Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Italian Studies

From the fresh made pizza to the locals in my neighborhood spouting off Italian at me, everything about my trip to Torino Italy is such a found memory for me. There will be things that will surprise and shock you as well as bring you out of your comfort zone. The staff in the USAC Torino program were so helpful at helping you feel at home, and I really felt like they could answer any question I had. I made amazing friends from around the U.S. and form friendships with the locals in Torino. Torino has provides a great community for young people with a large university and great night life. I loved that Torino was not a tourist destination- I believe I learned Italian so much quicker because of this. The six months I spent in Europe were invaluable and I cherish all of the memories.

I don't even know where to begin. Ever since I started college, I was determined to study abroad in Italy. As the days neared my departure, the nerves began to settle in. I wish I could have told myself when I felt unsteady about this upcoming experience, that it was about to be the best six months of my life.
Torino was absolutely amazing and USAC could not have made me feel more at home. I lived in an apartment in midtown with three American girls who to do this day are still some of my best friends. Our apartment was quaint, beautiful, and the best part- quite affordable. We even had the cutest landlord, an elderly Italian man, who barely spoke any English. On Easter, he bought us a cake and delivered it up to our apartment to ensure we had a great day.
The Italians were the most unique, interesting, lively people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. They have this wonderful quality about themselves, where they truly live. They indulge in all things to make a "docle vita": great vino, great food, great conversations, great work schedules.. great everything.
One of my favorite things about where I lived in Torino, was Parco Valentino. Parco Valentino was about a five minute walk from my apartment and it is the largest park in Torino. It is full of people reading, playing soccer, sunbathing, drinking wine, and just enjoying each others company. It is also where many clubs are located as the weather warms up.
Among the many great things in Torino is the weather. You are right in the mountains, so walking to class you can see the infamous Alps. In the winter you get some snow and some rain. And in the summer, you get a purely perfect heat. Regardless of the weather, you never need an excuse to eat gelato!
The school you attend for USAC is called SAA. It has great classes with even better teachers. Each of my teachers were personable and fascinating. You also attend a school full of other Italian students so you have many opportunities to become friends with the locals. The staff are also some of the best people I have ever met and will do anything to make sure you get the experience of a lifetime.
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to travel and see the world. You can hope on a Ryanair flight for a cheap price and be anywhere in Europe. I spent about half of my semester traveling through Europe and the other half hanging out and experiencing Torino. It was a perfect balance.
You may be thinking that this life I described sounds too good to be true, but I promise you it is not. Take the chance. Hop on a plane and you will realize the second you get there, that this will be the best six months of your life. The cultures you'll experience, the relationships you will make, the food you will indulge in- nothing can compare to a blissful life in Italia. It is completely worth every penny. And trust me, the moment it comes to be taking your steps on a plane back home, you will want to run the other way. It is my second home, and it could be your, too!

The time from the moment I boarded the plane at SFO to the moment I stepped off 6 months later included the most rewarding and unique experiences I never thought I would get the chance to experience. There is just absolutely too much to express adequately in words, but I can say it was priceless. Every aspect of normal life was new during my time abroad. Day to day activities were altered, weekend plans became a must, and dietary changes were obvious as well. I lived in an apartment with two other American students for the 4 month duration of the program and then moved in with a host family for 2 more months after the program ended. Of all the experiences I had, I have to say that traveling with my roommates, staying with the host family, and exploring my home city were my favorite things. Although being in a foreign country that you don't know the language of is challenging, working through it is unbelievably rewarding and makes the experience that much better. Running into problems during travels become great stories to look back at and laugh about. Being exposed to a different world and culture, or many different worlds and cultures, really makes you aware of what's out there and makes you more curious about what else could be out there. I regret nothing about my experience and have realized from it that once you are able to take the first step into the world, to explore what is out there, you'll become addicted and won't want to stop!

Going to Torino was the best decision ever. The staff is amazing, the city is full of things to do and beautiful places to see. Torino became my second home and I would go back in an instant! I made some amazing friends while I was there and cannot wait to meet up with them all again, hopefully in Torino! Meet the locals, find your favorite Gelateria and try everything at least once!

Day to day: I went to class, went grocery shopping, running/hiking in the local park, volunteering at a local elementary school or just hanging out with my amazing roommates!

Weekends: We traveled a lot throughout Italy but I also went to several other EU countries. I rode buses, trains, planes and subways every week and loved every minute! If we remained in Torino for the weekend (HIGHLY suggested - don't travel every single weekend) we would visit local museums, hang out in the park and then go to the discotecas! Always a blast.

My daily activities consisted of going to school, going grocery shopping, and coming home to amazing roommates! My first semester in Torino I lived with a girl from South Korea and we instantly became friends! During the week we would have dinners, do homework, and socialize with other people from USAC.
On the weekends, I would go to the Murazzi and discoteca's! I also traveled around Italy and other European countries! I loved my time in Italy, and I would not trade it for anything!

My day to day activities during the week involved grocery shopping at the open markets, attending classes at the business university, and shopping downtown. During the weekends, my friends and I enjoyed traveling to various places in Italy, as well other surrounding European countries. We took trains, planes, and subways on the daily. It was more than just an awesome experience! Words can not even begin to describe everything I learned from studying abroad.

I found it a bit difficult in trying to find my way around without knowing Italian. It was very overwhelming at first, but once I started taking Italian language courses in the classroom, I began to gain some confidence.
For example: Attempting to read the menus and order at restaurants was at times very frustrating!

This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. My time abroad was enlightening. I learned about culture, language, travel, and life. I was happier in Torino than I've ever been. It's more difficult to go home than it was to leave the US in the first place.

Go -- just go and do it. Stop with the excuses. It will be the time of your life. Take it all in, take advantage of it all -- city,traveling, new friends from all over the world, good classes in language, culture, architecture, business, friendly people and staff, impressive housing, real Italian people and lifestyle,you'll get to know your neighbors and locals quickly ... I highly recommend this program - do it with USAC. Other programs are not as good and don't prepare you as well or care as much as about their students. USAC TORINO is the best! Thanks to everybody there!!!!