Throughout my time abroad, I had the privilege of traveling around Italy and experiencing the different pieces of culture that each city had to offer. The program started in Venice, where I saw the peaceful canals which gondola cruised down, often singing to their passengers. Then to Florence, where the streets bustled with people and the magnificent Duomo sat in the center of it all. After Florence was Rome, where I stood in the presence of one of the seven wonders of the world, and where ancient ruins scattered the streets where you would least expect them. The program ended in Castellammare di Stabia, a quaint town nestled between Naples and Sorrento, where I got a glimpse of what Pompeiian life was like before the tragedy of the eruption in what was preserved by the volcanic ash.

The most impactful part of the program was getting to see the architecture that I had spent hours in the classroom learning about and studying. Nothing can compare to seeing these sites with my own eyes while knowing the background and history behind each place. Being in the presence of such rich history was absolutely invaluable. As I spent time exploring each place, slowly everything came together like puzzle pieces – experiencing the architectural history while also connecting it with the culture of the surrounding city. When the class wasn’t visiting sites or museums, we visited local interior design firms, or taking pasta or pizza making classes, and truly taking in all that these cities had to offer.

Not only did I get to visit these amazing Italian cities, but I also had the great opportunity to create new and lasting connections with my interior design classmates. I had a chance to get to know my MSU professors on a more personal level, more than I would have been able to in the classroom on campus. And lastly, I was able to meet two wonderful Italian tour guides, who travelled with us for the entire program, they shared their wisdom and welcomed us into their culture.

Overall, this program provided me with knowledge and experience that I never could have gained anywhere else, and I returned home feeling as though I grew as a person.

Name: Corinne DiFalco
Status: Senior
Major: Interior Design
Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
Program: Interior Design in Italy