One of the hidden gems of attending the University of Nevada, Reno is USAC, an award-winning international education provider that offers more than 50 study abroad programs around the world. 

Study abroad can be one of the most powerful experiences you can have in college, but it can also be pretty daunting to pick up and move to a new country for a semester. University Admissions & Recruitment coordinator Crystal Respicio talks about her experience studying in Italy. 

What was it like working with USAC?

I originally planned to study abroad the summer of my junior year. I met with a USAC financial aid advisor, Nicole, the spring semester prior to discuss a financial plan to prepare for my session. After going over all of the expenses and the amount of funds I needed, I panicked. I thought I wasn’t prepared financially to go and was going to cancel my application and lose my deposit.

But Nicole reassured me that I was able to study abroad. She said, “We'd rather work with you to make sure you have this experience. Let’s move your program session to summer 2018.” A whole year later. I was relieved. I could still travel to Italy and have a whole year to prepare? It was a blessing. USAC is so accommodating to work with. I really recommend that you start to prepare financially at least a year in advance if you are interested in studying abroad.

What was the plane-ride like? What were your feelings as you prepared to land.

I was terrified before I left for my flight. When my parents walked me to airport security, I was shaking. I gave my parents big hugs goodbye and took my first steps toward another continent.

I could have chosen the group flight that USAC provides, but cost was a driving factor for me. I purchased a cheaper flight to fly by myself to Italy. It was really daunting at first, but looking back I gained so much confidence by flying by myself. Surprisingly, I had a layover in Chicago and ran into my roommate, Katie, for the session. Even though we were on opposite sides of the plane, I was able to fly across the Atlantic with a new friend.

Fourteen hours is a very long time to be sitting. My neck pillow and United Airlines movies really came in clutch. Definitely pick an aisle seat if you can. 

We landed in Frankfurt for a layover. The German airport was so busy and there were so many tourists. Katie and I kept our cool, clutched our bags and navigated our way through the airport using context clues with the German signs.

We boarded a smaller plane to depart for Verona. We flew over beautiful mountains, and once we entered the city, I could not believe what I was seeing. It was so green and the buildings looked like artwork from above.

Who met you at the airport? What did you do on the first day?

Once we landed, Katie and I met another USAC student. We split a cab to our assigned hotel for the next few days. We explored the city on our own and found the Adige River. We made our way down the river and found an old castle, Castel Vecchio. I still have the photos from that day.

Once everyone arrived, we headed into town. I’ll never forget how awestruck I was by Piazza Bra. The Arena was incredible, the buildings were beautiful, and the people were so lively. It was so fun to experience this with all the other students. The entire program filled the top floor of the restaurant and I can only imagine how many pizzas we all scarfed down. The pizza was sooo delicious and it was a night full of laughs.

Tell me about where you lived.

USAC students have a few different living options. Some students choose to have a homestay, where you live with a host family. I choose the residence apartments, which were basically apartment-style dorms. Almost everyone in the building is from the USAC program. If you like to be social and have independence, I recommend this living option. 

How did you decide what classes to take?

I was able to select my classes with my program advisor from USAC and my academic advisor from the University. My program advisor gave me a list of options to choose from, and I took those options to my meeting with my academic advisor. She let me know what classes to pick that would satisfy my degree requirements. In the end, I picked an operations management course to count as an elective credit. An Italian language course for fun and then my favorite, an Italian cooking class as my diversity credit. 

What was your first class like? Did you meet other students?

My first class was a cooking class! I was with 15 other students. We made the best risotto of my life. Now I have the recipe forever and will continue to make risotto for my family and friends. The cooking class was the best. Every week, I was able to make 3 meals and learn Italian traditions through food.

I thought it'd be difficult navigating the language, but all of my professors were fluent in English as well.

What did you do when you weren't in class?

My classes were mostly in the mornings, so I had so much free time to explore the city. We volunteered to reply to letters from Juliet's Statue. I met local friends that took us to the best restaurants and bars (which are coffeshops in Italy).

Looking back, my favorite part was walking around the city by myself. I found my favorite coffee shop, pizza place and market. I magically felt safe in a city that was so new to me.

I only had classes from Tuesdays through Thursdays, so I planned many long weekend trips. I was able to visit Florence, Venice, Rome and Bologna. I even traveled to other countries like Paris, France and Germany!

What are the things you'd recommend everyone do in Verona? 

If you choose Verona, Italy as your destination. I have 4 things you must do while you are there.

1. Climb to San Pietro at night. You will never see a more beautiful site than Verona at night.
2. Tour Giardino Giusti. It is a historic landmark that's hidden in the city. Once you walk into the gates, you'll find a small palace and massive garden area that was familiar to the likes of Mozart.
3. You have to eat at La Romana Gelateria everyday. (Because you will miss it everyday once you leave!)
4. Splurge on a nice dinner once or twice. Go to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that's not touristy. That is where you'll find the best food.

What did study abroad teach you about yourself?

I have always thought myself to be a level-headed person. But when you are abroad you are put into situations that you have never experienced, and I’ll forever be grateful for the lessons I have learned. I feel that my experience helped me to understand people on a different level.

Dealing with language barriers, different cultural norms and communicating with different personalities from the U.S. and Italy allowed me see that an open mind is the best thing you can have while abroad, and in life in general.

After coming back from Verona, I realized that I never really had time for myself. I was always on some level of stress. I definitely incorporate the culture of “enjoying” from Italy. I take more time to eat my meals, I find myself walking slower to notice the beauty of my environment around me, and I am not trying to rush through life overall. I will never be the age I am now again.

Try to live as romantically as you possibly can. Fall in love with the city, yourself, the food, and who knows possibly someone else. Media and movies felt intangible, like I couldn't have that life for myself. I stopped thinking that way when I was in Verona. I started living my life in the best way possible and I'll be forever grateful for that chapter in my life.

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying abroad?

Don't think about it, DO IT. You'll regret it if you don't.