Megan Murlless
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Majors: Public Policy & Economics/ Minor: Social and Economic Justice
Program: Lorenzo de Medici
Location: Florence, Italy
Email: megantm@live.unc.edu
Term: Fall 2019
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I've always loved to travel and explore new places and studying abroad allowed me to experience an entirely new culture and become immersed in it. I always wanted to study in Florence since visiting Italy in High School. I was especially drawn towards Florence because of its' size and its' unique charm. LDM offers a wide variety of available classes making it accessible to many different majors.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. While abroad, I was put in situations while traveling, in class, or even in Florentine shops where I was out of my element. I grew a lot as a person learning how to navigate through difficult situations. I became more independent and more resourceful in figuring things out.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
Included in the program are two LDM field trips. One of my favorite memories from my program was hiking 14 miles in the Dolomites. It was a beautiful day and was the first time I was not in a city.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
To explore your city as much as you can! Try to become immersed in the culture. Speak the language as much as you can. I realized locals really appreciated when I would try to speak to them in Italian, even if I had trouble coming up with the correct words. Really take advantage of exploring everything your city has to offer. I think it's really important to spend some weekends in the city you are studying abroad in, rather than traveling every weekend.
Would you do it again?
Yes 100%!!
How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at UNC?
My classes were a lot smaller than at UNC. My smallest class was about 6 people. I really enjoyed it because it made the class a lot more interactive. They were more discussion based. I also enjoyed taking classes from a completely different point of view. I took a class on European integration and I thought it was interesting to see how Italians viewed America.