Ferrara wasn’t my first trip to Italy, but it was the most transformative. Returning with the eyes of a student rather than a tourist, I discovered that going abroad isn’t just about seeing a new place, it’s about seeing yourself differently in it. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t grow up imagining I’d go to Europe, let alone twice.

Ferrara gave me a renewed sense of purpose, clarity in my goals, and a deep, unexpected sense of belonging. Ferrara itself is like something out of a Renaissance painting—red-brick castles, winding alleys, and bicycles everywhere. The sounds of daily life were a blend of chiming bells, clinking cups, and rapid-fire Italian. I improved my Italian more in one month of lived experience than in semesters of classroom instruction. My favorite ways to practice my Italian were at restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Academically, studying Italian food and culture in its native setting was like upgrading from a black-and-white textbook to full Technicolor. Tasting homemade cappellacci dizucca in a tiny trattoria—sweet pumpkin wrapped in delicate pasta—wasn’t just dinner; it was cultural immersion. Our class discussions about identity and tradition felt more alive because we were in it. These experiences deepened my interest in cultural education and confirmed my goal of teaching internationally someday.

One myth I’d bust is that studying abroad is a luxury. For me, it was a catalyst. It wasn’t easy—I juggled budgeting, language challenges, and homesickness—but I gained independence, cultural intelligence, and a deep appreciation for slow, intentional living. These lessons aren’t just academic; they’re life changing.

If you’re unsure whether you belong in a place like this, especially if no one in your family’s done it before—you do. I’ve been there, and I’ve come out with a heart full of Ferrara, a sharpened academic focus, and a future that suddenly feels so much bigger.

Name: Logan Bates
Status: Junior
Major: Mathematics-Secondary Education
Hometown: Lincoln, Michigan
Program: Italian Language, Literature, and Culture