Going Abroad Gazette

Tag: travel

  • Q+A with Ava Reddoch

    Originally from Austin, Texas, Ava Reddoch, 21, decided to move to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas because of her interest in the university’s study abroad program in Rome, Italy.  

    What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

    I’m a major overthinker. I live inside my head a lot.

    What’s a song, book, or movie that really speaks to who you are right now?

    I’m going to go with the Little Women movie. I resonate a lot with Jo March, specifically her outlook on life.

    What’s your ideal Saturday when you’re not traveling?

    I like slow mornings with lots of reading and hanging out with friends. I also like capitalizing on fun activities that I can do wherever I am that are niche to that place. In Fayetteville, my favorite local places are Little Bread Company and Dickson Street Bookshop.

    How do you think your friends would describe you?

    I think they’d say I’m kind and hopefully funny. Maybe a bit tenacious, and definitely loyal.

    If you had to sum up our study abroad experience in a single emoji, which one would it be?

    There’s a lot of choices. I think it would be… you know the girl that’s just literally standing there? Let me explain better. There were so many things that happened that I was just standing there confused, but this emoji could also be used for the good things. There were so many beautiful places that I had no choice but to freeze and take it all in. So there’s a duality in that answer.

    Why did you decide to study abroad, and why Italy specifically?

    Studying abroad was a goal that I’d had since I was young. I loved the idea of expanding my horizons and to know that there were so many other cultures and scenery out there that I could potentially bear witness to, how could I not jump at the opportunity? I want to be able to say that I truly lived my life to the fullest extent.

    What did your perfect day in Rome look like?

    I wake up and go get a cappuccino and croissant, which in Italy is called a cornetto, at Mox Cafe near my apartment. I would go sit in Villa Borghese or go to the Aqueduct park and read for a while. Then I would come back and explore some little shops around the city and end the day at Old Bridge Gelato, my most favorite place in all of Rome.

    What’s something you miss about Italian life that still sticks with you now?

    It’s funny, because they’re some of the most passionate people while having a way of life that is so laid back and casual. It’s a phenomenon of relaxing and eating a great meal midday on the cobblestone while watching two Italian men yell at each other. People can switch back and forth easily, and I miss getting to see that firsthand all the time.

    What was a core memory you’ll never forget?

    My birthday happened while I was abroad, so I took the whole day to myself. I went to Villa Borghese and got to see the museum inside with the Rape of Persephone. That sculpture is something that sticks with me, how it was carved so well that a viewer would never believe it was solid stone. 

    If you could eat one meal from Italy again right now, what would it be?

    If I go with one dish, I have to say the lemon pasta we had in the town of Amalfi. It was phenomenal, but meal-wise as a whole I would have to go with Da Enzo in the Trastevere area of Rome. I start out with the bread with ricotta and jam and also their meatballs, and then for entree I get their carbonara, which is insanely good. Finally for dessert I would get the tiramisu. 

    Would you study abroad again if you could?

    I would. If I have the option again, I would love to live abroad in Spain.

    What would you say to someone nervous about leaving home for the first time?

    It’s obviously going to be different, but different is fun and good! Being outside of your comfort zone feels uncomfortable at first, but then you adjust to your new norms and new way of life. I would say to find ways to make yourself busy in your new place. Don’t just sit in your room, because all that will do is make you think about your old home. Explore the city and go back to your home to crash in the evenings, and in no time you’ll feel yourself adjusting to consider this new place as your home for a while. 

    What’s the next place you’re dying to go?

    Definitely Scotland. 

    When you think about Italy, what one image or feeling comes to mind first?

    I think of images of comfort: just of a nice warm bowl of pasta with the Italian countryside landscape in the background.

  • The Highlights of Assisi, Italy

    Assisi, Italy was the first town I visited after arriving in Rome. Even though I went more around the winter season, I thought this town was a great option because of its fame for being the birthplace of St. Francis, which I assumed would maintain enough tourism to keep a few shops and restaurants open. St. Francis is famous in Christianity, especially Catholicism, for his reverence for God and his servant’s heart.  

    Me in front of the Basilica di Santa Chiara – Photo by my friend Ava Reddoch

    While my time in Assisi was wonderful, I will say that the train ride to get to this small town from Rome was not enjoyable. There are two types of trains in Italy, the regional trains and the express trains. The express trains are high-speed trains that go from major city to major city, such as Rome to Florence or Milan to Venice. These trains only have one or two stops between these wide distances. The regional trains, however, stop from town to town and go much slower. It is obviously necessary to commute to these picturesque villages, and the destinations are worth the long, and sometimes uncomfortable rides. However, this particular regional train, which went through many tunnels with intense pressure changes, was not enjoyable, especially for people like me that easily get motion sickness. Make sure to be aware of this and perhaps try to take a nap on this ride. 

    From Assisi’s town train station, we took the bus up to the actual village, which is on a hill. The zig zag roads leading us toward the town left me in awe as I felt like I was in a movie, with every detail of this small town stealing my breath and making me excited to start exploring.  

    There are three must-see places in this town. The first one, as you may assume, is the Basilica of San Francesco. This is actually a UNESCO world heritage site for its architecture and art. I saw this near the end of my day, watching the sunset from the grassy area. The second place is Rocca Maggiore. This was actually my first stop, because I wanted to start my journey at the top of the town and work my way back down. This medieval castle allows for self-guided tours, so I was able to go at my own pace and take as much time as I needed to admire the surrounding countryside from the top of the hill. There are many other cathedrals and basilicas in this town, but my personal favorite was the Basilica di Santa Chiara. The beautiful pink striped exterior was just as breathtaking inside.  

    View of Assisi from Rocca Maggiore – Photo by Ayden Carmack

    I’m usually a huge planner when it comes to finding great places to eat, because food is one of the most important parts of my travel experience, However, because it was winter, many of the restaurants were closed, and I had to just find one that was open and hope for the best. The Ristorante la Fortezza is what I picked, and I started with their homemade cheese and jam platter. One of their cheeses was some of the best I’d ever had, and when I asked the owner what it was called, he said it was a secret family recipe. For my decided on Strangozzi alla Norcina e Tartufo, which was their homemade creamy sausage pasta flavored with mushrooms and truffle. It was earthy without being unpleasant, and the perfect warm meal for a cold day. I also ordered a glass of their house blend red wine. I’m not a red wine person, preferring white myself, but their house blend was the best I’ve ever tasted. I still regret not buying a bottle to take home with me. I’m not kidding that I would go back to Assisi for this meal. 

    Ceiling of Basilica of San Francesco – Photo by Ayden Carmack

    I ended the day with a quick stop for some pizza a taglio, an Italian term from pizza by the slice. I also decided to walk back to the train station instead of taking the shuttle bus to catch a late train. This was an incredibly long walk, but if you enjoy hiking, it was well worth the distance to take in the views of the hilltop village from the bottom.  

    The town of Assisi is a perfect Italian small town escape from the hustle and bustle of Rome and Florence. Assisi makes a perfect day trip from either of these cities. Although the town has spiritual significance for Christians, it is simply a beautiful place for anyone to visit, regardless of their personal beliefs. It is a worthwhile and stunning place to spend a day for a weekend.  

  • Florence, Italy in 48 Hours

    My first time in Florence was not enjoyable. I was on week four of my 16 week study abroad experience, and my long-distance boyfriend and I were right in the middle of a major communication breakdown-turned fight. I allowed this to completely taint my 48 hours in this gorgeous city, and I am forever thankful that I decided to try again before coming back to the U.S.

    No matter what your interests are, being in the birthplace of the Renaissance is a bucket-list experience. However, I’ve found the people I know who are interested in art appreciate this city much more than the people who do not, which is understandable since this city is where Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and countless other artists grew up. On top of that, Florence is in the Tuscany region of Italy, so it’s surrounded by breathtaking small towns and villages that make perfect little day trips from Santa Maria Novella train station. 

    When to go:

    Every person that goes to any place is going to tell you that when they went is the “best time to go.” I, regrettably, am not an exception. I think you should go around the same time of year I went:) However, going both in the summer and in the early spring, I have enough experience from both to say that going in the cooler months was so much more enjoyable than going in the hot summer. My biggest reason for this is the food. The Tuscany region in the winter had some of the best comfort food I have ever eaten, and this is coming from someone born and raised in the south. When I tried those same warm, delicious Italian comfort foods with sweat trickling down my back under the aggressive sun, not only were these once amazing foods unenjoyable, but they were outright disgusting. Some of the local shops refuse to serve those dishes altogether, an attitude I respect after trying the same food under both conditions. Tuscan food is much better enjoyed when craving something warm. The whole city is better enjoyed walking around in a light jacket, instead of trying to take as much clothing off as feels appropriate. I will always be an advocate for spring and fall travelling over visiting places in the hot summer and tourist-trap months.

    What to See:

    The city of Florence is incredibly walkable, with a lot of the major highlights not too far away from each other. My number one must-see is the Duomo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Bonus points if you can get a ticket to climb to the top, as well as climbing up to the top of the bell tower next door.

    Climbing the tower, as well as visiting some art galleries, are two fun things to do that you must be prepared for, or else you may miss the experience or wait in a long line. My favorites were Galleria dell’Accademia to see the real David sculpture by Michelangelo, and the Galleria Uffizi was also beautiful. Many tours will combine the two, so you can see both. The Boboli Gardens at Pitti Palace are stunning to slowly stroll through in the morning. 

    Ava and I finished one of our nights climbing to the top of the hill of Piazzale Michelangelo and watching the sun set over a perfect view of the city. The last place to see is Ponte Vecchio at night, when the street performers are out and people are dancing.

    Ava in front of the Duomo – Photo by Ayden Carmack.

    What to Eat:

    My best food recommendation would absolutely be to get what is seasonally eaten by the locals. When I first visited in the winter, I was recommended by a local to eat at I Raddi di Santo Spirito and try ribollita (a warm veggie and bean soup) and a panini con porchetta (a roast pork sandwich). This meal honestly changed my life, not to be dramatic or anything, and Ava and I frequently bring it up whenever we’re feeling a chill in the air. However, this place is not the only restaurant with a great panini section.

    Relatively any place you go is sure to have a delicious sandwich. All’Antico Vinaio is a really popular one that is honestly worth the major line, if you can handle the snappy workers at the front. They expect you to know what you’re getting as soon as it’s your turn to speak, and make sure to have a backup option ready in case they’re out of ingredients for your first choice. Besides paninis, Florence is well-known for their steak, so we, of course, had to try and weren’t disappointed. As a coffee and sweet enthusiast, I’m telling you that you can’t leave the city without trying a Florentine affogato. Italian espresso over homemade gelato may just be a little piece of heaven on earth. These four foods are a must while visiting the beautiful city.

    Ribollita and Panini Con Porchetta at I Raddi di Santo Spirito – Photo by Ayden Carmack

    What to Buy:

    Leather Leather Leather. There are tons of amazing markets that sell all kinds of Florentine leather bags, jackets, keychains, and other personal keepsakes to bring back with you. My favorite market was Mercato del Porcellino, although the shops around Mercato Centrale also had really unique options as well. 

    Another fun souvenir to get in this city is getting a digital print at Foto Automatica, original vintage photo booths located around the city. This is a fun memory to capture with your loved ones to take home and keep forever. 

    My little sister with digital prints from Foto Automatica – Photo by Ayden Carmack

    This list provides plenty of activities and check offs for 48 hours in Florence, so you can feel like you truly explored the city of Florence without feeling overwhelmed or in a time crunch. 

    Travel experiences are only as enjoyable as you allow them to be. Please learn from my mistakes, and don’t allow an unfortunate memory to deter your willingness to try again. Everyone’s perspective is going to be different, and you cannot allow other people to discourage your excitement about exploring a new place and gaining those memories for yourself.