I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Italy with SPC during spring break. My favorite part was being with my friends and meeting new ones. I got to try a lot of yummy food that I usually wouldn’t eat at an Italian restaurant. Most of the food I tried was very good. I loved it when my friends and I would explore Rome at night. Everything was very well organized, and we could see everything we wanted to. All the staff were very kind and supportive of our needs. All the students were fun to be around and sweet. Both hotels we went to were very clean and nice. It was fun rooming with friends and hanging out in each other’s rooms.

From Rome, the group traveled north to Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city’s magnificent cathedrals and museums were veritable art and history treasure troves. My favorite art pieces we saw were Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria and the Sistine Chapel.

When we went to Pompeii, it was very sad to see, but it was so interesting to see how they built towns long ago. In Rome and Florence, there were a lot of stores we went to that had a lot of cool stuff. My favorite shop was a leather store, where they taught how it’s made and how to tell if it’s fake. I could buy a few souvenirs that I love and use daily. Every day, I walked a lot, and even though my feet were killing me towards the end of the trip, it was worth every second.

Beyond the tourist attractions and iconic landmarks, the study abroad trip fostered meaningful connections and cultural exchange. Whether bonding over gelato in Florence or practicing Italian phrases with locals, I gained a deeper appreciation for the people and traditions of Italy.

– Lydia, SPC Italy (High School) Study Abroad Program, March 2024