Category: Europe

Submitted by Ashley Greulich on the 2026 Winter program in Italy…

For our final week in Italy, we stayed in Ferrara, and it was hard to believe our study abroad experience was almost over. By this point, everything felt more normal– getting around, ordering food, and living in a new country. However, this also made leaving feel more real.
One of the highlights of the entire trip was our visit to Modena, where we toured one of the world’s oldest balsamic vinegar farms and a Parmesan cheese farm. It was really interesting to see how both are made and how much time and tradition go into each one. I was shocked to find out Modena is the only place real balsamic vinegar can be made, and that parts of this region are the only place Parmesan can be made! I had no idea that real balsamic vinegar can take years to age, or how many steps go into making Parmesan cheese before it’s even ready to be sold. Seeing the process in person and tasting everything at the end made me appreciate Italian food in a completely different way.
What I liked most about Modena was that it showed a different side of Italian culture. Instead of only learning about art and politics, we got to see everyday traditions that are still a big part of life today. It was a nice reminder that history isn’t just in museums —it’s also in the food people make and the way they’ve been making it for generations.
In Ferrara, we also visited places like the Castello d’Este and the Palazzo Schifanoia. The Castello d”Este felt like a real castle with its moat and towers, and learning about how the Este family really lived helped connect what we’ve been learning about in class.
Ending the trip in Ferrara and Modena felt like a perfect way to wrap everything up. This experience has changed how I think about travel, history, and even everyday things like cheese and balsamic vinegar. It’s sad to be leaving, but I’m really grateful for everything we got to see and do. Once in a lifetime experience!! (Submitted January 28, 2026)

Submitted by Ben Danlasky on the 2026 Winter program in London, England…

This week we took a day trip to Oxford, and it ended up being a much more meaningful experience than I expected. One of the first things I noticed was how architecturally different Oxford felt compared to London. While London is historic, Oxford’s buildings felt even older and more rustic, almost ancient. Every street and building looked like it belonged in a history book, and the overall atmosphere was completely different from the city.

I was also surprised by how many universities and colleges were located there, all packed so closely together. It really showed how deeply education is embedded into the identity of Oxford. Our tour guide was a sweet older woman who made the experience even better. She was incredibly knowledgable, and our group ended up bonding with her really well, which made the tour feel more personal and memorable rather than just informational.

One of the most impactful parts of the day was visiting Oxford Castle and Prison. Seeing the actual cells and the devices that were used to torment offenders in the past was unsettling but fascinating. It was a powerful reminder of how harsh punishment used to be and how much the criminal justice system has evolved over time. As someone studying Criminal Justice, this part of the trip especially stood out to me and helped connect what I’ve learned in class to real historical spaces. We ended the day at a local pub with some good food, which was a nice way to relax and reflect on everything we had seen. The trip challenged my expectations and gave me a deeper appreciation for the history, architecture, and justice system in the UK. (Submitted January 28, 2026)

Submitted by Cristina Berretta on the 2026 Winter program Paris, France…
During our first few days in Paris, while trying to acclimate to the culture, we were given the experience to go on a tour of a local farmers market. This was one of my favorite ways that we were able to see the community and how food and ingredients play such a large role in French culture. We were lucky enough to be able to taste some of the typical French produce that we were informed were only sold if it was in season and locally sourced. It was beautiful to see how such a simple farmers market could bring the community together. There was chatter and smiles throughout the whole market and joy radiated through the air. The simplicity and freshness of the items felt refreshing and to get to be a small part of the energy made me feel immersed into the culture and comfortable. (Submitted January 28, 2026)

Submitted by Cristina Berretta on the 2026 Winter program in Paris, France…

Visiting the Palace of Versailles was one of the most unforgettable experiences I have ever had. To set the scene, it had snowed heavily for the first time in Paris in years and it truly looked like a winter wonderland. The gold accents of the massive palace shined even brighter while they reflected off the snow. We spent the day touring the palace and learning about the history of the monument. We got to see where they ate and lived their everyday lives in areas they referred to as “apartments”. These apartments contained immaculate china and tableware and each bed had intricately designed blankets. It was so interesting to see the state of their living and the quality of life royalty must have had in that era. The best part of my visit to Versailles was that we got to eat at the restaurant right behind the extremely large and beautiful back garden. We ate a delicate and deliciously prepared meal which paired beautifully with the wines we had spoken about in class that were specific to France. Overall this was a memory I will always cherish and I would recommend a visit to the Palace of Versaille to anyone planning a trip to France! (Submitted January 28, 2026)

Submitted by Michael Pollins on the 2026 Winter program in Siena, Italy…

On around day 3 of our trip, we left Rome and travelled to our actual academic destination in Siena, the gem of Tuscany. This city feels a lot like the Italy you see in the media: instead of modern, high tech buildings and infrastructure you would see in Rome, virtually every building is connected to each other like rowhomes. They also all share the same tannish-brown color scheme, and they’re closely packed together, narrowing the streets you walk on and making the city feel even more cozy and Italian.
On our walking tour of the city, we got to learn about Siena’s history, including their deep rivalry with Florence and their advancements in their churches compared to other cities. The most interesting thing to learn about, however, was about the Siena community. The entire city is basically like Hogwarts: it’s divided into 17 different districts such as the Eagles, Dragons, Unicorns, Rhinos, etc., where their people live and work together. Also, similar to the quidditch games in Harry Potter, there’s an annual horse race called the “palio”, where each district hires a professional equestrian (yes, it’s that serious) and has them race around the Piazza del Campo 3 times, and the winner celebrates for a number of days corresponding to the amount of times they’ve won. For example, the Goose district won for the 68th time last year, so they celebrated their victory for 68 days.
My learning didn’t stop with this tour of Siena, however. In my biomedical imaging and computational methods courses, I learned all sorts of things. from the process of MRI slice selection and gradient field altering to help generate images to using derivative estimation techniques to solve differential equations.
My trip to Italy has enriched my academic and cultural knowledge immensely, and I hope to continue this education into the future. (Submitted January 27, 2026)

Submitted by Dominic Parker on the 2026 Winter program in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain…

The sport management winter 2026 study abroad session was a roller coaster of emotions and a unique experience I will never forget and always appreciate. The weather was kind of wonky so that made it a bit less enjoyable in some aspects but we made the best of it after the snowstorm in out first location in Amsterdam. The food was very excellent and the scenery was beautiful. Out of all the locations with the best food and scenery was definitely Barcelona. Belgium was very nice too and exemplified the best waffles I have ever seen and eaten. Nothing beats Barcelona’s tapas and pintxos (pinchos). (Submitted January 26, 2026)

Submitted by Charli Tucker on the 2026 Winter program in Rome, Italy…

Spent a free weekend in rome exploring the sites- Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon, and my favorite the Castel Sant’Angelo. (Submitted January 26, 2026)

Submitted by Charli Tucker on the 2026 Winter program in Florence, Italy…

While in Florence, we had been enjoying many great meals with great people. (Submitted January 26, 2026)

Submitted by J’nine Hargrove on the 2026 Winter program in Italy…

Besides being known for water, Venice is also known for glass and glassmaking. After hitching a boat ride from one Venetian island to another, we arrived at the place of our demonstration, where we witnessed a master glassmaker make a simple vase, and then a glass horse. It was amazing to witness, and I can not imagine the level of skill and practice it takes to be able to do that. (Submitted January 26, 2026)