January 19th, 2016. That was the day I received my acceptance letter to the Social Media and Marketing study abroad program in Siena, Italy. Six months later, my plane is booked, my suitcase is packed, and I’m ready for an adventure of a life time. With only four days left, my anticipation is at an all time high and all I can think about is the hilltop city that will become my home for six weeks.

 

Siena, Italy is located in the heart of Tuscany and has a riveting history that dates back to pre-Roman beginnings. The city is known for its breathtaking architecture, tasty food, and their annual horse race, the Palio. Unlike Oregon’s abundance of trees and greenery, Siena is composed of red brick and their 17 contrades (neighborhoods) that have their own unique identities. Their relaxed culture and rich history provide the perfect place for anyone to experience “the good life” of Italy.

 

When I first decided to study abroad, I went to the Global Education Office (GEO) website (link located at the top of blog) and started looking at their programs. This program immediately caught my attention and I soon realized it was the perfect fit for me and my educational goals.  With the Marketing and Social Media class, I will be completing some of my business requirements and be able to work on my intercultural competency skills. In addition, the Cross-Cultural Communications class will help me learn and appreciate Siena’s history and people. After researching more about the program and looking at other student’s pictures, I knew that this adventure was the one for me. After a couple essays and one recommendation, I got accepted to the first session the program.

 

June 21st, 2016. That is the day I’ll be boarding a plane to travel five thousand miles to experience foreign food, Italian beauty, and new company. Cheers to traveling, new adventures, and living the Italian dream.

Until next time,

The Italian Duck