When I decided to study abroad, I knew I wanted a program that connected with my Marketing major while also giving me the opportunity to experience something completely new. I chose the UA in Europe: Marketing, Sales, and Retail faculty-led program because it aligned perfectly with my academic interests and allowed me to travel during the summer. I knew I didn’t want to spend an entire semester away from home, so a shorter summer program was the perfect option for me.
What made this experience even more unique was that this was the very first year the program had ever been offered. Unlike many other study abroad programs, there were no previous students I could talk to about their experiences. There were no reviews, stories, or advice to help me know what to expect. In a way, choosing this program felt like a leap of faith. At the same time, that uncertainty was exciting. I liked the idea of being part of the first group of students and helping create an experience that future students could learn from.
Another major factor in my decision was budgeting. During the semester before the trip, I worked multiple jobs and saved as much money as possible to make this opportunity happen. Since I had never been to Europe before, I knew this was a chance I could not pass up. I also had several friends tell me they regretted not studying abroad during college, and I did not want to look back and feel the same way. The biggest thing I had to consider before committing was the timing because I still wanted to spend part of my summer at home with my family.
As the departure date got closer, preparing for the trip started to feel real. I am definitely a last-minute person, so I spent the days before leaving shopping for clothes and making sure I had everything packed. My suitcase was filled with clothes, makeup, hygiene products, and shoes, while my carry-on held my laptop, chargers, and an extra outfit just in case my luggage got delayed. Emotionally, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. While I was thrilled to travel somewhere new, I was also anxious about being so far away from home and adjusting to a completely different environment.
One of the things I was most nervous about was the ten-hour flight to Milan, Italy, along with dealing with jet lag once I arrived. However, those nerves were balanced out by excitement. More than anything, I hoped to make new friends, learn about different cultures, and grow both personally and academically. I actually avoided doing too much research before the trip because I wanted to be surprised by what I experienced. I wanted to keep an open mind and enjoy every moment without creating too many expectations beforehand.
Although stepping into a brand-new study abroad program felt uncertain at times, I knew it was an opportunity worth taking. Sometimes the best experiences come from saying yes to something unknown, and I was ready to see where this adventure would take me.
