When you travel you are most likely going to run into a situation where you can't communicate with someone due to a language barrier. If you do speak their language, there's also a chance they speak differently with their gestures. Hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language are just as important in communicating with someone as being able to speak their language. Studying abroad helped me understand and adapt to communicating with someone beyond relying on words.

The new environment and way of life really makes you stop and think inwards about everything you've experienced before. Something as simple as going to get groceries is so wildly different. You start to think about the differences in how things are done. Is the way things are done back home the most efficient? Is one way better than the other? When you are able to see things done in another way you can compare the two and potentially see areas that could be improved. Something I learned about Italy and Italians is how much they value beauty in everyday life. They pride themselves on their architecture, their statues, their art, and their craft. When a historical building is under construction, the tarp they use to cover the construction has a printed image of what the building looks like underneath to not be an eyesore. Every railing, door handle, and street sign has looks factored in.

Being a first-generation college student, I did not know opportunities like this were available. Studying abroad opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and new paths I could take. While studying abroad I was introduced to career paths my degree could lead to that I had never heard of before. I was able to explore different areas of the industry that I did not know were options. I didn’t just network, I was able to make connections across the world.

Name: Oranna Dreaver
Status: Sophomore
Major: Apparel and Textile Design
Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Program: CEA CAPA Florence, Italy - Studio Art & Fashion Design