgeable and relatable she was, coming from a different background and having a large age gap.
Contact: yshen02@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, LGBTQ+, Living with a host family, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure, Race & Ethnicity, Religious life, Selecting a program option
Name: Hayley Scott ’25
Major: Environmental Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most valuable experience abroad? I went abroad by myself with no friend group as most students do and I left with strong friendships that I would not have formed if I did not go abroad. A lot of the students I became friends with were other Syracuse students that I have never crossed paths with and probably would not have if not for the Florence program.
Contact: hascott@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Allergies & dietary needs, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, First time abroad, Meeting locals, Preparing for departure
Name: Cecelia Westwater ’24
Major: Public Relations
Semester Abroad: Fall 2022
What was your most valuable experience abroad? The most valuable experience I had in Italy was exploring and traveling on my own for the first time. While I had friends abroad that I would explore and travel with, I had never been outside of the United States prior to studying abroad so I was learning a lot about myself and how I react in stressful situations. Going abroad made me more independent and mature in a way I never would be if I didn’t go abroad. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me unforgettable travel stories that I will cherish forever.
Contact: cjwestwa@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Culture shock / Homesickness, First time abroad, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Maya Starr ’24
Major: Marketing Management and Business Analytics
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you tell a student studying abroad? Before going abroad, I knew I would be pushed out of my comfort zone more than I ever had been before. Having to quickly acclimate to the different language, culture, people, and environment all seemed a bit overwhelming to me at first. However, when I got there, I immediately felt more at ease realizing that my friends and I were all in the same boat. The resources that Syracuse Florence provided were very helpful and the mandatory language component was also a great way to adapt.
Contact: mestarr@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Preparing for departure, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Culture shock / Homesickness, Financing study away, Meeting locals
Name: Ella Phipps ’25
Major: Environmental Engineering
Semester Abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you tell a student studying abroad? Take advantage of everything!! Europe is amazing and it is so easy to travel between places, so no matter what their home country is they will be able to go anywhere. If they have a certain place on their bucket list – GO!! Switzerland was on the top of my list and I was so excited to have that dream within reach.
Contact: ehphipps@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, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Jocelyn Chen
Major: Marketing Management
Semester abroad: Spring 2023
What advice would you give to a student studying abroad? I know that there is a lot of appeal in traveling to other countries as well, but try dedicate some time to exploring nearby towns or places that are less touristy in the place you are studying abroad! There is so much culture to be appreciated and to immerse yourself in that you would not get a chance to see otherwise, so make the most out of it.
Contact: jchen66@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Fitting study abroad into your home campus experience, Preparing for departure, Selecting a program option
Name: Gabriella Scothon ‘24
Major: Marketing
Semester abroad: Spring 2023
What was your most memorable experience abroad? To me the most valuable experience in my host country was the routine you get in living in a foreign country during the week. In a matters of weeks it goes from a place feeling foreign to home. The day I could remember how to get from the duomo to my apartment, i knew it felt like home. Its a hard feeling to describe but an amazing unforgettable feeling to be able to feel that in a place so far from home, with a new language, people and culture.
Contact: glscotho@syr.edu
Topics I’m comfortable discussing: Staying in touch with friends & family, Adjusting to a foreign language, Cultural Immersion, Health, safety, and support, Preparing for departure