BY KELLY LEWIS
In late August of 2021, junior Sara Rocco was accepted to study abroad at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy for the Spring of 2022.
Rocco is the first and only Stonehill student to go abroad this semester since the Stonehill study abroad program was paused due to health and safety reasons back in March of 2020.
Rocco said that in order to study abroad, she had to withdraw from Stonehill and will have to reapply when she returns.
“It’s basically like taking a gap semester. My name is still in the system and my scholarships are still in place,” she said.
Patricia Mead, the Academic/Program Coordinator for the office of International Programs assisted Rocco in this process.
“On paper, Sara is withdrawn, but she technically isn’t,” Mead said.
She said that Stonehill would help Sara out if anything tragic were to happen while she is overseas.
Rocco said she is very fortunate to have gone abroad this semester because many students couldn’t due to financial reasons. In fact, she said the cost of living is much cheaper.
“I live in an apartment with two other girls from Babson College. It’s convenient because they are also from the Boston area,” Rocco said.
Mead said she thinks many students are hesitant to go abroad because of COVID restrictions.
“I was so scared to go abroad because of the Omicron variant, and how easy it was to catch. Up until the last week before the program started, I told myself that I wasn’t going, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” Rocco said.
She said she didn’t start packing her clothes and belongings until five days out. Three days out she received a covid test, as Italy at the time required travelers entering the country to submit a negative COVID test 72 hours before arrival.
On February 3, Rocco’s parents dropped her off at Boston Logan International Airport, exchanging hugs and bidding farewell.
Rocco said she made it to Italy with no trouble at all.
“For the first three weeks, I had to wear an N95 mask everywhere, even outside, they are really strict here,” Rocco said.
She also said that almost everywhere you go, a restaurant, train, bus, etc. they ask to see your vaccination card.
“I’m always on the edge of my seat when I arrive somewhere anticipating being asked to show my vaccination card. I keep it in a plastic slip and carry it everywhere along with my passport,” Rocco said.
She said at her school they don’t hold classes on Fridays, so she spends her weekends traveling around Italy to explore new towns.
“I’m going to all the non-touristy places and I’m forced to speak Italian with locals. It’s funny because they all think I’m Italian when they see my name. I usually can understand everything, but I have a harder time communicating back,” Rocco said.
She said she has visited small farms out in the country where families have been there for many generations.
“We cook food together, make everything from scratch, and learn about the products they use and where everything comes from,” Rocco said.
Rocco said she has learned that some businesses close in the late afternoon because Italians value their rest. Also, she said they take their time.
“When you go out to eat, you can take your time, the waiters don’t drop the check on the table, you need to flag them down, you could sit there for three hours and they wouldn’t care,” Rocco said.
Rocco said Italy is very different from America but she likes the change.
“All of these experiences have pushed me and I’ve grown so much. I feel like a whole new person and I’m so thankful for this opportunity,” she said.
Rocco’s program ends in April and she will be on a flight back to Boston on April 30. She said she’s looking forward to visiting her Stonehill friends before the semester ends.
Mead said there are currently 48 students planning to study abroad next fall. They are currently participating in workshops to prepare them for the experience.
The deadline to study abroad for fall has passed, but students are encouraged to make an appointment with the Office of International Programs to learn more.
Rocco said she will be more than happy to talk to students about her study abroad experience when she returns.
If someone was hesitant to go abroad but had an interest, she said just do it.
“It will make you stronger and more confident,” Rocco said.
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