A momento from those abroad
USD students capture their unique adventures abroad during the pandemic
Charlotte Ferguson / Assistant Feature Editor / The USD Vista
Over the past year, travel became limited, especially for those who wished to study abroad. Yet, this fall, it was deemed safe for the university’s extensive and coveted study abroad program to continue. With most travel bans lifted worldwide, USD students were able to journey across the pond to start the semester in a new place.
Typically, junior year is the most popular year that students choose to study abroad. Because of this, USD juniors shared a glimpse of their study abroad experience so far.
USD junior, Lauren Guistolise, is studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. She arrived in the neighborhood of Trastevere on Aug. 26.
“At first there was definitely a bit of culture shock, but you get over that so fast because you’re so excited,” Guistolise said.
She is living with three other USD juniors and they are quickly making friends at the American university they are attending.
“The school is in a neighborhood that has a lot of food and nightlife in it so if we go out in that neighborhood it’s mostly students,” Guistolise said. “If you are speaking English, people will come up to you and ask if you are from the U.S. and that’s how we’ve been meeting a ton of people.”
Traveling within Europe and engaging in other recreational activities has also been an obstacle for Guistolise.
“You have to check all of the COVID-19 restrictions. We don’t know if we will be able to get into the country we want to go to or not” Guistolise said. “You also have to bring your vaccination card with you to get into each country but also restaurants and bars.”
Likewise, USD junior, Kelly Woodside, is taking her fall semester in Milan, Italy. She is rooming with three other USD junior boys that she was connected with through the International Center at USD. Woodside was quick to share that she has her own room in the apartment. She arrived on Aug. 29 and had some time before classes to settle in at the University of Bocconi.
“The classes are half online and half in person so we are excited to travel while taking classes,” said Woodside.
For her, a day in the life includes attending class, getting a cappuccino and ending the day with friends.
USD junior, Tia Merheb, is another individual who was able to study abroad this semester. She is currently based at USD’s Madrid Center in Madrid, Spain, and lives at HUBR, a student residence supplied through USD.
Merhab’s classes are all taught by American professors, and allow her to form quick friendships because of its small class size.
For the remainder of her time abroad, Merhab looks forward to becoming more integrated in the culture.
“I’m looking forward to becoming more fluent in the Spanish language and gaining more experience with the culture,” Merhab said. “But I am most looking forward to the fact that the USD Madrid Program doesn’t have any classes on Fridays so I always have a three day weekend to explore Europe.”
According to Merhab, her experience has also been slightly altered due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Things are a little different here, mainly because of masks and social distancing—which are still mandated at the school. Also things close earlier here than before COVID-19, but in Spain early is about 3:00 A.M.,” Merhab said.
Although these girls are located in different countries and are having different experiences it is clear that there is a common factor: they are all thrilled to be studying abroad. Due to the pandemic and uncertainty surrounding travel over the past year, the USD community jumped at the opportunity to partake in learning different languages and studying different cultures around the world. This venture seems like a rite of passage at the university, which students are excited to begin again.