In July 2023 I had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a study abroad in Rome, Italy for three weeks. As a senior on the verge of graduation I had not anticipated in the slightest that I might still get the chance to take part in a momentous and memorable experience as study abroad, yet by the end of the fall 2022 semester I found myself signed up for this incredible program.

Taking me across the Atlantic all the way to the Eternal City, the program was a journey of new experiences, from exploring the cultural sites and monuments of antiquity to tasting authentic Roman cuisine all while learning about global urban sustainability as well as some Italian.

In addition to this eventful schedule, another fantastic component of our program was the freedom to go out on our own weekend trips following the conclusion of class each Wednesday. The combination of these outstanding activities over the course of our program made it a truly amazing experience that I will always cherish.

Among the many marvelous activities, we were able to partake in during the program, a few that stand out the most for me include our group dinners, visits to the Campo Marzio area of the city, as well as a weekend trip to Florence.

As a group-centered program, activities on our schedule would range from group tours of iconic sites like the Roman Forum and Trastevere to dinners together at numerous restaurants in the city. These group dinners were some of the most enjoyable and refreshing parts of our program as we all got the chance to try the authentic cuisine of Rome while catching up with one another and planning our next excursions. Conveniently too, many of the restaurants we would visit were located right in the neighborhood of our hotel, along some of the most historic streets of Rome (see pictures below).     

Another wonderful part of our program was the ability to go on weekend trips after our classes each week. This allowed me to see Florence during one of these weekends. Another city steeped in history and culture (particularly in regard to the renaissance), the city of Florence was lovely to experience, with its grand basilicas, expansive shopping districts, and an overall charm you could feel whenever you traversed its streets.

Back in Rome, we also had the chance to explore the wonderful Campo Marzio region of the city, which contain some of the most famous monuments and landmarks of the city, including the Spanish Steps and the Piazza del Popolo. Perhaps the most special of all places in the neighborhood for me was Pincio Hill and the general terrace area directly above the piazza and the Spanish Steps. From here, one could experience breathtaking views of the city, enhanced especially when visiting near sunset. Getting to experience these amazing parts of our program was truly unforgettable and has helped me learn a great deal about the country of Italy as well.

As a Spartan who thought their chances of doing a study abroad had already passed, I am so very thankful for having gotten this unforgettable opportunity to experience a new culture while making lifelong friends, and I encourage anyone else who might be interested in such an amazing experience to pursue it fully; it will absolutely be a highlight during your time as a student. Additionally, though I participated in this program at the end of my undergrad career, many of the other Spartans in the program were only going into their second or third years at State, so Spartans from all years had joined the program. I truly could not imagine a more spectacular way of concluding my undergraduate career at MSU, and I will be forever grateful for this global experience and getting to share it with my fellow Spartans.

Name: Rashane Thapa
Status: Senior
Majors: Urban Planning and Human Geography
Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey
Program: Arts, Culture and Urban Sustainability in Rome