Emma Weaver is a senior studying journalism and public relations. Originally from Cave Creek, she spent one semester in Italy enjoying delicious desserts, practicing Italian and Spanish and visiting multiple countries. Studying abroad has changed her perspective about life and the future. Learn more about her experience.
Where did you study?
Milan, at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore for the Fall semester 2024.
Why did you choose that country for your study abroad program?
I chose Italy because I wanted to be close to bordering countries. This gave me the opportunity to travel to nearly all countries via train, which was cheaper than flying. Since Milan is located in northern Italy, I was able to visit France, Switzerland and even Germany by bus.
What classes or research did you complete while abroad and for how long?
I took four classes while attending Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. One journalism class allowed me to visit and shadow a local newspaper, Avvenire, in Milan. A personal marketing class gave me new tools, skills and techniques to promote myself to future employers. I also took a global diversity class regarding the Middle East and how history has shaped their relationship with other countries. Finally, I took a cultural understanding course about the European Union where we discussed if the EU is working as it should or if it’s failing.
How did you fund your study abroad experience?
I was lucky enough to have a part-time, on-campus job for three years and a full-time summer job. Whatever money I made that didn’t go toward my very high Flagstaff rent, I saved while I decided what program I wanted to go on. Beyond saving my paychecks, my parents were a huge help. They really helped me not only financially but mentally as well. My weekly conversations with my mom and constant check-ins with my dad were extremely helpful in getting me through my program.
What was your language-learning process?
I learned Spanish in high school, which was the only foreign language I knew. That was helpful since Italian and Spanish are from the same mother language, so I could understand what Italians were saying to me. The longer I stayed in Milan, going out to eat, buying clothes, traveling on the metro or taking longer trips, I forced myself to speak Italian. Real-life engagement paired with Duolingo helped me understand the language to the point that I was being mistaken for Italian. Best feeling ever.
Can you tell us about a humorous language-related situation you encountered?
Because I had a basic understanding of Spanish, I would switch back and forth between Italian and Spanish when I wouldn’t know the correct way to say something. There was one point in time when I went to Aperitivo with some friends, and I ordered a table for us. Started off speaking in Italian then switched to Spanish, then finished in Italian. The gentleman looked at me like I had three heads. Luckily, my friend, Mary, was there to step in before I embarrassed myself any further.
What expectations or preconceived notions did you have about your chosen country?
Being a gay woman, I was worried about how my sexual identity might be interpreted in a foreign country especially with Italy being very Catholic. But Milan had a prominent and active LGBTQIA+ neighborhood where my friends and I would go now and then. I wasn’t worried once I found this out.
How has your experience been compared to those perceptions?
I never felt I was in danger because of my sexuality or the way I dressed or which bars/clubs I went into. Yes, Italy is still very Catholic, and there are churches on every corner but slowly things are starting to change, the younger generations are more accepting when it comes to LGBTQIA+.
What aspects of your host country do you find the most different than your home country, and why?
An aspect of Italian culture that is very different from U.S. culture is how you dress. Italians don’t just dress nice to show off their clothes, but being put together is a sign of respect. For instance, never once did I ever see anyone wearing activewear outside of running or working out while here. Wearing sweatpants to a lecture or class was not a thing, because to show respect to everyone around you—professors, store owners, waiters and bus drivers—you put yourself together to say, “I respect, you so I’ll physically show you that I respect your time.” I took this cultural difference back to NAU. When I attend a class, I’m in a put-together outfit and jewelry and I’m typically wearing a small amount of makeup, to show to the professors I’m here and I respect their time.
What local traditions or customs have you experienced?
Christmas is the only time you can get chocolate-covered oranges. They were delicious and I could not get enough of them, but I also figured out that they are considered lucky. When you eat chocolate-covered oranges, it’s supposed to bring good memories for the holiday season.
On top of that, at New Year’s, when the clock strikes midnight, you are supposed to eat 12 grapes—one for each month of the new year—under a table to bring good fortune.
What was your biggest culture shock moment?
One of my biggest culture shocks was when I first arrived and realized that everyone smokes cigarettes. It is still a very common practice to have a smoke break or smoke while waiting for the bus, and every store you go into is guaranteed to sell cigarettes. I always thought smoking was very old-fashioned, but it is still very much a part of modern life in Italy and in every country I visited.
Tell us about your favorite—and/or least favorite—dish abroad.
Italy has a wide variety of food; it’s not just pizza and pasta. There’s simply made panini, piadina, which is a flatbread wrap/sandwich, mouthwatering salmon and creamy risotto. But being a dessert person I fell head over heels for the country’s delectable sweets. I had gelato at least every other day. Affogato, which is an espresso shot poured over gelato, is an amazing pairing. There are so many flavors of light and fluffy tiramisù that I unfortunately couldn’t try them all. I still dream of this Nutella tiramisù I had in Milan; it was a chocolate lover’s paradise filled with creamy Nutella between heavenly soft sponge cake and finally, chopped walnuts sprinkled throughout.
How has this study abroad experience influenced your personal, academic and career goals?
Before this experience, my world was very small. I thought I would live in Arizona my whole life because that’s where my family is, and other than vacations around the States I hadn’t done much exploring. After returning travel is all I want to do. There is so much outside of Arizona, outside of the States, that I haven’t seen and want to. I started looking into job possibilities over in Europe and hoping that once I get my foot in the door I can apply and make my way back to Europe.
Has it opened new possibilities or changed your direction?
I never thought about working or living in Europe, but since returning it is the only thing I can think about. A semester abroad wasn’t long enough; I wish I could’ve stayed a year to travel more and taste every delicacy I came across. I will go back. I don’t know in what shape or form yet, but I want to live or work either in Italy or England, the two favorite countries I visited.