Ciao, summer: WSU students expand horizons during Italy study abroad program

During the summer of 2025, Abruzzo, Italy, hosted College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts students and more from around Wayne State University.

In all, 15 Warriors spent eight weeks taking classes at the Palazzo Scolastico, a historic building known for generations as the cornerstone of Abruzzo's educational life. They selected courses from science, history, and culture of Italian cuisine, Italian cinema or special seminars in art, among others.

Seven made the trek from CFPCA, four from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), and one each from the School of Medicine, College of Education, the Mike Ilitch School of Business, and the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Heath Sciences.

Katie MacDonald, associate professor of teaching in the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art, Art History, and Design, along with CLAS' Silvia Giorgini, professor of teaching and director of Italian Basic Sequence, oversee Abruzzo study abroad programming to give students an unforgettable experience.

"It's truly hard to put into words how powerful this experience was, both for the students and for me," Silvia said. "From day one, they stepped out of their comfort zones - speaking Italian with locals, navigating a new culture, tasting and making food they'd only read about, and engaging deeply with the people and traditions of Abruzzo."

Siliva credits Jessica Sciubba and Leila Caramanico as the creative minds behind many of the activities and adventures the students experienced.

"This experience offered far more than academic insight. It became a journey of mutual discovery," Sciubba said. "It was a rare and meaningful opportunity for shared growth, where both students and hosts learned from one another, each enriching the other in ways that will endure."

For Department of Communication student Rattanna Abdellatif, she always dreamed of studying abroad. But just like many students, money was a challenge.

However, that dream came true after Adebllatif received word she earned the Anne Harnett Endowed Scholarship in Design, supporting CFPCA students who wish to pursue design in Italy.

"When I received the Anne Harnett Scholarship, I was so excited because it meant I could finally go to Italy, a place I have always wanted to visit," Abdellatif said. "This is my first time ever studying abroad, and it has truly been a life-changing experience."

'Home away from home'

The town of Pacentro/Abruzzo, located on Italy's east coast, is known for its open countrysides, rivers leading to the Adriatic Sea, and steeped in a rich and vast history.

Silvia led this year's students through treks deep into the Maiella UNESCO Global Geopark - walking through the same landscapes as viewed during their film series at a local movie theatre - to climbing 1,500 meters to the highest castle in Abruzzo, Rocca Calascio, and the iconic Trabocco Turchino.

"One of my favorite memories," said Department of Music student Jess Glassel, "was that on my birthday (July 18), I was able to meet and watch a dress rehearsal of an opera company that represented the central Italian region."

For many, this was the first time abroad. Some expressed not only an excitement about travelling but a new perspective on life.

The study abroad trip also gave the opportunity to engage with other students outside of their programs, which is something not everyone gets the chance to regularly do. As they shared their experiences, Silvia began to take a mental note.

"We watched them grow more confident, curious, and connected with each other and the community, with every passing day," she said. "By the end, it wasn't just about what they had learned in class. It was about the relationships they built, the pride they felt in communicating across cultures, in making and tasting food, and the sense of belonging they found in a place that, as they told the mayor of Guardiagrele, had truly become their home away from home."

Four weeks in Italy, lifetime of benefits

Studying abroad gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, see the world from new and differing perspectives, and to live in shared learning experiences.

"Seeing the world outside the U.S. shattered my worldview, in an amazing and enlightening way," said Department of Music undergraduate Waylon Krolczyk. "I can't imagine my life without the travel that has been provided through this university."

As reported by Inside Higher Ed, a survey conducted by Terra Dotta found students who studied abroad recognized the value of international education and its impact on their personal and educational skills and goals. Students leave with a sense of excitement for what's to come and gratitude for what was.

"Studying abroad has definitely changed my perspective," said Eleanor Raygorodsky, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. "I feel more inspired to dive deeper into my art, exploring it from new angles and cultural perspectives. It's also encouraged me to continue traveling and experiencing art in different parts of the world."

CFPCA looks forward to the continued partnership with Silvia and CLAS and to the future study abroad trips to Abruzzo. CFPCA students can expect an announcement later this fall about the Anne Harnett Scholarship opportunity.

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