Studying abroad in Italy with SPC was an adventure from start to finish! New faces, new sights, new foods: all of it was an opportunity for exploration, and I’ve come out of it with a picture of the world that is slightly bigger than before. Travel is one of the most valuable experiences by which to broaden one’s perspective and knowledge, and in that regard my time with SPC Study Abroad was an absolute success.

My favorite part of Italy was the architectural and historical sites that we visited throughout the country. Italy’s rich historical backdrop has been, to me, one of the most fascinating draws of this Study Abroad destination. Locations such as the Colosseum and the Vatican stand as testament to tremendous architectural and artistic achievement, from ancient civilization through the Renaissance to the modern day. Witnessing such massive, precisely constructed buildings and astonishingly intricate pieces of art is absolutely incredible to the modern observer as you try to comprehend the skill that went into their creation, given the limitations of their time. It is sites like these, a physical representation of the ingenuity and creativity that has defined humanity since our beginning, that are my favorite to visit wherever I travel. Meanwhile, locations such as Pompeii (pictured), allow us to gain insight into the daily lives of people in a time period that is otherwise difficult to truly conceptualize in its apparent detachment from the modern world. The similarities that we can find there: bakeries, baths, drinking fountains, down to the details such as plaques in tribute of those who donated to rebuild after natural disaster, are a connection that spans across time.

Beyond historical locations, aspects of daily living from meals to lodging were all fantastic. The authentic Italian cuisine was a highlight of every day, and as everyone will probably agree, I was on the lookout for a gelato place in every town we visited (always go for seconds during the gelato tour). And as a final word of appreciation, I know I wouldn’t have had such an awesome trip without the fantastic group of people that I traveled with. The professors, tour guides, and students were all nothing but amazing company, and I’m grateful that we were all able to share this journey.
– Vivienne, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024