Outside of Buckingham Palace by the Queen Victoria Memorial

Author: Megan Dial | Majors: Political Science and International & Global Studies

This summer, I had the pleasure of taking part in not one, but two study abroad programs. I had always planned on going to the University of Arkansas’ Rome Campus as soon as I learned what it was at student orientation. My Italian grandfather instilled pride for my heritage, so I knew I wanted to spend some serious time there while in my youth. It wasn’t a question of ‘if’, it was a question of ‘when’. Then, in my first semester as a freshman, I was assigned as part of my University Perspectives course to research a study abroad program. While I was at it, I figured I ought to apply. I remember Thanksgiving Day, getting accepted, and screaming while jumping up and down. Not only was I eager to reconnect with my roots, but being an International Studies major, it is crucial to develop a more global worldview. And what better place to study Global Studies as well as Art History? Both of my professors were real Italians and absolutely phenomenal. It was a bit of a learning curb adapting to how different areas of the world teach. My Global Studies teacher gave a brief lecture explaining the differences in how different cultures give presentations/ arguments. Understanding how things would be explained differently helped me prepare for these two courses for the next five weeks. After my time was up in Italy, I went back home for three weeks, and then I was packing my bags once again. This time, I was off to Oxford. I found out about the ISA Oriel Program through a chain email given to all Political Science majors. There was a major discount to anyone who wanted to apply. That was enough convincing for a nineteen-year-old who can’t stand to be in one place for too long. Before I understood what I was getting myself into, I was calling their staff to see if they still had a spot for me even though applications were due over ten days before I filled mine out. Funny enough, I didn’t understand Oriel College- the college I attended- was a part of Oxford University until the second day I was there. Being able to put “I passed a course at Oxford” is certainly resume eye candy. Scratch that- being able to put “I passed International Disputes and Settlements at Oxford” is the real looker. It was the first time I had ever looked at real court cases. This experience helped me explore a career in the law world. Listening to lectures from some of the smartest, most accomplished individuals I have ever met is an experience I will never forget. My professor, Rudina Jasini, is a published author and defended the former president of Cambodia in international court. Whereas the majority of my Rome courses were hands-on and field trips, my Oxford class was lecture-style in the classroom. It was refreshing to experience both styles.

Seeing as I spent three more weeks in Italy, I naturally was able to experience more culture over there. Not to mention, both of my classes there were heavily culturally dependent. In art, most of our classes were in various art museums we were able to visit for free. In Global Studies, we prepared food for Syrian refugees and visited Rome’s oldest ethnic market. Outside of class, I learned just as much, if not more. Every day I would walk through the Vatican as a shortcut. In my spare time, I would go on hour-long walks. One time, I was just trying to find a park to read and ended up finding a castle and garden. Every weekend was packed with something new and exciting. If the school hadn’t planned something, then I would. For my two weekends off, I first went to Venice then Sorrento and Pompeii. My Oxford experience, on the other hand, was a lot less self-paced. We were given a schedule each day that would include a different “cultural activity” that ranged from punting to seeing the Ashmolean museum. On my one weekend there, the whole group went to London. I had overslept and missed the bus, but my new friend from Germany who was another student there and wasn’t planning on going to London decided to take me and gave me a personal tour of London. The two of us were able to speed run London in half a day. The best part of the Oxford program was the people. Half of us students were from countries other than the US. I have never been exposed to such a diverse group of people in my life. There were also no cliques. Anytime a group went out, everyone was included. Seeing this level of coexistence in person was one of the coolest and most beautiful experiences in my life.

Now that it’s all said and done, it’s impossible for me to discern which program I’d recommend more. If you want to make lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and a new outlook on life, study abroad is for you. If I could go back, I would in a heartbeat. That’s not to say it was always easy. Figuring out trains and buses can be intimidating, as well as surrounding yourself in a place that speaks a different language from you. The biggest advice I needed to hear when I was there came from my dad. I was feeling guilty for not always being extremely happy. This was my dream after all, so I owed it to everyone who helped me get there to have the time of my life. My dad let me know it’s ok to feel overwhelmed, it’s ok to be lonely, and it’s ok to get upset. He reminded me I was there to learn. Even the frustrating and scary parts are all part of learning how to be more independent. When I returned home, the first thing I wanted was to see him and the rest of my loved ones… and then enjoy some iced water and air conditioning.