The Charger Blog

ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ˜I Always Dreamed of Going to ItalyÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™

I am excited to spend the next nearly three months studying at the UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s campus in Prato, Italy, and I am looking forward to the opportunities I will have to explore and immerse myself in a new culture.

February 8, 2022

By Bella Cupano ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™23

Image of A group of University of New Haven students in Italy in early 2022.
A group of University of New Haven students in Italy in early 2022.
Image of Bella Cupano (right) and McKenna Jones.
Bella Cupano (right) and McKenna Jones.

IÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™ve never traveled abroad, and this semester, I have an amazing opportunity to be able to study abroad at the UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s campus in Prato, Italy. This opportunity gives me a chance to learn about the Italian culture and to be able to see the world. This experience will give me a chance to learn, to appreciate other cultures, and, one day, be able to apply the knowledge I learn from studying abroad to further understand people in my future endeavors.

As a psychology student, I appreciate that we need to understand people and the world through otherÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s eyes. Being able to see how other cultures view different aspects of life is extremely beneficial and beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing the architecture, the art, and to being able to explore Italy with my best friends. I am also looking forward to being able to finally experience real Italian food and Italian espresso.

Image of Bella Cupano at Kathy Zolad Field.
Bella Cupano at Kathy Zolad Field.

I always dreamed of going to Italy, as it is the one place in the world I have always wanted to visit and see. When I found out the University offered a chance for me to go abroad and study in Italy for a semester, I knew that as soon as the opportunity was available to me, I was going.

I am so excited and also terrified ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ but in a good way ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ to finally be able to see the place I always dreamed of and to be able to live there for a few months and to fully immerse myself in the culture. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I cannot wait to explore, have adventures, meet new people, and make memories.

Bella Cupano ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™23 is a psychology major at the University of New Haven with a concentration in forensic psychology and a minor in criminal justice.