All posts by Gloria Parrott

SPC Italy Program: Highlight of my Year

Austria and Germany (High School), Italy (High School) 2024, News, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy, Travel

The Italy Study Abroad Trip was one of the highlights of my year and was full of so many amazing memories. I met friends that I can see myself hanging out with for the rest of my life and saw so many amazing and beautiful sights. This trip not only gave me so many amazing memories to look back on but has made me prepared for future travel and life.


My highlight of the trip was being able to taste all the amazing food in Italy. The pizza, the gelato, the pasta, the cappuccinos, and so much more were so delicious! Two of my favorite things that we did were the walking food tour where I made friends with the man who ran the deli, and he kept giving me prosciutto, and the gelato taste testing and making experience.

Throughout these two experiences I was able to taste the different foods and drinks that are made right there in Italy. Being able to see and experience Italian culture through the food was an amazing thing to be able to do.
– Riley, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Italy: I had a wonderful time studying abroad!

Italy (High School) 2024, News, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy, Travel

I had a wonderful time studying abroad in Italy. Firstly, I really liked immersing myself in the new culture. I would say I was much more prepared for this trip than last year’s France study abroad since I had been in Europe before. My favorite place that we visited was definitely Florence. Although it is a major city, we mainly stayed within one area near the Duomo and even though we were only there for a couple of days, I already knew the area’s layout pretty well. I ate the best pizza of my life in Florence! I wish I got to stay there longer. Rome was nice too, but it just felt a bit busy, plus it was super rainy there so maybe I’m biased. My favorite landmark that we visited had to be the Roman Forum. It’s incredible how those huge buildings have stayed there for so long and how they’re just in the middle of the city! I didn’t really know just how big and powerful the Roman empire was until I saw a portion of it up close and personal.
Pompeii was fun, but I wish we spent a bit more time in Naples to explore. The museum was very interesting though, and it is incredible to think that generation after generation of people have dedicated so much time to preserving this disaster for the purpose of education when it would be much easier to just tear it down. I am so glad to have been able to see a glimpse of what life was like in these ancient times! Some of my favorite moments, however, were spent either walking into random churches with my friends or simply people watching on the streets.

Overall, I am very happy to have gone on this trip. It has made me even more exciting to travel various parts of the world, and to push myself out of my comfort zone. Finally, here is a picture of one of the huge hallways leading up to the Sistine Chapel inside the museum at Vatican City.
– Lucy, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Italy: Unimaginable Experience

Italy (High School) 2024, News, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy, Travel

Wow, there are no words I could use to describe this study abroad that would do it any semblance of justice. Before this trip, I had never been out of my time zone, let alone out of the country. Italy specifically holds a very special place in my heart, as it’s where my great-grandparents grew up. I’ve grown up with the Americanized Italian culture and have recently within the past two years started learning the language, hoping to one day be able to use it. When I learned the next high school study abroad would be to Italy, I knew I had to go. My expectations before this trip were extremely high from the stories I’ve been told and pictures I’ve been shown, and it sure did not disappoint.

On our trip, we visited Rome, Naples/Pompei, Florence, and Pisa. Out of all of those places, my favorite has to be Florence. Aside from the amazing food and delicious gelato, there was one piece of architecture that took my breath away: the Duomo. Throughout the trip, we came across amazing pieces of architecture and art, but in my opinion, none compared to the Duomo. You don’t realize how truly magnificent and enormous it is until you’re standing 20 feet away from it, close enough to truly see all the fine details. I also really liked how small Florence was. The city areas in Italy were indeed created to be walkable, but that fact was the most obvious in Florence. On the very last night, a few of my friends and I walked from our room at the Villa Royal to a McDonald’s only 10 minutes away for a late-night snack. On the way, we passed aqueduct-fed fountains spouting pure drinkable water, the academia housing the very famous statue of David, and squares with beautiful fountains and statues. It was truly an unimaginable experience for someone from Florida, where the nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive away.

Overall, I think it’s safe to say I had an amazing time in Italy and will make it a personal goal to return in my lifetime. Ciao!
– Alexis, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Study Abroad Italy: Unforgettable Journey!

Austria and Germany (High School), Italy (High School) 2024, News, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy, Travel

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

The program to Italy was one of the most stimulating, educational, and fun ventures I have experienced in my life.

Italy (High School) 2024, News, Study Abroad, Study Abroad in Italy, Travel

The trip to Italy was one of the most stimulating, educational, and fun ventures I have experienced in my life. Going to another country is such an enriching experience and really shows you new perspectives and ways of life that you might’ve never even thought of before. I made many new friends with the people on the trip, I had been worried about not knowing many of them, but it wasn’t an issue because everyone was so great!

The food was amazing (especially the gelato), and the people there were very interesting to talk to. One of my favorite parts was how different and good-looking the architecture was. In both Rome and Florence, the buildings all had an otherworldly presence in my eyes. They were all so unique and interesting to view and walk into, especially the churches and museums. Even with all the beautiful artworks inside I still found myself staring at the arches and ceilings, wondering why the buildings back home all didn’t look this amazing. However, a downside of staring at the architecture all the time was that I found myself a bit lost when I decided to listen to the tour guide again, but I’m still glad I got many opportunities to appreciate the beauty of Italy.

Another big part of going to Italy, or another country in general, is experiencing their cuisine. I learned a lot about how they make their food and how different it tastes from “Italian” dishes in the United States. A word of warning though, the pasta dishes they have there are very deceiving, looking at them one might think it wouldn’t be that difficult to finish a meal and then the next thing you know you’re full halfway through eating it. Despite that everything looked and tasted amazing, even if I wasn’t hungry, I still tried because it was all great. After arriving home, aside from the incredible drowsiness and our garage door having fallen off, I felt a sense of accomplishment and improved understanding from the trip. Studying abroad helps a lot with expanding one’s horizons and to form new appreciation for the differences in culture, and as a plus it’s really fun and enjoyable!
– Daniel, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Studying Abroad Italy : A Wonderful Travel and Social experience

Austria and Germany (High School), Italy (High School) 2024, Study Abroad, Travel

The Birthplace of Western Civilization

The Roman Empire always had an aura of mystique around its description. Filled to the brim with pillars, philosophy, pale statues, and promise, The Roman Empire was quite the surprise when I learned in history class that such as great, albeit flawed, empire fell due to the invasion of a collection of Vandals, Visigoths, and other Germanic tribes.
However, having a wonderful time in Italy with newly found friends gave me the opportunity to visit many of the historical architecture relevant to my curiosity. We saw the Sistine Chapel, went to Vatican City, had a great time in Pisa, admired the ruins of Pompeii, and observed one of the wonders of the world, The Roman Colosseum.
The Colosseum, as described by my World History professor last year, is massive, but it’s even bigger in person. The Romans were known for grand architecture, but it would be no exaggeration to say that the Colosseum was one of the biggest political distractions in history. Empires were often unstable political hierarchies because they must rely on the people having trust for the emperor or they will rebel. So, to keep the people in check, the Colosseum was built to distract people from the real political corruption going on behind closed doors. And it worked!
The Colosseum was built by having an underground trapdoor labyrinth to prop up animals and gladiators to fight for their lives which would certainly be a magical experience in the first century AD, working as an excellent way for an emperor to not only distract, but also entertain their people.
Beyond satisfying my love for history, studying abroad in Italy was a wonderful travel and social experience with my classmates at SPC. I originally went into the program without knowing anyone but ended up making some lifetime friendships with the students and faculty that I became comfortable with throughout the trip. We had breakfast and dinner together and had plenty of free time to have delicious local cuisine in Rome and Florence throughout each day. It truly was an enchanting cultural experience and would strongly consider any student to give it a shot, even if only for Italy’s fantastic gelato!
– Nyden, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

Studying abroad with SPC has been an opportunity like no other.

Italy (High School) 2024, Morocco 2025, Study Abroad, Travel

Studying abroad with SPC has been an opportunity like no other. It is a wonderful experience to see so many tourist attractions and sites that would normally be too much effort to go on your own time. I feel this is one of the big benefits of high school study abroad because it is a chance to explore the country in a way one normally wouldn’t on their own. Don’t go into it thinking it is like a normal trip in which you can stop into a store you want to check out on the way – the tour guides will not wait for you. You are there to tour the greatest monuments! And it is truly wonderful once you can get over that hurdle. Going with friends was such an amazing experience and I saw so many others make friends they truly cared about over the trip. Italy was wonderful and SPC study abroad gave me opportunities to see the world, I am so thankful for that.

One of my favorite experiences was at the Vatican Museum. It had so many stunning and iconic works of art that struck me as soon as I saw them. Seeing such famous pieces in person and an arm’s length away is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I wish we could’ve had more time in the Vatican Museum, but hopefully, someday I will be back. The food there was also amazing! One of my favorite dishes I had was bruschetta stuffed ravioli with pistachio sauce and it was unforgettable. The best advice I got prior to the trip was don’t take any expectations for food with you. Italian-American food is still great, but so is authentic Italian! However, it is a bit different, and not expecting what I would normally get back home allowed me to fully enjoy the dish as it is. Also, when you’re in Europe exploring old buildings potentially adorned with frescoes, don’t forget to look up! The ceilings have been some of my favorite works from Italy and 2023’s France trip.

Getting outside of your comfort zone is incredibly important and experiencing the world on your own (/without your parents) is a rare but really important opportunity to seize the chance you get it. I had such a good time making memories I will never forget with professors that are so wonderful and personable and caring and reliable and easy to travel with (love you Mrs. Kelly and Mr. Earl) and my friends that made this experience so fun and fulfilling. GO IF YOU CAN!!! – Kristina, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Italy Study Abroad:The experiences was truly priceless!

Italy (High School) 2024, Study Abroad, Travel

Spending the past 8 days in Italy has proven to be one of the greatest experience of my life. I feel so honored to take part in the rich history of italy. From the picturesque views, to its remarkable cultural, it truly lives up to the beauty its name embodies. Like a picture on a self, the country’s historic ruins preserve the rich events unrolled on ancient grounds, taking those who visit back through the centuries. From the cobblestone in the streets to the trees that line the road, the story of italy’s predecessors is forever engraved within its allure. One aspect of the trip that spoke to me specifically was our visit to Pompeii. While the story of Pompeii is known almost universally, it takes a certain environment to really engulf yourself in the experiences of those who lived so long ago. Seeing not only the surroundings but also the aftermath of the volcanic eruption truly gave a new meaning to the story. It turned from nothing but a mere tale to real life events. This proves true for the rest of Italy as well. Being home to hundreds of ancient stories told to us throughout the years, the experiences of these stories on the very ground the unfolded upon makes you think about what it would have been like all those years ago. It really does take you back in time, whether that’s through ancient ruins, food or culture. The real treasure for me however were the friends and memories that I along the way. I truly do believe that this trip served as a turning point in my life, earning me some of my happiness moments. The experiences was truly priceless and i can’t wait to recreate it next year in Spain.
– Hayden, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024

SPC Italy Abroad:Experience new and fun things!

Italy (High School) 2024, Study Abroad, Travel

This is one of my most fond memories of the 2024 trip to Italy. This was towards the beginning of the food walking tour, of which at the end we could barely walk because of how much we ate. Even though me and my close friend Hayden, (girl in the middle), ended up dancing all those calories off to the music from the street performers around us. In this photo we were eating authentic rice balls in marinara. This was one of my favorite dishes from the whole trip. Our tour guide for the walking tour, who I called Edna for her awesome glasses, was super cool! She was so funny and super kind. On the walking tour I got a lot of time to listen to the information about the food, but a lot of time to get to know my classmates. I truly loved this time because I got to know my classmates on a very intimate level. We talked about our personal lives and asked each other for advice and opinions. It was really a bonding time.

We also got to experience this very beautiful town together which also drew us so close. Because of this trip, I have actually hung out with them outside of school and formed really close relationships with a few of them. Without this trip I would never have met these wonderful people and would never have had such a lovely time. Your group can really make or break a trip, and I feel like our group really made this trip so special. Although the exhaustion at times got to us and we got annoyed sometimes, I remember so many special things with these lovely people.

This food walking tour not only helped us bond together, but we all got to try new things together. For me as an Italian, food is a great way to bond. We bond like that with friends and family, often cooking native food for each other and those we love. So, truly this tour helped us bond and experience new and fun things together. Now, I will have such lovely memories with these people and what we got to experience together, all thanks to SPC study abroad.
– Mackenzie, SPC Italy High School Study Abroad Program, March 2024

Italy High School Study Abroad:I highly recommend it!

Austria and Germany (High School), Italy (High School) 2024, Study Abroad, Travel

My study-abroad trip to Italy was fantastic! In Rome, we enjoyed great sights like The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, The Pantheon, and two different kinds of catacombs. We ate delicious food – the pasta Pomodoro was my favorite – and then burned it off with our long treks through the city! I had so much fun spending time with my best friends. We had so many laughs and I even made new friends with the other students on the trip. Without such amazing friends and professors, I wouldn’t have made it through the long days and hurt feet!

I loved eating gelato, especially the Stracciatella flavor, and the gelato-making class was a lot of fun. We had really great guides from Ms. Linda in Rome, at the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum. Our tour guide, Andrea, was also great, and I liked getting to know him by the end of the trip. I wish we had more time to explore our day excursions like Pompeii and Pisa.

My favorite part of the trip was Florence. I honestly could have stayed there forever, I think. It is such a great city for young people, and the culture seemed better for a group like ours that was really interested in cultural engagement. The food in Florence, on the last couple of days, could have been better, but I still absolutely loved our time in the city. I loved the shopping choices for jewelry and stationery! My favorite place we stumbled upon during our free time in Florence was “Giunti Odeon Libreria e Cinema,” which was a book store, cinema, and cafe all in one. It was so beautiful. I also loved going to the Accademia Gallery and seeing Michelangelo’s David. That museum, in particular, was great because of how small it was, so we really had a lot of time to explore everything. There was a room of statutes that was beautiful to explore.

Overall, I absolutely loved our trip. We had a lot of fun, in both the free excursions and the guided ones. I really loved the group we had this year and it’s always a pleasure to travel with Professor Fratus and Rich! If any student, especially in high school, gets the opportunity to travel with SPC, I highly recommend it.
– Emily, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024