The above photos are from National Geographic Travel Guide
After extensive research online and several interviews, I have decided that I definitely will study abroad in Florence, Italy this upcoming summer. The affordability of the trip combined with all of the places you travel to on the weekends is what made this study abroad program very appealing to me. There are many study abroad programs out there, but not many offer as many travel opportunities within the actual program. This program will give me the opportunity to travel to florence, siena, pompeii/Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento, and capri.
Not only will the Italy trip allow me to travel to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but it will also help me in my future professional endeavors. I hope to gain a more worldly perspective from studying abroad. As a student minoring in the field of journalism, I find it highly invaluable to have a broad perspective of the world. I have learned from my studies that a good journalist has the ability to present a comprehensive and balanced story to people. I think that traveling will only deepen my outlook on issues in today’s world so that I can maintain an unbiased approach to this career. I think that is extremely important for anyone pursuing a possible career in journalism to have traveled to as many places as possible. I believe that the more people I meet and the more I open my mind to learning from these people that it will put me on the path towards being a knowledgeable journalist. I also have an interest in being an embedded foreign correspondent. Foreign correspondents often get thrown into countries in which they have never traveled to before or do not know any of the language. Having experience in traveling to foreign countries will endow me with a heightened sense of comfort if I do take on this career path in the future.
I am also studying public relations at NC State and I think that studying abroad will also stimulate my growth as a public relations specialist. Studying abroad will give me the opportunity to communicate with people of a different culture. I will also be traveling abroad with a group of people I don’t necessarily know at all. This will benefit because in the professional realm, I will be forced to work with people I do not know from all different backgrounds and walks of life.
I have a deep passion for cooking as well and from what I understand, Italy has some of the finest cuisine in all of Europe. I also find European Art and History fascinating. The rich history that encompasses Italy is very appealing to me. From what I have studied in school, Florence is considered the “birthplace” of the Renaissance. Florence Italy is also home to some of the greatest artists in the world, such as Brunelleschi and Donatello. I would feel honored to study abroad in a city with such renowned historic and cultural heritage.
