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.

Shellsea De Leon (France, 2021-22)

As my year comes to a close, I have come to realize how amazing this opportunity has been. I’m not from a small town or even a small city, far from it. Los Angeles is an immense city with many vibrant cultures that I encounter every day. However, I had never been outside of this bubble and I was so accustomed to everything I saw. Paris, on the other hand, provided a breath of fresh air. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was met with what would be my home for the next year. The sky was cloudy in Parisian fashion, and the city was crowded with locals going on and living their lives. I was enamored by the small cafes and the typical European architecture. Even as I struggled to carry my luggage up four flights of stairs, I was not deterred in any way. I knew I was going to make this place my home. So for the next week I made sure to go around and visit many places as I could around the city. With just some tennis shoes on and a bit of money in my pocket, I made my way through the city. Seeing something new that I have always been anticipating seeing was so thrilling. To this day, that first week is stored as one of the most memorable times for me. 

As I came to know more about the city, it meant that I got to know more about its people and the culture. And I can say that I had definite culture shock. Simple things like crossing the street irrespective of whether or not the light is red to learning and experiencing that French people are more likely to be closed off to strangers. This exposure was completely different to what I’m used to but I welcomed it with open arms and the willingness to assimilate. The good thing was that I was not alone in my journey but that many other students like me were in the same boat. That is what I loved about Sciences Po. 

Learning at a prestigious school like Sciences Po was an amazing experience. With half of the population being exchange students, I felt like I could fit in. We were all coming from different backgrounds and we all came here with a common desire to get the best experience possible. The first semester there was one of my favorites because I got to take classes outside my specific major and learn more about European law and culture. One of the classes that I really enjoyed was that of Women’s rights and how different women across the world perceive them to be. It was a great way to start talking about feminism but at a deeper level and with points of views from different cultures. In all honesty, having professors from different backgrounds and walks of life also provided to be incredibly refreshing and made classes more engaging. All in all my first semester was filled with a lot of trial and error but it was completely worth it. That semester I also made many new friends and got in contact with old faces. People are right about how spending a year abroad with friends is magical and how you make some of the best memories. 

That being said, second semester provided to be a lot more difficult for myself both academically and socially. I was faced with my closest friends going back to the States and with classes being more challenging. Unlike the last semester, I decided to challenge myself to take one more class in French and it was my first experience with a French lecture class. More than 200 students filled the auditorium and many were first-year students with hopes that they would do amazing that semester. And I also took it upon myself to take more political science classes than last semester (as I ended up taking none). The only exception was the script writing class I decided to take that was taught in French. And it gave me a break from the purely academic classes I was taking. If I had not taken that class, I am pretty sure I would have been strongly disappointed the entire semester. But, taking all these classes provided me with groundbreaking insight about myself. This entire year was filled with self-discovery but the most important was that maybe the career path I wanted to take was not right for me. Before coming to Franc I was so sure that I wanted to become a lawyer and go to law school, but in actuality it provided me with more confusion as to what I want to do with my life. In a sense I am incredibly grateful because not only did these classes provide scholarly insight but also personal. 

Leaving now feels like a dream because of how long I have been here but also the life I have constructed. I honestly do not think that I am going to be the same once I go back home, but that is good thing because it shows personal growth. Am I prepared to go back to UCSD now? Not in the slightest. Even if at times Paris seemed like it dimmed in comparison to home, it made such a huge impact on my heart that going back to UCSD feels a bit saddening. But I’m sure that I will be back in the future, if not for academics then I’ll be there visiting friends that I left behind. I will never forget this experience in a million years, and I’m incredibly grateful that you all made this experience possible. 

Sophia Garrido (England, 2021-22)

The most challenging aspect of studying abroad was getting out of my comfort zone. I have never lived further than one hour away from my family, so moving across the world for an entire year was extremely difficult. I missed my family, my friends, and my dogs so so much! Even not having the little things like my favorite restaurants, my car, or my dad’s cooking… I lived a whole year without ALL of it. It was not easy to adjust I’ll be honest.  Fortunately, however, I made some amazing friends in England who I know will be friends for life. They threw me a going away party and wrote me cards and sang me songs, it was incredible. It's now become the most challenging part about leaving! I even met my very best friend named Callie, she is from Athens and we became inseparable the day we met. We always talk about how we will be in each others weddings one day. It was hard to leave everyone but I am so thankful to have met them and know we’ll stay friends for a very long time. 

The courses differed from those at UCSD in many ways. The class sizes were much smaller, so I was able to really get to know my professors and classmates. I also felt like students were less afraid to share their opinions in my classes, including me. The style of teaching is much more neutral - there is less bias in terms of politics and more room for freedom of thought. I very much liked these aspects of school in England in comparison to school in America. 

To students back home: I most definitely recommend studying abroad for a full year. It took me about three months to really become comfortable living abroad and immerse myself in my new environment. I struggled to make friends at first and couldn’t stop FaceTiming my parents and friends from home. If I had only spent three months (or less) out there, I would have never fully experienced all of the amazing opportunities for growth that I did. Sure, I would have been able to see the main tourist attractions in London, but I would not have had time to travel to the other 7 countries that I did. I would not have made lifelong friends who I will cherish forever, and I would not have grown internally as much as I did from being there for a year. My whole outlook on life has changed since living abroad this year, and I feel as though I would have been selling myself short if I stayed out there for less than that. Being independent and having the opportunity to live in another country is something that not everyone has the chance to do, so if you are considering studying abroad or even slightly interested, here is your sign to JUST DO IT! 

An unforgettable experience would be my time in Model United Nations. We had a three day simulation where everyone represented a different country in the UN. The head delegates assigned me to represent Ukraine, and sure enough the agenda of the simulation was set : “The Situation in Ukraine”. I was fortunate enough to speak on behalf of Ukraine (for the simulation) and work with all the other countries to try and find a resolution. I was awarded as a Distinguished Delegate, which is the second highest award to receive. I worked alongside the delegates for Germany, USA, and Poland, and our team received the award for best working paper. It was incredible! I even wore a blue and yellow ribbon which I made to show solidarity with Ukraine. So many people loved it that I ended up making over 100 blue and yellow ribbons to pass around the school. Although it was a small gesture, it was nice to be able to show support in some way. 

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.

Jonathan Sarabia (Spain, 2021-22)

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of studying abroad was learning how to become more independent and being okay with being on my own at times. When living back on campus at San Diego, although I was away from home, I knew if I really needed or wanted to go back to see my family I could just catch a plane. Additionally, I had a good amount of friends on campus. In Spain, this wasn’t an option. I didn’t know anybody, and not only was I starting over in a sense with the people I knew, but also with the culture. Overtime, I was able to get over this sense of loneliness and actually enjoy moments where I had time for myself and enjoy my own company. However, it has also led to a greater appreciation to all the new relationships I have made and the relationships I already had with people. Sometimes I think we forget just how valuable relationships and connections are because even if you cannot not physically be with people, knowing you have this support allows us to continue moving forward.

Having never traveled before out of the state, I didn’t realize how enormous the United States was and just how small Spain is in comparison. It’s amazing how in the same time it would take to travel across the same state in the US, being in Europe allows you to travel to a whole another country with a completely different language and culture. Share an unforgettable experience: One of my most unforgettable experiences was my solo trip to Italy where I visited Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Venice. Having never traveled completely on my own, this trip was a bit intimidating to do, however, I got to spend my time there exactly how I wanted and got to visit locations and monuments that I genuinely never thought I’d ever see in my life. Seeing in person with my own eyes works of art such as The Creation of Adam, the David of Michelangelo, or The Birth of Venus was genuinely breathtaking and it has made me have a better appreciation of art. Visiting all the amazing monuments and museums were just moments I cannot ever forget. How did your courses differ from those at UCSD: At UCSD I did not have the opportunity to solely focus on taking Spanish classes because Spanish is not related to my major. However, having completed my major before leaving, I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I could take all my classes in Spanish for my final semester which has helped with the learning process where I do not need to focus on other topics. Spanish classes are solely taught in Spanish without explanations in English, which is how the Spanish classes at UCSD were taught. That being said, I think the Spanish classes at UCSD very well prepared me with the amount of Spanish I knew before coming here. Regarding some of other business classes I took here, I found that the speed of the courses were much slower paced in Spain and less intensive. The culture around homework is definitely emphasized less which I think adds a healthy flow of separating school and a social life.

Having traveled to a couple places within Europe, my view of the United States changed regarding how I look at our transportation systems and our cities are built. It’s amazing how efficient so many of the transportation systems are in several different counties and the fact that a car does not seem like a necessary unlike in the United States. In Europe, cities in general keep their beauty where cities in the US are built on roads and over flooded parking lots. Another thing about being in Spain was my observation of some of the economic issues. In the US many youth begin working in their first job or internship when they turn 16-17, but in Spain, it’s much harder to find a job for youth. Most businesses want people who are more qualified or have a degree, making it harder for younger people to work. And this issue leads to another cycle where younger people have less money, making it harder to move out, which is why I believe it is more common here than in the US for kids to live with their parents much longer as it seems hard to have a stable income for some families.

If you are considering studying abroad and it’s an opportunity you can take, 100% you should go. You learn so much about yourself during the experience and it opens up a perspective to the world that you can only understanding by actually living the experience. A full year abroad may sound intimidating, however, I have heard so many students feeling like they haven’t had enough time by the end and wish they could stay longer as they’ve fallen in love with the culture. I remember when it came to the end of my first semester, I felt like I had just finishing adapting to all the changes, and I couldn’t believe it was almost the end of the program for other students. I believe a full year abroad is the perfect time to fully enjoy your experience because the adaptation phase takes longer than expected.

Overall I felt relatively prepared for studying abroad as I had already taken Spanish classes at UCSD which helped me immensely. I could not imagine coming into the country having no prior language because a year of Spanish classes really built my basic foundation of Spanish, and coming to Spain only further improved my Spanish speaking ability.