Karina Quaka

Overall Experience

My experience in Italy was exactly what I imagined it to be! The country of Italy is beautiful and a great place to experience a new culture. I enjoyed being able to learn the language to converse with the locals that I was able to get to know. I experienced some of my highest highs while studying abroad, and also some of the best learning experiences I have ever gotten. For me, going abroad allowed me to unlock a new part of myself and learn that I love new experiences and meeting new people and hearing their stories. I will forever cherish the adventure I had, and the people that I met while abroad!

Learning experience

My greatest learning experience was the fact that I went to Rome not knowing anyone and I had to create a life for myself in a new country with all new faces and new roommates. It was hard the first couple of days and I felt a lot of loneliness. But, in that time I tried getting to know my roommates as well as talking to new people during orientation. I started to feel less alone and I also learned that I can always make new friends and form new connections I will cherish.

Memorable experience

My most memorable experience is definitely rooming with 8 other girls and becoming best friends by the end. I was terrified when I first found out I was living with 8 girls, but it turned out to be the best thing ever! I always had someone to go on a trip with, go to the cafe with, or just hang out with while walking the streets of Rome. My roommates were definitely my most memorable experience for sure!

What did you not expect?

I was not expecting the locals to be so welcoming when you saw them often or when you tried speaking Italian to them. I found that when I visited the same bakery and cafe, I was able to get to know the workers and converse with them about anything. I was not expecting to find a sense of home in places that were not my apartment over in Rome. It was a pleasant surprise and those are relationships I will always cherish. This taught me to always talk to anyone you can and to learn their stories. I know I can build connections anywhere now and it is very reassuring.

What advice would you give?

My biggest advice is do what you want to do and go where you want to go! I ended up going to different places than my friends and it was scary, but it taught me so much about myself and about meeting new people. Go to the place you really want to live in regardless of what anyone else thinks!!

How has this experience impacted your life?

Studying abroad has made me into a more confident and self-assured person. I went to Rome not knowing anyone, and I learned that I can do hard things by myself and thrive doing them too! In terms of my education, I took many psychology courses there as psychology is my minor. I got an education that taught to me in a new way and with new perspectives. I feel I am more open to different styles of learning now. Overall, studying abroad showed me how adventure filled life can be and how I need to seize the moment all of the time. I am more sure of my career now and I am also more sure of the life I want to be living. Visiting Italy and their laid-back culture showed me how peaceful and beautiful life can be when you take things slow.

How did you learn about this experience?

I learned about this opportunity through a friend who went to John Cabot University in the previous summer. He showed me where he went to class and also how amazing the neighborhood of Trastevere in Rome was. I wanted to get that experience for myself and learn more about a part of the world I never have explored before!

International Connections