Biography
Name: Olivia Hatton, Class of 2020
Email: ohatton@tulane.edu
Program: Bologna Consortial Studies Program, Italy, Spring 2019
Fields of Study: Neuroscience, Italian
How did studying abroad affect your academic and/or professional career?
By taking Italian University classes, I was placed into a completely different university system than I had ever experienced. Having to adapt to their style of classes, learn in another language, and change the way I previously thought of education really helped me grow as a student. In this way, I was forced to either adapt or fall behind. This may sound intimidating, but by having an open mind, I grew exponentially as a student and learned so many new skills to use in my professional career.
How did you explore your hobbies, interests, and passions abroad?
By having this new experience, I found a passion for traveling and learning about different cultures. I traveled to several countries and many Italian cities, learning not only about different cultures as a whole but about regional differences in Italy as well. I developed a new passion for cooking after learning from my Italian roommates, taking a home made pasta class, and trying so many different restaurants.
Why would you recommend your respective abroad program or location?
I would recommend the BCSP Program because it offers full immersion into the Italian culture in all aspects of university life. The program is highly academic as you will be taking the majority of your courses at the University of Bologna with Italian students, all in the language. BCSP does a great job at connecting you with other opportunities like various internships and jobs as well. The program is also fully immersive socially as you choose your own apartment and live amongst Italian students.
What should students consider when applying and preparing for their time abroad?
I think that it is really important to consider all of the available programs and which best suits you and your interests. Each program is different so I encourage students to really do their research about the programs and what life would be like in each one. I also think that it is really important to just go into your program with an open mind and be willing to adapt to the ways of your host country's culture.
Share a story about a time you experienced cultural immersion.
Living with other Italian university students was definitely a culturally immersive experience. It was great because it was an easy way to make friends and learn about their way of life. I really enjoyed cooking with my roommates and learning about our different styles of eating. We spent a lot of time at the dinner table just learning about each other's cultures and our similarities/differences.
