This week Denise is here to share her experience studying abroad! How exciting! If you have ever thought about studying abroad, and even if you haven’t, learn about the places she has visited and the things she has done while in other countries.
Hi! It’s Denise again! I am a part of Cohort 3 in College Connect and I am writing about my study abroad experience to encourage College Connect Students to study abroad!
I am studying abroad in Paris and while studying abroad the program gave us a two week break. During the break I traveled to Rome, Pisa, and Barcelona!
Standing in front of the Colosseum!
I remember as a child thinking one day that I want to go to Italy and see the coliseum. When I got accepted for the study abroad program, I could not believe I was actually going to Rome! When I stood in front of the coliseum I was so happy that I was jumped up and down out of excitement.
Pope Francis was in Rome when I went and I sat in front of the Vatican with hundreds for mass given by the Pope. Instead of watching the Pope at home on TV I was sitting in the Vatican listening to the Pope! The feeling was surreal. The Vatican was beautiful and in Musei Vaticani I saw the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. It was breathtakingly incredible.
Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Pizza from Italy! Where do I begin? The pizza, pasta, and spaghetti in Italy were delicious! And the gelato was amazing!
In Italy, I also went to Pisa I saw the leaning tower of Pisa!
For the second part of my trip I went to Spain! In Barcelona, I went to see FC Barcelona play. I saw Messi, Neymar and Suàrez! I love soccer and being able to see the world’s best soccer player, Messi, play in Barcelona, was awesome! Everyone in the crowed was overjoyed to see FC Barcelona. I remember telling my dad and little brother over the phone, “voy a ir a ver a Messi jugar en Barcelona” and both of them were so joyful and amazed.
In Barcelona, I went to the Sagrada Familia, which is a large Roman Catholic Church. The Gothic architecture was stunning in it’s detail. I went to the Park Güell. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí and the park is filled with beautiful multicolored mosaics, columns, and colonnaded footpaths. In the park’s high point, one is able to see a complete view of Barcelona. The park and the view left me speechless and in marvel.
Watching some of the greatest players in Barcelona!
I would like to thank College Connect for helping me make my dream of study abroad a reality! I am so grateful I was able to study abroad. Being young and given the opportunity to travel to Rome, Pisa, and Barcelona left amazing memories that I will forever cherish! I strongly encourage College Connect Students to study abroad! It might seem intimidating at first being in another country away from loved ones back home, but I think it is important to step outside of one’s comfort zone. If I didn’t step out of my comfort zone I would have never studied abroad in Paris and traveled to all those beautiful places.
Through studying abroad you will create new friendships, learn, and travel to countries you have always wished of traveling to! If you want to learn more about studying abroad or have questions please feel free to contact me I will be more than happy to help.
Best,
Denise Castro, Cohort 3
Denise.castro1@yahoo.com