Caylee | UCB Study Abroad

"I was someone who never thought it would be possible for me to afford to study abroad, but I was able to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world fully funded by financial aid and other scholarships! I encourage anyone of low-income status to apply to scholarships and seek help from study abroad advisors to make something that seems as unattainable as studying abroad, a reality."

What led you to study abroad? Why did you choose your country/program?

I knew that I would never have the same chance to study and live abroad. I wanted to participate in something like Berkeley study abroad that gave me more than the regular college experience. Italy is a cornerstone of Europe for its cuisine, architecture, fashion, art, literature, and history. I chose to study in Florence specifically as it is in the heart of Italy and offers a taste of all of these things.

What salient identities do you hold? How did your identity/identities impact the way you prepared for, or chose your study abroad experience?

My identity as a low-income, first-gen student has made me acutely aware of how important it is to take opportunities when given the chance and seeing the value in experiences like study abroad. I was never sure studying abroad was a feasible or realistic path for me to take, but luckily with financial aid and a variety of scholarships, I was able to fully fund my study abroad experience.

Describe a typical day for you abroad.

I'd wake up early before class and go to the cafe in the piazza near my apartment for a cappuccino and pastry. Then I'd walk to class where I'd be for a few hours. On the way home from school, I'd stop at the grocery store to get some things to cook lunch. After that I did homework, went on walks along the river, and depending on the day stop for a glass of wine before heading to bed.

What coursework did you take while abroad? How did courses abroad compare with Berkeley classes?

My program was an immersive language program studying Italian. My only class was learning Italian.

What was the biggest challenge/concern of your study abroad experience? How did you respond?

Florence was hugely impacted by summer tourism and for this reason local Italians did not take kindly to Americans. This made it difficult to feel truly at home or comfortable there. However, I found a circle of friends consisting of other students on my program who felt the same way. Having a support system made all the difference for me and helped me feel better during moments of homesickness and feeling overwhelmed with the foreignness of being abroad.

What would you recommend to students considering studying abroad, especially if they share similar identities and/or are considering your country or program?

There are a litany of scholarships out there and people who are there to help guide you through the process of applying and getting abroad. I was someone who never thought it would be possible for me afford to study abroad, but I was able to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world fully funded by financial aid and other scholarships! I encourage anyone of low-income status to apply to scholarships and seek help from study abroad advisors to make something that seems as unattainable as studying abroad, a reality.