Burnett, Allison

Allison Burnett

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad because I wanted to take full advantage of this awesome opportunity to travel. Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience that I wholly believe everyone should try to participate in. I selected my program because I was really interested in Italy's culture and history and wanted to fully immerse myself in it.

What did you learn about yourself?
I gained a lot of confidence in my decision-making skills during my study abroad experiences. There were a few times that I found myself in non-ideal situations that I had to make fast, smart decisions to get the outcome I wanted. These situations put a lot of other issues into perspective for me. Now when I run into a problem that previously would've consumed me, I stop and think that I can do this because I have conquered more complicated situations on my own.

What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
There is a plaza in Florence called Michelangelo Square. The square is in the hills so you get a beautiful view of the city center. One night my friends and I got paninis and went to watch the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and most people left once it was over. But my friends and I were so wrapped up in our conversation that, before we knew it, the lights of Florence came on and lit up the most beautiful city in the world. It was one of the most stunning sights I have ever seen. We sat talking, singing, admiring on top of the hill for hours and that is forever my most favorite memory of my time in Italy.

What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Trust your gut!! Your gut feeling is real and you need to listen to it! But also, go outside of your comfort zone! Doing things that scare you will make you a stronger person with some really cool stories to tell!

Memories