Who better to tell you about the Italy Center than its incredible alumni?
Regis University
Fall, 2025
Elementary Education
Why did you choose the Italy Center?
I was attracted to the small cohort size and the social justice piece of the program, too. I thought Italy would be a good, central location to study abroad, and it ended up being a perfect location.
What would you tell a prospective student?
You are not going to get this cohort size and intimate, social-justice-oriented study abroad experience anywhere else. Bologna is such a fun town to get to know and walk around every day. The aspect of the Italy Center that might be most attractive to you at this point in your journey (and to your parents) is the support system of staff and faculty who are there for you when things go right or wrong, throughout the semester.
What's one lesson you learned while abroad?
The world continues to let me know how big it actually is, and how small I am comparatively. This ultimately has led me to my relationship with God, who has graciously given me this opportunity to be abroad and feel small, so that I can look at Him and realize how good He is and the world He has created.
Can you share a story, memory, or experience?
If I ever had a day or afternoon off from school or weekend travels, I would go traverse Bologna by myself. I tried to walk on new roads almost every day, and this was very fun and rewarding. I can still remember all of the streets I walked down, taking lots of pictures just like any American would. I was rarely alone, even on really quiet streets.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Get to know Bologna. Please do not walk only the road from the accommodation to the Italy Center. That is a very small fraction of Bologna. You don't have to go out of the country every weekend. Take the train for a couple of hours and find yourself in small-town Italy -- you might remember it more than an expensive flight. Sit down at the beginning of the semester and create a money plan for yourself. Being the person who didn't budget and having $0 to your name the last 2 weeks of study abroad is not fun. Work 2 jobs, save $5k-$10k, and you will thank yourself.
Stella Cahalan
Creighton University
Spring, 2026
Accounting and Analytics
Why did you choose the Italy Center?
I chose to study at Spring Hill because I wanted an authentic Italian experience. Bologna is the perfect location because it’s surrounded by history and culture, along with being an easy area to travel out of.
What would you tell a prospective student?
This program is awesome, you are in a small cohort of amazing people. My cohort was 25 students including myself. You have small class sizes which truly benefits your ability to learn. Not only do the PC’s care about you, but the professors as well.
What's one lesson you learned while abroad?
It’s important to enjoy what’s around you, slow down and enjoy the experience.
Can you share a story, memory, or experience?
Groups dinners everyday were awesome!!
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Enjoy the process, don’t just say you are gonna do things, actually do them before it gets to the last month and realize you haven’t done as much as you wanted to.
Megan Laing
Xavier University
Spring, 2025
International Business, Italian minor
Why did you choose the Italy Center?
I chose to study with the Italy Center because I felt driven by the program as well as the city where it was located. I studied in Bologna and it was truly a dream come true!
What would you tell a prospective student?
It is a fun program where you get to know and explore new cities by going there on in the classroom. It is also a great program because they focus on social justice so you get to learn and help in different ways on the different programs/activities they do during the semester to help others.
What's one lesson you learned while abroad?
You have to have be open minded with everything that you do and willing to step out of your comfort zone to fully immerse in different cultures, activities, services. Also, have a positive attitute always, that makes a big difference.
Can you share a story, memory, or experience?
I would go on weekend trips to different places close or far from Bologna with my two closest friends that I met there and every trip was an amazing trip because there is always something different in each of them and also I was grateful I met two guys that were as adventurous as me.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Be open-minded and positive always. People are friendly if you are friendly as well!
Ever Quinonez
Spring Hill College
Fall, 2023
Computer Science, Mathematics/Philosophy
Why did you choose the Italy Center?
I was looking for a new experience that was going to get me out of my comfort zone. I also wanted explore cities that I've never been too and learn about their culture.
What would you tell a prospective student?
It is one of the most profound experiences you can have as a Spring Hill College student. The program is very unique in that it provides you with a wonderful education and delivers many eye-opening service experiences focused around current social-justice issues.
What's one lesson you learned while abroad?
I discovered the resilience of humanity and what good a caring community is capable of. The most memorable experience that I had in Italy were the ones where I got to hear stories from people that have worked so hard towards a good cause or the individuals that were able to escape terrible situations.
Can you share a story, memory, or experience?
Getting the chance to play soccer with and hear stories from migrants who had travelled to Trieste, Italy was extremely eye-opening and memorable for me.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Take advantage of every moment. Your time abroad will go by so much faster than you think and when you get to the end of it you will wish that you had more time. Experience as much as you possible can while you are there and don't let fear stop you from trying new things.
Zachary Thomas
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If you are an alum who wants to stay involved, share your experience, or donate to the Italy Center to support future students, fill out our form!
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