Ali Rood

When I first decided to study abroad, I had many questions and nerves. I remember getting on the plane to Italy, feeling like I had no idea what the next month had in store. Looking back now, I had nothing to worry about. My past month spent in Italy at CIMBA was so amazing.

Traveling on the weekends is an adventure like none other, and often the main topic of conversation. While I love exploring on the weekends, there have been so many fun activities to do during the week here in Paderno and surrounding towns. Here are some highlights of what I’ve been up to during the week!

This past weekend was our first official travel weekend. My friends and I decided to visit the beautiful city of Venice! Everyone told me Venice was a must-see and they could not have been more right. From the moment we stepped off the train in Venice, I was constantly in awe of all the city’s beauty.

It’s currently finals week for me at the University of Iowa and only twelve days before I leave for Italy. Between studying and spending time with friends, I’ve been anxiously preparing and thinking about my time in Italy. I am beyond excited about my experience abroad, but I definitely have a few nerves going into it.