Standing next to the Porcellino statue (Florence)

Author: Evan Wade | Major: Finance & Economics | Semester: Summer 2025

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad at the Rome Campus in Rome, Italy. This is my first time ever leaving the country. It shocks most people I haven’t even been to Mexico or the Dominican Republic which are two of the top vacation spots where I’m from, Columbia, Missouri. The reason why I wanted to study abroad is the same reason I went to the University of Arkansas. I have always wanted to meet new people, see new places, and learn more about the world around me. Italy has always been on my bucket list growing up, I always saw it as the headliner of style and art. Rome is home to the most beautiful architecture I have seen and the history behind it is unrivaled. During my time in Rome, I have already been exposed to new cultures, art, and people that I would never have crossed paths with as I wrap up the Summer Core at the Rome Campus.

I am currently taking two courses in Rome: Global Studies and International Relations and Basic Course in the Arts. When I was signing up for classes I was posed with two great opportunities. First, I could knock out my fine arts credit in arguably the most historically influential city in the world. Second, I could dive deeper into the world of international relations and politics. I took those opportunities without a second thought. Art history might be the last thing that lines up with my degree plan, but as an individual I love digging into the history and context of famous works of art. I like to think of it is as somewhat of a creative break and I am not the best artist myself. The second class, International Relations, has allowed me to explore a different side of degree plan, the international side. While we don’t directly discuss a large amount of economic content, I love to see the influences of the global economy we see today. The course has helped my personal understanding of why certain countries dominate certain industries and why other countries struggle to break into the global scene.

I get to walk past St. Peter’s Basilica every day on my way to class and that is something not very many people can claim throughout their lifetime. Not to mention all the excursions I was able to go on through the program and my coursework. The second day of my art class we went to the Capitoline Museum. That was my first excursion in Rome, and it set the tone, we were able to see through a window into the past inside that museum. Statues like the She Wolf and Marcus Aurelius gave me a direct look into the stoic philosophies of ancient Rome and the story behind the city we know today. I also had the unique opportunity to see the World Press Exhibition through my international relations course. The exhibition highlighted the importance of journalism on an international scale and how stories around the globe aren’t being told, and we can learn from these stories. An example is the Kenyan youth uprising to fight a corrupt and overbearing government, a similar tale we’ve seen throughout American and world history.

My friend Connor and I have also been taking our own trips throughout Europe and plan to explore after the program is over as well. Our local trips include both touristy and hidden gems. We spent two days on the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. We stayed in the night in Positano and saw something interesting, it wasn’t just international tourists, but Italian tourists as well. We went on Italy’s Republic Day Weekend, and while we were there, we got to see these tourist spots flooded with people from all over the world. The second trip we went on was to a small town outside of Rome called Tivoli. There we saw Villa d’Este, home to the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. Covered with over 500 fountains, water basins, and other water features the garden was easily one of my favorite places I visited. The town was amazing because we got to see the small town feel in another country. Everyone knew everyone and people were walking throughout the streets with kids running around after their last day of school, and don’t even get me started on the gelato. Finally, we took our first international trip to Ibiza and that was an adventure I would recommend to anyone. Ibiza has some beautiful beaches during the day and a night life like no other.

I am so grateful for the opportunities that this program has brought into my life, and I am thankful that I get to enjoy them. Personally, I would suggest that everyone studies abroad or at least travels once in their lifetime. My time at the Rome Center has been life altering and I am sad it’s coming to an end, but who knows, I might have to come back for a study abroad round two.