Ranae Van Voorst

Overall Experience

My overall experience studying abroad in Florence, Italy, was truly life-changing. Through my coursework in Fashion Communications, I had many opportunities to explore Florence while learning from professors with real-world professional experience in the fashion industry. I gained valuable knowledge and perspectives that I know will continue to influence me throughout my future career. Outside of school, I also traveled throughout Italy and other parts of Europe, which was an eye-opening experience. These trips gave me once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to learn about different cultures, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally. Studying abroad was an experience I will always be grateful for, and it gave me experiences and memories that I do not think I would have gained otherwise.

Learning experience

The most valuable learning experience I encountered was definitely the opportunity to learn about so many different cultures. Spending much of my time in Italy allowed me to better understand their everyday lifestyle and recognize the differences between life there and life in America. While traveling throughout Europe and spending a weekend in Africa, I noticed how deeply many people value their culture and take pride in how they were raised and in preserving their traditions. It was inspiring to learn from individuals I met while traveling, hear their stories, and experience small parts of their everyday lives. This experience taught me the importance of staying grounded, appreciating where you come from, and taking life one day at a time while fully appreciating the opportunities and experiences in front of you.

Memorable experience

The most memorable experience from my weekend travels was definitely the time I spent in Morocco, Africa. During this trip, we took a tour that started in Marrakech and traveled through small villages on the way to the Sahara Desert. Along the way, we explored different towns, visited famous ruins and movie sets, and learned more about the area's history and culture. We also toured a local home with a weaving business, where we experienced their hospitality and learned about their traditions. We ended the tour in the Sahara Desert, where we rode camels and ATVs to our campsite. That evening, we experienced traditional Moroccan food and music alongside other study abroad students around a campfire, which made the experience even more special. Afterward, we returned to Marrakech and spent time exploring the city and learning even more about the culture. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will always remember.

What did you not expect?

One thing that really surprised me was my fashion styling class. Our professor had worked professionally in the fashion industry and was clearly very experienced, which made the class even more inspiring. Throughout the semester, we completed two styling projects: one individually and one as a group. With these assignments, our professor really pushed and challenged us to think creatively and fully translate our vision and the emotions we wanted the audience to feel into styled outfits and coordinated settings. This class pushed me to think outside the box and tap into my creative side more than I ever had before. It taught me to put intention and effort into every detail and to go above and beyond with every project. I feel this experience helped shape how I want to approach my future career and creative work.

What advice would you give?

Some advice I would give to other students who are thinking about studying abroad is to absolutely take the opportunity and do it. It can feel terrifying thinking about spending months across the world and stepping into so many unknown situations, but that is also what makes the experience so rewarding. My biggest piece of advice is to allow yourself to be uncomfortable. There will be moments where doing things alone in a country you have never been to can feel awkward or overwhelming, and at times, you may even feel out of place. However, those moments are what help you grow the most. It is so important to learn about how other people live, what they value, and the cultures they take pride in. Although it can take time to adjust, the experience ultimately gives you a new perspective and helps you appreciate far more than you were used to before studying abroad.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience has impacted my life in so many ways. Coming from a small town, I always dreamed of traveling the world and experiencing something bigger, but many things often hold people back from doing so. Being able to grow both in my knowledge of my career path and in my understanding of different cultures around the world was more than I could have ever asked for. Personally, this experience helped me become more open-minded to trying new things and saying yes to every opportunity. It taught me patience, especially because things do not always go as planned when traveling frequently, and it helped me grow more independent as I navigated an entirely new environment on my own. Academically and professionally, I made valuable connections with students from across the United States and around the world, as well as with experienced professors who shared insights from the industry. I know these relationships and experiences will benefit me in my future career. I also gained a great deal of knowledge about the fashion industry, especially while in Florence, a city known for its strong fashion and art culture. Seeing firsthand where the industry has thrived for so many years is something I will always value and appreciate having the opportunity to experience.

How did you learn about this experience?

I first learned about this international opportunity when I visited Iowa State University during my senior year of high school, and from that point on, I knew I wanted to pursue studying abroad. During my first few years of college, I worked closely with my academic advisor to plan my four-year schedule to achieve that goal. As I began preparing for my semester abroad, I also worked with my study abroad advisor, Nicole, who made the entire process very smooth and provided great guidance and support throughout every step of the experience.

International Connections