I studied abroad with the American University of Rome from June 23rd to July 23rd. I took an international business class with a spectacular professor who showed us new perspectives on the world. Professor Ahen was a former businessman who is in the process of starting his own university and had many unique and informative things to teach the class. He unpacked global issues that we (as Americans) have never been exposed to, such as de-dollarization, cultural differences in foreign markets, and sustainable business practices in other countries. On the last day of class, he took us all on a field trip to Lake Bracciano where we celebrated our experience.

On a personal level, this experience made many memories I will never forget. My friends and I traveled around Europe on the weekends, going to Prague, Budapest, and Florence. These cities, along with Rome, showed us things we had never seen, and provided an unforgettable experience.

Engaging with Roman culture was lots of fun, and before we knew it, we had made many Italian friends and were immersing ourselves in the culture. Many things in Rome were nothing like the US, such as the old architecture, two-thousand-year-old ruins, and cobblestone roads. However, many things were much less different than I anticipated. The people were very friendly and easy to talk to, and I was able to get comfortable walking around the city very quickly.

The American University of Rome was very hospitable, and the campus was super nice. They organized a trip to Tuscany, showing us around Sienna, Florence, and a vineyard where they held a wine tasting. This three-day trip was lots of fun, and the University did a great job organizing it.

I’d like to thank The American University of Rome and MSU for the opportunity to study abroad.

Name: Charles Scanlon
Status: Junior
Major: Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Elmhurst, Illinois
Program: American University of Rome in Italy