Piya Rao (Italy, 2023-24)

I extend my deepest thanks to all of you for awarding me the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship for the 2023-2024 year. I recently finished my UCEAP program at the University of Bologna, Italy and am staying in Bologna until the end of August. I can confidently say that my experience here was better than I could ever have imagined. My time in Bologna has profoundly changed me and molded me into a more worldly and outgoing person. It is hard to believe that almost eleven months have passed since I first arrived here, ecstatic to commence my journey but with a stomach full of butterflies. When I landed at the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport, I was immediately greeted by a gigantic sign lettered with “Benvenuti!” in bold black font. It was both thrilling and comforting to see Italian written all over the walls and signs everywhere I turned. As I stood waiting to collect my two giant suitcases, it finally hit me how lucky I was to be living in a new country for a whole year.

My biggest goal for my year in Bologna was to feel like a “real” Italian by the time my program ended. I now realize that this goal was both unrealistic and futile. I don’t think I’ll ever feel “Italian enough” and I am at peace with this because my objective has evolved into something more personal. I originally pictured that all Italians would fit the hand-waving, animated stereotype. However, after living here, now I am aware that Italians come in every shape, shade, and variety. Bologna has a vibrant and ever-expanding immigrant community that I’ve been able to observe and join over these months. When I first arrived, I felt I stuck out like a sore thumb with my American accent and lack of fashion sense, but now I don’t feel the need anymore to pretend to be someone, or something, that I simply am not. Italians know I’m not from Italy and that is perfectly fine. Oftentimes they are intrigued and want to learn more about where I am from, and we are able to learn from each other's experiences and cultures. This has led to many beautiful friendships and language exchanges with Bolognese students. I met one Italian friend, Chiara, while having a coffee at Freud’s Bar in Piazza Verdi in the middle of February. She heard me speaking English with some UC friends and asked to join us so that she could practice her English. More than four months later, we meet for coffee every week and spend thirty minutes speaking in English and the other speaking in Italian.

One of my biggest culture shocks in Bologna was how greatly the Italian university system differs from that in the United States. Each course on average was held for six hours per week and we weren’t assigned any homework. The only assignment for the entire semester was an oral exam, which was an entirely new concept for me. It took me the whole fall semester to grasp this new system of exams and it was difficult to figure out how to pace my study sessions. In the end, I really enjoyed taking oral exams because it was a great way to practice organizing my thoughts out loud and speaking Italian in a formal manner. All of my professors were incredibly patient and kind with me, knowing that Italian was my second language. I liked all my courses and learned a lot about Italian history, culture, and art. My favorite classes were Storia dell’alimentazione (History of Food Habits), Sociologia delle migrazioni (Sociology of Migrations) and Technice del mosaico (Introduction to Mosaics). I hope to find a mosaics course in Santa Barbara so I can continue improving my art skills.

I continue to be a strong proponent of studying abroad for a full-year, and staying in the summer after your program if you are able to. Each additional day I stay here, the more at home I feel. Each conversation I have in Italian, the more confident I feel that I am able to joke in my second language. Each new park I walk through becomes my new favorite place and a pin on my Google Maps app. The opportunity to be here for the year allowed me to set roots down and form a vibrant local community.

One of the most fulfilling parts of my study abroad experience was babysitting for local Bolognese families. Across the span of ten months I have babysit for five different families with children ranging from ages five to twelve, working around ten hours a week. This opportunity provided me with a rare and intimate look into what being a part of an Italian family is like and I feel like a big sister to Agata, Ada, Pietro, Edoardo, Olivia, Lea, Lorenzo, and Cecilia. After months of getting close to each family and child, they have invited me to eat home-cooked meals in their homes and join them for vacations. This was key to Bologna becoming my new home and a place where I feel like I truly belong. Each family lived in a different part of Bologna so I was able to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods as well.

Many people have asked me what I plan on doing after I graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara in June 2025. I would like to return to Italy to either pursue a Master’s degree or work full-time. It has been a long-time dream of mine to be an elementary school teacher and I have considered working at the International School of Bologna or being an au-pair for a Bolognese family. Getting a taste of living abroad and being able to visit so many new countries has solidified my desire to try living in multiple different environments and continuing to push myself out of my comfort zone.

I am sad to leave Bologna but excited to return home and finish my senior year at UCSB. Bologna will always be one of my homes and hold a very special place in my heart.

Valeria Gonzalez Perez (Italy, 2022-23)

As I began my college career, I became inspired by a group of storytellers and content creators who encouraged people to ‘Seek Discomfort’. The idea to actively seek unpleasant situations seemed crazy to me at the time; but as I began to embrace the beauty behind reframing the perception of your limits and exposing yourself to novel experiences, I started gaining insight to the wonders of seeking the unknown. In fact, one of the first steps of stepping out of my comfort zone in preparation for my journey abroad was applying for the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship. It was my first time applying for a scholarship, first time exploring this type of unknown and the rewards were abundant. Not only did it help me financially for my study abroad journey but it reassured me that there’s always a community of people who support your dreams. There’s always people excited to embark on an adventure with you or excited to support you along the way out of the kindness of their heart. People seems to be one of the key elements that help make your dream into a reality and people is also one of the key elements that made my study abroad year a memorable one. When people ask me, “What was the most amazing thing you got to experience while studying abroad in Italy?”, I will answer, “The greatest adventure was connecting with people and learning from them through their culture and unique story”.

After being in Italy for a few weeks and noticing the immediate differences such as cobblestone roads, the historical architecture outlined by the porticoes, the exquisite cuisine so tightly woven into the culture, the passionate gestures and Italian expressions, and the accessibility to travel to new cities, what captivated me the most was the people in Europe. It was Maria from Pakistan who gave me a tour of my residence hall on the first day I arrived in Padova and who so kindly made me her ‘special guest’ on Christmas day dinner. It was Sarah from Germany who shared her love for biotechnologies with me and who introduced me to my favorite German artist. It was Ane from Norway who taught me there is no timeline for your dreams while she studied Italian literature for a year and who will enroll in an undergraduate engineering program next year. It was Kamila from Czech Republic who danced everywhere she went and whom I shared my passion for volleyball with. It was my roommate Mia from the US who kept my family tradition alive of decorating the living room with decorations for my 21st birthday and who gifted me the most amazing cooking class experience in Sorrento filled with laughter and music. It was Chiara and Anna, my two favorite Italian friends, who welcomed me open heartedly into their lives by showing me the local spots in Padova and by always helping me to improve my Italian. It was Elisa from Mexico who keeps inspiring me to live the life of my dreams after choosing to complete her full undergraduate psychology degree in another country halfway around the world. It was Cara from England who showed me the power of storytelling as a way to connect with people.

Everywhere I went there were always people who made my year abroad even more special. An interaction wasn’t even necessary to become inspired by the European lifestyle; it could be the passionate tour guide you overheard who explains every art piece as a precious moment of life in it of itself at the Louvre Museum in Paris or at the Uffizi Museum in Florence. Yes, it is the beautiful cities, architecture, food, and art what makes up the European lifestyle - but it is the people that bring these wonders to life.

The native Padova drink Aperol Spritz wouldn’t be the same without you and your friends watching the sunset in one the piazze. Of course, one must be able and motivated to discover the beauty in the places you visit and the people that you meet; and studying abroad is an ultimate way to test how well you recognize the beauty without relatives or friends to influence your perception. In an unfamiliar place, can you recognize the beauty in the most unexpected places? How do you react in novel situations? Do you respond in a manner that is true to yourself and how much of your behaviors are truly authentic to you? Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to understand more of who you really are by allowing you to make decisions, big or small, in everyday situations.

Whether it be from choosing to create a Whatsapp group chat for volleyball lovers in Padova (embracing my love for the sport in a new country), to choosing what kinds of thought patterns and inner dialogue will be rehearsed today. Studying abroad is one the greatest experiences I’ve experienced in my life since it also made me realize the importance of my identity and story. It felt in some way more normal to be a Mexican-American woman living in two countries at once while I was in Tijuana/San Diego. While I always knew the great value of my story, I became even more aware of the impact my story has on other people and that there is great interest in my life experiences. The number of times people asked me about life on the border or about ‘the wall’ are many more than I can count with my fingers, but the genuine curiosity and interest to learn about Mexican-American life was eye-opening.

In short, if anyone is thinking about studying abroad I would say, yes. Do it. It is a unique experience to practice living more authentically, confidently, and interconnectedly. It is a beautiful way to practice being present in the moment while you find a balance between trying to control the time you have left focusing on the future and thinking about your life back home focusing on the past. Lastly, studying abroad helps you to appreciate that there are SO many things to be grateful for. The gratitude I have for this year abroad and for all the people I’ve connected with on this journey is so immense words cannot describe it. I am eternally grateful for my year abroad in the University of Padua, Italy which the CBMSF family helped make this dream into a reality. As the idea to ‘Seek Discomfort’ motivated me to put myself out there even more and to try new things at the beginning of my freshman year in college, this year abroad in Padua, Italy I repurposed this idea and made it my own. Seek adventures. Actively reframe, reconsider, and re-explore your thoughts in a way that allows you to seek adventures. Seek the adventure of knowing yourself better in order to experience the adventure of connecting with others in a meaningful and purposeful way. Padova, you have been a marvelous adventure; and thank you CBMSF for your support on this adventure.

With much love and gratitude,

Valeria Gonzalez Perez

Daniela Mendoza (Italy, 2021-22)

I remember when I first landed in Bologna, the warmth of the sun, the loud city filled with people I will never get to meet personally. I was more than prepared to call this place home, and just like that it is summer once again. With the passing seasons it is easy to feel lonely, but never alone. I will admit, it has been challenging. This year was a year of learning. I gained many friends, as well as lost friends, but even then you can only mourn the losses temporarily, some people aren’t meant to last in your life forever and that is okay. I am just glad they were part of the road. Even throughout all the personal challenges I had to grow from, Bologna was always there for me. The city as a whole is a little rough looking on the outside, but nothing but warmth and comfort once you get to know them. I was never a person to take myself out on dates or mini excursions, but it’s a new exercise I have employed in my life and not only is it deeply personal and almost intimate, but it has allowed me to be grateful for everything I do have.

I am grateful. I am grateful for all the inexpensive Ryanair flights. The people I have shared these unforgettable experiences with, and that somehow I have managed to travel to eleven countries all within one year. I have all these memories and beautiful snapshots I have captured in my brain and have saved for a rainy day. An encounter that I cannot stop thinking about is one that I had with my friend Franklin just recently. He is also part of the UCEAP program and studies at UC Davis, he was a year student in Bologna like I was. Just yesterday I randomly bumped into him at Giardini Margherita. A beautiful park in Bologna that becomes more alive the warmer it gets outside. Him and I began to reflect on the last time we saw each other and how fast the time has flown. He then casually mentioned how he biked from Livorno to Puglia and said something along the lines of, I saw everything people told me I needed to see and they weren’t all that fascinating, if anything it was all the things that no one else has seen that was truly magical. That is how I feel about Bologna. All the hidden treasures, beautiful classrooms, my favorite study spots, thrift shops, coffee shops. I can go on and on forever of all the places I have now declared as mine. It’s what’s below the surface that I will deeply miss. If I am being honest, I am already missing it and I haven’t even left yet.

Apart from all the traveling and exploring I did in my free time, it is essential I talk about the real reason I was in Bologna in the first place, my studies. I had a joke said to me that through an outside perspective on my social media, it appears that I have been backpacking through Europe for a whole year, that definitely made me chuckle. Studies in Bologna are different, in comparison to what I am used to, it is much more relaxed if I dare say it. Italian students are not relaxed though, you will come to learn. However, the professors’ method of teaching is different here, I felt much more comfortable with the subject I was learning and actually felt like I could discuss it with professionals. This is not to disregard all the incredible professors in the UC system, it’s just a different way of teaching and learning. Prior to coming to Bologna I knew I wanted to pursue my Masters degree, but I never knew what topic to specify in. Now that my year has come to an end, I can proudly say that I know the subject I want to pursue afterwards. The reason for this new found confidence in my desired Master's degree subject, is thanks to a course I took named International Marketing with Professor Ancarani. I often think of him and wonder how one class and one professor could have made such an impact on my future. As the time approaches for me to return to the United States, I am grateful I have a quarter left at UCSD. I feel like this last quarter could serve as a final goodbye for me to give thanks to the school that got me where I am today.

Rebeca Brambila (Italy, 2021-22)

From my time here so far, the most challenging aspect has been missing things back home. During my months here there have been many birthdays, special events, and a couple deaths in the family. It makes me sad to know I am missing out on important family moments, but I know my family understands and they are happy for me to be able to have this experience abroad.

The thing that most surprised me was how normal the Italian language is for me now. When I go on trips to various European countries that speak different languages, I feel at home when I return to Italy, or even when I pass someone speaking Italian. The Italian language has become almost my comfort language, and makes me feel comfortable and at home.

An unforgettable experience I have had so far was riding my bike to the airport. It was 3 am and my friend and I had a flight to catch to go to Santorini, GR at 5am. We didn’t want to pay for a taxi, so we decided to rent bikes for 2 euros each and bike ride to the airport. Google Maps ended up taking us on a route that went on the freeway, so my friend and I ended up riding our bikes on the freeway at 3 in the morning. A lot of cars and buses honked at us, which was scary, and it was definitely a workout having to keep up with the cars on the roundabouts. But it was definitely very memorable, and now I can say that I rode my bike on the freeway in Italy.

Some ways my courses here in Bologna differed from those at UCSD are that the courses here are quite easy and they do not give out homework. In Italy, university is quite laidback, and studying is done at your own pace. You study when you can, and all you have to worry about is being prepared for the final. Whereas in the US, homework and various assignments are given practically daily, and everything is very fast paced. I enjoyed the easygoingness of the Italian way of doing university, but I feel I learn better in a more fast pace setting.

Throughout my time here, one thing I learned about myself was how present I have become. Before coming to Italy I was known by everyone as being quite forgetful and a little careless. Everyone was worried that I would do something stupid, like leave my passport or wallet somewhere or get stolen for being thoughtless. But fortunately, I have changed my ways since being here, and I have not lost, or gotten anything stolen my entire time here. And I am very proud of that.

After being in Italy for a couple months, I have been able to hear and see how Italians view the US. I learned that America is seen as a place of prosperity and opportunity by Italians, which I found to be very interesting because I think Americans see Europe in a similar way. Since being here I realized just how privileged we are in the US. Minimum wage is quite low in Europe. I was astonished when a friend of mine told me his mother made 5 euros an hour at her job back in Spain. It makes me appreciate the opportunity we have in America and reminds me why my parents changed their whole lives to move to the US.

What I would advise students interested in studying abroad is to do it for the entire year. I have many friends that only studied in Bologna for one semester, and they didn’t feel like it was enough. The first few months go by so very fast. You are in a new country and trying to get adjusted to everything, from the language to the culture in the first few months, right when you are expected to leave. A year is just the right amount of time, and I would definitely recommend it to all university students. Especially low income students like myself, studying abroad is less expensive than if I had stayed at my UC campus because of all the financial aid and scholarships that are offered.

When it comes to my career plans, I believe this year has reinforced them. I decided on studying international business at the beginning of my university career because I was interested in business, and I liked the idea of traveling for work. Now, after studying and traveling around Europe for the past year, it has reassured me that I made the right decision. I hope to continue with my degree and one day work for a big international organization that allows me to travel between America and Europe for work.

think I was quite prepared for studying abroad. Because of the pandemic, I was able to spend a lot of time with my family and get a job back home. This ended up being a blessing because I was able to save a lot of money by living at home, and I adored being under the same roof with my family again. So I feel like I was less homesick and more financially prepared for studying abroad in Europe for the year because of it.
Lastly, I do not think COVID had a great impact on my experience. Although Italy is probably one of the strictest countries when it comes to COVID requirements and restrictions, I had a really good time. I was not heavily effected, and my only main burden was having to buy expensive facemarks all of the time, and fill out countless travel locater forms when traveling around Europe. Overall, I have been blessed to have had such a great experience abroad amidst the ongoing uncertainty of this global pandemic.

Tamami Komatsu (Italy, 2005-06)

“Because it was starting to get dark and the streets were crowded, I bumped into a googleplex people. Who were they? Where were they going? What were they looking for? I wanted to hear their heartbeats and I wanted them to hear mine.”

Jonathan Safran Foer
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Although these are the words of Jonathan Safran Foer, it is really me talking and Chris, I know it is you as well.

I have spent almost a year now studying in Bologna, Italy and it’s been a lifetime. I’ve had the most amazing privilege of living and learning from three fabulous Italians and can honestly say that I’ve created a warm home and beautiful life for myself. Yet I have realized that no matter how hard I try I’ll never be able to express myself to them completely, that they will never see me how I see me, that some fundamental things about myself will never translate, will never make it over that barrier, that words are not just words but ideas, concepts, and emotions. I understand now the difference between being a liberal, open student and a liberal, open citizen. I know the agony of being generalized. I also know that with every experience a particular is automatically added to a chain of similar particulars that will eventually form a generalization, especially should it be a negative one. I know that openness can be a synonym for naive. I’ve realized that it is useless to tell others anything because in the end they already know it in the way they want to know it. I know that everyone feels justified for reasons they will never be able to express. I also know that all of what I’ve just said means nothing to anyone but me because all of that is founded on experiences that I will never be able to explain. I am 21 years old and I expect people to know and understand me from the moment they meet me. And you wonder why peace doesn’t exist in the world…. yet on the other hand, it’s kind of odd that it doesn’t when everyone, from the bottom of their heart, desires it above all else.

We’re listening for words; that’s the problem. Thanks to you, Chris, and the year you’ve given me, I know now what it is I’m supposed to be listening for: that universal beat that needs no common language or culture to understand. Finally, I know what it takes to be a global citizen. Oh, and Chris, I hear your heartbeat; it’s just a matter of time before we all get synchronized to it.