Hello! My name is Danielle Weber and I am currently a student at Grand Valley State University through the University Center in Traverse City, Michigan. I am 25 years old and I feel I am finally discovering my passions. I had always dreamed of traveling abroad, but never thought I would have the chance due to my financial situation. My life was changed by attending an event at Grand Valley and one of the many discussions was studying abroad. The student testimonies and the looks on their faces when they told about their travels inspired me to find a way to make it happen for myself. Through a lot of study abroad discussions and meetings with an advisor, I was able to select a program that fit my degree and budget. So in the summer of 2014 I traveled to Florence, Italy and lived there for 5 weeks. 

In the Boboli Gardens

What motivated your decision to go abroad? How/why did you choose where to go?

I have always had an interest in other cultures since I was young, but unfortunately we never had the money to travel. My process in determining where to study and what program to go through was one of the more difficult parts of studying abroad. I opted to do a program outside of my University and settled on Academic Programs International because of the balance of study and travel opportunities. The cost also covered a lot of elements of the trip so I had only to cover flight, food, supplies, and travel outside of the program.

What was your experience like? What is your favorite memory? What were some challenges you observed?

My experience was eye-opening. I had never really traveled before, and especially not alone to a foreign country. I have always had a love and interest for cultures different than my own, but experiencing them in person was beyond amazing. Of course I had to have an adjustment period to get used to living in a different country and learning to get around.

I have so many favorite memories from my trip, and it would be hard to choose just one. A memorable moment was climbing the Duomo with one of my roommates. There were so many stairs and the passages were narrow but when you get to the top and see the view you would do it all over again. Standing under the blue Italian sky with the sun shinning brightly, you can see Florence from a whole new view.

It was really challenging for me to get comfortable at first, because I am the type of person that normally takes time to settle in to new situations. The funny thing is that I adjusted and enjoyed myself so much faster than I expected. I thought I would be homesick and wanting to go home, but the truth is that I didn't want to leave. Another challenge was learning to fit more in with a different culture and not knowing really any Italian upon arrival. The people were friendly and understanding in most cases, so it made it easier for us learn and practice the language.

From the top of the Duomo with an amazing view.

What skills did you develop from your experience? Do you feel changed from your experience abroad?

I think that I have become more self-assured because I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and realized by doing that, I could have an amazing experience. I feel that I have become more open-minded, accepting, and understanding of other cultures. I have learned to appreciate differences and share my experiences with others.

Has your experience helped you get to where you are today? If so, how?

The experience not only gives me great experience for my post-grad career searches, but also motivates me to pursue a new passion of study abroad as a career focus. I have since interned in a study abroad office as my local college and gained great insight into the process.

A rooftop view of Florence I took on my first night abroad

What advice would you share with other students who are thinking of going abroad?

I would advise students to talk to advisors and do their research. Studying abroad is a fun and educational experience, but there are a lot of steps to get there. There are also a lot of scholarships available, so apply early and make sure to cover all of tour options.

How has international education impacted or influenced your cultural identity?

I think the biggest impact is that it inspired me to change my degree focus so that I could work with study abroad programs. I want to be there for students through the study abroad process, as well as motivating others to take a chance.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

I would really like to encourage students to take a chance and push outside their comfort zone. I had never believed I would have been capable of studying abroad but through taking a leap of faith, I had a life-changing and unforgettable experience. 

One of my roommates and I cheering on Italy in the FIFA World Cup 2014

#StudyAbroadBecause... the experience changes you in the most unexpected and amazing ways.

All photos courtesy and copyright Danielle Weber