A year ago, I was studying in Rome. Traveling Italy for 6 weeks was one of the best experiences of my life, and I will never forget it. If you are financially able, or have the time in your schedule (and there is usually time), you should study abroad, and here's why.

1. Traveling alone is important.

If you're anything like me, you travel with your family, but never really alone. Going to Rome was the second time I had traveled out of the country alone, and I know that some of my friends from my program had never traveled anywhere before. I think being comfortable traveling alone is SO important for the future, just in terms of business trips (practically) but then personally, as being alone in an unfamiliar place can be scary.

Suzanne Quinn

2. You get to experience another culture as is.

Living in Italy for 6 weeks was so intense. While yes, many people spoke some English, there were many people that couldn't understand me and I couldn't understand them. Learning how to better speak Italian was so important, as was learning the different cultural habits and traditions of Italy.

Suzanne Quinn

3. So much good food.

Even if it's not food you are used to, everyone should experience other culture's authentic food.

Suzanne Quinn

4. New friends.

Most of the friends I made in Rome are not people in my major that I would've run into normally. And that is what is so great. The theatre majors that I met are such amazing people and I would've not really known them had I not gone to Rome.

Suzanne Quinn

5. Traveling with not your family.

I went to Venice with one of the girls I met, and I feel like I learned a lot about traveling with people that weekend.

Suzanne Quinn

6. You learn a lot about yourself.

I was in a weird place of growth before going to Rome, and after Rome, I was so different, and so happy with where I was.

Suzanne Quinn

7. No classes on Fridays is really great, y'all.

Study abroad literally works in allowing you to travel. It's GOOD FOLKS. (Or your class is traveling Rome which is a BONUS.)

Suzanne Quinn

8. Different fashions are really fun.

I never thought about wearing Boho pants before Rome, but they were so comfortable and useful in Rome that I know wear them 24/7.

Suzanne Quinn

9. You get super tight with your professors.

Peep this sick selfie I took with my professor.

Suzanne Quinn

10. You can choose how you are there.

In the States, so many of my friends have come from activities that I do. Musical theatre, Residence Life, the whole shebang. But in Rome, we became friends because we were in Rome together and for no other reasons. It was so nice to have people not immediately knowing that I was an RA or that I lived in the residence hall I had lived in. I could be just be myself completely, which was so fun.

Suzanne Quinn