Krystal studied abroad her junior year during the Fall 2023 semester in Florence, Italy. Krystal was also a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a highly competitive scholarship awarded by the U.S. Department of State. As a commuter student, Krystal had never lived outside of her hometown before and was nervous, but also excited to take the leap and study abroad.
Hear what Krystal has to say about her study abroad experience:
Being a first-generation Hispanic student, I am part of a historically underrepresented group when it comes to students who study abroad. I knew of no one in my community who had studied abroad, so the uncertainty I felt during the application process was hard, but I knew that it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. I am forever grateful to have received the Gilman Scholarship, as it allowed me to have this amazing opportunity I would not have had otherwise. As part of the service project for the scholarship, I was able to talk to students from my high school and inspire them to study abroad as well.
When I first arrived in Florence, I was overwhelmed with excitement, but also the culture shock of moving to a foreign country. Since high school, I had always dreamed of going to Italy, so finally being in this beautiful city felt very surreal. I spent my first couple weeks exploring the city, trying new foods, seeing sights, and just taking it all in. After a couple weeks, Florence started to feel like home and all worries and doubts faded away.
As a Marketing major, my favorite class that I took abroad was Entrepreneurial Marketing. I loved how this class explored marketing from a new perspective, one I had not learned about yet. I took away so much in this class and find myself still referring back to the concepts we talked about. The final project for this class was a presentation of a marketing plan for a new product. It was rewarding to take what I had learned in this class and apply it in a real-world context.
My first big weekend trip was to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, where I had an incredible time. I spent the weekend on beaches in Positano, a boat off the coast of Capri, and then finally exploring the Pompeii ruins. I met so many amazing people from different universities, and this trip will always be one of my favorite memories of my time abroad. I was able to see so many parts of Italy during my stay and was also able to travel to Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.
Studying abroad shaped me into the person I am today in so many different ways. I learned how to be more independent, and I also grew in confidence knowing that I did something many people are afraid to do. I also learned so much about other cultures, giving me a newfound appreciation for this incredibly diverse world we live in. Immersing myself in Italian culture and learning the language's basics made me feel like a true global citizen. Studying abroad also led me to where I am today, working as a Marketing Intern for Global Fairfield. I have no doubt that my experience will continue to benefit as I move forward in my career.
To this day, I still miss Florence, and it will forever feel like a home away from home for me. I can’t wait to visit again and plan on doing so soon. I would tell anyone interested in studying abroad to have faith in themselves and take the leap because you will make so many unforgettable memories. I am still in contact with friends I made abroad, and we have all agreed that studying abroad was one of the best decisions we have ever made.
Are you interested in studying in Florence? Click the following link to learn more about the incredible opportunities you can have abroad with Fairfield University’s many programs.
